Patents by Inventor Benjamin Robert Hoffman

Benjamin Robert Hoffman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10390736
    Abstract: A force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly with a top surface configured to receive at least one portion of the body of a subject and at least one force transducer configured to sense forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface; at least one visual display device configured to display one or more visual elements so that the visual elements are viewable by the subject, and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly and the at least one visual display device. In one or more embodiments, the force measurement assembly may be in the form of an instrumented treadmill. In one or more further embodiments, the force measurement system may additionally comprise a motion capture system configured to detect the motion of one or more body gestures of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Jaswandi Tushar Pitale, David James Oravec, Sasan Ghassab, Benjamin Robert Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10216262
    Abstract: A force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly with a top surface configured to receive at least one portion of the body of a subject and at least one force transducer configured to sense forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface; at least one visual display device having an output screen configured to at least partially circumscribe three sides of a torso of the subject, and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly and the at least one visual display device. In one or more embodiments, the force measurement assembly may be in the form of an instrumented treadmill. In one or more further embodiments, the force measurement system may additionally comprise a motion capture system configured to detect the motion of one or more body gestures of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab, Jaswandi Tushar Pitale
  • Patent number: 10085676
    Abstract: A force measurement system includes a plurality of force measurement assemblies arranged in a loop configuration, the plurality of force measurement assemblies configured to be displaced around a continuous path of movement such that a particular one of the plurality of force measurement assemblies that is disposed underneath a subject varies over time. Each of the plurality of force measurement assemblies includes a top surface for receiving at least one portion of the body of the subject; and at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface of the force measurement assembly by the subject. The force measurement system may additionally comprise a data processing device operatively coupled to each of the force transducers of each of the force measurement assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab
  • Patent number: 9927312
    Abstract: A motion base for displacing a force measurement assembly is disclosed herein. The motion base includes a base assembly; a support structure configured to be coupled to the force measurement assembly; a rotatable coupling device, the rotatable coupling device rotatably coupling the support structure to the base assembly; and an actuation system, the actuation system including one or more actuators operatively coupled to the support structure, the one or more actuators configured to displace the support structure relative to the base assembly. In one or more embodiments, greater than 50% of the weight of the support structure is supported by the rotatable coupling device. Also, in one or more embodiments, the motion base may be used for displacing objects other than a force measurement assembly, such as for displacing a flight simulator or a virtual reality simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab
  • Patent number: 9916011
    Abstract: A force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly with a top surface configured to receive at least one portion of the body of a subject and at least one force transducer configured to sense forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface; at least one visual display device having an output screen, the output screen comprising an overhanging top portion so that a top edge of the output screen is not readily visible to the subject; and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly and the at least one visual display device. In one or more embodiments, the force measurement assembly may be in the form of an instrumented treadmill. In one or more further embodiments, the force measurement system may additionally comprise a motion capture system configured to detect the motion of one or more body gestures of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Scott Zerkle Barnes, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab, Jaswandi Tushar Pitale
  • Patent number: 9854997
    Abstract: A force measurement system includes a plurality of force measurement assemblies arranged in a loop configuration, the plurality of force measurement assemblies configured to be displaced around a continuous path of movement such that a particular one of the plurality of force measurement assemblies that is disposed underneath a subject varies over time. Each of the plurality of force measurement assemblies includes a top surface for receiving at least one portion of the body of the subject; and at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface of the force measurement assembly by the subject. The force measurement system may additionally comprise a data processing device operatively coupled to each of the force transducers of each of the force measurement assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab
  • Patent number: 9778119
    Abstract: A load transducer is disclosed herein. The load transducer includes a body portion having a plurality of sides, the plurality of sides of the body portion including a first side; a plurality of beam portions including a first beam portion and a second beam portion, the first beam portion being coupled to the body portion, the second beam portion being coupled to the first beam portion, and the second beam portion extending along the first side of the body portion; and at least one load cell disposed on one or more of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one load cell configured to measure at least one force or moment component of a load applied to the load transducer. A force measurement assembly including a plurality of load transducers with first and second beam portions is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bertec Limited
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9568382
    Abstract: A force measurement assembly with damping is disclosed herein. The force measurement assembly includes a force measurement surface for receiving at least one portion of a body of a subject; at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the force measurement surface of the force measurement assembly by the subject; at least one base member disposed underneath the at least one force transducer or forming a part of the at least one force transducer; and a damping member disposed between the at least one base member and a mounting surface on which the force measurement assembly is disposed. A force measurement system that includes the force measurement assembly with damping is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20160334288
    Abstract: A load transducer is disclosed herein. The load transducer includes a body portion having a plurality of sides, the plurality of sides of the body portion including a first side; a plurality of beam portions including a first beam portion and a second beam portion, the first beam portion being coupled to the body portion, the second beam portion being coupled to the first beam portion, and the second beam portion extending along the first side of the body portion; and at least one load cell disposed on one or more of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one load cell configured to measure at least one force or moment component of a load applied to the load transducer. A force measurement assembly including a plurality of load transducers with first and second beam portions is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20160245711
    Abstract: A load transducer is disclosed herein. The load transducer includes a plurality of beam portions connected to one another in succession, the plurality of beam portions being arranged in a circumscribing pattern whereby a central one of the plurality of beam portions is at least partially circumscribed by one or more outer ones of the plurality of beam portions; and at least one load cell disposed on one of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one load cell configured to measure at least one force or moment component of a load applied to the load transducer. A force measurement assembly including a plurality of load transducers with beam portions arranged in a circumscribing pattern is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9404823
    Abstract: A load transducer is disclosed herein. The load transducer includes a plurality of beam portions connected to one another in succession, the plurality of beam portions being arranged in a circumscribing pattern whereby a central one of the plurality of beam portions is at least partially circumscribed by one or more outer ones of the plurality of beam portions; and at least one load cell disposed on one of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one load cell configured to measure at least one force or moment component of a load applied to the load transducer. A force measurement assembly including a plurality of load transducers with beam portions arranged in a circumscribing pattern is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Bertec Limited
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9032817
    Abstract: A load transducer includes a central body portion; a plurality of beams extending outwardly from the central body portion, each of the plurality of beams including an end portion that is supported in a cantilevered manner from the central body portion; and a plurality of load cells, each of the load cells being disposed on one of the beams, the plurality of load cells configured to measure a plurality of force and/or moment components. In addition to being very accurate and reliable, the load transducer has a low profile and small size. This invention is easily manufactured using strain gage technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Bertec Limited
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20150096387
    Abstract: A load transducer includes a central body portion; a plurality of beams extending outwardly from the central body portion, each of the plurality of beams including an end portion that is supported in a cantilevered manner from the central body portion; and a plurality of load cells, each of the load cells being disposed on one of the beams, the plurality of load cells configured to measure a plurality of force and/or moment components. In addition to being very accurate and reliable, the load transducer has a low profile and small size. This invention is easily manufactured using strain gage technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Bertec Limited
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman
  • Patent number: D755067
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Scott Zerkle Barnes, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab