Well, I’d provide a picture, but I suck at drawing, so the theoritics will have to do.
Its an extremely basic idea, but I haven’t been able to find anything of the nature online. I’ve always had an obsessive interest in exoskeletons. I suppose it comes from Metal Gear solid, as it was the game that introduced me to the idea. I suppose its rather childish, but meh. An interest that spurs a hobby that takes up idle time can be a good thing, even if it isn’t practical.
Anyhow, I finally got around to thinking about basic ways to enhance human movements. To begin with, I didn’t want to start using outside forces, as that would require knowledge beyond what I currently have. So, I started with something simple. What simple device stores energy? A spring.
I’ve taken this idea and applied it to two things thus far. Punching strength, and jumping height.
For the punching strength, a simple system of three metal bars is applied. For weight reasons, I’ve decided on aluminum. Minor complications that arise with this is the need for a Tig wielder and, from what I understand, aluminum is one of the harder things to weld. Of course, this is only a problem should I decide to do it myself.
Now, across the back, running shoulder to shoulder, one bar will rest. I’m thinking either an adjustable metal strap under each shoulder, or an X strap running across the back and chest.
From this base bar, one bar will run down from each shoulder to the elbow. They will be attached here. Now, the bars will be attached to the back bar in such a way to allow full arc movement to the sides. Directly below this will be two hinges.
The lower hinge will bend forwards, and normally. However, upper hinge will be springed. Thus, any movement backwards will be resisted by the spring, and energy stored. Upon release, the user can swing with normal muscles, adding the energy from pulling back to the punch. Now, normal springed hinges don’t have much resistance, but if I understand their mechanics correctly, it shouldn’t be to terribly difficult to make one that does.
I suppose the potential flaws with the system, even if it works, is the possible damaging of the arm, wrist, or hand from swinging/impacting something with more force than you could normally hit with.
To this extent, I’m working on a way of displacing the force to the device, or more of the body than merely the arm at least.
Anyhow, I’m looking for more potential flaws, reasons why it wont work all together, or general discussion on the idea. Depending on feedback, I may post the details on the other device as well. So far, amongst the people I have talked to, the general consensus is that it should function properly, but none of them have any background, or even general studies, in mechanics or engineering, so I thought I’d ask someplace like here.