U.S. patent application number 09/785597 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-19 for back brace.
Invention is credited to Garth, Geoffrey C..
Application Number | 20010008955 09/785597 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35266315 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010008955 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garth, Geoffrey C. |
July 19, 2001 |
Back brace
Abstract
In its preferred embodiment, the back brace is formed of left,
right and back panels which substantially overlap to form a tubular
back brace when worn. The back panel has a window therethrough,
which overlies the sacrum. The orthopedist can observe the
engagement of the back brace in this area through the window. A
malleable bar is attached to the back panel adjacent the window so
that the orthopedist can adjust the malleable bar for proper fit.
The left and right panels overlap the back panel at the sides and
are adjustable attached so that gross circumferential adjustment
can be made. When that adjustment is made and the back brace is
donned, a repeatedly actuated tightening lever on one of the side
panels engages a tightening strap on the other of the side panels.
Leverage multiples tightening force during tightening. After each
successive tightening by the lever, retaining bands retain the back
brace in position. After the initial fitting, including adjustment
of the back panel over the sacrum, the back brace may be readily
donned and doffed by the patient.
Inventors: |
Garth, Geoffrey C.; (Long
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Allen A. Dicke, Jr.
224 Mall Way
Anaheim
CA
92804-2211
US
|
Family ID: |
35266315 |
Appl. No.: |
09/785597 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09785597 |
Feb 16, 2001 |
|
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09323291 |
Jun 1, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
602/19 ;
602/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/19 ;
602/5 |
International
Class: |
A61F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A back brace comprising: a back panel, a left panel and a right
panel, said left panel and said back panel being in overlapping
relationship and said back panel and said right panel being in
overlapping relationship; attachment structure for attaching said
left panel to said back panel for securing said left panel and said
back panel in overlapping relationship, said attachment structure
permitting selective positioning of attachment of said left panel
with respect to said back panel for adjustable positioning
therebetween prior to wearing said back brace; further adjustment
structure between said right panel and said back panel for securing
said left panel and said back panel in overlapping relationship,
said attachment structure permitting selective positioning of
attachment of said left panel with respect to said back panel for
adjustable positioning therebetween prior to wearing said back
brace; and closure structure between said left panel and said right
panel for causing closure of said back brace around the torso of a
person and causing overlap between said left panel and said right
panel when closure is complete.
2. A tubular back brace comprising: a back panel configured to be
engaged on the sacrum and lower ribs of the patient, said back
panel having a left end and a right end; a left panel overlapping
and adjustably attached to said left end of said back panel; a
right panel overlapping and adjustably attached to said right end
of said back panel, said left panel and said right panel
overlapping at the front to form a three piece tubular back brace
which is configured to engage around the torso of the patient; said
back panel, said left panel and said right panel each having an
upper edge and a lower edge and each being formed of bendable
synthetic polymer composition sheet material; an upper retaining
band attached to said left and right panels adjacent the upper
edges thereof and a lower retaining band attached to said left and
right panels adjacent the lower edges thereof, said upper and lower
retaining bands being separately adjustable to configure said back
brace to the development of the patient.
3. A tubular back brace having overlapping left and right front
edges; a lever, a pivot adjacent one of said edges, said lever
being mounted on said pivot, an adjustable tightener attached
adjacent the other of said edges and to said lever, said lever
having a grasping surface thereon, said grasping surface being
farther away from said pivot than the point where said tightener is
attached to said lever; first and second retainers attached to
adjacent said first and second edges, so that said lever can be
repeatedly manually actuated and said tightener and said retainers
are repeatedly actuated to pull said right and left edges toward
each other in overlapping relationship and said retainers finally
retain said tubular back brace in tightened position.
4. A tubular back brace comprising: a panel of sufficient height to
serve as a tubular back brace for a patient, said panel having a
left end and a right end long enough therebetween to form a tubular
back brace which is configured to engage around the torso of the
patient, a tightener engaging said left and said right ends of said
panel to tighten them in substantially overlapping relationship,
said panel having a window therethrough, said window having sides,
said window being located to expose the spine of the patient when
the back brace is worn by the patient, a malleable member forming a
part of said panel, said malleable member lying adjacent at least
said sides of said window so that said malleable member can be
formed by an orthopedist so that the back brace can engage the
patient's back adjacent his spine and the orthopedist can see and
feel the engagement.
5. A tubular back brace comprising: a back panel of sufficient
height to be engaged on the sacrum and lower ribs of the patient,
said back panel having a left end and a right end; a left panel
overlapping with respect to said left end of said back panel and a
right panel overlapping with respect to said right end of said back
panel to form a tubular back brace which is configured to engage
around the torso of the patient, a tightener engaging said left and
said right panels to tighten them in substantially overlapping
relationship, said back panel having a window therethrough, said
window having sides, said window being located to expose the spine
of the patient when the back brace is worn by the patient, a
malleable member forming a part of said back panel, said malleable
member being a metal rod attached to said back panel by means of a
protector wrapped around said rod and secured to said back panel
said malleable member lying adjacent at least said sides of said
window so that said malleable member can be formed by an
orthopedist so that the back brace can engage the patient's back
adjacent his spine and the orthopedist can see and feel the
engagement.
