Patents by Inventor Mark P. Haffner

Mark P. Haffner 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).

  • Programmable anthropomorphic articulation
    Patent number: 4000564
    Abstract: An anthropomorphic programmable joint joins two limb portions. The joint may simulate the knee joint and the portions may correspond to the upper and lower leg portions about the knee. A magnetic particle brake is attached to the upper portion with a shaft that carries the pinion gear of a bevel gear set located at the joint. The ring gear of the bevel gear set is fixed to the lower limb portion so that rotation of the lower limb portion about the joint causes the shaft to rotate the magnetic brake fixed to the upper portion. The brake resistance to this rotation, and therefore the resistance of the joint to rotation, may be programmed in correspondence to electrical current applied to the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation
    Inventors: Mark P. Haffner, Robert S. Pizer