Suction apparatus for immobility in free fall

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11680600-B2
Application number	US-202117159280-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 27, 2021
Priority date	Jul 24, 2020
Publication date	Jun 20, 2023
Grant date	Jun 20, 2023

Abstract

An immobility system for a free-fall environment includes an immobility device including at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface, and a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface. A remote controller is spaced apart from the valve and is configured to selectably transmit an activation signal to the valve. An immobility device includes at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface, and a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface. A receiver at the device is configured to receive an activation signal and activate the valve.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An immobility system for a free-fall environment, comprising:
an immobility device, comprising:
at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface;
a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface; and
a remote controller spaced apart from the valve, configured to selectably transmit an activation signal to the valve;
wherein the remote controller includes one or more sensors that detect operator movement and transmit the activation signal.

2. The immobility system of claim 1 , further comprising an air passage extending from the at least one suction cup, the air passage including an air inlet opening;
wherein the valve includes a valve piston movable from a deactivated position in which the valve piston blocks the air passage between the air inlet opening and the at least one suction cup, and an activated position at which the valve piston does not block the air passage thereby allowing an airflow through the air passage to the at least one suction cup.

3. The immobility system of claim 2 , wherein the valve is a solenoid valve.

4. The immobility system of claim 2 , further comprising a battery disposed at the immobility device and operably connected to the valve.

5. The immobility system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a receiver disposed at the immobility device and operably connected to the valve; and
a transmitter disposed in the remote controller and wirelessly connected to the receiver;
wherein the receiver receives the activation signal from the transmitter and activates operation of the valve.

6. The immobility system of claim 5 , wherein the transmitter communicates with the receiver via Bluetooth®.

7. The immobility system of claim 1 , wherein the immobility device is a shoe.

8. The immobility system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one suction cup is disposed at a sole of the shoe.

9. The immobility system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one suction cup is connected to an air inlet via at least one air passage extending through the sole.

10. The immobility system of claim 1 , wherein the immobility device is one of an arm sleeve or a knee sleeve.

11. An immobility device, comprising:
at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface;
a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface;
a receiver configured to receive an activation signal and activate the valve; and
an air passage extending from the at least one suction cup, the air passage including an air inlet opening;
wherein the valve includes a valve piston movable from a deactivated position in which the valve piston blocks the air passage between the air inlet opening and the at least one suction cup, and an activated position at which the valve piston does not block the air passage thereby allowing an airflow through the air passage to the at least one suction cup.

12. The immobility device of claim 11 , wherein the valve is a solenoid valve.

13. The immobility device of claim 11 , further comprising a battery operably connected to the valve.

14. The immobility device of claim 11 , wherein the receiver receives the activation signal wirelessly.

15. The immobility device of claim 11 , wherein the immobility device is a shoe.

16. The immobility device of claim 15 , wherein the at least one suction cup is disposed at a sole of the shoe.

17. The immobility device of claim 16 , wherein the at least one suction cup is connected to an air inlet via at least one air passage extending through the sole.

18. The immobility system of claim 11 , wherein the immobility device is one of an arm sleeve or a knee sleeve.

Assignees

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp

Inventors

• Nair Rashmitha Ramesh

Classifications

• A43C15/02

  attached to the sole · CPC title

• A43B13/14

  characterised by the constructive form · CPC title

• F16B47/00 Primary

  Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives {(devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02)} · CPC title

• B64G1/60

  Crew or passenger accommodations · CPC title

• B64G6/00

  Space suits · CPC title