6. A tubular back brace comprising: a back panel of sufficient
height to be engaged on the sacrum and lower ribs of the patient,
said back panel having a left end and a right end; a left panel
overlapping with respect to said left end of said back panel and a
right panel overlapping with respect to said right end of said back
panel to form a tubular back brace which is configured to engage
around the torso of the patient, both said left and right panels
overlapping with respect to said back panel;
detachable/reattachable adjustable attachment structures between
said left panel and said back panel as well as between said right
panel and said back panel so that the size of said back brace can
be adjusted, said left panel and said right panel being each formed
of bendable synthetic polymer composition sheet material; a left
pressure-spreading layer under said left panel and a right
pressure-spreading layer under said right panel, said left and
right pressure-spreading layers extending above and below the edges
of said side panels, said left and right pressure-spreading layers
being more flexible than said left and right panels and said
pressure-spreading layers having notches adjacent the edges thereof
to permit ease of bending of said pressure-spreading layers over
the edges of said panels to provide a rigid tubular back brace with
soft edges.
7. The tubular back brace of claim 6 wherein said left
pressure-spreading layer is notched above and below said left panel
and said right pressure-spreading layer is notched above and below
said right panel to increase flexibility of the edges of said
pressure-spreading layers.
8. The tubular back brace of claim 7 wherein there are holes in
each said pressure-spreading layer adjacent said notches so that
when further flexibility is desired, the edges of said
pressure-spreading layers can be cut through to said holes.
9. A tubular back brace comprising: a back panel of sufficient
height to be engaged on the sacrum and lower ribs of the patient,
said back panel having a left end and a right end; a left panel
engaging and overlapping with respect to said left end of said back
panel and a right panel engaging and overlapping with respect to
said right end of said back panel to form a tubular back brace
which is configured to engage around the torso of the patient; said
left panel and said right panel each being formed of bendable
synthetic polymer composition sheet material; a left
pressure-spreading layer under said left panel and a right
pressure-spreading layer under said right panel, said left and
right pressure-spreading layers having an inside surface and
extending above and below the edges of said respective side panels,
said left and right pressure-spreading layers being more flexible
than said left and right panels and said pressure-spreading layers
having notches adjacent the edges thereof to permit ease of bending
of the edges of said pressure-spreading layers.
10. The tubular back brace of claim 9 further including: a
synthetic polymer foam cushion layer on at least a portion of the
inside surface of said pressure-spreading layer inside said left
and right panels to provide comfort of said tubular back brace.
11. The tubular back brace of claim 9 wherein said left
pressure-spreading layer is notched above and below said left panel
and said right pressure-spreading layer is notched above and below
said right panel to increase flexibility of said pressure-spreading
layers.
12. The tubular back brace of claim 11 wherein there are holes in
each said pressure-spreading layer adjacent said notches so that
when further flexibility is desired, the notches of said
pressure-spreading layers can be cut through to terminate in said
holes.
13. A tubular back brace comprising: a right panel, a back panel
and a left panel, said right panel, said back panel and said left
panel being attached to each other in overlapping relationship to
form a tubular back brace which is configured to extend around the
torso of a patient, said back panel having a left wing and a right
wing, said left panel being partly layered under said left wing in
overlapping relationship and said right panel being partly layered
under said right wing in overlapping relationship, adjustable
attachment structure between said left panel and said left wing and
adjustable attachment structure between said right panel and said
right wing so that said left and right panels can be adjusted with
respect to said back panel so said left and right panels
overlap.
14. A tubular back brace comprising: a right panel, a back panel
and a left panel, said right panel, said back panel and said left
panel being attached to each other in overlapping relationship to
form a tubular back brace which is configured to extend around the
torso of a patient, said back panel having a left wing and a right
wing, said left panel being partly layered under said left wing in
overlapping relationship and said right panel being partly layered
under said right wing in overlapping relationship, adjustable
attachment structure between said left panel and said left wing and
adjustable attachment structure between said right panel and said
right wing so that said left and right panels can be adjusted with
respect to said back panel so said left and right panels overlap;
and a left band attached to said left panel and a right band
attached to said right panel, said left band overlying said left
wing with an adjustable attachment structure therebetween and said
right band overlying said right wing with adjustable attachment
structure therebetween.
15. The tubular back brace of claim 14 wherein said adjustable
attachment structure between said left band and said left wing and
said adjustable attachment structure between said right band and
said right wing are hook and loop fasteners.
16. The tubular back brace of claim 15 wherein there is a window in
said back panel, said window being positioned to overlie the spine
of the patient above the sacrum to prevent direct contact of said
back brace with the spine.
17. The tubular back brace of claim 16 wherein there is a malleable
structure around said window so that said back panel can be shaped
to fit the back of the patient adjacent his spine and the fit of
said back panel on the patient can be observed from the exterior of
said back brace both visually and tactilely.
