U.S. patent application number 10/579822 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for device for protecting of the hips.
This patent application is currently assigned to TYTEX A/S. Invention is credited to Bettina Balslev Sorensen.
Application Number | 20070067895 10/579822 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34609964 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070067895 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sorensen; Bettina Balslev |
March 29, 2007 |
Device for protecting of the hips
Abstract
The present invention relates to a device (1) for protection of
the hips of the human body comprising a belt part (10) arranged to
surround the human body at least in the area of the hips, which at
least partly is made of an elastic material having an inner surface
(2) and an outer surface (3), and hip protection means (4). The
device is characterised in that the inner surface at least partly
comprises friction enhancing means (5) to ensure that the hip
protection means (4) stay securely in place over the greater
trochanters.
Inventors: |
Sorensen; Bettina Balslev;
(Silkeborg, DK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
1900 K STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1109
US
|
Assignee: |
TYTEX A/S
Industrivej 21
Ikast
DK
DK-7430
|
Family ID: |
34609964 |
Appl. No.: |
10/579822 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 16, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DK04/00791 |
371 Date: |
June 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/465 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0506
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/465 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 18, 2003 |
DK |
PA 2003 01713 |
Claims
1. A device for protection of the hips of the human body comprising
a belt part arranged to surround the human body at least in the
area of the hips, which at least is partly made of an elastic
material having an inner surface and an outer surface, and hip
protection means, said inner surface at least partly comprising
friction enhancing means.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the friction enhancing
means is adapted to increase the friction in the vertical
direction, the horizontal direction, or a combination thereof, of
the device.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the friction enhancing
means comprises a structured surface.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the structured surface
comprises a plurality of substantially lateral circumferential
beads.
5. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the structured surface
comprises a plurality of projections.
6. A device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the friction enhancing
means comprises friction enhancing material on the inner
surface.
7. A device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the belt part possesses
the properties of being breathable, cushioning, moisture
transporting, supporting, isolating, or a combination thereof.
8. A device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the belt part is made
of an elastic material.
9. A device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the device comprises
locking means.
10. A device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the hip protection
means is made of a rigid, semi-rigid or soft material.
11. A device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the belt part
comprises receiving means, which is adapted to keep the hip
protection means in place.
12. A device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the belt part
comprises protection means for protection of the coccyx, the lower
part of the spine, or a combination thereof.
13. A method of providing protection to hips, coccyx, lower part of
the spine, or combination thereof of active elderly persons,
persons having osteoporosis, or persons attending rehabilitation by
attaching a device as claimed in claim 1 to said active elderly
persons, persons having osteoporosis, or persons attending
rehabilitation.
14. A method for producing the belt part of the device as claimed
in claims 1, comprising the step of knitting the belt part with
integrated friction enhancing means.
15. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the friction enhancing
means ensures that the hip protection means stays securely in place
over the greater trochanters.
16. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the friction enhancing
material is selected from the group consisting of textile-based
materials, rubber, silicone, elastane, and neoprene.
17. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elastic material is
selected from the group consisting of knitted fabric, spacer
fabric, laminated textile, foam material, or a combination
thereof.
18. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elastic material is
neoprene.
19. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the locking means is
selected from the group consisting of loops/hooks,
button/buttonhole, hook/eye, press studs, and buckles.
20. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the receiving means is
either open or closed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for protection of
the hips of the human body comprising a belt part arranged to
surround the human body at least in the area of the hip, which at
least is partly made of an elastic material having a inner surface
and an outer surface, and hip protection means.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Protection of the hips has become increasingly important due
to the fact that the number of hip fractures as a consequence of
falling has increased over the years. Osteoporosis is believed to
be one of the main reasons for hip fractures. Even though
osteoporosis and hip fractures may occur in the entire population,
the hip fractures are most common in the elderly part of the
population, where osteoporosis is also most common.
[0003] The instant injury, permanent injury and posteffects caused
by the hip fractures are also seen to be more serious for the
elderly population due to the fact that the strength and elasticity
of the bones decrease throughout the years as a result of a
reduction of the mineral density of the bone and weakening of the
bone structure.
[0004] Furthermore, the flexibility and mobility of persons
suffering from osteoporosis are decreased. In addition, this risk
group of persons is often advised to exercise in order to
strengthen the musculature as well as improve their balance and
thereby minimise the risk of falling, whereby the risk of hip
fractures is likewise minimised. Therefore, during exercise they
need protection of especially the hip, so they do not fear falling
during the exercise and therefore refrain from doing it or even
injure the hip by falling during the activity.
