Patents by Inventor James P. Berner

James P. Berner 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).

  • Orthosis for leg movement with virtual hip pivot
    Patent number: 4566440
    Abstract: A leg exercise orthosis supports the leg of a patient while causing movement of the hip, knee, and ankle joints. The apparatus includes a frame; a femur support; a tibia support which is pivotally connected to the femur support; a double four-bar linkage which connects the frame, the femur support, and the tibia support; and a drive motor connected to the double four-bar linkage. As it is driven by the drive motor, the double four bar linkage guides motion of the femur and tibia supports so that femur support pivots about a virtual pivot axis which essentially corresponds to the pivot axis of the hip joint of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Empi, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Berner, Patricia M. Derus, James P. Berner