18. A tubular back brace comprising: a right panel, a back panel
and a left panel, said right panel, said back panel and said left
panel being attached to each other in overlapping relationship to
form a tubular back brace which is configured to extend around the
torso of a patient, said back panel having a left wing and a right
wing, said left panel being partly layered under said left wing in
overlapping relationship and said right panel being partly layered
under said right wing in overlapping relationship, adjustable
attachment structure between said left panel and said left wing and
adjustable attachment structure between said right panel and said
right wing so that said left and right panels can be adjusted with
respect to said back panel so said left and right panels overlap;
said left panel and said right panel each being formed of bendable
synthetic polymer composition sheet material and there is in
addition a left pressure-spreading layer under said left panel and
a right pressure-spreading layer under said right panel, said left
and right pressure-spreading layers extending above and below the
edges of said side panels, said left and right pressure-spreading
layers having an inside surface and being more flexible than said
left and right panels and said pressure-spreading layers having
notches adjacent the edges thereof to permit ease of bending of the
edges of said pressure-spreading layers; and a synthetic polymer
foam cushion layer within said pressure-spreading layer on the
inside surface of each of said left and right panels to provide
comfort of said tubular back brace.
19. The tubular back brace of claim 18 wherein said
pressure-spreading layers are notched above and below said panels
to increase flexibility thereof.
20. The tubular back brace of claim 19 wherein there are holes in
said pressure-spreading layer adjacent said notches so that when
further flexibility is desired, the edges of said
pressure-spreading layers can be cut through to said holes.
21. A tubular back brace comprising: left and right side panels and
a back panel, said left and right side panels overlapping with
respect to said back panel and being adjustably secured to said
back panel, said panels being configured and sized to be able to
engage around the torso of a patient when adjusted and tightened,
said right and left side panels each having a front edge; a
tightening strap attached to one of said left and right panels; a
lever attached to the other of said left and right panels, said
tightening strap being engaged with said lever so that when said
lever is manually actuated, said tightening strap is pulled to pull
said right and left side panels toward each other; and two
detachable retainers respectively located adjacent the upper and
lower edges of said left and right side panels for retaining said
left and said right panels with respect to each other when they are
tightened with respect to each other.
22. The tubular back brace of claim 21 wherein each of said
retainers comprises a loop secured to one of said left and right
side panels and a band secured to the other of said left and right
side panels, each said band being tightenable through said loop to
a retaining position for securement.
23. The tubular back brace of claim 22 wherein said retaining band
has a hook and loop fastener thereon to hold it in retaining
position.
24. The tubular back brace of claim 21 wherein said lever is
pivotally mounted on one of said side panels and said lever has a
cross bar thereon and a grasping surface thereon, said grasping
surface being farther away from said pivot than said cross bar,
said tightening strap being engaged around said cross bar and being
detachably attached to the same panel to which it is secured so
that said tightening strap can be tightened and attached and said
lever manually actuated to pull said right and left side panels
toward each other and said retaining bands retain said tubular back
brace in tightened position.
25. A tubular back brace comprising: left and right side panels and
a back panel, said left and right side panels overlapping with
respect to said back panel and being adjustably secured to said
back panel, said panels being configured in size to be able to
engage around the torso of a patient when adjusted and tightened,
said right and left side panels each having a front edge said left
panel and said right panel each being formed of bendable synthetic
polymer composition sheet material and there is in addition a left
pressure-spreading layer under said left panel and a right
pressure-spreading layer under said right panel, said left and
right pressure-spreading layers extending above and below the edges
of said side panels, said left and right pressure-spreading layers
having an inside surface and being more flexible than said left and
right panels and said pressure-spreading layers having notches
adjacent the edges thereof to permit ease of bending of the edges
of said pressure-spreading layers; a synthetic polymer foam cushion
layer within said pressure-spreading layer on the inside surface of
each of said left and right panels to provide comfort of said
tubular back brace; a tightening strap attached to one of said left
and right panels; a lever attached to the other of said left and
right panels, said tightening strap being engaged with said lever
so that when said lever is manually actuated, said tightening strap
is pulled to pull said right and left side panels toward each
other; and two detachable retainers respectively located adjacent
the upper and lower edges of said left and right side panels for
retaining said left and said right panels with respect to each
other when they are tightened with respect to each other.
26. The tubular back brace of claim 25 wherein said
pressure-spreading layers are notched above and below said panels
to increase flexibility thereof.
27. The tubular back brace of claim 26 wherein there are holes in
said pressure-spreading layer adjacent said notches so that when
further flexibility is desired, the notches in the edges of said
pressure-spreading layers can be lengthened to connect to said
holes.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of my previous
application, Ser. No. 09/323,291, filed Jun. 1, 1999, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to a back brace which surrounds
the mid-torso of the patient with three overlapping panels secured
to each other to form a tubular back brace. The tubular back brace
has a window in the back panel with an adjacent malleable frame
which can be bent to conform to the patient. A single lever
step-by-step tightening structure permits the patient to achieve
easily adequate circumferential tension when he redons the back
brace after an initial fitting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A number of muscular and orthopedic problems are present in
the human patient above the sacrum. There are a number of different
corsetlike structures and partial body belts which presumably
engage around and hold the midsection of a patient having a back
problem. These are intended to be back supports which overcome
deficiencies in the musculature and orthopedic structure. When such
back supports are properly fitted, they can do a very good job, but
are expensive due to the individualized fitting thereof, which
sometimes includes individual part shaping. On the other hand, if
they are not fitted to the sacro portion and the vertebrae directly
thereabove, such back braces are not fully effective. Additionally,
the edges of such back braces take all of the load when motion is
attempted, which can bruise the tissue directly under the edge,
which can lead to the patient loosening the brace, thereby reducing
its effectiveness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In order to aid in the understanding of this invention, it
can be stated in essentially summary form that it is directed to a
back brace formed of three panels which overlap to completely
embrace the patient's midsection. The three panels are a back panel
and left and right side panels. The left and right side panels each
overlap the back panel and are adjustably secured thereto. When
embracing the patient, the left and right side panels overlap to
form a tubular back brace which completely embraces the patient's
mid-section. The back brace preferably has a malleable section at
the back above the sacrum and a window adjacent thereto so that the
fitter can observe and adjust the most critical portion of the
fitting operation: against the back, above the sacrum. Both the
left and right panels overlap the back brace in an adjustable way
to permit adjustment of the total circumferential length to fit
persons of different size. Additionally, multiple step lever action
permits even a weak person to tighten the back brace on himself
with proper tension.