[0005] Another risk group for hip fractures are persons who attend
rehabilitation after e.g. an operation, being confined to a bed for
a long time or a period limited mobility because of any kind of
psychical damages. This group lacks the ability of moving on their
own and therefore may be exposed to falls during the exercises in
the rehabilitation center.
[0006] A Danish group of researchers has proven that hip protector
means with energy dispersing materials protecting the greater
trochanter decreases the number of hip fractures compared to
persons with no hip protection by up to 53%. By the diversion of
the impact to the surrounding area, the released energy is
transferred to the soft tissue and muscles surrounding the greater
trochanter and subsequently transferred further on to the femoral
bone. ["Effect of the external hip protectors on hip fractures", J.
B. Lauritzen, et al, The Lancet Vol 341, Jan. 2, 1993]. Energy
dispersing hip protector means for protection of the greater
trochanter are for instance known from WO 95/19154.
[0007] The most common method to fixate the hip protector means is
to incorporate the hip protector means in underpants. By fixation
of the hip protector means in underpants it is ensured that the
protector means are centred over the greater trochanter when the
pants are positioned correctly. Such a garment with hip protector
means, which is known from for instance U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,809 and
WO 96/20615, can be difficult for persons of the above mentioned
risk groups to put on and take off during changing of clothes,
while going to the toilet or other similar activities.
[0008] A different way of fixing the hip protector means is by
sticking the hip protector means directly to the skin over the
greater trochanter, a so-called self-sitting protection. The
protectors can be difficult to put on, so that the protectors are
placed correctly over the greater trochanter and so that they will
not fall off during an activity were moisture is generated between
the skin and the protectors.
[0009] Neither the underpants with hip protectors nor the
self-sitting protection are suitable to use in rehabilitation
centres. Both protections are difficult to put on and take off due
to the fact that undressing is needed in both incidents.
Furthermore, because both protections are worn directly on the skin
at great number of protections as well as washing procedures are
needed for hygiene considerations.
[0010] Additionally, some users prefer to wear their own underwear
and others dislike the feeling of something being glued to or
adhering to their skin.
[0011] By wearing underpants having protection means or
self-sitting protectors an increase of the proportions of the hip
is obtained. Due to the fact that this protection is worn beneath
clothes and the proportion of the hips is increased, the wearer
often feels less attractive, wherefore some persons refrain from
wearing the hip protection during public activities. In some cases,
the person's clothes will no longer fit, when a person begins to
wear hip protectors beneath the clothes.
[0012] Additionally, when wearing the above mentioned protection
during an activity heat is confined between the body and the
protection, and both kinds of protection are worn beneath some
clothing and therefore not easily detached for temporary cooling.
This unpleasant heat generated during the activity may refrain
persons from wearing the underpants with protector means or
self-sitting hip protector means.
[0013] Also in some of the mentioned research studies, compliance
has been an issue to some of the participants. Some participants
have not wished to wear the protector means for different reasons,
and the same has been the case in the daily life, with some of the
potential users in the risk groups, who have decided not at all to
use, or no longer to use hip protector means.
[0014] Some potential users do not consider themselves being so
much at risk that they are willing to wear hip protectors all the
time. There is thus a need for hip protectors that they can put on
easily when they feel particular at risk, i.e. during exercise,
while cleaning, while walking the dog, during other physical
activity, at night when going to the bathroom, in the winter when
it can be slippery, etc. and take of as easily afterwards.
[0015] For these and other reasons many persons in the risk groups
mentioned are choosing not to wear hip protector means of the known
types, even though they are statistically exposed to hip fractures
from falling. As an example of this, in the research referred to
above, the persons who fractured their hips during the trial period
for different reasons did not wear the underpants with hip
protector means and therefore-were not protected, when they fell
and fractured their hip.
[0016] In general whenever a person of the risk groups mentioned
above is active, there is a need for a hip protection, which
protects the human body of the wearer sufficiently in the case of
e.g. falling. Furthermore, a need for the protection to be easily
attached before an activity and detached after the end of the
activity without limiting the wearer during the activity, and which
will give the human body the same protection as the pants with
protection means, so that more persons will protect themselves when
they are most exposed.
[0017] There is thus a need for a protection of the hip during an
activity of the human body, which is easily attached before and
detached after the activity.
[0018] Furthermore, there is a need for a protection, which can
transport the heat out from the human body produced during such
activity.
[0019] Additionally, there is a need for a protection, which can be
worn during the nightly visit to the toilet, e.g. put on before
leaving the bedside and taken off when back in the bed again, so
that no removal of tight fitting underpants and therefore the risk
of falling during the undressing of the underwear is reduced and
the hips can be protected, even during the toilet visit.
