CA2265291A1 - Hamstring support - Google Patents

Abstract

A hamstring support for facilitating the healing of an injured hamstring muscle and for preventing injury to a healthy hamstring muscle includes a sleeve, a plurality of straps extending circumferentially around the sleeve, a plurality of clips, and a compression assembly. The compression assembly focuses and directs circumferential forces from the sleeve and/or straps against the hamstring muscle, thereby providing support and therapeutic healing effect. In a first embodiment, each strap includes dual hook-and-loop connections with a common clip. In a second embodiment each strap includes a fixed connection and a single hook-and-loop connection with a common clip.

Description

EXPRESS MAIL NO. EL161614795US
HAMSTRING SUPPORT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field The invention relates generally to a muscle support. More particularly, the invention relates to a support that provides compression to the hamstring muscle to promote the healing of injuries and to prevent injury thereto.
Specifically, the invention relates to a muscle support utilizing an elasticized sleeve, a semi-flexible compression member, and a plurality of circumferential straps that provides compression to the hamstring muscle.
Background Information Muscle strains are injuries that are commonly incurred during strenuous . activities. One common injury that occurs during running is a strain of the hamstring muscle. Numerous techniques to promote healing of such injuries are known, including the application of heat, cold, and compression to the injured area.
Some of these same techniques are additionally useful to prevent the occurrence of such strains including the application of compression to the hamstring which reduces the strain upon it. Prior art devices that have sought to heal and/or prevent strains of the hamstring have often functioned by compressing the musc~e. 5ucn compression typically has been achieved through the use of an elasticized undergarment or a neoprene wrap or sleeve.
A number of limitations exist with regard to such compression supports.
First, the upper leg contains numerous muscles and soft tissue, and a typical compression support is often unable to isolate the hamstring muscle and provide the therapeutic compression directly thereto. Thus, a typical compression support provides only limited support to the hamstring. Second, because typical EXPRESS MAIL No. EL161614795US
compression supports cannot isolate the hamstring, such supports must be designed to provide a relatively high level of compressive force in order to provide therapeutic support to the hamstring. As a result, such supports are typically difficult to install and remove and may restrict blood flow, thereby inhibiting the ~ healing of a strained hamstring.
The person wearing the device desires a certain level of comfort given the extended period of time that the support is worn. The support must, therefore, provide sufficient padding to prevent irritation and must allow for the evaporation of perspiration which normally occurs from the skin.
If the hamstring support is intended to be used as a prophylactic for the ' prevention of hamstring injury, the brace must, of necessity, be simple to install and remove and must be comfortable to the wearer for extended periods of time.
The need thus exists for an inexpensive hamstring support that is comfortable to wear and simple to install and remove while providing sufficient focused support and therapeutic effect to facilitate the healing of an injured hamstring and to prevent the occurrence of new hamstring injuries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, an objective of the present invention is to provide an improved hamstring support.
Another objective is to provide a device that facilitates the healing of an injured hamstring muscle.
Another objective is to provide a device that prevents injury to the hamstring muscle.
Another objective is to provide a device that allows for simplified installation and removal while providing the necessary therapeutic effect to the hamstring.

EXPRESS MAIL NO. EL161614795US
Another objective is to provide a device that provides isolated support and therapeutic effect to the hamstring without supplying unnecessary compressive force to other areas of the upper leg.
Another objective is to provide a device that is comfortable to wear while providing sufficient therapeutic effect to the hamstring.
A further objective is to provide a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and produce.
A further objective is to provide a device that fits a wide variety of leg sizes without the need for custom design or manufacturing.
A further objective is to provide a device wherein the user can easily adjust the amount of compression placed on the hamstring muscle.
Another objective is to provide a device that is padded and facilitates the evaporation of perspiration from the skin.
Another objective is to provide a device that can withstand exposure to water.
Another objective is to provide a device that can be worn underneath clothing.
A further objective is to provide a device that can be easily washed.
These and other objectives and advantages of the invention are obtained from the hamstring support, the general nature of which can be stated as a carrier and at least a first strap mounted on the carrier, the strap adapted to extend at least partially around the upper leg.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which Applicant has contemplated applying the principles of the invention, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

