CA2009976A1 - Modification and improvement of a lower back and abdominal support which allows the wearer full flexibility and movement while wearing this support - Google Patents

Abstract

A modification and improvement of a lower back and abdominal support which allows the wearer full flexibility and movement while wearing this support. The lower back support consists of an inflatable bladder located in the small hollow of the lower back (lumbar region) of the wearer. The lower back support bladder is heat sealed under high pressure with various coverings, such as p.v.c. nylon cloth canvas etc. The abdominal support consists of a wide elastic material that fastens by hook and loop method around the waist of the wearer. The two other ends are attached to each side of the lower back bladder by means of stitching.

Description

PATENT SPE~IFI~ATIONS 20099~6 ~` Drawin~s ~t~ached Date of fllin~ ~omplete Spe~ifications 5 February 14~1990 Application Date :
~omplete Specification Published :

__________~_________ _________________~__________________________ ~omplete Specifications M4difications and Improvements to Lower Back and Abdominal Support 1 We, Dieter ~netsch and Donald ~armichael, do hereby declare this i modification and improvement for which we pray that a patent 3 may be ~ranted U5~ and the method by which it is performed, t~
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be particularly described in and by the followin~ statement~-Th~s modification relates to a support for the lower back of a wearer, particularly 4f a wearer sufferiny from a lower back 7 problem~It als4 pr4vides comf4r~ and support in the abdominal area.

~any f4rms ~f belts and c~rsets have been pr4posed for the purpose above stated but none has been fully satisfactory, usually because they are uncomfortable so that the wearer tends ~11 to discard the appliance. This modified and improved lower back and abdominal supp4rter ~ives the best results when the wearer is in a 13 sittinQ posibion as in an office, car or any other means that requires the wearer to sit f~r an extended time.

It is a main object of the present modification to provide comfort ln the lower back re~ion, which is comfortable to the 17 wearer at all times~ particularly when the wearer is restin~
irl a seated or reclined p4siticn.

~^ 2()~ 7~

orciir7y t~ the ~n~dification there i5 pr~vided a lower back supportin~ bel~ comp~isin~ ~f an inflatable bladder located ~1 in th~ mbar reyion or lower ba~k ~ th~ wearer, and the se~urin~
means is connected to the bladder and arran~ed in a way to be passed ~3 ar~und the b~dy of the wearer.

The securin~ means may comprise of belt elements havin~ free ~S ends which are c~nnectible ~ver the abdomen of the wearer.
The securin~ means may c4mprise belt elements in the form of ~7 a wide elastic strap with hook and loop attachment or by a woven thermo plastic material by which the connectin~ means can be buckles, clips, or other suitable fastenin~s, over the abdomen of the wearer. Alternatively~ the particular belt element 31 comprised of a wide elastic material will also provide abdominal comfort and support in the abdominal re~ion when 33 ti~htened and connected with hook and loop attachment. With the pressure applied at the abdomen and the bladder sli~htly inflàted in the lower back re~i~n~ that pressure in turn will separ~te the cartilage and rHlieve pressure on the lower spinal 37 c4rd cr Lumbar reyion which in turn gives relief to the wearer.

The bladder may be inflated in any desired manner, for example it 3g may be provided with a valve and a cap and may be inflated by the m~lth of a person or it may be provided by a bulb and a turnin~
41 valve ànd tubin~. This bulb turnin~ valve and tubin~ can be attached ~r permanently attached~ to the bladder valve by means of 43 a plastic tube cc,uplin~ and can be removed if desired.The m~dified lower back supporter can be inflated either bef~re application of the belt to the patient or while it is worn about the wearer~ The bulb is detachable from the bladder, and has a valve attached which .

3. 20~ 97~;
47 turnirl~ in ~ne directi~n ai~ can be administered and by turning thevalve the oppc.site directi~n air ~.an be relea~ed, thus maintainin~
43 the inflated cc.ndition of the bladder.

The bladder is c-~mprised of two thin sheets of p.v.c. 4r similar 51 material, which can be ccvered by various materials such as canvas, cloth, nylon etc. When the bladder and the suitable materials are 53 positicned in that order C~fi~ , all of the materials are then heat sealed ar4und the perimeter of the bladder sealin~ and c~mbinin~ the p.v.c. and suitable c~verin~. Py this prccedure the perimeter will be hermetically sealed a~d resilient. The air can 57 ~nly been made to escape ~r~m the bladder by tw~ ~peratic.ns Ca~,Cb~
Ca~ turnin~ cr openin~ the turning valve attached to the bulb, 5~ Cb~ by liftin~ the cap ~ff the valve attached tc the bladder.
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Claims (5)

1. A modification and improvement of a lower back and abdominal support which allows the wearer full flexibility and movement while wearing this support. The lower back support consists of an inflatable bladder located in the small hollow of the lower back (lumbar region) of the wearer. The lower back support bladder is heat sealed under high pressure with various coverings, such as p.v.c., nylon, cloth, canvas, etc. The abdominal support consists of a wide elastic material that fastens by hook and loop method around the waist of the wearer. The two other ends are attached to each side of the lower back bladder by means of stitching.

2. A belt were the positions of the deterrent member are adjustable length wise.

4.

3. A belt were the deterrent member consists of a strip of woven synthetic thermoplastic material.

4. A belt were the deterrent member consists of a wide elastic material which can be connected by means of hook and loop. When tightened around the abdomen of the wearer, providing the patient with abdominal support.

5. A lower back and abdominal supporting belt substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.