Nike patents airbag-powered wearable that adjusts to your body pressure
This filing describes a wearable device with a rigid frame and a motor that moves parts of the structure to assist movement. It uses an airbag with a built-in pressure sensor to detect how much force is applied, allowing the motor to adjust its operation in real time.
In the filing’s own words
An enhanced mobility wearable article, system, and method includes a rigid frame and a joint between two portions of the rigid frame. A motor is operatively coupled to the rigid frame and causes the two portions to move with respect to one another about the joint. Aa sensory cushioning system is secured to the rigid frame and comprises an airbag forming an interior volume and a pocket, wherein the interior volume is substantially airtight, an internal electronic assembly positioned within the pocket and including a pressure sensor, an external electronic assembly positioned exterior to the airbag, and an interconnect electrically coupling the internal electronic assembly to the external electronic assembly. Control circuitry is configured to operate the motor based, at least in part, on an output of the pressure sensor.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An enhanced mobility wearable article, comprising: a rigid frame comprising two portions and forming a structure configured to be secured to a body part of a wearer; a joint secured between two portions of the rigid frame, configured to allow the two portions to move with respect to one another about the joint; a motor, operatively coupled to the rigid frame, configured to cause the two portions to move with respect to one another about the joint; a sensory cushioning system, secured to the rigid frame and configured to interface with the body part of the wearer, comprising: an airbag forming an interior volume and a pocket, wherein the interior volume is substantially airtight; an internal electronic assembly positioned within the pocket and including a pressure sensor; an external electronic assembly positioned exterior to the airbag; and an interconnect electrically coupling the internal electronic assembly to the external electronic assembly; and control circuitry, operatively coupled to the sensory cushioning system and to the motor, wherein the control circuitry is configured to operate the motor based, at least in part, on an output of the pressure sensor.
Facts
- Company
- Nike (Nike, Inc.)
- Official title
- Enhanced mobility wearable article with sensory cushioning system
- Patent number
- US12728521B2
- Application number
- 19055007
- Filed
- Feb 17, 2025
- Granted
- Sep 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
B25J 9/0006 Operations & transportA61F 2/7843 Human necessitiesA61H 1/024 Human necessitiesA61H 1/0255 Human necessitiesA61H 1/0277 Human necessitiesA61H 1/0281 Human necessitiesMore from Nike in Wearables
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.