Passive back exoskeleton for industrial lifting injury
This is a wearable back brace system that helps workers lift and move heavy objects without injury. It uses three connected harnesses — one across the upper back, one at the mid-torso, and one at the lower body — linked by flexible carbon fiber rods that act like springs. When a worker bends to pick something up, the carbon fiber elements store energy; when they stand back up, that stored energy is released to assist the lifting motion. The result is a passive, unpowered exoskeleton that reduces strain on the spine and back muscles during physically demanding work.
What you could build
A passive exoskeleton vest sold or rented to industrial employers — logistics companies, warehouses, construction firms, and manufacturers — as a wearable ergonomic safety device for their frontline workers.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia's large logistics, defense contracting, and distribution center workforce — including major Amazon and military supply chain operations — represents a natural early customer base for workplace injury-reduction wearables.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Alan Asbeck, Sarah E. Chang, Jack Geissinger, Taylor Pesek
- Granted
- December 22, 2020
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 10870198
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.