[0005] It is a purpose and advantage of this invention to provide a
back brace which is suitable for use on persons of different size
by virtue of substantially overlapping panels of at least two which
are suitable for size adjustment. When adjusted, the panels are
firmly attached to each other. They are non-hinging and
non-pivoting of the panels at the contacting surfaces of the
panels.
[0006] It is another purpose and advantage of this invention to
provide a back brace which is comprised of left and right side
panels together with a back panel. The panels are overlapping with
respect to each other, and the left and right side panel are each
adjustable with respect to the back panel so that the left and
right side panels are non-rotatable with respect to the back panel
when the adjustment is secured so that the back brace is
semi-permanently adjusted to the physiological back brace
requirements of a particular patient.
[0007] It is another purpose and advantage of this invention to
provide a back brace which has a step-by-step lever action system
to multiply the force achieved in tightening the back brace, even
by patients having limited strength.
[0008] It is another purpose and advantage of this invention to
provide a back brace which has a malleable material adjacent the
sacrum when the back brace is worn, so that the portion of the back
brace at the sacrum and at the vertebrae thereabove may be
malleably adjusted in compound curvature to optimize the fit in
this region, together with a window adjacent the malleable
structure so that fitting may be observed at the malleable portion
even while the back brace is in tension on the person being fitted
so that the back brace not put pressure on the bony structure of
the spine.
[0009] It is a further purpose and advantage of this invention to
provide a pressure spreading layer which has notches in the edge
and holes in alignment with the notches so that customized
adjustment of the flexure of the edge can be achieved by cutting to
the hole to increase flexibility at the edge.
[0010] Other purposes and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from a study of the following portion of the
specification, the claims and the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a substantially rear-elevational view of the first
preferred embodiment of the back brace of this invention in the
open position.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a left-side elevational view thereof when it is
positioned on a patient.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof, as seen generally
from the arrow 3 of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged section through the back of the back
brace, as seen generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged section taken generally along line 5-5
of FIG. 2, showing the layers in the overlapping portion of the
left side panel and the back panel which permit circumferential
adjustment of the back brace.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a downward-looking view of the tightening
mechanism at the beginning of its tightening step.
[0017] FIG. 7 is similar view showing the tightening lever pulled
about half way through the tightening stroke.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a downwardly looking view similar to FIG. 6, but
with the nearby retaining band removed from the view to better
illustrate the tightening motion.
[0019] FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 7, with the near side retaining
band removed from the view.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates the tightening lever in its fully
deflected position when the retaining bands are tightened and the
tightening strap is loosened for resetting.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a similar view showing the tightening lever
returned to its starting position and the tightening strap being
reattached.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the back brace with
tightening lever being moved in the tightening direction, similar
to the position of FIGS. 6 and 9.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the back brace as
fully tightened on a patient.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the second preferred
embodiment of the back brace of this invention.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the right side panel of the back
brace of FIG. 14.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the corresponding left side
panel.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a plan view of the back panel used in overlapping
association with the side panels of FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of
the left side panel, the right side panel being of corresponding
configuration, comparable to FIG. 16.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The first preferred embodiment of the back brace of this
invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and is shown in
a spread-out view in FIG. 1, is shown in left side elevation in
FIG. 2, is shown in rear elevation in FIG. 3, and is shown in front
elevation in FIG. 9. The back brace 10 comprises three panels which
overlap with respect to each other when worn. These three panels
comprise the right panel 12, back panel 14 and left panel 16. The
back panel 14 has a center line 18, which is the section line upon
which FIG. 4 is taken (see FIG. 3). When worn, the center line
should overlie the patient's spine. The main body of the back panel
is formed of flexible sheet synthetic polymer composition material
which bends, but is not appreciably stretchy.
[0030] Window 20 is formed along the center line. The window
extends upward from close to the bottom edge 22, which overlies the
sacrum when worn. Attached to the back panel 14 around the window
20 is malleable bar 24. The malleable bar is preferably a solid
aluminum rod for light weight and malleability. The malleable bar
is shown as being a substantially rectangular structure to lie
around window 20. It may extend only along the two sides or may be
U-shaped. Protector 26, see FIG. 4, wraps around the malleable bar
24 to protect the bar and to attach it to the back panel 14. The
protector has overlapping edges outside of the malleable bar which
are attached to the back panel 14 by sewing, rivets or adhesive.
