U.S. patent application number 11/001963 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-06 for torso arch support for body board users.
Invention is credited to David J. Perka.
Application Number | 20060073943 11/001963 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46205406 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060073943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perka; David J. |
April 6, 2006 |
Torso arch support for body board users
Abstract
A garment worn by the user encircles his torso and includes a
combined abdomen and chest cushion arrangement which supports the
torso during a riding or paddling procedure. The pad includes
layers of resilient cushion material as part of the garment. The
cushion material is arranged in a series of different thickness
pads or layers so as to compensate for the wedge-like angle between
the surface of the board and the user's chest. In one form, the
pads or bladders are arranged in three rows and two columns and are
of a different thickness, commencing with the lower part of the
user's rib cage and extending to the waist. The length of each of
the pads or bladders is of a different dimension so as to
accommodate for the decrease in space between the rib cage and the
waist with respect to the surface of the board.
Inventors: |
Perka; David J.; (San Pedro,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PETRE GANJIAN
3146 NORTH VERDUGO ROAD
GLENDALE
CA
91208
US
|
Family ID: |
46205406 |
Appl. No.: |
11/001963 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60557917 |
Apr 1, 2004 |
|
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60526287 |
Dec 3, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/0257 20130101;
A63B 71/12 20130101; A41D 13/0525 20130101; A63B 2071/1208
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/055 |
International
Class: |
A63B 31/00 20060101
A63B031/00 |
Claims
1. A torso support comprising: a support panel; the support panel
being removably secured with a garment worn by a user; one or more
pads with varying thicknesses carried on said support panel; the
support panel is configured to have an upper portion having a
thickness that lifts and elevates a torso of a user to reduce upper
and lower back exertion during a prone position of the user; and a
lower portion, having a second thickness that is less than the
thickness of the upper portion of the support panel.
2. The torso support defined in claim 1, wherein: said one or more
pads is selected from the group consisting of a. a gel material; b.
an inflatable bladder; c. a foam composition; d. a fiber material;
and e. resilient material.
3. The torso support defined in claim 2 wherein: said one or more
pads are arranged in a vertical column and a horizontal row.
4. The torso support defined in claim 3 wherein: said pads in each
of said columns are of different lengths, widths, and thicknesses;
and said pads in each of said rows are identical in length, width,
and thickness.
5. (canceled)
6. The torso support defined in claim 1, wherein said garment is
selected from the group consisting of: a. a jacket; b. a vest; c. a
waist band, and d. a wet-suit.
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein: said one or more
pads are inflatable.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. The torso support defined in claim 12 wherein: said one or more
inflatable pads are arranged in spaced apart relationship and
decreasing in size from the rib cage towards the upper abdomen.
17. A torso support comprising: a support panel; one or more pads
with varying thicknesses carried on the support panel; the support
panel is configured to have an upper portion having a thickness
that lifts and elevates a torso of a user to reduce upper and lower
back exertion during a prone position of the user; a lower portion,
having a second thickness that is less than the thickness of the
upper portion of the support panel; and means secured to the
support panel for wearing on the torso of the user whereby the one
or more pads reside adjacent a rib cage of the user.
18. A torso support comprising: a support panel; the support panel
being removably secured with a garment worn by a user; one or more
pads with varying thicknesses carried on the support panel; the
support panel is configured to have an upper portion having a
thickness that lifts and elevates a torso of a user to reduce upper
and lower back exertion during a prone position of the user; a
lower portion, having a second thickness that is less than the
thickness of the upper portion of the support panel; the one or
more pads are arranged in a vertical column and a horizontal row;
the one or more pads in each of the columns are of different
lengths, widths, and thicknesses; and the one or more pads in each
of the rows are identical in length, width, and thickness.
19. A torso support comprising: a support panel; one or more pads
with varying thicknesses carried on the support panel; the support
panel is configured to have an upper portion having a thickness
that lifts and elevates a torso of a user to reduce upper and lower
back exertion during a prone position of the user; a lower portion,
having a second thickness that is less than the thickness of the
upper portion of the support panel; the one or more pads are
arranged in a vertical column and a horizontal row; the one or more
pads in each of the columns are of different lengths, widths, and
thicknesses; the one or more pads in each of the rows are identical
in length, width, and thickness, and means secured to the support
panel for wearing on the torso of the user whereby the one or more
pads reside adjacent a rib cage of the user.
20. The torso support defined in claim 1, wherein: the support
panel is configured to have an upper portion having a thickness
that lifts and elevates a torso of a user to reduce upper and lower
back exertion during a prone position of the user while in water.
Description
[0001] Priority claimed on Ser. No. 60/557,917 filed Apr. 1, 2004
PENDING and Ser. No. 60/526,287 filed Dec. 3, 2003 PENDING, which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of orthopaedic
supports, and more particularly to a novel torso or arch support
that improves the endurance and paddling performance of board
riders including surfers, paddle boarders, and boogie boarders.