EXPRESS MAIL No. EL161614795US
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the hamstring support of the present invention positioned on the upper leg;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the hamstring support of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2, but showing the hamstring support of the present invention rotated approximately 90° clockwise;
Fig. 4 is an elevation view of the rear of the hamstring support of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the hamstring support of the present invention, taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is an elevation view of a second embodiment of the hamstring support of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The improved hamstring support is indicated generally by the numeral 2 in Figs. 1-5. Support 2 includes a carrier 4, a plurality of straps 17, a plurality of clips 16, and a compression assembly 8. Straps 17 are carried by carrier 4 and are held in a spaced-apart configuration by carrier4. Each strap 17 extends at least partially around the user's leg, and when tightened, directs its compressive force through compression, assembly 8 onto the hamstring muscle. Carrier 4 thus extends longitudinally to support straps 17. Carrier 4 may be a thin strip of material or may be a plurality of longitudinal strips disbursed about straps 17. Neither carrier 4 nor straps 17 have to individually extend entirely about the user's leg.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, carrier 4 is in the form of a sleeve that extends entirely about the user's leg. Sleeve 4, as is best shown EXPRESS MAIL No. EL161614795US
in Figs. 2-3, is constructed by wrapping a relatively thin piece of flexible material into a hollow, substantially frustoconic shape and joining the ends thereof together with a reinforcing strap 60 covering the junction and a plurality of reinforcing seams 62 sewn through reinforcing strap 60 and sleeve 4. In other embodiments of the invention, sleeve 4 may have other shapes and may be fabricated in different ways.
For instance, sleeve 4 may be fabricated by knitting the material into a tube.
In the preferred embodiments, sleeve 4 is manufactured of a thin-walled material containing elastomeric properties. For example, sleeve 4 may be fabricated from neoprene, although other materials can be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Sleeve 4 may also be constructed of an inelastic material without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Sleeve 4 also may be manufactured of a material that facilitates the evaporation of perspiration.
Sleeve 4 has an inner surface 10 and an outer surface 12 and is sized and adapted to cause inner surface 10 to rest snugly against the upper leg of a human being and substantially cover the upper leg from just above the knee to just below the groin.
In accordance with one of the main features of the invention, straps 17 are wrapped circumferentially about outer surface 12 of sleeve 4. As is shown in Fig.

5, each strap 17 is connected to a clip 16. As can been seen in Fig. 5, clip 16 is a small flat block of material formed with a first hole 46, a second hole 48, and a bracing member 50 disposed therebetween. Clip 16 is, in the preferred embodiments, preferably manufactured of thin, strong, tough material such as metal, nylon, or a plastic.
Bracing member 50 is optional in the preferred embodiments. When bracing member 50 is included therewith, clip 16 is flexibly connected to sleeve 4 with a flexible attachment strap 24. Attachment strap 24 has a pair of attachment strap ends 26 which are fixedly attached to sleeve 4 such that attachment strap 24 wraps EXPRESS MAIL NO. EL161614795US
around surrounding bracing member 50. Attachment strap ends may be attached to sleeve 4 by methods such as by sewing or gluing, although other attachment methods can be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In accordance with one of the objectives of the invention, strap 17 can be ~ adjusted and selectively fixed with respect to sleeve 4. In one embodiment of the invention, strap 17 is a narrow flat strip of flexible material having a first surface 42 and a second surface 44 opposed thereto, with first surface 42 lying adjacent outer surface 12 of sleeve 4 when strap 17 is installed. In the first embodiment, strap 17 is fixedly attached to sleeve 4 by reinforcing seams 62 and is manufactured from an inelastic material such as nylon webbing. In other embodiments of the invention, strap 17 may be manufactured from an elastic material. Strap 17 may additionally contain a padded layer (not shown) fixedly attached to first surface 42 or formed integrally therewith such that when support 2 is fully installed, the padded layer provides an extra measure of comfort and padding to the wearer. The padded layer may be particularly useful when carrier 4 is not in the form of a sleeve.
Strap 17 includes a first hooked end 18 and a second hooked end 22, with both first and second hooked ends 18 and 22 having a plurality of hooks 52 formed on second surface 44. Second surface 44 additionally includes at its mid-section a plurality of loops 54 between hooks 52 of first hooked end 18 and second hooked end 22. As is known in the art, first and second hooked ends 18 and 22 may be joined with loops 54 to form hook-and-loop connections.
In the first embodiment of the invention, first and second hooked ends 18 and 22 pass through first and second holes 46 and 48 of clip 16. First and second hooked ends 18 and 22 are then pulled away from each other, and away from clip 16, and are each rotated into contact with loops 54 to form first and second attachments 20 and 23, respectively. First and second holes 46 and 48 are large enough to accommodate simultaneously one of first and second hooked end 18 and 22 and attachment strap 24.

