GB2363718A

GB2363718A - Back support belt

Info

Publication number: GB2363718A
Application number: GB0015297A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey George Robert Roscoe
Original assignee: LUMBAAID Co Ltd
Current assignee: LUMBAAID Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-06-22
Filing date: 2000-06-22
Publication date: 2002-01-09
Also published as: GB0015297D0

Abstract

A back relief device in the form of a belt for fitting around a person's waist comprises inner and outer layers 10, 11 of material extending between opposite ends of the belt and interconnected around their edges, an inflatable pad 14 disposed between the layers 10,11, intermediate opposite ends of the belt, an inflation tube 16,18 extending from the pad 14, between the layers 10,11 towards one end of the belt, and means 20 for inflating the pad 14 at the free end of the tube 16,18, the tube 16,18 being arranged to extend through an opening 17 at or adjacent the end of the belt during inflation of the pad. The inflation means 14 is preferably removable and the belt may also comprise a layer of thermally reflective material in at least the central portion.

Description

2363718 BACK SUPPORT BELT This invention relates to a belt for giving

relief to a person suffering from a strained back.

Belts f or giving relief to a person suf fering f rom back strain are known British Patent Application No 2 309 645 S discloses one such belt comprising an inflatable pad which is located in a pocket intermediate opposite ends of the belt An inflation tube extends out of the pocket to one end of the belt where it is fastened.

A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the inflation tube is unsightly Furthermore, persons are unable to wear the belt discretely, since the inflation tube is in full view.

I have now devised a back relief belt which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a back relief device in the form of a belt for fitting around the person's waist, the device comprising inner and outer layers of material extending between opposite ends of the belt and interconnected around their edges, an inflatable pad member disposed between the layers, intermediate opposite ends of the belt, an inflation tube extending from the pad, between the layers, towards one end of the belt, and means for inflating the pad at the free end of the tube, the tube being arranged to extend through an opening at or adjacent said end of the belt during inflation of the pad.

In use, when the belt is worn, the pad locates in the small or hollow at the lumbar region of the wearer's back The inflation tube extends from the pad around to the front of the wearer so that it is conveniently located for inflation of the pad after the belt has been fitted The tube extends between the two layers of the belt and as such is substantially hidden from view, thereby enabling the belt to be worn discretely.

Preferably, the inflation means comprises a hand pump, preferably in the form of a bulb.

Preferably, the inflation means is removable, so that the belt can be worn more discretely and comfortably once the pad has been inflated to the correct pressure, a valve being provided for maintaining the air pressure within the pad when the inflation means is disconnected.

Preferably, the inflation tube comprises a first portion which, once the pad has been inflated, terminates between the layers adjacent the opening and a removable second portion which can be inserted through the opening and connected to the first portion for inflating the pad.

Preferably said valve is provided at the free end of said first portion of the tube.

Preferably the valve is arranged to close when the second portion of the tube is detached and vice-versa.

Preferably, at least a central portion of the belt comprises a layer of thermally-reflective material: we have found that the heat reflected from the wearer's body on to their back provides a therapy for back strain.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a back relief belt in accordance with this invention; and FIGURE 2 is a section view along the line II-II of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a belt for fitting around a person's waist for providing back relief.

The belt comprises outer and inner fabric layers 10, 11 which are in the shape of the belt and which are stitched together around their periphery The belt comprises a central enlarged portion 13 which houses an inflatable rectangular pad 14 between the layers 10, 11 and oppositely directed end portions 15 having complementary engaging fastening means (not shown) at their respective opposite ends.

An opening 17 is provided in the outer fabric layer 10 adjacent the free end of one of the end portions 15 of the belt An inflation tube for the pad 14 comprises a first portion 16 which extends from one end of the pad 14 along the elongate end portion 15 of the belt towards the opening 17 therein The free end of the first portion 16 of the tube is connected to a combined non-return valve and connector 19 located between the layers 10, 11 adjacent the opening 17 The opposite side of the connector valve 19 is connected to a second portion 18 of the inflation tube which extends through the opening 17 and is connected at its free end to a manual inflation pump 20 in the form of a bulb.

In use, the belt is secured around the user's waist by inter-engaging the complementary engaging fastening means at opposite ends of the belt, so that the pad 14 is located in the lumbar region of the wearer's back.

The pad 14 is then inflated by squeezing the pump 20 until the pad 14 reaches the desired pressure, whereupon the first and second portions 16, 18 of the inflation tube are separated by separating the two halves of the connector valve 19 When the two halves of the connector valve 19 are separated, a valve member in the half at the end of the first portion 16 of the inflation tube closes to prevent air escaping from the pad 14.

Preferably, the first portion 16 of the tube is sufficiently long to enable it to extend through the opening, in order to gain access to the connector valve when connecting or disconnecting the second portion of the tube 18 and the pump 20.

It will be appreciated that once the pad 14 has been inflated and the pump 20 removed, the connector valve portion 19 at the end of the first portion of the tube 19 can be pushed back between the layers 10, 11 of the belt so that it is out of sight.

Accordingly, it is possible for a person to comfortably and discretely wear the belt without any tubes being visible.

In order to deflate the pad 14, the pump 20 is reconnected and a valve 21 thereon is actuated to release the air pressure in the pad 14.

Preferably at least a central portion of the inner layer comprises a thermally reflective material (not shown) which reflects the wearer's body heat on to their lumbar region, thereby providing additional therapy for the wearer's back strain.

Claims

1 A back relief device in the form of a belt for fitting around a person's waist, the device comprising inner and outer layers of material extending between opposite ends of the belt and interconnected around their edges, an inflatable pad member disposed between the layers, intermediate opposite ends of the belt, an inflation tube extending from the pad, between the layers, towards one end of the belt, and means for inflating the pad at the free end of the tube, the tube being arranged to extend through an opening at or adjacent said end of the belt during inflation of the pad.

2 A back relief device as claimed in claim 1, in which the inflation means comprises a hand pump.

3 A back relief device as claimed in claim 2, in which the hand pump is in the form of a bulb.

4 A back relief device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inflation means is removable.

A back relief device as claimed in claim 4, in which the inflation tube comprises a first portion which, once the pad has been inflated, terminates between the layers adjacent the opening and a removable second portion which can be inserted through the opening and connected to the first portion for inflating the pad.

6 A back relief device as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, in which a valve is provided for maintaining the air pressure within the pad when the inflation means is disconnected.

7 A back relief device as claimed in claim 6 as appended to claim 5, in which said valve is provided at the free end of said first portion of the tube.

8 A back relief device as claimed in claim 7, in which the valve is arranged to close when the second portion of the tube is detached and vice-versa.

9 A back relief device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least a central portion of the belt comprises a layer of thermally-reflective material.

A back relief device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.