GB2390026A

GB2390026A - An arm brace for use in suspension

Info

Publication number: GB2390026A
Application number: GB0215050A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Piers Julian Voysey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-28
Filing date: 2002-06-28
Publication date: 2003-12-31
Also published as: GB0215050D0

Abstract

An arm brace 1 for suspending a user from a supporting member comprises a brace 20 for positioning around the user's arm, and suspending means 4 for suspending the brace from the supporting member. The brace preferably comprises a resiliently deformable inner lining 2 for accommodating the user's arm, and a resilient rigid outer shell 3. Also provided is a method of performing exercise, the method comprising positioning the arm brace around a user's arm, and suspending the suspending means from a supporting member.

Description

r - 1 - Suspension Apparatus The present invention relates to suspension

apparatus for suspending a user from a supporting member. Apparatus of this 5 nature is used for both therapeutic treatment and exercise.

As a treatment of back injuries, a patient can be orientated in an inverted position in order that pressure on the spine is alleviated and circulation is improved as the 10 spine is gently stretched. An inverted orientation can be achieved by, amongst other methods, suspending the patient by their feet or ankles, or for example by lying the patient on a bench capable of inversion.

15 During exercise an individual can be suspended by their feet from a supporting member so that they may perform a variety of exercise techniques. Inverted suspension in this way is often achieved with the use of equipment for suspension of the individual from a support bar, for example with the use 20 of 'gravity boots' which are clamped around the user's ankles and suspended from the support bar.

However, achieving an inverted position can be problematic. Benches capable of inversion are expensive, and 25 so inversion with the use of devices such as gravity boots is preferable. Although much cheaper, gravity boots require a relatively high degree of athleticism from a user, since the user must have sufficient upper body and abdominal strength to initially take their own weight and swing their legs over 30 their head to hook them onto the support bar. The same process in reverse is required for dismounting from the support bar. This required degree of athleticism may exclude many potential users of the equipment, for example those users

t - 2 - who are slightly disabled but still seek the benefits of stretching therapy. Additionally, whilst inverted, many users feel uncomfortable or unsafe, for example fearful of a potential accident such as falling on their head with risk of 5 serious injury. Further, damage may be caused due to tension in the knee joint when inverted.

An object of the present invention is therefore to seek to alleviate these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided an arm brace for suspending a user from a supporting member, the arm brace comprising; a brace for positioning around the user's arm; and suspending means for suspending the brace from 15 the supporting member.

The arm brace of the present invention allows a user to be suspended from a supporting member in an upright position.

The user is able to be suspended for a longer period of time 20 than would be possible in an inverted position, without a rush of blood to the head. Because the user can be suspended upright they are more likely to feel safe and comfortable, with the assurance that if they drop from the supporting member they can simply land on their feet. Since elbows are 2S tension joints, they are less likely to be injured than knee joints when a user is suspended in an inverted position.

Preferably, the brace comprises a resiliently deformable inner lining for accommodating the user's arm. Once 30 positioned in the brace, the user's arm can achieve a comfortable yet secure fit by virtue of a 'moulding' effect of the inner lining to the user's arm.

r Preferably, a gap extends longitudinally along the entire resiliently deformable inner lining. This allows the inner volume between the brace and the user's arm to be reduced to help secure the brace around the user's arm.

Preferably, the brace comprises a resilient rigid outer shell. The outer shell provides support for the inner lining and means by which the suspending means can be secured to the brace. Conveniently, the resilient rigid outer shell comprises overlapping longitudinally extending edges. As with the longitudinally extending gap along the entire inner lining, the overlapping edges allow the reduction of the inner volume 15 between the brace and the user's arm to help secure the brace to the user's arm.

Other means for reducing the inner volume between the brace and the user's arm may be employed, for example the use 20 of an inflatable inner lining.

Preferably, fastening means are provided for securing the brace around the user's arm. Fastening means allow the reduced inner volume between the brace and the user's arm to 25 be maintained.

More preferably, the fastening means extends around the entire periphery of the brace. Conveniently, the fastening means comprises at least one length of hook and loop material, 30 for example velcro Aim.

Preferably, the suspending means comprises at least one hook for suspension from the supporting member. More

- 4 - preferably, the distance between the tip of the at least one hook and the brace is variably adjustable. This allows the arm brace to be adjusted in accordance with the size of the user's arm and hand. If the user is able to grip the 5 supporting member whilst suspended therefrom by the arm brace, suspension from the supporting member is made safer, and the user is permitted an element of control over their movement whilst suspended.

10 Preferably, the at least one hook is secured to the brace by means of a bolt on the brace which is slidable within a longitudinally extending slot on the hook, whereby the bolt can be secured in position within the slot by a nut. This provides a convenient method for adjusting the distance 15 between the tip of the at least one hook and the brace.

Preferably, mutually engaging projections are provided on adjoining surfaces of the at least one hook and the brace for restricting relative movement therebetween. These 20 projections allow the at least one hook to be held securely in position on the brace.

Preferably, the fastening means at least partially encloses the suspending means when fastened. This provides 25 additional support for securing the at least one hook in position on the brace.

Preferably, in use, the arm brace supports some but not all of the user's weight. In this way, the user can take as 30 much of their weight as desired and so is encouraged to use and develop their own grip, arm, shoulder and upper back muscles whilst also providing a good stretch for the whole back.

- 5 Alternatively, in use, the arm brace can support substantially all of the user's weight. This can be especially important for stretching the back over prolonged periods of time, when it may be desirable for the user to rely 5 totally on the arm brace for their suspension from the supporting member.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of performing exercise, the method 10 comprising positioning an arm brace of the present invention around a user's arm, and suspending the suspending means from a supporting member.

