Jeffrey D Ward

US Patent:

20110278857, Nov 17, 2011

Filed:

May 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/108516

Inventors:

Thomas Sugar - Tempe AZ, US
Joseph K. Hitt - Fairfax VA, US
Alex Boehler - Tempe AZ, US
Kevin Hollander - Phoenix AZ, US
Jeffrey A. Ward - Phoenix AZ, US

International Classification:

F03G 5/06

US Classification:

290 1 C

Abstract:

A method for harvesting energy from ankle motion includes coupling a generator module across an ankle joint, the generator module including a generator and an elastic member. The generator is affixed to the leg shank and at least one of the generator and the elastic member is continuously coupled to the foot across the ankle joint. Energy may be harvested in the elastic member while generating electricity with the generator from motion of the ankle joint. Alternatively, or in addition, electricity may be generated with the generator from energy harvested in the elastic member after the energy is harvested.

US Patent:

20210113412, Apr 22, 2021

Filed:

Oct 16, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/655221

Inventors:

- Tempe AZ, US
Jeffrey A. Ward - Phoenix AZ, US
Chase Wheeler - Mesa AZ, US
Dustin Vehon - Mesa AZ, US

Assignee:

SpringActive, Inc. - Tempe AZ

International Classification:

A61H 1/02

Abstract:

A human motion assistance device has an upper torso harness and a preloaded leg strap arrangement affixed to the upper torso harness. The preloaded leg strap arrangement has an X-bracket connected to the upper torso harness. The preloaded leg strap arrangement further uses a plurality of blocks and a preloaded strap routed through the blocks and connected to the X-bracket. The preloaded leg strap arrangement further uses a knee pad with a split seam. The preloaded strap is under tension, even when the human motion assistance device is in a relaxed state. The preloading provides an immediate force which increases under a loaded state. The potential energy stored during the loaded state is released when transitioning from a standing position to a crouched, squatting, or seated position. The configuration allows for maximizing the energy storage without putting excess shoulder pressure on the user when standing.

US Patent:

20200268542, Aug 27, 2020

Filed:

Feb 26, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/801341

Inventors:

- Tempe AZ, US
Jeffrey A. Ward - Phoenix AZ, US
Chase Wheeler - Mesa AZ, US

Assignee:

SpringActive, Inc. - Tempe AZ

International Classification:

A61F 5/02
A61F 5/01
A61B 5/11
B25J 9/00

Abstract:

A human motion assistance device has upper back straps and is configured to attach to a user. A leg strap arrangement with lower back straps is configured to attach to the user. A differential assembly is connected between the upper back straps and lower back straps to reduce resistance of the upper torso harness and leg strap arrangement during gait. When crouching or lifting, the differential assembly transfers force to stretch and retract the upper torso harness and leg strap arrangement, which provides human motion assistance. The differential assembly can be implements as an x-bar, lever arm, pulley, gears, or tube. The leg strap arrangement has a knee pad adapted to cover a knee of the user. The knee pad opens along a segment. The upper torso harness has a shoulder strap and buckle. The leg strap arrangement is an elastic material.

US Patent:

20190050461, Feb 14, 2019

Filed:

Aug 9, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/059376

Inventors:

- Bentonville AR, US
Andrew B. Millhouse - Gilbert AZ, US
Jeffrey Alan Ward - Casa Grande AZ, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/30
G06F 9/451
G06Q 50/28

Abstract:

Systems and methods for providing notifications to users of one or more client interfaces based on data retrieved from a plurality of databases remote to the one or more client interfaces. A notification definition data store can be configured to store one or more notification definitions each comprising one or more query criteria, or data requirements. A notification configuration data store can associate one or more notification definitions with one or more users. A processing server can generate a query request for each query criteria of each notification definition associated with each user in the set of active users. A query management engine can retrieve each query request and retrieve a query response based on the query criteria of the query request from the plurality of databases. A display generator can display user interface elements based on the retrieved query responses for each of the query criteria of the query execution queue.

US Patent:

20190030708, Jan 31, 2019

Filed:

Sep 26, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/143322

Inventors:

- Tempe AZ, US
Jeffrey A. Ward - Phoenix AZ, US
Pahul Singh - Mesa AZ, US
Garrett Repp - Gilbert AZ, US

Assignee:

SpringActive, Inc. - Tempe AZ

International Classification:

B25J 9/00
B25J 9/10

Abstract:

A human motion assistance device has an upper torso harness for attaching to a user. The upper torso harness has a backpack assembly and shoulder strap, which buckles in front of the user. The upper torso harness can be IOTV. Leg straps are affixed to the upper torso harness proximate to a gluteal area of the user and configured to extend down a hamstring area to a knee pad and further extend down a tibia area. The knee pad opens along a vertical or angled segment and the calf portion opens over the calf. Seat webbing is connected to leg straps for additional support. Upper torso harness and leg straps are made with a combination of durable materials such as textured nylon, polyurethane coated polyester, as well as elastic material and webbing material. The upper torso harness and leg straps are passive without active members.

US Patent:

20180093374, Apr 5, 2018

Filed:

Aug 10, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/674386

Inventors:

- Tempe AZ, US
Jeffrey A. Ward - Phoenix AZ, US
Pahul Singh - Mesa AZ, US
Garrett Repp - Gilbert AZ, US

Assignee:

SpringActive, Inc. - Tempe AZ

International Classification:

B25J 9/10
B25J 9/00

Abstract:

A human motion assistance device has an upper torso harness for attaching to a user. The upper torso harness has a shoulder strap or backpack assembly. A belt is connected to the upper torso harness and extends around a waist and back area of the user. Leg straps are affixed to the upper torso harness proximate to a gluteal area of the user and configured to extend down a hamstring area to cross in front of a knee area and further extend down a calf area to a foot anchor. The leg straps are made of an elastic material with a pocket around the knee area of the user. The foot anchor may extend under the heel to an arch strap, or cross over the talus and under the arch of the foot. The upper torso harness and leg straps are passive without active members.

US Patent:

20140200715, Jul 17, 2014

Filed:

Jan 15, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/156364

Inventors:

Thomas G. Sugar - Tempe AZ, US
Jason Kerestes - Chandler AZ, US
Matthew A. Holgate - Chandler AZ, US
Jeffrey A. Ward - Phoenix AZ, US
Thierry Flaven - Saint Pierre d'Allevard, FR

International Classification:

B25J 9/00

US Classification:

700260, 901 2

Abstract:

A phase oscillating device for affecting movement of a limb or a primary body includes a sensor coupled to the primary body. A physical state of the primary body is measured using the sensor. A phase angle of the primary body is determined based on the physical state measurement. The physical state measurement includes position, velocity, or acceleration. The phase angle of the primary body is filtered using a sine function. An actuator is coupled to the primary body. The actuator is triggered based on the phase angle of the primary body to provide a force or torque to assist or resist movement of the primary body. A secondary body is coupled to the primary body. The secondary body is oscillated using the actuator, which is triggered in phase with a gait step. Alternatively, a fan is coupled to the primary body and actuator to provide the oscillating force.