US 5,207,635 A · Orthopedic device for providing lower back support

Abstract

An orthopedic device to provide lower back support for a wearer includes a flexible flat body, a resilient contoured lumbar support pad of varying thickness secured to the body, and a flexible belt traversing the pad and secured to the body at points beyond the pad, the belt being configured and dimensioned to be secured about the waist of the wearer for positioning the pad on the lumbar region of the wearer.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims17

Dependent claims

An orthopedic device to provide lower back support for a wearer during active movement of the wearer, comprising:

(A) a flexible flat body;
(B) a resilient contoured lumbar support pad of varying thickness secured to said body;
said pad comprising a plurality of articulated sections including a center section of at least a first thickness adapted to be positioned over the spine of the wearer and wide enough to fill the gap at the spine between the erector muscles of the wearer, and at least one side section of a second thickness disposed on each side of said center section and adapted to be positioned adjacent the erector muscles of the wearer, said first thickness being substantially greater than said second thickness in order to apply pressure directly to the spine rather than only indirectly through the erector muscles;
and
(C) a flexible belt traversing said pad and secured to said body at points beyond said pad, said belt being configured and dimensioned to extend substantially completely about the waist of the wearer and be secured thereabout for positioning said pad on the lumbar region of the wearer to fill the concave area formed by the spine and the erector muscles.

2 more elements

An orthopedic device to provide lower back support for a wearer during active movement of the wearer, comprising:

(A) a flexible flat body;
(B) a resilient contoured lumbar support pad of varying thickness secured to said body;
said pad comprising a plurality of articulated sections including a center section of at least a first thickness adapted to be positioned over the spine of the wearer and wide enough to fill the gap at the spine between the erector muscles of the wearer, and at least one side section of a second thickness disposed on each side of said center section and adapted to be positioned adjacent the erector muscles of the wearer, said first thickness being substantially greater than said second thickness in order to apply pressure directly to the spine rather than only indirectly through the erector muscles;
and
(C) a flexible belt traversing said pad and secured to said body at points beyond said pad, said belt being configured and dimensioned to be secured about the waist of the wearer to fill the concave area formed by the spine and the erector muscles;
said belt consisting essentially of a single strap and releasable fastener means secured thereto for securing the belt about the wearer's waist, said strap being secured to said body in a generally elliptical configuration with the long axis thereof generally horizontal, said strap having one end secured to a first point at the center of one end of said body, extending in an upward arc, with the apex of said upward arc near the upper edge of the middle of said body, and descending to a second point at the center of the opposite end of said body, where said strap forms a loop extending beyond said opposite body end and is secured to said second point, said strap also extending from said second point in a downward arc, with the nadir of said downward arc near the lower edge of the middle of said body opposite said apex, and rising to cross-join and overlap said strap one end at said first point, thereby to complete the generally elliptical configuration, and finally extending beyond said one body end to form a tongue for fastening.

3 more elements

An orthopedic device to provide lower back support for a wearer during active movement of the wearer, comprising:

(A) a flexible flat body of one-piece, integral unitary construction having a pair of opposed faces;
(B) a resilient contoured lumbar support pad of varying thickness secured to said body;
said pad defining a plurality of articulated sections, including a center section of at least a first thickness adapted to be positioned over the spine of the wearer and wide enough to fill the concave gap at the spine between the erector muscles of the wearer, and at least one side section of a second thickness disposed on each side of said center section and adapted to be positioned adjacent the erector muscles of the wearer, said first thickness being substantially greater than said second thickness and said center section having a thickness along its central vertical axis which is greater than its thickness to either side;
and
(C) a flexible belt traversing said pad and secured to said body at points beyond said pad, said belt being configured and dimensioned to extend substantially completely about the waist of the wearer and be secured thereabout for positioning said pad on the lumbar region of the wearer;
said pad being secured to the face of said body adjacent the wearer, when worn, and said belt being secured to the opposite face of said body, said pad extending substantially from the top of said belt to the bottom of said belt, thereby to provide support at the lumbar of the wearer across the vertical height of the device.

