Patents by Inventor Kirby Ann Witte

Kirby Ann Witte 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: 11491074
    Abstract: An exoskeleton system includes a cable, an exoskeleton device, a controller, and a motor. The exoskeleton device includes a frame comprising a first portion coupled to a second portion by a joint, a first crossbar supported by the first portion of the frame, and a second crossbar supported by the second portion of the frame. The first crossbar is configured to redirect the cable toward the second crossbar, and the cable is configured to affix to the second crossbar. The motor is connected to the cable and configured to cause the cable to provide a torque about the joint. The controller controls the motor to adjust the torque. The cable provides the torque by exerting a first force on the first crossbar and a second force on the second crossbar. The cable provides the torque about the joint in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Kirby Ann Witte, Steven H. Collins
  • Publication number: 20210369537
    Abstract: This document describes an exoskeleton device that includes a cable, a lever that is connected to the cable, a frame comprising a strut that redirects the cable toward the lever, wherein the frame is coupled to the lever by a rotational joint; and a motor that is connected to the cable and configured to cause the cable to provide a torque about the rotational joint, wherein the cable is configured to provide the torque by exerting a first force on the lever and a second force on the frame, and wherein the cable is further configured to provide the torque in a first rotational direction and is prevented from applying the torque in an opposite rotational direction to the first rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kirby Ann Witte, Rachel W. Jackson, Steven H. Collins
  • Publication number: 20190015287
    Abstract: An exoskeleton system includes a cable, an exoskeleton device, a controller, and a motor. The exoskeleton device includes a frame comprising a first portion coupled to a second portion by a joint, a first crossbar supported by the first portion of the frame, and a second crossbar supported by the second portion of the frame. The first crossbar is configured to redirect the cable toward the second crossbar, and the cable is configured to affix to the second crossbar. The motor is connected to the cable and configured to cause the cable to provide a torque about the joint. The controller controls the motor to adjust the torque. The cable provides the torque by exerting a first force on the first crossbar and a second force on the second crossbar. The cable provides the torque about the joint in a first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Kirby Ann Witte, Steven H. Collins
  • Publication number: 20180125738
    Abstract: This document describes an exoskeleton device that includes a cable, a lever that is connected to the cable, a frame comprising a strut that redirects the cable toward the lever, wherein the frame is coupled to the lever by a rotational joint; and a motor that is connected to the cable and configured to cause the cable to provide a torque about the rotational joint, wherein the cable is configured to provide the torque by exerting a first force on the lever and a second force on the frame, and wherein the cable is further configured to provide the torque in a first rotational direction and is prevented from applying the torque in an opposite rotational direction to the first rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Kirby Ann Witte, Rachel W. Jackson, Steven H. Collins