AU784764B2

AU784764B2 - Posture training device

Info

Publication number: AU784764B2
Application number: AU67103/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lorraine Mulready
Original assignee: LORRAINE JOSEY AND ASSOCIATES
Current assignee: Lorraine Josey & Associates Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2000-09-08
Filing date: 2001-09-06
Publication date: 2006-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-06
Also published as: AU6710301A

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT POSTURE TRAINING DEVICE S@ 00 S

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@0 0 @00 @6 S 0 0500 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:-

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@00055 0 0050 0 0000 0 S 0S S 00 0 0 0000 POSTURE TRAINING DEVICE This invention relates generally to training of movement patterns to ensure good posture, and specifically to a device which signals the user when a particular body position relating to poor posture triggers the device.

Good posture is an important element of maintaining optimal health and well being. Good posture aids in recovery following injury. It assists with growth and development. It contributes greatly to appearance and can have a significant impact upon self-esteem and general fitness. For io many people, adopting good postural habits is difficult. Issues which include awareness of body position, habit, muscle strength and endurance, may present difficulties for people who are going through the process of changing their posture.

This invention grew out of a need for a device to aid postural re-education programs by providing consistent feedback regarding the status of one's 000"posture. It is designed to form part of a postural re-education program to be worn for short and regular periods until good postural habits are achieved through habit and endurance conditioning. The invention may be 20 worn under or outside clothing, whilst sitting, standing or walking.

Postural feedback allows us to learn what correct posture feels like in various situations, recognise the frequency with which we move out of *ie 0 correct posture and make ongoing movements to maintain correct posture.

e The present invention enables postural feedback to the user and consists of a postural feedback device comprising of a signalling unit which is worn longitudinally over the spine activiated by tension exerted at either end of the unit and a means for securing the signalling unit to a point between the shoulder blades at one end and a point at the middle of the waist at the other end. The signalling unit is activated as the result of tension exerted between the point between the shoulder blades and the, point at the waistline. Tension is exerted when the wearer assumes a position of 2 stooped posture. The signalling unit is deactivated when the desired posture is resumed.

In one form of the invention the postural feedback device comprises of adjustable shoulder straps, an adjustable waist strap, and a signalling unit joining the two. The signalling unit lies adjacent to the wearer's spine and is triggered as a result of tension between the shoulder straps and the waist strap. The tension is exerted when the wearer assumes a position of stooped posture of the upper torso. The signalling unit returns to the neutral position and switches off when the upper spine or shoulders of the user return to the desired posture. In the present invention the signalling unit emits an. audible sound to alert the wearer to a position of stooped posture. In another form of the invention the signalling unit would vibrate and alert the wearer that a position of poor posture had been adopted. In another form of the invention straps are worn around the upper body above the chest and beneath the armpits, rather than around the shoulders.

The signalling unit activates when there is tension exerted along the upper S spine causing opposing forces to be exerted at the bottom and top extremities of the unit. The signalling unit has an internal mechanism, •which causes it to return to its neutral or inactive state once the forces are eased. The wearer deactivates the signal by adopting the desired posture.

•To assist with understanding the invention, reference will be made to the S 25 accompanying drawings, which show one example of the invention.

0000 s •In.the drawings: FIG. 1 shows one example of a posture training device according to this Soo* invention; FIG. 2 shows one configuration of the posture training device as it may be worn.

Referring to FIG. 1 it can be seen that the posture training device according to this invention comprises two shoulder straps 1 and 2, a waist strap 3 and a signalling unit 4 connected between the shoulder straps at 9 and the waist strap at 10. The shoulder straps are comprised of flexible, non-elastic strap each having adjustable buckles at one end 5 and 6, and crossing over through a crosspiece at 7. The waist strap has an adjustable buckle at 8 which enables the strap to be undone or its length adjusted.

The wearer adjusts the length of the shoulder and waist straps while io maintaining good postural position of the back, shoulders and stomach.

The adjustment when complete should ensure that no force is exerted on the signalling unit through the connections at 9 and 10. The shoulder straps and waist strap can be calibrated with numbered settings, so the posture training device can be quickly and easily reconfigured to suit various users.

@0 @0• S FIG. 2 shows the posture training device when worn. The wearer adjusts the length of the waste strap and shoulder straps while, maintaining good 0 postural position of the back and shoulders. The signalling unit will remain deactivated for as long as good postural position is maintained. If the upper spine or shoulders of the wearer slouch forward beyond the desired position, opposing forces are exerted between the middle rear of the waist strap through 10 and the middle rear of the shoulder straps at 9. A signal S-oo-: will then be activated within the signalling unit. When the wearer readjusts *0000. 025 their body position and returns to the state of desired posture the opposing forces at either end of the signalling unit will ease. The mechanism within egg the signalling unit will cause it to return to its inactive or neutral state. The signal will then cease.

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3o As part of a postural re-education program the wearer will be assisted to maintain good postural habits to aid injury recovery, prevent injury, ensure strength and endurance, and achieve enhanced body appearance and bearing. This invention may be worn while the wearer is either standing, sitting or walking.

Claims

1. A postural feedback device comprising of a signalling unit worn longitudinally over the spine activated by tension exerted at either end of the unit, and a means for securing the ends of the signalling unit to a point between the shoulder blades at one end and a point at the middle of the waist at the other end wherein the means for securing the signalling unit over the spine includes two adjustable non-elastic shoulder straps that are attached to one end of the signalling unit to activate the unit and an adjustable non-elastic waist strap that is attached to the other end of the signalling unit to activate the unit.

2. The postural feedback device of claim 1 wherein the signalling unit emits an audible signal.

3. The postural feedback device of claim 1 wherein the signalling unit emits a vibration signal.

4. The postural feedback device of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the signalling unit next to the body surface comprises of adjustable non-elastic strap worn around the upper body above the chest and beneath the armpits and an adjustable non-elastic waist strap. .o

5. A postural feedback device as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing. 0