System aids in therapeutic retraining of damaged muscles or functions as walking support during therapy. Articulated harness assembly contains patient, suspension system supports harness assembly in such a way as to counterbalance exertion of external forces on patient

Dane, D. H.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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March 1971	 Brief 71-10034 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Marshall Space Flight Center	 - 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield; Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Zero-G Simulation System for Therapeutic Application 
The problem: 
Design a system for use in the therapeutic retrain-
ing of damaged muscles, or as a walking support 
during the therapy. The system should effectively 
counterbalance external forces exerted on the patient. 
.a,,, Upper Member	 Miriht
How it's done: 
The zero-G simulation mechanism is mounted on a 
platform secured to the floor. The platform contains 
two separated decks and a truss which spans the 
separation and is supported on the decks by air bearing 
Vertical Column 
— Spring 
Air Bearing 
- Pad 
(4 shown) 
The solution: 
The zero-G simulation system consists of an 
articulated harness assembly for containing the 
patient, and a suspension system for supporting the 
harness assembly in such a way as to counterbalance 
the exertion of external forces on the patient.
pads. A sliding vertical column extending down 
through the separation is suspended from the truss. 
At the lower end of the vertical column is a center-
journaled semicircular yoke to which a free rotating 
support beam is mounted. The harness assembly is 
secured to a plate mounted midway on this support 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately ownedrights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710000034 2020-03-17T02:18:45+00:00Z
beam. Special constant-force springs are attached 
between the truss and the vertical column to counter-
balance the weight of the column and its load. 
The articulated harness assembly design permits 
the upper limbs to counterbalance the lower limbs, 
creating an interaction similar to that of walking. 
The assembly is composed of a frame for supporting 
the head and back of the patient, and two pivoting 
articulated side members, one on each side of the 
frame at the approximate location of the patient's 
hips. Each side member contains a main member, an 
upper member, and a lower member, all connected 
by pivot joints. The upper and lower members on a 
side are connected with front and rear rods so that, 
when the patient pivots, the lower member (strapped 
to his leg) and the upper member (strapped to his arm) 
pivot in opposite directions. Weights are attached to 
the uppermost ends of the main members and the 
upper members to effectively counterbalance the 
weight of the patient's legs and the attaching harness.
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B71-10034 
Patent status: 
This invention has been patented by NASA (U.S. 
Patent No. 3516711), and royalty-free license rights 
will be granted for its commercial development. In-
quiries about obtaining a license should be addressed 
to:
Patent Counsel 
Mail Code A&TS- PAT 
George C. Marshall Space Flight Center 
Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 
Source: Dan H. Dane

Marshall Space Flight Center

(M FS- 1467l)
[1 
. 
Brief 71-10034	
Category 04


Zero-g simulation system for therapeutic application

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