Braces having inelastic and elastic materials
AssigneeAspen Medical Partners, LLC
InventorsSteven Burke, Jozsef Horvath, Erik Zimmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Lower back braces and materials for braces having an elastic base and inelastic strands or tightening mechanism(s) are provided. An elastic base material could be made effectively inelastic by tightening an inelastic cord that extends across the elastic base material. Additionally or alternatively, an elastic base material could include one or more inelastic strands that define one or more inelastic compression zones in an otherwise elastic base.
Claims32
A brace that provides support to a lower spine of a wearer, comprising:
- a belt comprising first and second lateral panels;
- wherein the first lateral panel comprises:
- an elastic base having a first elasticity in a first direction;
- and
- a first set of inelastic strands incorporated into a first portion of the elastic base along the first direction to define a first inelastic zone between a first elastic zone and a second elastic zone bordering opposite sides of the first inelastic zone;
- and
- wherein the first lateral panel has a second elasticity in the first direction and along the first inelastic zone that is less than 50% of the first elasticity.
A brace that provides support to a lower spine of a wearer, comprising:
- a belt having a first end and a second end;
- wherein the first end comprises a first fastener, and the second end comprises a second fastener;
- and
- wherein the belt has a first belt elasticity in a first direction that is unequal to a second belt elasticity in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and wherein the belt comprises:
- an elastic base having a first base elasticity in the first direction that is substantially the same as a second base elasticity in the second direction;
- and
- a first set of inelastic strands incorporated into the elastic base along a first length in the first direction to define a first inelastic compression zone.
A brace that provides support to a lower spine of a wearer, comprising:
- a belt having a mid portion positioned between a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion;
- wherein the first lateral portion comprises:
- a base having a first elasticity in a first direction;
- a first set of inelastic strands incorporated into the base in the first direction and along a first portion of the base to define a first inelastic compression zone having a height of less than 2.54 cm, and a length of at least 12.7 cm;
- and
- wherein the first portion of the first lateral portion has a first combined elasticity in the first direction that is at least 50% less than the first elasticity.
A material for a brace, comprising:
- an elastic base having a first base elasticity in a first direction;
- a first set of inelastic strands incorporated into the elastic base along the first direction and along a first portion of the elastic base to define a first zone of inelasticity;
- wherein the first zone of inelasticity has a height no greater than 10% of a height of the elastic base;
- wherein a first strand of the first set of inelastic strands has a thickness of less than 3 mm;
- and
- wherein the material has a first combined elasticity in the first direction and along the first portion that is at least 25% less than the first base elasticity.
A brace that provides support to a lower spine of a wearer, comprising:
- a belt having a mid portion disposed between a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion;
- and
- wherein at least one of the mid portion, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion comprises:
- a first elastic base having a first elasticity in a first direction and a second elasticity in the second, substantially orthogonal direction;
- a first inelastic strand incorporated into the first elastic base along a first length to define a first inelastic compression zone along the first direction;
- and
- wherein the first inelastic compression zone has an elasticity that is at least 50% less than the first elasticity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.