Adaptive arm support systems and methods for use

Abstract

A system is provided for supporting an arm of a user that includes a harness configured to be worn by the user, and an arm support coupled to the harness and including an arm rest to support an arm of the user. The arm support is configured to accommodate and follow movement of the arm without substantially interfering in such movement. The arm support may at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm as the user moves and the arm support follows the movement of the user's arm. For example, the arm support may transfer at least a portion of the weight of the user's arm to the torso or other region of the user's body and/or may apply an opposing force to at least partially offset the gravitational force acting on the arm.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for supporting an arm of a user, comprising:
 a harness comprising a belt configured to be worn around a torso of the user and a shoulder harness configured to be worn over or around one or both shoulders of the user;   an arm support pivotally coupled to the harness and including an arm bracket carrying an arm rest for supporting an upper arm of the user, the arm bracket rotatable vertically about a horizontal pivot point when the user raises and lowers the arm, the arm support comprising an extension bracket extending from the pivot point opposite the arm bracket;   a tension element coupled between the extension bracket and the harness to at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm when the user raises and lowers the arm.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the extension bracket is disposed adjacent the user's back when the harness is worn, and wherein the tension element extends along the user's back between the extension bracket and the harness. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the tension element is coupled to the extension bracket and a second end of the tension element is coupled to the belt. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the extension bracket is configured to rotate vertically downward when the arm bracket is raised as the user raises the arm to modify the influence of the compensating force applied by the tension element to at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the arm support further comprises a shoulder bracket comprising a first end pivotally coupled to the shoulder harness at a vertical pivot point such that the shoulder bracket is configured to pivot horizontally about a vertical axis, and a second end coupled to the arm bracket at the horizontal pivot point. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the arm bracket is configured to terminate above the user's elbow. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the arm support terminates at the arm rest, the arm rest configured for receiving a portion of the user's upper arm to support the upper arm. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tension element comprises one of an extension spring and an elastomer spring. 
     
     
         9 . A system for supporting an arm of a user, comprising:
 a harness comprising a belt configured to be worn around a torso of the user and a shoulder harness configured to be worn over or around one or both shoulders of the user;   an arm support pivotally coupled to the harness and including an arm bracket carrying an arm rest for supporting an upper arm of the user, the arm bracket rotatable vertically about a horizontal pivot point when the user raises and lowers the arm, the arm support comprising an extension bracket extending from the pivot point opposite the arm bracket;   a tension element coupled to the extension bracket to at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm when the user raises and lowers the arm.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the extension bracket is configured to rotate vertically downward when the arm bracket is raised as the user raises the arm to modify the influence of the compensating force applied by the tension element to at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm. 
     
     
         11 . A method for supporting an arm of a user, comprising:
 placing a harness on the user, the harness comprising a belt worn around a torso of the user and a shoulder harness worn over or around one or both shoulders of the user when the harness is placed on the user, the harness comprising an arm support pivotally coupled to the harness and including an arm bracket carrying an arm rest;   supporting a portion of the user's arm using the arm rest such that the arm support subsequently follows movement of the user's arm wherein the arm bracket rotates vertically about a horizontal pivot point when the user raises and lowers the arm, the arm support comprising an extension bracket extending from the pivot point opposite the arm bracket; and   performing one or more tasks involving the user raising and lowering the arm, the arm support comprising a tension element coupled to the extension bracket to at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm when the user raises and lowers the arm.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extension bracket is disposed adjacent the user's back when the harness is worn, and wherein the tension element extends along the user's back between the extension bracket and the harness. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a first end of the tension element is coupled to the extension bracket and a second end of the tension element is coupled to the belt. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extension bracket rotates vertically downward when the arm bracket is raised as the user raises the arm to modify the influence of the compensating force applied by the tension element to at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the arm support further comprises a shoulder bracket comprising a first end pivotally coupled to the shoulder harness at a vertical pivot point such that the shoulder bracket pivots horizontally about a vertical axis, and a second end of the shoulder bracket coupled to the arm bracket at the horizontal pivot point. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the arm bracket is configured to terminate above the user's elbow. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the arm support terminates at the arm rest, the arm rest supporting the user's upper arm.