[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0005] In the field of ocean sports, many people use a variety of
boards on which to ride waves or surf along a beach front. In using
such boards, it is the customary practice for the user to lie prone
on his stomach along the upper surface of the board. In order to
travel through the water, the user employs his arms in a paddling
manner which causes his upper torso to rise above the surface of
the board so that the torso is solely supported by the skeletal
frame along the back. This causes a strain or fatiguing of the
lumbar region due to the arch of the back which must be sustained
for a relatively long period of time. Thus, such board riders
suffer from chronic back pain, muscle tension, postural imbalance
and other nagging problems.
[0006] Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a
torso or arch support which will relax the lumbar muscles, increase
nerve flow and relieve discomfort in the lower back. Such a support
should increase circulation and relieve compression of skeletal
disks and nerves. The device should support the abdomen and the
pelvis regions of the torso.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided
by the present invention which provides a garment to be worn by the
board user which encircles his torso and includes a combined
abdomen and chest pad arrangement which supports the torso on the
surface of the board during a riding or paddling procedure. The pad
includes layers of resilient foam cushion material, such as a gel,
fiber, or inflatable bladders which are a part of the garment. The
cushion material is critical in supporting the torso or body of the
user so that injury and strain in the back, neck and shoulder areas
are avoided. The cushion material pads or bladders may take the
form of a single pad or be arranged in a series of different
thicknesses so as to compensate for the wedge-like angle between
the surface of the board and the user's chest when raised during a
paddling procedure. In one form of the invention, the pads or
bladders are arranged in three rows and two columns. Each pad or
bladder is of a different thickness, commencing with the lower part
of the user's rib cage and extending to the waist. Also, the length
of each of the pads or bladders is of a different dimension so as
to accommodate for the decrease in space between the rib cage and
the waist with respect to the surface of the board. In other words,
the cushion material occupies the void between the user's chest and
abdominal area and the surface of the board.
[0008] Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present
invention to provide a torso and arch support for board riders
which improves the endurance and paddling performance of water
sport users, such as surfers, paddle boarders and boogie
boarders.
[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a novel orthopaedic support for board riders which lends support to
the user's torso where most needed, such as at the lower back where
vertebrae are most sensitive to damage.
[0010] Another object of the present invention resides in providing
an arch support for board riders which relieves tension on the
lower back, upper back, shoulders and neck, by providing at least
two and one-half inches of soft supportive cushion material.
[0011] Still another object relates to an orthopaedic support for
the back to be worn by board riders which protects shoulders, back
and neck from trauma and chronic muscular issues caused by
unsupported paddling and arching during the sports activity.
[0012] A further object pertains to a torso and arch support which
acts as a highly efficient paddle assistance device.
[0013] Still a further object resides in providing an arch support
which increases the athlete's average endurance of a sport-session
and improves in-session stamina by conserving energy.
[0014] A further object resides in providing an arch support which
allows for a wide-range of unobstructed movement by the user
through its flexible and light-weight design.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The features of the present invention which are believed to
be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of
operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof,
may best be understood with reference to the following description,
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of an environmental usage
of the torso support incorporating the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the torso support
employed as a garment worn by a user incorporating the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a view, similar to the view of FIG. 2,
illustrating the torso support as a vest with a pouch for
insertably receiving a torso support of cushion material;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the vest
and cushion material illustrated in FIG. 3 as taken in the
direction of arrows 4-4 thereof;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the garment
and cushion material as taken in the direction of arrows 5-5 of
FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of
the invention taking the form of a mid-body belt incorporating the
support cushion material in accordance with the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the pad of cushion
material as having inflatable bladders coupled with a pressurized
air source such as a compressor or air cylinder.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of another embodiment
illustrating a single inflatable bladder or bag for supporting the
rib cage and upper torso of a surfer; and
[0024] FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged prospective views of the
inflatable bladder or bag as shown in FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, the novel torso support is indicated in
the general direction of arrow 10 which is worn by a surfer 11
lying prone on a board 12 while engaging in a water sport. The
board 12 may be a surfboard which includes a forward portion 13
that is elevated out of the water surface and the user 11 is
propelling himself and the board by means of arm paddles or hands
and foot kicks. A stabilizing fin 14 downwardly depends from the
rear of the board 12 and the user's arms are deployed in a
"windmill" manner to propel the board and himself across the
surface of water 15. During this paddling procedure, the user's
chest and abdomen are raised from the board and the user's torso
needs support.