3 more elements

An orthopedic device to provide lower back support for a wearer during active movement of the wearer, comprising;

(A) a flexible flat body of one-piece, integral unitary construction having a pair of opposed faces;
(B) a resilient contoured lumbar support pad of varying thickness secured to said body;
said pad defining a plurality of articulated sections, including a center section of at least a first thickness adapted to be positioned over the spine of the wearer and wide enough to fill the concave gap at the spine between the erector muscles of the wearer, and at least one side section of a second thickness disposed on each side of said center section and adapted to be positioned adjacent the erector muscles of the wearer, said first thickness being substantially greater than said second thickness and said center section having a thickness along its central vertical axis which is greater than its thickness to either side;
and
(C) a flexible belt traversing said pad and secured to said body at points beyond said pad, said belt being configured and dimensioned to be secured about the waist of the wearer for positioning said pad on the lumbar region of the wearer;
said pad being secured to the face of said body adjacent the wearer, when worn, and said belt being secured to the opposite face of said body, said pad extending substantially from the top of said belt to the bottom of said belt, thereby to provide support at the lumbar of the wearer across the vertical height of the device;
said belt consisting essentially of a single strap and releasable fastener means secured thereto for securing the belt about the wearer's waist, said strap being secured to said body in a generally elliptical configuration with the long axis thereof generally horizontal, said strap having one end secured to a first point at the center of one end of said body, extending in an upward arc, with the apex of said upward arc near the upper edge of the middle of said body, and descending to a second point at the center of the opposite end of said body, where said strap forms a loop extending beyond said opposite body end and is secured to said second point, said strap also extending from said second point in a downward arc, with the nadir of said downward arc near the lower edge of the middle of said body opposite said apex, and rising to cross-join and overlap said strap one end at said first point, thereby to complete the generally elliptical configuration, and finally extending beyond said one body end to form a tongue for fastening.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,110 words

Summary1,261 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention relates generally to an improved orthopedic device for lower back support during work, exercise, and competition.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings7 figures

#The above brief description, as well as further objects and features of the present invention, will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the presently preferred, albeit illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

#FIG. 1a is an isometric view showing an embodiment of the lumbar support pad on the single fastener belt;

#FIG. 1b is an isometric view showing an embodiment of the lumbar support pad on the dual fastener belt;

Detailed description1,676 words

#Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIGS 1a and 1b thereof, therein illustrated are two embodiments of an orthopedic device according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Each embodiment comprises basically a flexible belt generally designated by the reference numeral 12, a flexible flat body generally designated 14 attached to the belt 12, and a resiliently contoured lumbar support pad generally designated 16 centrally attached to the body 14. Each belt 12 is in turn formed of at least one strap 20 and at least one fastener 18, the strap 20 transversing the pad 16 and being secured to the body at points laterally beyond the pad 16 for positioning the pad 16 on the wearer. More particularly, FIG. la illustrates a device 10a with one strap 20a adapted to be secured to the wearer with a single fastener 18a, and FIG. 1b illustrates a device 10b with two straps 20b adapted to be secured to the wearer with a dual fastener 18b.

#Referring now to FIG. 2, the device 10 is shown secured to the wearer, in an overhead sectional view, looking down, with the wearer's spine at the top of the drawing. The multisection bilevel articulated contoured lumbar support pad 16 conforms to the contour of the back in the lumbar area, providing support to the vertabrae 22 and surrounding erector muscles 24.

#Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, therein illustrated are the two embodiments 10a and 10b, respectively. The strap design of each provides balanced distribution of support from the top of the device to the bottom of the device, where it covers the lumbar region of the back. Referring now to FIG. 3a, the single strap construction device 10a has a single strap 20a configured in an elliptical pattern. The strap 20a is secured to body 14a (e.g., by stitching) exclusively beyond the lumbar support pad 16a, the left side of top strap portion 30 being stitched over bottom strap portion 32, and the right side of top strap portion 30 being stitched under bottom strap portion 32. This construction pulls across the back freely and equally through the width of the device 10a. The elliptical construction gives the support of dual straps in the rear against the lumbar area, with the convenience and comfort of a single strap 20a with a single fastener 18a in front (see FIG. 1a).

Orthopedic device for providing lower back support

Life of this patent

Orthopedic device for providing lower back support

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims17

Description3,110 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,110 words