1 DEVICE FOR PREVENTION AND/OR TREATMENT OF VARIOUS AILMENTS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a device for the prevention, treatment or management of pressure sores, bedsores and similar ailments. The device can also be employed to prevent, treat or manage breakdown of skin covering bony prominences and protuberances such as hips, coccyx, knees, heels and feet. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Bedridden or immobilized patients are prone to pressure sores, bedsores and similar problems which may develop on body surfaces that are in prolonged contact with a support surface, such as the upper surface of a bed or the seat or back of a wheelchair or other seating arrangement. Particularly in the case of the elderly or young, these problems can develop into necrosis, where skin integrity may be compromised, leading to infection, further sickness and, in some cases, death due to infection. A variety of devices have been disclosed which are designed to alleviate these problems. For example: United Kingdom (UK) Patent Specification No. 191225039 entitled "Improvements in Pads for Bed-ridden and other Invalids" relates to pads for knees, elbows etc., to prevent bedsores, which comprise a main pneumatic pad having flexibly connected pneumatic or stuffed side pads. The pads may be secured by means of a bandage, or may be inserted in a pocket in a piece of fabric applied like a bandage. The pads may be filled with hot or cold water, or with crushed ice. United States (US) Patent Specification No. 4067330 entitled "Bed sore bandage cover" relates to a pad having a concave lower edge and a concave upper edge, which is attached around the buttocks area of a patient by straps connected by a button and button-hole. Additional straps attached to the lower concave edge of the pad pass around the groin area. The pad may be filled with a sponge rubber material, and a bandage may be secured by the pad to the buttocks area of the patient to cover bedsores. United States (US) Patent Specification No. 6009873 entitled "Bed sore treatment and prevention method and apparatus" relates to a product having two inflatable wedges held snugly to a patient by straps that each encircle the patient. The device is portable due to its light weight and its fabrication from flexible, foldable material, such as plastic, rubber, or any other suitable material that is durable, resilient and airtight.
2 United States (US) Patent Specification No. 6009873 entitled "Bandage for relief and massage" relates to a massage and relief bandage for persons vulnerable to bedsores, having a bag formed from flexible material, such as cloth, which is filled with foamed plastic beads. International/PCT (WO) Patent Specification No. 0217840 entitled "Bandage for treatment of pressure sores, bedsores and similar ailments" relates to a bandage which serves primarily to secure a pressure-relieving padding or pad which is placed over the affected area of the body. The padding or pad consists of soft, elastomeric material, such as polymer gel, which is moulded into a pad adapted to the area of the body to be treated. The present invention provides an effective and simple alternative to present devices for the prevention, treatment or management of pressure sores, bedsores and similar ailments, such as breakdown of skin covering bony prominences and protuberances such as hips, coccyx, knees, heels and feet, and is primarily in the form of a single sealed unit. As well as preventing new pressure sores or skin breakdown from developing, the device can minimise the risk of further deterioration of existing sores. The device is a pressure-relieving belt which can, in particular, be used in the treatment or management of infirm, immobilized or disabled people. These individuals may (for example) be bedridden or confined to a wheelchair. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a belt formed from a pad of cushioning material encased in a cover, and having complementary looped and burred fasteners (for example, Velcro fasteners) for securing the belt around the body or a body part of a person. The looped and burred fasteners are easy to fasten or unfasten, thus allowing the belt to be easily attached, or removed from, around the person's body (or body part). The cushioning material is, for example, a foam material. The foam should be of an appropriate thickness to provide sufficient cushioning. For many applications, 2-inch thick foam will be appropriate. The cover may conveniently be manufactured from washable, waterproof or water-resistant material. In a preferred embodiment, the cover is formed from a natural or synthetic rubber product, such as Neoprene, a flexible plastic material or like material. The belt is a useful device for improving the quality of life of infirm, immobilized or disabled people by preventing, treating or managing pressure sores, bedsores and similar ailments, such as breakdown of skin covering bony prominences and protuberances such as hips, coccyx, knees, heels and feet. The belt can improve the quality of life of infirm, immobilized or disabled people, and enhance their comfort, by decreasing or preventing tissue destruction; decreasing or preventing pain resulting 3 from tissue destruction; maintaining skin integrity; and eliminating or decreasing the risk of infection resulting from skin breakdown and tissue destruction. The belt is preferably worn over the person's clothing (whether day clothing or night attire). This makes it easy to put on or take off. It is also more hygienic as it minimises the risk of contact with bodily fluids, perspiration, secretions or excrement. The belt can however be worn directly in contact with the person's skin. The belt can be worn continuously, 24 hours per day, but is readily removable if necessary for toileting, showering, assessment of the protected region of the person's body or any other clinical intervention that may be required. The washable, waterproof or water-resistant cover allows for easy cleaning or laundering, which is an advantage when the belt is in constant use in a hospital, nursing home or domiciliary