The malleable bar and its attachment 26 are arranged so that they
lie around the edge of the window. This structure is positioned so
that the orthopedist can bend the malleable bar to shape the back
panel of the back brace to the sacrum and spinal curvature of the
patient. The window also gives additional freedom to the back panel
so the back panel can be bent into compound curves near the window.
The window is sufficiently large so that the orthopedist can insert
his fingers into the window and run them up and down along the
sides of the window to tactilely determine the fit of the back
panel against the back of a patient. The window also permits
viewing of the manner of engagement of the back panel against the
patient to insure that the proper contact is provided.
[0031] The window is sufficiently tall along the length of the
spine so that at least three vertebrae are exposed for visual and
tactile observation of the fit of the back panel at that critical
area of the back. The proper curvature and distribution of pressure
of the back panel against the patient is important to both the
comfort of the back brace and to provide of the proper orthopedic
support to achieve the orthopedic goal. The orthopedist can
visually and tactilely observe the engagement at the sacrum and
against the lower back to derive optimum results.
[0032] Positioned on the interior of back panel 14 is a foam back
panel cushion layer 28 which is attached to the interior of back
panel 14 around the window. As is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, left
and right wings 32 and 34 are formed as part of the back panel and
extend to the left and right, respectively, for overlapping with
the left panel 16 and right panel 12. The back body layer 30, which
makes up the principal structural portion of the back panel is a
layer of sheet synthetic polymer composition material. The same
material forms a left body layer 36 and a right body layer 38. As
seen in FIG. 1, the left and right wings of the back body layer
overlie the left and right body layers. As seen in FIG. 5, on the
inside of left body layer 36 is secured left pressure spreading
layer 40 and foam cushion layer 44. The left wing of the back panel
overlaps the left panel layer and is adjustably secured thereto by
means of hook and loop fasteners. The portion of the hook and loop
fastener on the left body layer 36 is seen at 46 in FIG. 2, and
that which underlies the left wing 32 is seen at 48 in FIG. 5.
[0033] There is a circumferential direction at a right angle to the
center line 18, and it is seen that the length of the circumference
can be adjusted by selecting the placement of left wing 32 onto the
hook and loop fastener on left body layer 36. As additional
securement, band 50 is secured at attachment point 52 and overlies
left wing 32. The underside of the band 50 and the upper side of
wing 32 have cooperating hook and loop fasteners. After the left
wing 32 is secured in place on left body layer 36, then the band 50
is attached to provide greater strength.
[0034] When the attachment is completed between the back panel and
left panel and between the back panel and right panel, the back
brace 10 is rigid in the sense that, except for bending around the
patient, there is no motion between the left panel, back panel and
right panel. When the back brace 10 is laid out in a plane, as seen
in FIG. 1, there is no rotation of one panel with respect to
another on an axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper. In a
sense, the back brace 10 is a one-piece back brace because it acts
like a one-piece back brace when the left and right panels are
attached to the back panel and are attached to each other at the
front. However, as noted above, the left panel and right panel are
each preliminarily adjustable so that the total circumference of
the back brace can be adjusted to the patient. Furthermore, when
properly adjusted and when engaged around the patient, the left and
right panels overlap over the belly of the patient to form a
tubular back brace.
[0035] Mounted on the face of the left body layer 36 is tightening
strap 54 which is also attached at securing point 52. Furthermore,
attachment loops 56 and 58 are secured to the front of panel layer
36 above and below the tightening strap 54. The attachment loops 56
and 58 are positioned as high and as low (respectively) on panel 36
as possible. Enclosed around the patient, as seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 12
and 13, the left and right side panels overlap, and the two spaced
straps 76 and 78 prevent rotation of the front of the left and
right side panels around an axis generally perpendicular to the
drawing in FIG. 13.
[0036] The right side panel 12 is similar to the left side panel 16
in an opposite-handed way. The right side panel body layer 36 is
the principal strength member of the right side panel 12. The left
side panel body layer 36 is of flexible sheet synthetic polymer
composition material. Right wing 34 of the back panel 14 overlies
left body layer 36. It is detachably and adjustably attached by
means of a hook and loop fastener system, as previously described.
In addition, band 60 is attached to left body layer 36 at
attachment point 62. The band 60 is detachably attached to the
exterior of right wing 34 by means of hook and loop fastener. This
permits the right panel 12 to be adjusted along the circumferential
line previously described.
[0037] The interior of right panel layer carries right pressure
spreading layer 64 and right cushion foam layer 66. The right
pressure spreading layer 64 is made of sheet synthetic polymer
composition material of greater flexibility than the right panel
36. It may achieve this flexibility by being of lesser
thickness.
