Posture and Lifting Orthotic

Abstract

The present invention describes an orthotic back brace. The device comprises shoulder poster straps that are attached to a first waist belt. The shoulder posture straps tighten around the shoulders of the user when the user leans forward, thereby preventing the form of motion. Instead this system will force the user to bend at the knees keeping proper lifting posture. The device can be utilized to prevent back injuries, to support the back, and promote proper posture, which can cut down on back related injuries in the workplace.

Claims

1) A posture and lifting orthotic, the orthotic comprising: a belt, wherein the belt is configured to apply pressure to the wearer; wherein the belt is sized to fit around a human waist and at least from the naval region to the lower buttocks' region; a pair of shoulder straps connected to a top portion of the belt.

2) The orthotic of claim 1, further comprising a buckle located on each of the shoulder straps.

3) The orthotic of claim 1, further comprising a strap adjustment located on each shoulder strap.

4) The orthotic of claim 1, further comprising a waist belt, wherein the waist belt is configured to wrap around the human waist.

5) The orthotic of claim 4, wherein the waist belt is connected to the orthotic such that it will wrap around the waist after the belt is secured into place.

6) The orthotic of claim 1, further comprising padding located on an underside of each shoulder strap.

7) The orthotic of claim 1, wherein the belt is secured via a hook and loop fastener.

8) The orthotic of claim 1, wherein the belt is an elastic belt.

9) A posture and lifting orthotic, the orthotic comprising: a belt, wherein the belt is configured to apply pressure to the wearer; wherein the belt is sized to fit around a human waist and at least from the naval region to the lower buttocks' region; a pair of shoulder straps connected the belt; wherein the shoulder straps are connected to the belt via a loop system; wherein the loop system is comprised of a loop attached to the hip region of the belt; wherein the shoulder straps are configured to be closed straps that will be placed through the loops.

10) The orthotic of claim 9, further comprising a buckle located on each of the shoulder straps.

11) The orthotic of claim 9, further comprising a strap adjustment located on each shoulder strap.

12) The orthotic of claim 9, further comprising a waist belt, wherein the waist belt is configured to wrap around the human waist.

13) The orthotic of claim 12, wherein the waist belt is connected to the orthotic such that it will wrap around the waist after the belt is secured into place.

14) The orthotic of claim 9, further comprising padding located on an underside of each shoulder strap.

15) The orthotic of claim 9, wherein the belt is secured via a hook and loop fastener.

16) The orthotic of claim 9, wherein the belt is an elastic belt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the back brace.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the back brace while worn by the user.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the pulley mechanism of the present invention

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the waist attachment mechanism of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 5A shows a view of the forces applied onto the user by the present invention while standing.

[0026] FIG. 5B shows a view of the forces applied onto the user by the present invention while performing a bending action.

[0027] FIG. 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of the posture and lifting orthotic.

[0028] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the posture and lifting orthotic on a user.

[0029] FIG. 8 shows a side view of an embodiment of the posture and lifting orthotic with movable straps.

[0030] FIG. 9 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the posture and lifting orthotic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the orthotic back brace. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for posture correction and proper lifting techniques. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of the orthotic back bracing device 10. The back brace device 10 comprises an upper body assembly 16, a lower body assembly 17, and an adjustable lower waist belt 13. The upper body assembly 16 is comprised of central chest strap 18 and a pair of posture correcting shoulder straps 19 and 20. The lower body assembly is comprised of a set of pulley assemblies 11 and 12 secured to opposite sides of a lower waist belt 13. The pulley assemblies 11, 12 each contain an adjustable lower strap assembly 14, 15 that are connected to the upper body assembly at central chest strap 18.

[0033] To allow for a customized fit, the orthotic back bracing device 10 provides a multitude of adjustable support straps. The device 10 is equipped with a customizable lower waist belt 13 comprising an adjustable hook and loop fastener strap 21 to provide a tightened fit around the waist of the user. The unit also comprises adjustable lower body straps 14, 15 that comprise the lower body assembly 17 and a central chest strap 18 and upper adjustable strap assemblies 19, 20 that comprise the upper body assembly. The upper 16 and lower 17 body assemblies are attached to each other at the central chest strap 18 of the upper body assembly 16.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a detailed view of the components of the pulley assembly 11. The pulley assembly 11 is shown to be a free spinning pulley within a housing allowing a strap 14 to surround a low friction rotating pulley wheel 22 with a centrally located pin 23 from which the wheel rotates and promotes the movement of the lower strap system 14 with the associated movement of the user. The pulley freely rotates about the pin and can be supported using a pulley bearing for free rotation thereof.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the actions taken to correctly apply the orthotic back brace around the waist of the user. As shown, each side of the waist belt 13 comprises an attached fastener 21. The belt 13 is secured in place by locking one portion of the waist belt on to the opposite side of the belt. Examples of securement mechanisms 21 that are covered by the present invention are hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO), snap fittings, clasping mechanisms, strap tensioners, locking pulleys, etc. The securement mechanisms can be used to secure and adjust each of the components of the upper and lower body assemblies and allows the user to adjust the tightness of the belt around the body, thus enabling a therapeutic fitting.

