초록 ▼

To provide controlled amounts of resistance to movement in exercise equipment or in orthotic devices, a control module has cooperating resistance elements. The force between the elements is varied in accordance with the position of the elements with respect to each other. For example the control mod

To provide controlled amounts of resistance to movement in exercise equipment or in orthotic devices, a control module has cooperating resistance elements. The force between the elements is varied in accordance with the position of the elements with respect to each other. For example the control module can connect two splints of a knee brace so that the resistance to flexion and extension are programmed in accordance with the position of the leg and thigh with respect to each other.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus comprising:a first section, a second section, and a third section;said third section connecting said first section and second section whereby at least one of the first section and second section is adapted to be moved by a person with respect to the other of sai

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus comprising:a first section, a second section, and a third section;said third section connecting said first section and second section whereby at least one of the first section and second section is adapted to be moved by a person with respect to the other of said first and second sections;resistance means connected to said first and second sections adjacent to said third section for varying the resistance of movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said third section;said resistance means including means for providing a predetermined resistance force against movement of said first and second sections with respect to each other in at least one of clockwise and counterclockwise movement about said third section; andmeans for attaching said first section to a portion of the person on one side of a joint and for attaching said second section to another portion of the person on another side of the joint, wherein the resistance means includes program means for varying a resistance force over a portion of movement in accordance with the program means at different angles between the first and second sections wherein the resistance means includes means for generating the resistance force by friction between two solid surfaces moved with respect to each other while in contact with each other; said two solid surfaces being part of said means for generating the resistance force.