setting. In a preferred embodiment, the cover of the belt is manufactured from Neoprene, which is readily cleaned by wiping with a cloth and disinfectant. The belt is lightweight and portable, and can be worn by persons to protect body regions in contact with support when lying in bed or when seated in a chair, wheelchair, car, aeroplane, train or other seating arrangement or mode of conveyance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top elevation illustrating various examples of the belt of the present invention, designed to fit different body types and sizes. Figure 2 is a side perspective view illustrating how the Velcro fasteners are employed to hold the belt in place when positioned around a person's body. Figure 3A and Figure 3B are front views of different sized people (a man in Figure 3A and a woman in Figure 3B) wearing different versions of the belt adapted to their different body type and size. Figures 4A to C are as follows: Figure 4A is a front view of a person putting on a belt according to the present invention; Figure 4B is a front view of the person with belt secured in place; and Figure 4C is a back view of that person with belt secured in place. Figure 5 is a side perspective view of a person lying on a bed or mattress and wearing a belt according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The belt will now be described in terms of preferred embodiments, which are illustrative, but not restrictive, of the present invention. In these embodiments, the belt is designed to protect the base of the spine (coccyx) and hips of the person wearing it. It is worn around the pelvic region or mid to lower region of the torso to protect 4 the region of the body that would otherwise be in contact with a support surface such as a bed or mattress. The shape of the belt can be varied to fit around other parts of the body, such as knees, elbows, heels, shoulders or other areas of vulnerability where the person is in contact with a support surface (such as a bed, mattress or the seat or back of a wheelchair) for extended periods of time. It could also be that variations of the belt are used to protect different contact points of that person. As shown in Figure 1, the belt 10 has a main part 11, which is preferably substantially rectangular in shape. The dimensions (in particular, the length and width) of that main part 11 can differ, as illustrated by the different versions of the belt shown in Figure 1. For example, the version used for a smaller person (such as a young child or smaller woman) will appropriately be shorter and of lesser width than the version used for a larger man. Versions of the belt used to protect different regions of the wearer will also have different shapes and/or dimensions. Preferably, the belt has Velcro fasteners for securing the belt around the person's body. The belt can, for example, have a width of 10cm to 20cm, and be of an appropriate length to fit around the pelvic region or mid to lower region of the torso of the wearer. A standard version of the belt can be used on persons of up to 120kg in weight, but different versions can be used for obese or emaciated persons. In the versions shown in Figure 1, Velcro fasteners are incorporated on a strap 12 at one end of the belt, which attach to complementary Velcro fasteners incorporated on a strip 13 at the other end of the belt. The embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 have roughly triangular shaped end portions 14 at either end of the main part 11 of the belt. However, in other embodiments, end portions 14 may be absent or have a different shape (such as square or rectangular shape). The cushioning material is encased within the main part 11 of the belt. Optionally, cushioning material will also be encased within the end portions 14 (if present). However, in the belts illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the cushioning material is only present within the main part 11 of the belt. Figure 2 shows how the Velcro fasteners on strap 12 attach to complementary Velcro fasteners on a strip 13 on the outer surface of the other end of the belt so as to hold the belt in place when positioned around a person's body. Figure 2 illustrates a preferred arrangement of the Velcro fasteners, but other arrangements and configurations of the Velcro fasteners are possible. For example, the fasteners on both ends of the belt can each be present on similar cooperating straps, or on similar strips or patches on opposing surfaces of each end of the belt.
5 Figure 3A and Figure 3B show different sized people (a man 15 in Figure 3A and a woman 16 in Figure 3B) wearing different versions of the belt 10 adapted to their different body type and size. The belt being worn by the smaller woman 16 is shorter and has a lesser width than the belt being worn by the larger man 15. Figure 4A shows how a person 15 can easily put on a belt 10 over the top of the person's clothes. Figures 4B and 4C show the person with the belt 10 secured in place to protect the person's pelvic (hip and coccyx) region. Figure 5 shows the person 15 lying on a bed or mattress 17 and wearing a belt 10 to protect his pelvic (hip and coccyx) region. If the person is then moved to a seated position (for example, in a wheelchair), the belt is readily re-positioned to provide protection in a seated position. In order to facilitate better understanding of the invention, the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, and with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted therein. It should however be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications within its scope. For example, a belt designed to be worn to protect the base of the spine (coccyx) and hips (as shown in Figures 1 to 5) may be made with a tail-piece, that is part of the sealed unit, for further protection in the lower coccyx area. Other versions of the belt may be of suitable size and shape to be worn over the foot (e.g. to protect the heel), around the leg (e.g. to protect the knee), around the arm (e.g. to protect the elbow) or around the upper part of the body (e.g. to protect the shoulder).