[0038] The right side panel 12 also carries retaining bands 68 and
70 which are secured at their securing ends 72 and 74 to the right
panel layer 38 as high and as low (respectively) as possible. The
bands 68 and 70 extend through the loops 56 and 58 and have free
ends 76 and 78 extending therefrom. These free ends have one-half
of hook/loop fastener while the other half is on the outward face
of the retaining bands 68 and 70 to hold the bands in place when
they are carrying tension, see FIGS. 12 and 13. Since there are two
widely spaced retaining bands 68 and 70 and since the three panels
are secured to each other so that they act as one piece, the two
side panels where they overlap at the front and are secured by the
retaining bands 68 and 70 do not have any up and down freedom or
rotative freedom with respect to each other. The upper and lower
retaining bands 68 and 70 can be separately tightened to adjust the
back brace for different physiological development. This adjustment
permits proper fit of the back brace on persons having high or low
hips/waist circumference ratio. Once the back brace is fitted and
adjusted to a patient, it acts like a single piece back brace
uniquely fitted for that particular patient. The three panels
overlap on the sides and front and are secured so that there is no
relative up and down or rotative motion between them.
[0039] The back brace 10 must be properly tightened. After the
first adjustment by the orthopedist, the patient must be able to
easily engage the back brace about himself each time he needs to
use it. This may require more force than the patient can apply
without mechanical advantage. A lever system which is repetitively
used to tighten the back brace step-by-step is provided. Pivot
bracket 80, see FIGS. 1 and 6-13, is secured to the front of right
panel 12 between retaining bands 68 and 70. Tightening lever 82 is
mounted on pivot pin 84. The tightening lever has cross bar 86 and
a grasping surface 88 on the lever outward from the cross bar.
[0040] When the back brace 10 is first worn, the orthopedic
specialist fits it to the patient. First, he opens the bands 50 and
60 and laterally shifts the left and right wings 32 and 34 of the
back panel, respectively, on the left and right panels 16 and 12.
This adjustment is for the waist circumference of the patient. The
adjustment is made large enough so that the back brace can be
engaged around the waist of the patient and loosely attached to
hold the back brace generally in place before tightening. The open
back brace is pulled around the torso and is arranged with the
lower edge 22 on the sacrum. The ends of the left and right panels
are pulled into an overlapping position shown in FIG. 12. In this
position, the bands 68 and 70 are engaged through the loops and 58,
as seen in FIG. 12. The ends 76 and 78 are pulled and laid down in
hook and loop attachment as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0041] Tightening strap 54 is engaged around the cross bar 86 with
the tightening lever in the left position shown in FIGS. 6 and 8.
The end of the tightening strap 54 is laid down in the hook and
loop fastener 82 to secure it. FIGS. 6 and 8 show this laying down
and securement of the tightening strap 54. FIGS. 6 and 8 show the
same position, but in FIG. 8, the view is below the retaining band
68 so that the view of the action of the lever 82 is not obscured.
Similarly, FIG. 9 is in the same position as FIG. 7, but the view
is from below retaining band 68 for the purpose of clarity. FIGS.
10 and 11, which depict later steps in the sequence, show the
structure as seen from below the upper retaining band 68. Once the
tightening strap 54 is secured in place, the lever 82 is grasped
and pulled to the right from the position of FIG. 8 through the
position of FIG. 9 to the position of FIG. 10. Due to the fact that
the grasping surface 88 is farther from the pivot point 84 than the
bar 86, the tightening force on tightening strap 54 is multiplied,
as compared to the manual force applied by the patient to the
handgrip 88 on the end of the tightening lever 82 away from pivot
84. As seen in FIG. 8, the force multiplication is about four
times. The tightening lever is pulled by the patient to the right
as he views it from above, as seen in FIGS. 6-11. When the lever is
pulled to the far right, the retaining band 68 and 70 are
retightened. The end of the tightening strap 54 is pulled loose, as
is seen in FIG. 10, and the lever 82 is returned to the left
position, as seen in FIG. 11. The tightening strap is again laid
down in the hook-and-loop fastener 82 to secure it. The tightening
lever 82 is pulled again and the retaining bands 68 and 70 are
retightened. When the lever is pulled to the right to the position
shown in FIG. 10, and before the tightening strap 54 is pulled
loose, the retaining bands 68 and 70 are loose. Their ends 76 and
78 are disengaged, tightened and laid down again. Then the lever is
returned to the left and the tightening strap is disengaged,
retightened and attached. The pulling of the lever and tightening
of the bands is repeated as required until the desired tightness is
achieved. When the desired tightness is achieved, the end of strap
54 is laid down and retained by hook and loop fasteners. The free
ends 76 and 78 are laid down to suit the patients development and
retained by hook and loop fasteners as shown in FIG. 9.
[0042] During the initial fitting, the orthopedist inspects the fit
of the back of the back brace against the sacrum and lower back
vertebra through the window 20. He bends the bar adjacent the
window so that proper back contact is achieved in this area. The
presence of the window gives the orthopedist the opportunity to
feel through the window 20 to determine the fit of the back brace
in that area and to further position and configure as may be
necessary for the proper fit of the back brace. It also permits the
back panel to be formed into compound curves to appropriately
contact the compound curves of the lower back. After the initial
fit by the orthopedist, the back brace can be donned by most
patients without assistance and tightened to the desired
circumferential tension. The back brace completely overlaps at
front and sides so as to provide a tubular back brace support
structure. By loosening and tightening straps 54, 68 and 70, the
patient may individually adjust the tightness of the back brace in
accordance with his own comfort level.
[0043] The principal layers of each of the left, right and back
panels are quite stiff. The foam cushion layer in each panel gives
some cushioning effect. However, at the edges of the stiff panels,
the transition between the stiff panel and foam cushion layer may
be too great and present to the patient what feels like a sharp
edge. It is for this reason that the pressure-spreading layers 40
and 64 are fitted on the left and right panels. These layers are of
polymer material of greater flexibility than the principal layer.