[0020] There is also a need to offer a hip protector that is
aesthetically pleasing, comfortable to wear and suitable to use
during activity, that may be worn on top of normal clothes. This
could contribute to convincing people in the risk groups that it is
acceptable to wear hip protectors and to show them.
[0021] Finally, there is a need for a hip protection that is
suitable for use in rehabilitation situations, which is easy to put
on, easy to adjust in size, and can be worn by different patients
without hygiene issues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] An object of the present invention is to overcome wholly or
partly the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More
specifically, it is an object to provide a device for the
protection of the hips of a human body in case of falling, which is
easily attached before an activity, and easily detached when the
activity is finished, and which protection will remain securely in
place during the activity and not limit the activity of the wearer
of the hip protection.
[0023] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a device which can remain securely in place during an
activity and which may provide a secure fixation of the protection
means.
[0024] Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a device which is easily put on, positioned correctly and
fastened by an elderly person.
[0025] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a protection of the hip which is easy to produce.
[0026] The above objects, together with numerous other objects,
advantages and features, which will become evident from the below
description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the
present invention by a device for protection of the hips of a human
body, in which the inner surface at least partly comprises friction
enhancing means to ensure that the hip protection means stay
securely in place over the greater trochanters.
[0027] Hereby, a protection of the hip by means of a device
surrounding the wearers hip area with the protection means is
obtained, and which device will remain in place during an activity
and during a potential fall, without, the device limiting the
wearer of the hip protector device during the activity. The device
is further easily attached before an activity and likewise easily
detached after.
[0028] Furthermore, the device may fit a certain range of sizes of
the human body because of the elasticity of the material or
adjustment means, and the device further fits wearers with
different body shapes due to the fact that the device is mainly
fastened by friction between the inner surface of the device and
the surface of the wearers body or clothes with the aid of the
friction enhancing means.
[0029] During use, the friction enhancing means of the inner
surface ensures that the device, when worn, cannot slide upwards,
downwards or sideways during an activity, by which the protection
means during the activity is kept in the right position over the
greater trochanter.
[0030] Advantageously, according to the invention the friction
enhancing means may comprise a structured surface. The friction
between the surface of the wearers skin or clothes and the inner
surface of the device is enhanced because the surface is barbed by
the structure of the surface. It is hereby obtained that the
structured inner surface of the device can engage with the outer
surface of the wearers skin or clothes and by differently
structured surfaces of the inner surface of the hip protector
device, the hip protector device may fit different kinds of
surfaces of the wearer, e.g. from the skin to underwear and outdoor
clothing.
[0031] Expediently according to the invention, the friction
enhancing means may be adapted to increase the friction in the
vertical or/and the horizontal direction of the device, preferably
in both directions.
[0032] In another preferred embodiment according to the invention
the structured surface may comprise a plurality of substantially
lateral circumferential beads. By these beads it is obtained that
the device essentially is hindered from moving either upwards or
downwards, when the wearer of the device is active.
[0033] Additionally, the structured surface comprises a plurality
of beads substantially perpendicularly to the surrounding direction
of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
By beads in this direction it is achieved that the hip protector
device is not moved in the circumferential direction of the wearer
when active.
[0034] Furthermore, the structured surface may comprise a plurality
of projections according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. By a plurality of projections it is obtained to enhance
the friction between the inner surface of the device and the
wearers surface is enhanced, and the projections may be made in
different patterns.
[0035] According to the present invention the friction enhancing
means may comprise friction enhancing material on the inner surface
of the device, such as e.g. textile-based, rubber, silicone,
elastane, neoprene or the like materials. By using friction
enhancing material, friction in all directions is achieved and the
friction enhancing means will hereby prevent the device from moving
upwards, downwards and sideways.
[0036] In another preferred embodiment according to the invention
the belt part may have at least one of the properties breathable,
cushioning, moisture transporting, supporting or isolating. Hereby
is obtained that one or more properties may be built into the
device.
[0037] Furthermore, in an additional preferred embodiment according
to the invention the belt part may be made of a cushioning, elastic
material, such as spacer fabric, laminated textile or foam
material, such as neoprene or the like, or a combination thereof.
Especially these materials have proven expedient to provide a
device, wherein one or more properties may be incorporated.
[0038] Advantageously, in another preferred embodiment according to
the invention the device may comprise locking means, such as
loops/hooks, button/buttonholes, hook/eye, press studs or buckles
etc. The possibility for a person to easily put on or remove the
device while sitting down is hereby achieved, e.g. before activity,
rehabilitation, in bed or the like.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention the protection
means may be made of a rigid, semi-rigid or softer material proven
to be able to prevent hip fractures.