According to a yet further aspect of the present 15 invention there is provided an apparatus for stretching a user's back, the apparatus comprising an arm brace according to the present invention.

The present invention will now be described, by way of 20 illustration only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which; Figure 1 shows a first view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a second view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in figure 1; Figure 3 shows a third view of the preferred embodiment 30 of the present invention shown in figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 shows a view of a hook attached to the brace of the embodiment of the present invention shown in figures 1 to

- 6 3 and the presence of mutually engaging projections provided on the adjoining surfaces of the hook and the brace.

With reference to figures 1, 2, and 3, an arm brace 1 5 comprises; a brace 20 having a resiliently deformable inner lining 2 for accommodating the user's arm (not shown) with a longitudinally extending gap 8 to allow the inner volume between the brace 20 and the user's arm to be reduced to help secure the brace 20 to the user's arm; a resilient rigid outer 10 shell 3 with overlapping longitudinally extending edges 9 which also allow the inner volume between the brace 20 and the user's arm to be reduced so helping to secure the brace 20 around the user's arm; two hooks 4 for suspending the brace 20 from a supporting member; three lengths of hook and loop 15 material, for example elcro() 5 provided around the entire periphery of the brace 20; wing nuts 6 for securing the hooks 4 to the outer shell 3 by means of bolts 10 on the outer shell 3 which are slidable within a longitudinally extending slot 11 on each hook 4.

In use, the user's arm is placed into the arm brace 1 and the distance between the tip of the hooks 4 and the brace 20 is adjusted so that it corresponds to the distance between the user's hand and the brace 20. The user's fingers may be 25 orientated in the same orientation as the hooks 4, or alternatively they may be in the opposite orientation.

In this way the user is able to grip the supporting member at the same time as the hooks 4 are suspended from the 30 supporting member. The user is therefore permitted an element of control over their suspension. Further, the user may allow the arm brace 1 to take all of their weight, or some of their weight, permitting the user to either be suspended stretching

their back or to exercise the various muscles accessible by the varying types of exercise possible whilst suspending upright from the supporting member. To secure the arm brace 1 to the user's arm, the lengths of hook and loop material 5 5 are fastened around the brace 20, closing the longitudinally extending gap 8 and increasing the overlap of the longitudinally extending edges 9 reducing the inner volume between the brace 20 and the user's arm and so securing the arm brace 1 to the user's arm. The user is then able to 10 engage the hooks 4 to a supporting member and be suspended from the supporting member. To terminate suspension from the supporting member, the user simply disengages the hooks 4 from the supporting member, unfastens the lengths of hook and loop material 5, increasing the volume between the brace 20 and the 15 user's arm, allowing removal of the user's arm from the arm brace 1.

With reference to figure 4, mutually engaging projections 7 are provided on adjoining surfaces of the hooks 4 and the 20 outer shell 3. These projections 7 restrict relative movement between the hooks 4 and the outer shell 3, helping to secure the hooks 4 to the outer shell 3. Securing of the hooks 4 to the outer shell 3 is further aided by the lengths of hook and loop material 5, which, when fastened, enclose the portion of 25 the hooks 4 in contact with the resilient outer shell 3.

The materials used in the manufacture of the various components of the arm brace 1 of the present invention are well known in the art; however, preferred materials include 30 a foam or rubber material for the resiliently deformable inner lining 2, a resilient rigid plastic for the outer shell 3, and steel for the hooks 4.

The embodiment of the present invention as described above is merely a preferred embodiment and not intended to limit the invention in any way.

Claims

- 9 - Claims

1. An arm brace for suspending a user from a supporting member, the arm brace comprising; a brace for positioning 5 around the user's arm; and suspending means for suspending the brace from the supporting member.

2. An arm brace according to claim 1, wherein the brace comprises a resiliently deformable inner lining for 10 accommodating the user's arm.

3. An arm brace according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a gap extends longitudinally along the entire inner lining.

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4. An arm brace according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the brace comprises a resilient rigid outer shell.

5. An arm brace according to claim 4 wherein the resilient rigid outer shell comprises overlapping longitudinally 20 extending edges.

6. An arm brace according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising fastening means for securing the brace around the user's arm.

7. An arm brace according to claim 6 wherein the fastening means extends around the entire periphery of the brace.

8. An arm brace according to either claim 6 or 7, wherein 30 the fastening means comprises at least one length of hook and loop material.

9. An arm brace according to any preceding claim wherein the

suspending means comprises at least one hook for suspension from the supporting member.

10. An arm brace according to claim 9 wherein the distance 5 between the tip of the at least one hook and the brace is variably adjustable.

11. An arm brace according to either claim 9 or 10 wherein the at least one hook is secured to the brace by means of a 10 bolt on the brace which is slidable within a longitudinally extending slot on the hook, whereby the bolt can be secured in position within the slot by a nut.

12. An arm brace according to any one of claims 9 to 11 15 wherein mutually engaging projections are provided on adjoining surfaces of the at least one hook and the brace for restricting relative movement therebetween.

13. An arm brace according to any one of claims 6 to 12 20 wherein the fastening means at least partially encloses the suspending means when fastened.

14. An arm brace according to any preceding claim whereby, in use, the arm brace supports some but not all of the user's 25 weight.

15. An arm brace according to any one of claims 1 to 13 whereby, in use, the arm brace supports substantially all of the user's weight.

16. A method of performing exercise, the method comprising positioning an arm brace according to any one of claims 1 to 15 around a user's arm, and suspending the suspending means

from a supporting member.

17. An apparatus for stretching a user's back, the apparatus comprising an arm brace according to any one of claims 1 to 5 15.

18. An arm brace substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.

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19. A method of performing exercise substantially as hereinbefore described.