Outward force occasioned by the body of the patient causes bending
of these pressure-spreading layers to "round off" the edge. In
order to permit soft bending at the transitional layers, notches
are provided in the edge. In alignment with each of the notches is
at least one hole with preferably two such holes presented, as seen
in FIG. 12. If a particular area applies too much pressure on the
patient's body, this can be softened by shearing the
pressure-spreading layer from the notch to one or both of those
aligned holes. Such cutting reduces the strength of the
pressure-spreading layer at that point, allowing it to be bent into
a compound curve to provide even more distribution of pressure.
After appropriate fitting and modifications deemed necessary and
appropriate, the orthopedist approves the fit and releases it to
the patient.
[0044] The second preferred embodiment of the back brace of this
invention is generally indicated at 90 in FIG. 14. It is comprised
of a back panel 92 (shown in FIG. 17), a right panel 94 (shown in
FIG. 15), and a left panel 96 (shown in FIG. 16). The right and
left nomenclature refers to the orientation when worn, as seen in
FIG. 14. In that figure, the back brace 90 is shown as being worn
by a patient in its tubular, closed form. The three panels are very
similar to those represented in the back brace 10, but the
attachment between the back panel and the left and right side
panels, respectively, is different.
[0045] Back panel 92 is formed of a principal layer 98 of sheet
synthetic polymer composition material which is sufficiently thin
and flexible to be able to bend around the torso, but is stiff
enough to substantially retain its form. Secured to its front is a
synthetic polymer foam layer 100. A window 102 is formed on the
vertical center line of the back panel. The window has a malleable
bar 104 at least on its left and right sides. The bar is held in
place by a protector 106 the same is protector 26. The window is
sufficiently tall to permit the orthopedist to examine the fit of
the back panel against the patient's back. The observation can be
made by inserting fingers into the area to determine if there is
pressure or space. The window also permits visual examination of
the fit. The malleable bar permits adjustment of this portion of
the back panel to achieve the individualized fit required for
maximum support and optimum comfort.
[0046] The principal layer of the back panel has left and right
tongues 108 and 110. The tongues are of uniform width and are
substantially straight. The tongues have pairs of keyhole openings
therein. The center pair of keyhole openings in the left tongue are
shown at 112 and 114, and the center pair of keyhole openings in
the right tongue are shown at 116 and 118. The keyhole openings are
each formed of a larger circular opening with a smaller slot
extending therefrom, extending in the direction away from the
central upright axis of the back panel. As seen in FIG. 17, the
pairs of keyholes are spaced closer and farther away from the
central axis to permit adjustment of the size of the tubular back
brace 90. Thus, the back panel 92 is very much the same as the back
panel 14, except for the character of the left and right
tongues.
[0047] The left panel 96, shown in FIG. 16, is much like the left
panel 16 shown in FIG. 1. The left panel 96 has a left body layer
120, which carries thereon a left pressure-spreading layer 122. A
foam cushion layer 124 lies under the pressure-spreading layer and
against the patient. The pressure-spreading layer has notches
therein to regulate the firmness of the bending characteristics of
the edges to provide greater comfort at the transition between the
body layer 120 and the uncovered portion of the patient's torso.
The significant difference between the left panel 96 and its
corresponding left panel 16 in FIG. 1 is the adjustable attachment
and securement with respect to the back panel. A slot 126 is
provided which is slightly larger than the width of the tongue 108.
The tongue 108 enters the slot, as seen in FIG. 14. Posts 128 and
129 are mounted behind the slot 126. The post 128 is shown in
enlarged detail in FIG. 19, and the other posts are the same. As
seen in FIG. 19, the central part of post 128 is a rivet having a
head 130, which is sized to fit through the larger portion of the
keyhole slot. Under the head, cylindrical tubular spacer 132 holds
the head above the left body layer 120 a distance slightly greater
than the thickness of the tongue 108. The spacer is smaller than
the small portion of the keyhole opening in order to permit the
shank of the post and the spacer 132 to slide into the smaller
portion of the keyhole. In this position, the head 130 engages over
that portion of the tongue 108 to hold it in place.
[0048] The post 128 extends through the left body layer 120 and
through washer 134 and is riveted over the washer to securely the
post in place. Since there are two such posts engaging in two
corresponding keyhole slots, rotation of the overlapping panels
with respect to each other is prevented. This is further prevented
by the engagement of tongue 108 into slot 126 where it just barely
fits in the width-wise direction, to constrain the left side panel
and the back panel with respect to each other, both in the
around-the-body direction where back brace compression can be
achieved and in motion of the left side panel and back panel with
respect to each other.
[0049] Attached to the left body layer 120, as far apart as
practical in the up-and-down direction are top and bottom
attachment clips 136 and 138. They are used in connection with
retaining bands on the right panel during tightening and retaining
the back brace in back bracing position.
[0050] In general terms, the right panel 94, seen in FIG. 15, is
similar to the left panel 96 and to the right panel 12. It has a
principal layer 140 of the same characteristics as the layer 120.