[0040] According to another embodiment of the present invention the
belt part may comprise receiving means, which have been adapted to
keep the protection means securely in place and which receiving
means are either open or closed. By open receiving means it is
achieved that the hip protection means may be removed before
washing, if they are of a type that does not stand the particular
washing method. By a incorporating closed receiving means, the
protection means are always secured in the device and cannot be
forgotten to be put in the device, e.g after washing.
[0041] Advantageously, the belt part may comprise protection means
for protection of the coccyx or the lower part of the spine. It is
hereby obtained that both the hip, the coccyx and/or the lower part
of the spine are protected to some extent by the same device.
[0042] Additionally, according to the invention the width of the
hip protector device in the direction perpendicular to the
surrounding direction may at least correspond to the height of the
protection means in the area of the hip, so as to keep the
protection means securely in place.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] The invention and its many advantages will be described in
more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic
drawing, which for the purpose of illustration show some
non-limiting embodiments and in which
[0044] FIG. 1 shows in perspective a device according to the
invention,
[0045] FIG. 2 shows in perspective the device with a plurality of
substantially lateral circumferential beads on the inner surface of
the device according to an embodiment of the invention,
[0046] FIG. 3 shows in perspective another embodiment of the inner
surface of the device according to the invention,
[0047] FIG. 4 shows in perspective the device with both protection
of the hip and the coccyx,
[0048] FIG. 5 shows in perspective the device as a pull-on
device,
[0049] FIG. 6 shows the structured inner surface with a plurality
of projections, and
[0050] FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the belt part
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0051] All the figures are highly schematical and not necessarily
to scale, and they show only parts which are necessary in order to
elucidate the invention, other parts have been omitted or merely
suggested.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0052] FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for protection of a hip of the human
body according to the invention, in which a belt part 10 has been
arranged to surround the human body at the height of the hips. The
belt part 10 is at least partly made of an elastic material and is
further provided with an inner surface 2, an outer surface 3 and
hip protection means 4. Furthermore, the inner surface comprises at
least partly friction enhancing means to ensure that the hip
protection means 4 stay in place, which is illustrated by a dotted
line in FIG. 1. The hip protection means are here shown as
implemented in the elastic material of the belt part 10, but may
also be fastened on the outside of the belt part 10 or on the
inside of the belt part 10.
[0053] Furthermore, the device 1, shown in FIG. 1, have a height a
in the area of the hip which at least is the same height b of the
hip protection means. In this embodiment the height a is larger
than that of b. The device furthermore comprises an anatomically
shaped form, i.e. a cutting out at the bottom of the device towards
the legs of the wearer of the device so to allow sitting down
comfortably as well as give space to the movement of the legs
during activity.
[0054] Advantageously, the protection means 4 are made of a rigid,
semi rigid or softer material, which has been proven to give
adequate protection of the hips in case of a fall.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 2 the friction enhancing means may
according to an aspect of the present invention comprise a
structured surface 5, which may be in form of a plurality of
substantially lateral circumferential beads 5. Each bead is
mechanically engaging with the surface of the persons skin or
clothes, so as to keep the device and the protection means from
moving either upwards, downwards or sideways during activity.
Within the inventive idea the inner surface of the device may be
ribbed, ridged, corrugated, grooved, wavy or the like, in order to
provide the necessary friction between the wearer and the inner
surface of the device.
[0056] According to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention the structured surface 2 may comprise a plurality of
beads 5 substantially perpendicular to the surrounding direction of
the device 1 (not shown). These beads 5 ensure that the device 1
and the protection means 4 remain in place in the circumferential
direction of the person wearing the device 1. In FIG. 3 is shown a
check pattern in a further embodiment of the present invention so
that both direction is incorporated in the friction enhancing
means, whereby the device and the protection means 4 remain in the
right position given by the person when putting on the device 1.
The matter is that a securely fixation of the device and thereby of
the protection means is obtained.
[0057] Furthermore, in FIG. 3 is shown an adjustable closure means,
by the belt part 10 overlaps in the area above the cut area 9. The
overlap is shown by the dotted line 11. The adjustable closure
means 8 may for instance be hooks/loops placed adjacent to each
other, thereby achieving a possibility for fitting the belt part 10
within a specific range to different wearers or different layers of
clothes worn by the wearer.