[0026] Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, the torso support of the
present invention comprises a garment, broadly indicated by numeral
16 which may or may not include sleeves, but in any event includes
a body portion 17 of light-weight flexible material that carries a
transverse reinforced area 18 that is preferably composed of a
nylon mesh. Attached and carried by the nylon mesh 18 is a support
panel 20 on which a plurality of cushion pads are secured. The pads
are arranged in rows and columns whereby pads 21, 22 and 23 are
arranged in one column while pads 24, 25, and 26 are arranged in an
adjacent column. It is also to be noted that pads 21 and 24 are in
a top row, while an intermediate row is defined by pads 22 and 25
respectively. Also, pads 23 and 26 are in a lower row which is
substantially close to the abdomen and waist of the user while the
upper row comprising pads 21 and 24 are immediately adjacent to the
lower rib cage of the user. Therefore, it can be seen that the
entire torso support with the pads occupy the chest and abdomen
area of the user and provides the support necessary when the user
is in the prone position, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0027] It is also to be noted that the pads are all arranged in
fixed, spaced-apart relationship and that although the pads are
carried on support panel 20, the garment including a waist portion
27 about the mid-section of the user may be composed of an elastic
or stretchable material. The support panel 20 is carried on the
garment by any suitable securement means, which may be releasably
attachable to the garment or may be fixedly secured thereto. Each
of the respective pads 21-26 inclusive are raised above the surface
of the support panel 20 and are reduced in size and thickness as
the pads progress from the top row through the intermediate row
into the bottom row. Broadly, the pads may employ a cushion
material such as a gel, air, foam, fiber, or other resilient
material.
[0028] Referring now in detail to FIGS. 3-5 inclusive, another
version of garment is illustrated taking the form of a vest 30
having a pouch 31 fully secured to the garment 20 by any suitable
means 29, such as stitching, adhesive, or the like. It is to be
noted that the pouch 31 includes an open top 32 into which a
separate support panel 33 including pad 34 can be inserted. The
pouch 31 is partially broken away to expose an inserted padded
support panel 33. The pads, such as pad 34, are identical to the
arrangement and disposition of the pads previously shown in FIG. 2
and as in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a single cushion pad or air
bladder may be used.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the arrangement of
pads in the various rows and columns is substantially as described
with respect to the invention shown in FIG. 2. The uppermost or top
row of pads are thicker than the intermediate pad or the pads in
the lower row. Also, it is noted that the outer surface of each of
these respective pads is slanted and is more narrow in thickness as
the pads progress from the upper row to the lower row. Therefore,
the thickness of the pad occupies the narrowing space between the
user's body and the surface of the board, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the pads in the rows are also
curvilinear in transverse cross section so as to reasonably match
the contour of the user's body. Also, if desired, the pair of pads
forming the upper row may be coupled together by a reduced
thickness central portion 35 or the pads may be completely separate
from one another.
[0031] Referring in detail to FIG. 6 another version of the
invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 40 which
is illustrated as a band 41 fitted about the mid-section of the
user which can be composed of an elastic material or may include a
releasable fastener so that the garment can be worn or taken off at
ease. It is important to note that the front of the band 41
includes a support panel 42 for mounting a plurality of pads such
as previously described with respect to the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3. The support panel 42 mounts pads 43, 44, and 45 in a
column while pads 46, 47 and 48 reside in an adjacent column. The
waistband 41 and the support panel and pads form a single unitary
construction and can be worn against the skin or over a wetsuit or
the like.
[0032] With respect to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the invention
is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 50 which comprises
a support panel 51 for supporting a plurality of bladders, such as
bladders 52, 53 and 54 respectively. The bladders are carried on
the support 51 as well as an inlet valve connected to one end of a
hose 55 which is connected, in turn, to a pneumatic valve 56. The
pneumatic valve 56 is carried on a pressure air cylinder 57 which
supplies pressurized air to the bladder. Low pressure air is all
that is needed. However, it is to be understood that the cylinder
57 may be replaced by a compressor which will achieve the same
purpose. The main idea resides in the fact that the bladders will
receive regulated or low-pressure air for inflation and the air
source can be removed after inflation. A CO2 cartridge may also be
used or the user may exhale into a nozzle carried on the bladder.
The inflated bladders as well as the support 51 can then be used on
a wetsuit, a vest, a shirt garment or a waistband.
[0033] In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the torso
support device of the present invention relieves tension on the
lower back, upper back, shoulders and neck of the user by providing
two and one-half inches of soft, supportive foam or inflated
bladder to the wearer. The device protects shoulders, back and neck
from trauma and chronic muscular issues caused by unsupported
paddling and arching during the sporting activity. The device
further acts as a highly effective paddle assistance device which
increases the athlete's average duration of sports-session and
further improves in-session stamina by conserving energy. The
device also allows for a wide range of un-obstructive movement by
the user through its flexibility and light-weight design.
[0034] FIGS. 8-10 show another version of the invention in the
general direction of arrow 60. The surfer 11 is lying prone on a
surf or paddle board 61 with a single inflated bladder, bag or
container 62 occupying a space between the rib cage and partial
abdominal area and the board surface. A single or pair of straps 63
and 64 releasably retain the bladder, bag or container on the
user.
[0035] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the bladder, bag or container 62
with the straps 63 and 64 detached in preparation for wearing by
the surfer 11. The bladder, bag or container is inflatable by use
of an inflation tube 65 with a one-way valve 66 for inflation by
mouth. Other means for inflation may be used such as a CO.sub.2
cartridge, compressor or the like. The bladder, bag or container
may be a bag having its opening closed by a seam 67. Also, the
inflation tube may be located on the side, front or back of the
bag.
[0036] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in
the art that changes and modifications may be made without
departing from this invention in its broader aspects and,
therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such
changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope
of this invention.
* * * * *