EXPRESS MAIL NO. EL161614795US
Thus, each strap 17 forms a first connection 25 with clip 16 in the form of a first wrapping 27 fashioned by passing first hooked end 18 through first hole 46 and attaching first hooked end 18 of strap 17 back onto loops 54 of strap 17 to form a first attachment 20. First attachment 20 is adjustable. Similarly, each strap forms a second connection 30 with clip 16 in the form of a second wrapping 31.
In the first embodiment, second wrapping 31 is fashioned by passing second hooked end 22 through second hole 48 and attaching second hooked end 22 of strap 17 back onto loops 54 of strap 17 to form a second attachment 23. In the first embodiment second attachment 23 is adjustable such that the size of second wrapping 31 may be adjusted.
Loops 54 are dispersed along a substantial length of strap 17 thus allowing installed strap 17 to be adjusted by selectively locating the placement of hooked ends 18 and 22. By varying the placement of hooked ends 18 and 22 of installed strap 17 in this manner, the amount of compression provided by support 2 can be varied, and the straps 17 can be adjusted to fit different sized legs. It should be understood that while first and second attachments 20 and 23 are shown to be by hook-and-loop fasteners, first and second attachments 20 and 23 may be formed in numerous ways, such as through buckles, laces, snaps, and other such connectors without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Compression assembly 8 includes a compression body 37 and a flap 38.
Flap 38 is sewn to inner surface 10 of sleeve 4 with a second seam 40.
Compression body 37 is, in the preferred embodiments, a solid, approximately cylindrical-shaped body manufactured of a semi-flexible, resilient, readily compressed material such as neoprene. In other embodiments of the present invention, other materials may be used to manufacture compression body 37 without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Moreover, compression body 37 may be constructed of different shapes and cross-sections without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

EXPRESS MAIL NO. EL161614795US
Flap 38 is a flat piece of material of sufficient size to completely enclose compression body 37 when flap 38 is sewn to inner surface 10 by second seam 40.
Flap 40 is preferably made out of the same material as sleeve 4, although other materials may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In accordance with one of the main features of the invention, compression body 37 is interposed between inner surface 10 and flap 38 when support 2 is installed on the upper leg. Compression body 37 is oriented approximately longitudinally along inner surface 10 of sleeve 4 in a manner similar to the orientation of the hamstring muscle in the thigh.
In accordance with the features of the invention compression body 37 lies between sleeve 4 and the leg when support 2 is installed on the upper leg. As such, the tension in straps 17 and sleeve 4 act directly upon compression body to force compression body 37 into the leg and against the hamstring. By interposing compression body 37 between sleeve 4 and the hamstring muscle, the tensile forces of straps 17 and sleeve 4 are focused and directed by compression body 37 onto the hamstring muscle instead of being distributed by sleeve 4 or straps 17 over the entire surface of the leg. Compression body 37 can, therefore, be of essentially any cross section and can be made of many materials so long as it can be made to protrude into the upper leg upon application of tension from straps 17 and sleeve 4.
Flap 38 retains compression body 37 in position over the hamstring so that such compressive forces may be directed to the hamstring. In other embodiments of the present invention, compression body 37 may be retained by additional straps, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, or other known fasteners and attachment devices without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
To install support 2, both first and second hooked ends 18 and 22 of straps 17are removed from contact with second surface 44. Sleeve 4 is then slid onto the upper leg. Sleeve 4 is then be rotated and oriented such that compression body EXPRESS MAIL No. EL161614795US
lies directly over the hamstring muscle. After support 2 has been oriented into the proper position, flap 38 retains compression body 37 in proper orientation with respect to the hamstring muscle. First hooked end 18 is then inserted through first hole 46, and second hooked end 22 is inserted through second hole 48. Ends 18 and 22 may also be left in holes 46 and 48 when first and second ends 18 and are released from loops 54. First and second hooked ends 18 and 22 are then simultaneously pulled in directions away from clip 16 with sufficient force to generate tension in strap 17. First and second hooked ends 18 and 22 are then rotated into contact with loops 54 on second surface 44, thereby causing hooks of first and second hooked ends 18 and 22 to adhere to loops 54, creating first attachment 20 and second attachment 23, respectively.
Support 2 provides isolated compression to the hamstring, permits the evaporation of perspiration, and remains flexible and comfortable for the wearer when properly installed. Support 2 may be removed from the upper leg by removing at least one of first and second hooked ends 18 and 22 from second surface 44 with sufficient force to break the hook-and-loop connections of at least one of first and second attachments 20 and 23. Support 2 may then be pulled off the upper leg.
If, during use, one of straps 17 becomes too tight or causes discomfort for the wearer, it may be loosened, adjusted, and reattached.
A second embodiment of the hamstring support of the present invention is depicted in Figs. 6-7 and is indicated generally by the numeral 102. Support includes many of the elements present in the first embodiment of the invention and the same numerals are used to indicate these elements. Support 102 includes a plurality of straps 117, with each strap 117 forming a first connection 125 and a second connection 127 with a clip 116.
Strap 117 is a narrow flat strip of flexible material having a first surface and a second surface 144 opposed thereto, with first surface 142 lying adjacent EXPRESS ~~AIL NO. EL161614795US
outer surface 12 of sleeve 4. Strap 117 is fixedly attached to sleeve 4 by reinforcing seams 62.
fn accordance with the features of the invention, strap 117 can be adjusted and selectively fixed. In one embodiment of the invention, strap 117 further includes a hooked end 118 and a secured end 128. Hooked end 118 contains a plurality of hooks 152 and is similar in design and operation to first hooked end 18 of support 2. Second surface 144 similarly includes a plurality of loops 154 that cooperate with hooked end 118 to form first attachment 120 via hook-and-loop fasteners having complemental parts that adhere to each other when pressed together and are adapted for use as a closure fastener.
Clip 116 is a small flat block of material formed with a first hole 146, a second hole 148, and an optional bracing member 150 defined therebetween. Clip 116 is preferably manufactured ofthin, strong, tough material such as metal, plastic, or nylon.
In accordance with the features of support 102, each strap 117 forms a first connection 125 with clip 116 in the form of a first wrapping 127 fashioned by passing hooked end 118 through first hole 146 and attaching hooked end 118 of strap 117 back onto loops 154 of strap 117 to form first attachment 120. First attachment 120 is, Therefore, adjustable. It should be understood that while first attachment 120 is shown to be by hook-and-loop fasteners, first attachment 120 may be formed in numerous ways, such as through buckles, laces, snaps, or other such connectors without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Each strap 117 also forms a second connection 130 with clip 116 in the form of a second wrapping 131. In the second embodiment, second wrapping 131 is fashioned by passing secured end 128 through second hole 148 and sewing secured end 128 of strap 117 onto second surface 144 of strap 17 with a third seam 129 to form a second attachment 123. Second attachment 123 is fixed and cannot be adjusted.