[0058] A structured surface, comprising a plurality of
substantially lateral circumferential beads, a plurality of
projections or other friction enhancing structure may all be
manufactured in the same process as the elastic material used for
the belt part, for instance by knitting. By this, it is obtained
that at least one process may be avoided in comparison with
friction enhancing means, which is made in a subsequent treatment
of the inner surface of the device.
[0059] Advantageously, the belt part 10 may further comprise
protection means 7 for protection of the coccyx of the human body
shown by a dotted line in FIG. 4. By which the device 1, besides
providing a protection of the hips, also comprises a protection of
the coccyx, so as to prevent fractures of the human body being
caused by falls.
[0060] The devices 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are all shown as
comprising locking means 8. In FIG. 1 the locking means are shown
by a dotted line 8 in order to indicate locking means such as
loops/hooks. In FIG. 2 the locking means are shown as two press
studs 8. In FIG. 3 the locking means are shown by a dotted line, so
as to indicate locking means such an adjustable loops/hooks closure
8. The device may as well be locked by buttons/buttonholes,
hook/eye, buckles or the like. Additionally, the locking means may
be adjustable, so the device may be tightened more or less and
adjusted to fit different body sizes within a certain range. When
putting the device on a person, the device 1 is opened by unlocking
the locking means 8 and subsequently placing the hip protector
device around the body, so that the hip protection means 4 are
placed over the greater trochanter, and finally the device 1 is
locked by connecting the locking means 8 arranged on the opposite
sides of the ends of an open device 1.
[0061] In FIG. 5 the device 1 is shown as a closed cylinder, which
is put on by pulling it over the head or the feet of the wearer and
placed around the body, with the hip protection means placed over
the greater trochanter. The devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 may in
other embodiments be produced as a closed cylinder instead of a
lockable device, in which the friction enhancing means and the
elastic material of the device provide the fixation of the device
in the right position over the hip of the human body during
activity. In spite of the disadvantages in more complicated
mounting, this embodiment may be preferred by some users, as the
lack of closing means 8 would make the device less bulky.
[0062] The structured surface may further advantageously comprise a
plurality of projections 6, as shown by example in FIG. 6. This
structure may also be combined with the beads 5 mentioned
above.
[0063] In FIG. 7 is shown a cross sectional view taken through a
belt part according to the invention. By this embodiment a zig-zag
cross sectional configuration is shown which in expedient manner
have a high friction.
[0064] The friction enhancing means 5, 6 may according to an
advantageous aspect of the present invention exist in the form of a
friction enhancing material on the inner surface 2, such as e.g.
textile based, rubber, silicone, elastane, neoprene, or the like
materials. According to the inventive idea the inner surfaces may
in that case either be plane or structured.
[0065] Furthermore, according to an additional preferred embodiment
the belt part 10 may have at least one of the properties
breathable, cushioning, moisture transporting, supporting or
isolating, such as warming or cooling, so that the device 1 is
comfortable to wear during a more or less demanding activity.
[0066] Advantageously, the belt part 10 is made of a cushioning,
elastic material, such as spacer fabric, laminated textile or foam
material, such as neoprene or the like or a combination
thereof.
[0067] Advantageously, the friction enhancing means and/or friction
enhancing material may be knitted into a spacer fabric, which
comprises several important properties such as elasticity,
cushioning, breathable and support. Cushioning is especially
important between the hip protection means and the wearer, when
rigid or semi-rigid hip protection means are used, in order not to
discomfort the user or create pressure marks.
[0068] According to the present invention the protection means 4
may be centred over the greater trochanter, and a further
protection may be centred over the coccyx, which is often also
exposed during a fall.
[0069] Furthermore the device 1 may have an outer surface 3 with a
smooth design, to ease the movement of clothes over the device,
when the wearer chooses to wear the device underneath some of his
or her clothing.
[0070] Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment of the present
invention the inner surface comprises material, which is
comfortable to wear for the person. It is hereby obtained that if
the wearer chooses to use the device directly on the skin the
device would be more pleasant to wear against the skin.
[0071] The device according to the invention is especially
expedient when being used by active elderly persons, persons having
osteoporosis or persons attending rehabilitation.
[0072] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
device 1 may comprise hydrophobic materials. It is hereby achieved
that the device may be used regardless of the weather.
[0073] Finally the invention further relates to a method for
producing a device as outlined previously by knitting the belt part
with integrated friction enhancing means.
[0074] Advantageously, the knitting process may use elastane in
some areas and not in other areas of for instance a spacer fabric,
whereby tension differences are obtained throughout the knitted
spacer fabric so as a zig-zag structure may be achieved.
[0075] Although the invention above has been described in
connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be
evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications
are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by
the following claims.
* * * * *