[0036] FIGS. 5A and 5B detail the forces acted on the user by the back bracing device 10. As shown in FIG. 5A there are no forces acting on the user when a bending motion is not performed. A lack of substantial forces while in rest enables the bracing system to be used in times of leisure FIG. 5A, as well as during times of activity as in FIG. 5B. Alternate embodiments wherein the upper 19, 20 and lower straps 14, 15 are formed from one continuous piece and/or comprise additional paddings for added comfort are also covered within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 5B details the actions of the bracing unit 10 on the user's upper body when performing a bending motion. When a bending motion is performed the forward movement of the adjustably fitted shoulder straps 19, 20 and accompanying lower straps 14, 15 cause the pulley wheel 22 of the pulley assembly 11 to rotate about the pin 23. The pulley assembly 11, 12, 14, 15 does not prevent a user from bending forward but instead enables one to maintain proper posture while performing a forward or sideways bend. The orthotic back brace device 10 utilizes the pulley assembly to tighten around the shoulders of a user when performing a bending action, thereby preventing hunching or shrugging of the shoulders while bending. This reactive bracing device prevents hunching, shrugging, and other injury promoting actions while lifting heavy or bulky objects, and instead promotes and teaches a proper posture stance which can cut down on back related injuries. The device is in contrast to a static orthotic that tends to restrict the user's motions rather than correct the posture of the user during the operation.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a side view of an embodiment of the posture and lifting orthotic. This embodiment of the posture and lifting orthotic is comprised of a first belt 601. The first belt 601 is configured to wrap around at least the waist of a human. In one embodiment the first belt 601 is configured to fit a user such that a top side 601a of the first belt 601 is above the navel and a bottom side 601b of the first belt 601 is below the user's buttocks. In one embodiment the first belt 601 is elastic. In one embodiment the first belt 601 is adjustable. In a further embodiment the first belt 601 is secured around a user using a securement device 603. In one embodiment the securement device 603 is a hook and loop device.

[0039] In some embodiments there is a waist belt 602. The waist belt 602 is configured to fit around the waist of a user. In this embodiment the waist belt 602 is narrower that the first belt 601. The waist belt 602 is configured to add extra support to a user. In some embodiments the waist belt 602 is secured to the first belt 601. In some embodiments the waist belt 602 is elastic. The waist belt 602 secured around the user's waist using a securement device 604. In one embodiment the securement device 604 is a hook and loop device.

[0040] In some embodiments there are shoulder straps 605 attached to the top side 601a of the first belt 601. In one embodiment the shoulder straps 605 have a detachable buckle 606. This buckle 606 will allow the straps 605 to be disconnected at one end. This will allow a user to easily put on and take off the device. In another embodiment the shoulder straps 605 have an adjustable length. In one embodiment the buckle 606 allows for the adjustment of the shoulder straps 605. In another embodiment there is an adjuster 607 that adjusts the shoulder straps 605. In some embodiments the shoulder straps 605 have shoulder pads 608. The shoulder pads 608 are located at a position that will allow the shoulder pads 608 to be on the top side of a wearer's shoulder.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the posture and lifting orthotic on a user. In use a wearer will attach the first belt 601 around their body. The first belt 601 will be located as described above. Next, a user will fix the shoulder straps 605 to the proper length. Lastly, the user secures the waist belt 602. The order in which the device is applied may vary. Once the device is secured the user will be restricted from bending at the waist. This will force an individual to have proper lifting posture. Further, the belts 601, 602 will give the user extra core support allowing them to lift more.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a side view of an embodiment of the posture and lifting orthotic with movable straps. In some embodiments the shoulder straps 605 are dynamic shoulder straps. This means that the shoulder straps are configured to move as a user bends. This will allow the straps to maintain a constant pressure on the wearer instead of the straps loosening and tightening as the wearer bends. In one embodiment the dynamic functionality is accomplished via the connection the shoulder straps 605 have to the first belt 601. In this embodiment there is a connection loop 801 that is attached to the first belt 601 on each hip region. Each shoulder strap 605 is configured to be a continuous shoulder strap and to be located through the loop 801. In the embodiments where there are buckles 606, each shoulder strap 605 will be a continuous shoulder strap 605 when the buckles 606 are connected. This will allow the shoulder straps 605 to move as needed.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a rear view of an embodiment of the posture and lifting orthotic. From this view an alternative embodiment of the shoulder straps 605 is shown. In this embodiment the shoulder straps 605 form a Y across a wearer's back. In the shown embodiment the shoulder straps 605 are attached to a shoulder strap connection strap 605a. The shoulder strap connection strap then connects to the belts 601, 602. The alternative embodiment will help to hold to shoulder straps in place when the device is used. The Y configuration will pull the shoulder straps 605 towards to middle of a user's back and prevent them from sliding from the shoulders.

[0044] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0045] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.