# US 2019/0375595 A1 · Pelvic braces and methods for using same

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- Number: US 2019/0375595 A1
- Document ID: US20190375595A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/434,899
- Filed: 2019-06-07
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-06-08
- Inventors: Maria Gaudio
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190375595A1

## CPC

- A45F 3/14: Carrying-straps; Pack-carrying harnesses
- B65G 7/12: Load carriers, e.g. hooks, slings, harness, gloves, modified for load carrying
- A45F: TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)

## Abstract

Various devices for providing various forces on a patient torso. One device includes a belt, a pubic pad, and a rear pad. Another device includes two “clamshell”-type members which capture the torso of a patient (aka user), and includes smaller sub portions within windows in at least one of the clamshell portions, for particular bracing purposes. Another device includes a type of “scuba suit” base garment which includes adjustable straps attached thereto for particular bracing purposes.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pelvic brace assembly for use by a user to provide a bracing function, comprising:
a belt for encircling the body of a user proximate the waist area;
a front pubic pad configured to be attached relative to said belt proximate the anterior side of the user's body such that said pubic pad is in contact with said user and provides a bracing function; and
a rear sacral pad configured to be attached relative to said belt proximate the posterior side of the user's body such that said sacral pad is in contact with said user and provides a bracing function,
said front pubic pad and said rear sacral pad being relatively attached proximate the groin area.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The brace as claimed in claim 1, wherein said belt, front pubic pad and rear sacral pad combine to pull one bony prominence of the user towards another.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The brace as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front pubic pad and said rear sacral pad are relatively attached proximate the groin area by an intermediate strap, said strap being adjustable so as to allow adjustment between the relative locations of said front pubic pad and said rear sacral pad.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The brace as claimed in claim 3, wherein said attachment of said front pubic pad relative to said belt is made by an intermediate strap, said strap being adjustable so as to allow adjustment between the relative locations of said front pubic pad and said belt.

### Claim 5

(canceled)

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The brace as claimed in claim 1, wherein circumferential tension about the belt line pulls both ilia towards the sacrum, and pushes the sacral pad anteriorly and the public pad posteriorly.

### Claim at position 7

7-11. (canceled)

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The brace as claimed in claim 1, wherein said brace is a first brace, and further comprising:
a second brace, similar to said first brace, for use by a second user;
an elongate carrying strap having opposing ends, each end attached relative to said belt of one of said respective braces, proximate the anterior side of the respective user's body,
said carrying straps configured for lifting a load separate from said users.

### Claim 13

A pelvic brace assembly for use by a user to provide a bracing function, comprising:
a front shell assembly configured to be attached proximate the anterior side of the user's body; and
a rear shell assembly configured to be attached relative to said belt proximate the posterior side of the user's body; and
at least one connecting member connecting said front shell assembly relative to said rear shell assembly such that said two assemblies can be attached to said user,
at least one of said front and rear shell assemblies including a main shell portion defining a window, and also including an independently adjustable shell portion section which fits within said window and is independently adjustable relative to the rest of said main shell portion.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said window is closed on all sides and wherein said adjustable shell portion section is a sacral pad configured to push the upper right quadrant of the sacrum anteriorly superiorly and left rotation.

### Claim at position 11

15-16. (canceled)

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said window is open on one side and wherein said adjustable shell portion section is an iliac crest pad configured to push the iliac crests anteriorly.

### Claim at position 13

18-20. (canceled)

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said independently adjustable shell portion section, which fits within said window and is independently adjustable relative to the rest of said main portion, is pivotably mounted relative to said main portion, such that a force against the outer surface of said shell portion section causes said shell portion section to pivot relative to said main portion as said shell portion section moves towards said user's body, said movement causing a preselected desired bracing function.

### Claim 22

(canceled)

### Claim 23 (depends on 13)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said movement of said shell portion section is provided by use of an elongate tensile string member provided in variable tension by an adjustable dial and said string member laterally biased against the outside of said shell portion section,
such that rotation of said dial in one direction causes said string member to be in increased tension, thus providing more force against said shell portion section, and causing said shell portion section to move in a direction towards said user,
and such that rotation of said dial in an opposite direction causes said string member to be in decreased tension, thus providing less force against said shell portion section, and causing said shell portion section to move in a direction away from said user.

### Claim 24

A pelvic brace assembly for use by a user to provide a bracing function, comprising:
a base elastic garment having an interior surface having a preselected level of gripping relative to said user's skin; and
at least one strap configured to be attached relative to said base garment, such that tension in said strap provides said bracing function in the form of pulling of one bony protuberance towards another.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 24,
wherein said strap is elongate and has two ends attached relative to two corresponding sections of said base elastic garment,
wherein at least one of said two corresponding sections of said base elastic garment is in frictional contact with a corresponding portion of said user's skin,
such that tension in said strap causes a force to be transmitted from said one section of said base elastic garment to said corresponding portion of said user's skin.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 25, wherein said force includes a pulling force along the length of the straps, as well as to provide a sideward lateral force transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate straps and towards the body of the user.

### Claim 27

(canceled)

### Claim 28 (depends on 24)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein said strap is a crotch strap, to anteriorly rotate the ilia and adduct the ischial tuberosities.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein said crotch strap extends from its “front” end proximate the left iliac crest and ASIS anterior superior spine of the wearer, through the crotch, and upward and across the body such that its “rear” end is proximate the right buttock of the wearer proximate a location inferior and lateral to the right ischial tuberosity.

### Claim at position 23

30-31. (canceled)

### Claim 32 (depends on 24)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein said strap is a spiral strap configured such that as the foot advances during gait, the strap causes the user to experience an anterior rotation force of the ilia, as opposed to a posterior rotation force as is normally encountered.

### Claim 33 (depends on 28)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein said strap is a spiral strap extending in a spiral path from an upper location to a lower location on the base garment, said spiral path staying on one side of the sagittal plane and being as follows:
said spiral path beginning at the upper location being on the rear of the garment and proximate the PSIS and posterior iliac crest, and to said one side of the sagittal plane,
said spiral path continuing from said upper location and extending away from the sagittal plane, forward through the frontal plane, and around the body of the user to the front of the user as it also continues downward,
said spiral path continuing to spiral as it passes below the groin area and against the inside of the thigh and again through the frontal plane,
said spiral path terminating at the lower location being on the rear of the garment and behind the thigh inferior to the hamstring muscle belly.

### Claim 34

(canceled)

### Claim 35 (depends on 33)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 33, further comprising a spiral strap to be used with said crotch strap, said spiral strap configured such that as the foot advances during gait, the strap causes the user to experience an anterior rotation force of the ilia, as opposed to a posterior rotation force as is normally encountered.

### Claim 36 (depends on 28)

The pelvic brace assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein said strap is a transverse iliac crest strap pulls the left and right iliac crests towards the midline of the body, said transverse iliac crest strap having ends proximate a corresponding anterolateral to lateral iliac crest region of the user.

### Claim 37

(canceled)