EXPRESS MAIL No. EL161614795US
An attachment band 124 also holds strap 117 to sleeve 4. Attachment band 124 has an upper end 132 sewn to sleeve 4 with a fourth seam 133 and a lower end 134 sewn to sleeve 4 with a fifth seam 135. Strap 117 is interposed between attachment band 124 and sleeve 4 so that strap 117 is slidably attached by ~ attachment band 124 to sleeve 4. As such, strap 117 is both fixedly attached to sleeve 4 by reinforcing seams 62 as well as slidably attached to sleeve 4 by attachment band 124.
Installation of support 102 is similar to that of support 2, except second attachment 123 is not adjustable. Thus, hooked end 118 is inserted through first hole 46, tensioned, and attached to loops 154 on second surface 144. Support is removed by pulling hooked end 118 away from loops 154 with sufficient force to break the hook-and-loop connection of first attachment 120. Support 102 can then be pulled off the upper leg.
Accordingly, the improved hamstring support apparatus is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Having now described the features, discoveries, and principles of the invention, the manner in which the hamstring support is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous new and useful results EXPRESS MAIL NO. EL161614795US
obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (24)

1. A hamstring support for the upper leg of a human being, said support comprising:
a carrier; and at least a first strap mounted on said carrier, said strap adapted to extend at least partially around the upper leg.

2. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said carrier is a sleeve having an inner surface.

3. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 2 in which said sleeve is at least partially elastic.

4. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 1 further including a clip, corresponding to each of said straps; each of said straps form at least a first connection with a clip, said first connection being adjustable.

5. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 4 in which each of said straps is inelastic.

6. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 4 in which each of said straps is fixedly attached to said carrier.

7. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 4 in which each of said clips is flexibly attached to said carrier.

8. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 4 in which each of said clips is formed with at least a first hole.

9. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 8 in which each of said straps forms at least a first wrapping through said first hole in said clip, said first wrapping forming said first connection.

10. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 9 in which each of said straps forms at least a first attachment with itself to form said first wrapping.

11. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 10 in which said first attachment is formed by hook-and-loop fasteners having complemental parts which adhere to each other when pressed together and adapted for use as a closure fastener.

12. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 11 in which each of said straps forms a second connection with said clip.

13. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 12 in which said second connection is fixed.

14. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 1 further including a compression body.

15. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 14 in which said compression body is attached to said carrier.

16. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 15 further comprising a flap attached to said inner surface of said carrier, said compression body being interposed between said flap and said inner surface.

17. A hamstring support for the upper leg of a human being, said hamstring support comprising:

a hollow sleeve adapted to rest snugly over the upper leg; and a compression body mounted on said sleeve.

18. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 17 in which said compression body is attached to said sleeve by an attachment that includes a flap attached to said sleeve said compression body being interposed between said flap and said sleeve.

19. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 18 in which said compression body is interposed between said hollow sleeve and the upper leg.

20. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 17 further including at least a first strap at least partially surrounding said sleeve.

21. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 20 further including a clip carried by each of said straps, each of said straps having at least a first adjustable connection with said clip.

22. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 21 in which each of said straps has a second connection with said clip.

23. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 22 in which at least one of said first and second connections operates by hook-and-loop fasteners having complemental parts which adhere to each other when pressed together and adapted for use as a closure fastener.

24. The hamstring support as set forth in Claim 23 in which said second attachment is fixed.