Patents by Inventor Joel R. Erickson

Joel R. Erickson 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).

  • Artificial muscle actuator assembly
    Patent number: 6223648
    Abstract: A flexible actuator assembly (20) including a flexible bladder device (22) having an expandable sealed chamber (23) adapted to substantially directionally displace between a deflated condition and an inflated condition, displacing a proximal portion (25) of the bladder device (22) away from a distal portion (26) thereof. An elongated tendon member (27) includes a distal portion (28) oriented outside the chamber (23), while an anchor portion (30) extends into the chamber (23) through a distal opening (31) in the bladder device (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Joel R. Erickson
  • Artificial muscle actuator assembly
    Patent number: 6067892
    Abstract: A flexible actuator assembly (20) including a flexible bladder device (22) having an expandable sealed chamber (23) adapted to substantially directionally displace between a deflated condition and an inflated condition, displacing a proximal portion (25) of the bladder device (22) away from a distal portion (26) thereof. An elongated tendon member (27) includes a distal portion (28) oriented outside the chamber (23), while an anchor portion (30) extends into the chamber (23) through a distal opening (31) in the bladder device (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Joel R. Erickson