It carries a pressure-spreading layer 142 and a foam cushion layer
144. Furthermore, it has a slot 146 to receive the right tongue
110. The tongues 108 and 110 are of uniform width so that, over
their entire length, they are closely engaged by the slot. The slot
is sufficiently wide to permit adjustment, but suitably restrains
widthwise motion of the tongue with respect to the side panels.
[0051] Two posts 148 and 150 are positioned adjacent the slot 146
to be engaged by one of the pairs of keyhole slots in the right
tongue 110. This engagement is not seen in FIG. 14, but it is the
same as the engagement shown therein. The tongue goes into the
slot, and the posts engage in one of the pairs of keyhole openings.
The circumferential size of the back brace 90 is adjusted by
selecting the correct pair of keyhole openings to be engaged by the
posts for a patient of particular size. Preferably, the left and
right tongues 108 and 110 of the back panel should be engaged the
same amount in the slots in the left and right side panels. Proper
engagement permits the left and right side panels to overlap in the
front when the back brace is tightened on the patient.
[0052] Upper and lower retaining bands 152 and 154, see FIG. 15,
are secured to the principal layer 140 of the right side panel.
They are spaced to engage through the upper and lower attachment
clips 136 and 138 on the left panel 96, as seen in FIG. 14. The
retaining bands have hook-and-loop fasteners so that, when they are
engaged through the attachment clips and folded over, each can be
attached to itself. In addition, tightening band 156 is secured to
the left panel 96, as seen in FIG. 16. The tightening band also has
hook-and-loop fastener structure 158 thereon so that it can be
engaged around the bar of tightening lever 160 for successive
tightening steps, as previously described with respect to the back
brace 10. When the tightening band 156 is engaged around the
crossbar the same as crossbar 86 and the tightening band is secured
back upon itself, raising the lever pulls on the tightening band
with mechanical advantage and pulls the left and right side panels
together in overlapping relationship, as seen in FIG. 14. After the
lever is pulled back to the position in FIG. 10, the upper and
lower retaining bands 152 and 154 are tightened to hold the left
and right side panels in place. The relative tightening of the
retaining bands is dependent on the development of the patient. The
tightening lever is again moved to the left, the tightening band
156 is retightened, and the lever 164 is pulled back. This is
repeated until the desired tightness and configuration for
development is achieved.
[0053] Since the left and right panels overlap in the front and are
secured by spaced upper and lower retaining bands, and since both
of the side panels are securely and non-rotatably attached to the
back panel, a completely surrounding tubular back brace is created.
Adjustability is available during the original fitting and can be
employed if there is a substantial change in the configuration or
development of the patient. However, once adjusted by the
orthopedist, the back brace 90 usually retains its adjustment for a
particular patient and, thus, acts like a one-piece, tubular back
brace.
[0054] A donning strap 170 is attached to the layer 140 under the
lever 160. The donning strap 170 has hook-and-loop fastener
material thereunder. The left side panel 96 has fastener dot 172
thereon. This is of the opposite character of the hook-and-loop
material of donning strap 170. In FIG. 16, the tightening band is
broken away at the fastener dot 172 to provide its visibility. In
actuality, the tightening band extends over the fastener dot which
could not be directly seen. The purpose of the donning strap 170
and fastener dot 172 is to help the patient to put on his back
brace. He wraps the back brace around his torso and, before any of
the other closure fastenings are made, he applies the strap 170 to
the fastener dot 172. This is sufficient to hold the back brace in
place while he works on the closure system, including placing the
upper and lower retaining bands through their attachment clips and
engaging the strap 156 around the crossbar 86 of the tightening
lever. Once those steps are completed, the donning strap has no
further use. Indeed, it is hidden beneath the tightening band
156.
[0055] The left and right side panels 96 and 94 both have the
principal panel and the pressure-spreading layer. The
pressure-spreading layer is positioned outside the foam cushioning
layer. Each is of synthetic polymer composition material. If
economy is important, a portion of the advantage of the notched
edge of the pressure-spreading layer can be accomplished by
choosing a lighter or more flexible polymer sheet layer for the
principal layer and notching the edge thereof to achieve some of
the benefits of reducing the sharpness of the edges. FIG. 18 shows
a right side panel 162 which is of substantially the same
configuration as the right side panel 94. The right side panel 162
has a principal panel layer 164 made of sheet synthetic polymer
composition material of such thickness as to give significant
strength and yet be sufficiently flexible to wrap around the torso
of the patient, as described above. It carries the same retaining
bands and tightening lever as the right side panel 94 shown in FIG.
15. The difference is that the function of the layers 140 and 142
in the side panel 94 are combined in the side panel 164. The side
panel 164 has edge notches 166 to soften the edge and permit some
outward bending of the sections between the notches. In addition,
the edge can be made even softer in selected locations by cutting
the notches down to the holes 168. One hole lies below each one of
the notches. The holes make it easy achieve symmetry of the edge
flexibility. The holes also make it easy to make the modifications
while the back brace is on the patient The holes aid in resisting
tearing of the panel material, which might happen if cuttinq below
the notches is not limited by the presence of the holes.
[0056] This invention has been described in its presently preferred
embodiments, and it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous
modifications, modes and embodiments within the ability of those
skilled in the art and without the exercise of the inventive
faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *