GB2098490A

GB2098490A - Body support

Info

Publication number: GB2098490A
Application number: GB8214346A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-05-19
Filing date: 1982-05-17
Publication date: 1982-11-24

Abstract

Apparatus for supporting the body of a wearer comprises a breast plate (1) having a resiliently loaded inter-connection (3) with thigh bearing pads (5) whereby, on the wearer bending forwardly or downwardly, support is given to the body by the action of the resilient loading (3) from the thigh bearing pads (5). The breast plate (1) is shown having downwardly depending from it upper side members (2) having a pivotal torsion spring connection (30) with lower side members (4) extending up from the thigh bearing pads (5). The axis of each torsion spring connection (30) lies on or adjacent the transverse axis of the hip joints of the wearer. The apparatus is retained on the wearer by back belt (6) shown attached to the torsion spring connections (30). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Body support apparatus The object of this invention is to provide simple and effective body support apparatus which can be inconspicuously worn by a person with little or no hindrance to movement of the body or limbs and in particular provides support to the body when bending in a forward or downward direction thus relieving the back of undue stress. These and other practical advantages will be apparent from the following disclosure.

According to the invention body support apparatus adapted to be retained on the body of a wearer comprises a member or plate or plate for bearing against the breast of the wearer and which has a resiifently loaded inter-connection with thigh bearing means or pads whereby, on the wearer bending forwardly or downwardly, support is given to the body by the action of the resilient loading from the thigh bearing means or pads.

A practical arrangement of the apparatus is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:~ Figure 1 is a perspective front view of the apparatus, Figure 2 is a perspective front view of the apparatus as worn by a person, Figure 3 is a side view of the worn apparatus showing the support afforded in the bending down position, Figure 4 is a perspective detail view showing provision for adjustment, and Figure 5 shows alternative spring loading.

Referring to the drawings the apparatus comprises a member or plate 1 for bearing against the breast of a person wearing the apparatus which breast plate 1 has a pair of upper side members 2 extending downwardly from it to a spring loaded pivotal connection 3 with lower side members 4 each carrying a pad 5 for bearing against the front of a corresponding thigh of the wearer.

The upper and lower side members 2, 4 respectively lie alongside the body or trunk and thighs of the wearer and their spring loaded pivotal connection at 3 is adjacent the hips such as to permit relative angular movement of the upper and lower members 2, 4 on forward or downward bending movement of the wearer as shown in Figure 3. In such position the action of the spring loading at 3 provides support to the body or trunk from the thighs at the pads 5.

The support afforded in this way relieves the back and spine of undue stress especially when handling heavy objects in the bent down position and/or when bending down for long periods.

In the example shown the spring loading at 3 is provided by a pair of torsion coil springs 30 the arms 32, 34 of which are secured in corresponding tubular side member 2, 4, the rating of the springs being such as to provide an effective amount of support without unduly hampering forward bending movement of the wearer or movement of the legs, e.g. when walking. As will be evident from Figure 2 freedom of movement of the limbs and of the body generally is not hindered nor is the apparatus cumbersome when worn. In fact it can be worn inconspicuously under outer clothing such as an overall or apron.

The apparatus can be readily fitted on the body of a person and just as simply removed. For this purpose the coil springs 30 permit side movement of the lower side members 4 (as indicated at 4' in Figure 2) for finally placing the pads 5 on the thighs on putting the apparatus on or for initially disengaging the pads 5 from the thighs prior to removing the apparatus.

In order to prevent the apparatus from slipping down the body retaining means is provided and is shown consisting of a flexible belt 6 conveniently attached to the torsion coil springs 30 and arranged to pass behind the wearer so as to derive support from the small of the back or the upper part of the buttocks. However other suitable means of support may be employed.

In uise and especially where a retaining belt 6 is employed the axis of the coil springs 30 lies on or adjacent the transverse axis through the hip joints of the wearer so that the upper side members 2 move parallel with the body or trunk on movement of the latter and in particular the lower side members 4 move parallel with movement of the thighs so that relative movement of the breast plate 1 and breast and between the pads 5 and thighs is kept to a minimum. In practice there is virtually no relative movement of the breast plate 1 but some relative movement of the pads 5 may occur so that the undersides of the pads 5 are preferably smooth so as to permit such movement and so minimise wear of clothing and avoid discomfort.

The breast plate 1 may be formed to follow or accommodate the form of the breast and may be padded on its inner side so as to be 'comfortable in use. For female wear the breast plate can be cupped or otherwise suitable formed. The breast plate 1 and pads 5 may be provided as mouldings, e.g. in glass fibre or may be otherwise formed such as metal pressings.

The apparatus may be adjustable to suit persons of different height and/or stature especially as regards the length of the side members 2, 4. Thus as shown in Figure 4 a lower side member assembly 40 is of telescopic construction with a locking or clamping screw provided at 44. Other suitable construction of extendible and retractable side members may be employed.

Whereas the torsion coil spring loading shown in the drawings is simple and unobtrusive other arrangements of spring loading may be adopted, i.e. in relation to pivotal connection of corresponding upper and lower side members 2, 4 such as by spring loaded anchorage of each member to an intermediate member or plate to which they are each pivoted. The spring loading may be by tension and/or compression springs accommodated in tubular side members 2, 4.

The spring loading at 3 may be adjustable or inter-changeable according to the degree of support required whether to suit the nature of work to be carried out by the wearer or for back treatment or similar purposes. Thus sets of the apparatus may be provided each having a different spring loading so as to be available for use as required.

In a further and simple arrangement of providing resiliently loaded inter-connection between the side members 2, 4 they may be united by rods or tubular lengths 300 (Figure 5) of nylon or other suitable plastics material which resiliently resists bending, the rods 300 being shown secured in adjacent ends of tubular side members 2, 4. Hook, slot or other location of the belt 6 may be provided as necessary.

In a still further development of the apparatus the side members 2, 4 at each side together with the portion 300 may constitute one integral member of nylon or the like and furthermore such side members may be respectively integral with the breast plate 1 and thigh pads 5 so that the whole apparatus may be cheaply produced in quantity as a single nylon moulding or fabrication.

Whereas the belt 6 may be provided as a separately produced member it may also be moulded with the rest of the apparatus so as to be positively secured thereto yet have a sufficient degree of flexibility.

In order to ensure that the breast plate 1 and the thigh pads 5 respectively lie flat against the breast and thighs under conditions of use of the apparatus, the breast plate 1 may be pivotally mounted about a transverse axis from the upper side members 2 and/or similarly each thigh pad 5 may be pivotally mounted about a transverse axis from its associated lower side member 4, i.e. on the inwardly directed bracket 45 of the latter, Manufacture is also facilitated since location of a fixed breast plate 1 and thigh pads 5 is not required.

As well as providing support for a person working in a forward or downwardly bent position, the apparatus may be employed for generally providing body support, e.g. to elderly, disabled or injured people, e.g. during orthopaedic treatment. It may also be used in providing support for women during pregnancy so as to relieve back strain.

Claims

1. Body support apparatus adapted to be retained on the body of a wearer comprising a member or plate for bearing against the breast of the wearer and which has a resiliently loaded inter-connection with thigh bearing means or pads whereby, on the wearer bending forwardly or downwardly, support is given to the body by the action of the resilient loading from the thigh bearing means or pads.

2. Body support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resiliently loaded inter-connection is arranged to lie alongside each side of the body of the wearer.

3. Body support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the resilently loaded interconnection is arranged to have a resilient pivotal or bending action substantially on or adjacent the transverse axis of the hip joints of the wearer.

4. Body support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the breast member or plate is formed to follow or accommodate the form of the breast of the wearer.

5. Body support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the thigh bearing means or pads are concavely curved or other suitable form for bearing contact with the thighs of the wearer.

6. Body support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the breast member or plate has downwardly depending from it a pair of upper side members arranged to respectively lie alongside each side of the trunk of the wearer and having a resiliently loaded pivotal or bendable connection with corresponding lower side members extending up from respective thigh bearing pads and arranged to lie alongside adjacent thighs of the wearer, the pivotal or bending axis of each resiliently loaded connection being arranged to lie substantially on or adjacent the transverse axis of the hip joints of the wearer.

7. Body support apparatus according to claim 6 wherein resiliently loaded pivotal connection between each upper side member and its corresponding lower side member is by torsion coil spring connection.

8. Body support apparatus according to claim 6 wherein resiliently loaded bending connection between each upper side member and its corresponding lower side member is by a resiliently bendable rod or like member arranged to lie alongside the adjacent hip joint of the wearer.

9. Body support apparatus according to claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein each resiliently loaded pivotal or bendable connection between corresponding upper and lower side members permits some side movement of the lower side member to enable the thigh bearing pad carried thereby to be moved into and out of bearing contact against the respective thigh of the wearer.

10. Body support apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9 wherein the upper and/or lower side members are adjustable in length such as by lockable telescopic construction.

11. Body support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus is arranged to be retained on the wearer by means of a belt attached to the apparatus and passing behind the wearer.

12. Body support apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the belt is attached to the apparatus at the location of resiliently loaded interconnection of the latter.

13. Body support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the breast member or plate and/or the thigh bearing means or pads are carried by the apparatus for pivotal movement about transverse axes relative to the apparatus.

14. Body support apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6 or claim 8 wherein at least the breast member or plate and the thigh bearing means or pads and their resiliently loaded interconnection are produced as an integral member or moulding.

15. Body support apparatus according to claims 1 1 and 14 wherein the retaining belt included as part of the integral member or moulding.

16. Body support apparatus substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.