Abstract: A load bearing assistance apparatus for transferring load from a lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device to the ground. The load bearing assistance apparatus includes a lateral and a medial spring-loaded members and a linking mechanism for connecting the load bearing assistance apparatus to the lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device. The linking mechanism also connects the lateral and medial spring-loaded members in a spaced apart configuration so as to position them adjacent the lateral and medial portions, respectively, of the foot of the user of the lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device and such that a portion of the lateral and medial spring-loaded members enters in contact with the ground during locomotion.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the gait profile of a user. The gait profiler system uses sensing systems that include inertial sensors configured to be positioned at the right and left foot-ankle structure, as well as spatial orientation of lower extremity body segments (shanks, thighs, and trunk) of the person for which the gait profile is to be determined. In an illustrative embodiment, the gait profiler system uses two additional inertial sensors at the left and right leg-knee or thigh-hip structure as well as sensors providing information indicative of the angular positions of the left and right knee and thigh, which may be provided by an exoskeleton or orthotic devices worn by the user. The determination of the gait profile of the user is then performed using biomechanics information about the user from the inertial sensors combined with the knee and hip angles.

Abstract: A linking device for an exoskeleton structure is provided. The device an input part mounted in rotation with respect to a support, and a transmission device that when a load is applied to the input part to pivot the input part in a first direction of rotation, the transmission device transmits to a first connecting link a force to pivot the first connecting link to transfer the load to a first mechanical leg assembly and unload a second mechanical leg assembly of the exoskeleton structure, and when a load is applied to the input part to pivot the input part in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction, the transmission device transmits to a second connecting link a force to pivot the second connecting link to transfer the load to a second mechanical leg assembly and unload the first mechanical leg assembly.

Abstract: A linking device for an exoskeleton structure is provided. The device an input part mounted in rotation with respect to a support, and a transmission device that when a load is applied to the input part to pivot the input part in a first direction of rotation, the transmission device transmits to a first connecting link a force to pivot the first connecting link to transfer the load to a first mechanical leg assembly and unload a second mechanical leg assembly of the exoskeleton structure, and when a load is applied to the input part to pivot the input part in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction, the transmission device transmits to a second connecting link a force to pivot the second connecting link to transfer the load to a second mechanical leg assembly and unload the first mechanical leg assembly.

Abstract: An exoskeleton subassembly is provided. The exoskeleton subassembly includes first and second exoskeleton parts, and a connecting assembly that connects the first and second exoskeleton parts. The connecting assembly includes a guide, a pin, and a limiting device. The guide is fixedly mounted on one part, and a pin fixedly mounted on the other part and slidably mounted inside the guide. The limiting device allows rotation of the pin with respect to the guide when the pin is in a first position, and to oppose the rotation when the pin is in a second position. The limiting device includes an elastic element engaged with the first part when the pin is in the second position. The elastic element exerts on the first part an elastic return force opposing relative rotation between the first and second parts both in two opposite directions of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exoskeleton sub-assembly (30) comprising: —a leg part (32) to be attached to a leg of a user, and—a foot part (33) to be attached to a shoe of the user; the leg part (32) comprises a tibial segment (321) extending below the knee, along the tibia of the user, when the leg part (32) is attached to the leg, and the tibial segment (321) comprises a first component (325), a second component (326) connected to the foot part (33), and a first joint (327) connecting the second component (326) to the first component (325), the first joint (327) permitting a rotation of the second component (326) with respect to the first component (325) caused by an internal or external rotation of the user's foot with respect to the leg.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exoskeleton sub-assembly (30) comprising: —a leg part (32) to be attached to a leg of a user, and —a foot part (33) to be attached to a shoe of the user; the leg part (32) comprises a tibial segment (321) extending below the knee, along the tibia of the user, when the leg part (32) is attached to the leg, and the tibial segment (321) comprises a first component (325), a second component (326) connected to the foot part (33), and a first joint (327) connecting the second component (326) to the first component (325), the first joint (327) permitting a rotation of the second component (326) with respect to the first component (325) caused by an internal or external rotation of the user's foot with respect to the leg.

Abstract: The invention concerns an exoskeleton subassembly comprising: —a first exoskeleton part (32), —a second exoskeleton part (33), —a connecting assembly (60) connecting the first exoskeleton part (32) to the second exoskeleton part (33), the connecting assembly (60) comprising a guide (61) mounted securely relative to one of the first part (32) and the second part (33), and a pin (62) mounted securely relative to the other of the first part (32) and the second part (33), the pin (62) being mounted slidingly inside the guide (61) between a first end position and a second end position, wherein the connecting assembly (60) further comprises a limiting device (64) arranged to allow the pin (62) to rotate relative to the guide (61) when the pin (62) is in the first end position, and to limit the rotation of the pin (62) relative to the guide (61) when the pin (62) is in the second end position, the limiting device (64) comprising a resilient element (65) with which the first exoskeleton part (32) engages when the pin

Abstract: A load bearing assistance apparatus for transferring load from a lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device to the ground. The load bearing assistance apparatus includes a lateral and a medial spring-loaded members and a linking mechanism for connecting the load bearing assistance apparatus to the lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device. The linking mechanism also connects the lateral and medial spring-loaded members in a spaced apart configuration so as to position them adjacent the lateral and medial portions, respectively, of the foot of the user of the lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device and such that a portion of the lateral and medial spring-loaded members enters in contact with the ground during locomotion.