INTEGRATED GARMENT AND CONFIGURABLE BODY SUPPORT SYSTEM

Abstract

A jacket or anorak suitable for day-to-day use is integrated with a selectively deployable configurable body support system. A support section comprising resilient, substantially parallel transverse members extends across a back area of the jacket perpendicular to an axis substantially parallel to a spine of the user. The transverse members are non-inflatable, inflatable with a portable pump, or self-inflatable. Removable flexible rods extend axially along opposite transverse sides of the support section. The flexible rods are each a lamellar structure operable to provide a first or a second degree of stiffness. The support section is removably secured within the garment. Leg support sections are stored in front sections of the jacket or anorak. The leg sections are removable and may be releasably secured to a lower end of the back support section, with the back support section and leg support sections being supported to a substrate.

Claims

1. A combined garment and body support system comprising: a garment comprising at least a vest; a back section fixed to said vest, said back section comprising a first set of transverse members axially distributed along an axis designed to be substantially in registration with a spine of a user wearing said garment; a first leg section comprising a second set of transverse members and a second leg section comprising a third set of transverse members, each leg section comprising fastening means for releasably securing to said back section; a transversely disposed lamellar structure; and axially disposed passages formed in said back section for releasably containing flexible rod-like structures.

2. A combined garment and body support system according to claim 1 wherein said garment comprises a jacket having a shell and said back section is disposed inside of the shell.

3. A combined garment and body support system according to claim 2 further comprising a substrate to which said back section is fixed.

4. A combined garment and body support system according to claim 2 further comprising a lamellar rod disposed in each said axially disposed passage.

5. A combined garment and body support system according to claim 4 each said lamellar rod comprises a lamella having stiffness as a function of a degree to which the lamella is twisted.

6. A combined garment and body support system according to claim 3 wherein said substrate further comprises areas for receiving said first leg section and said second leg section and comprising fasteners for releasably securing said first leg section and said second leg section to said substrate.

7. A combined garment and body support system according to claim 6 wherein said garment comprises first and second front areas, said first and second each comprising a component for storing said first leg section and said second leg section respectively.

8. A combined garment and body support system according to claim 7 wherein said first front area and said second front area each comprises a compartment for containing said first front section and said second front section respectively.

9. A combined garment and body support system according to claim 7 wherein said first front area and said second front area each comprises a fastener releasably securing said first front section and said second front section respectively.

10. A combined garment and body support system according to claim 9 wherein each said fastener comprises at least one hook and mesh fastener.

11. A combined garment and body support system according to claim 10 wherein said transverse members comprise inflatable compartments.

12. A garment comprising: a jacket comprising a body and sleeves, the body comprising a back area, a left side front area, a right side front area and a releasable securing closure mechanism for enabling a user to close the jacket; a back section comprising resilient transversely disposed support members, and a left side leg section and a right side leg section each comprising resilient transversely disposed support members; and a substrate for supporting said back section, said left side leg section, and said right side leg section.

13. A garment according to claim 12 wherein said transverse members are formed in fluid communication.

14. A garment according to claim 13 wherein said garment further comprises an inflation device.

15. A garment according to claim 12 wherein said transverse members are self-inflating.

16. A garment according to claim 12 further comprising axially disposed passages at opposite transverse sides of said back section, said left side leg section, and said right side leg section, each said passage being dimensioned for receiving a flexible rod.

17. A method for operating a combined garment and body support system comprising: providing a garment comprising at least a vest; providing a back section fixed to said vest, said back section comprising a first set of transverse members axially distributed along an axis designed to be substantially in registration with a spine of a user wearing said garment; providing a first leg section comprising a second set of transverse members and a second leg section comprising a third set of transverse members, each leg section comprising fastening means for releasably securing to engage with said back section and selecting none, one, or both of said first leg section and said second leg section to said back section; supporting each said section to an interior of the garment; placing a lamellar structure in the form of a flexible rod at opposite transverse ends of each engaged section; and operating on each said lamellar structure to very stiffness of said lamellar structure.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the step of operating on said lamellar structure comprises twisting said lamellar structure.

19. A method according to claim 18 further providing a lamellar structure transversely disposed in said back section and operating on said transversely disposed lamellar structure in order to vary its stiffness.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the step of operating on said transversely disposed lamellar structure in order to vary its stiffness comprises pulling on the lamella structures to very thickness and disposing members inside a flexible housing to impede flexing of said lamellar structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present subject matter may be further understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the following drawings:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment constructed in accordance with the present subject matter;

[0013] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an airplane seat;

[0014] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a substrate for support members in the present apparatus;

[0015] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a support system;

[0016] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the support system;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial detailed isometric view of support sections;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of support sections disposed in the garment;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 4 illustrating a first form of a support member;

[0021] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 4 illustrating a second form of a support member;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 4 illustrating a valve in a support member and selectable inflation devices;

[0023] FIG. 12 is an elevation of a flex rod;

[0024] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

[0025] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12;

[0026] FIG. 15 is a side elevation of the flex rod of FIG. 13 illustrating the flex rod in a first state;

[0027] FIG. 16 is a side elevation of the flex rod of FIG. 13 illustrating the flex rod in a second state;

[0028] FIG. 17 is an elevation of a transversely disposed flexible rod;

[0029] FIG. 18 is a side elevation of the flexible rod;

[0030] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible rod of FIG. 17 taken along lines 19-19 of FIG. 17 in a first state; and

[0031] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible rod of FIG. 19 in a second state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment 10 constructed in accordance with the present subject matter. The garment 10 comprises a garment for fitting around at least a torso of a user. The garment 10 may, for example, comprise a jacket, anorak, i.e., a parka, or a vest. In the present illustration, the garment 10 comprises a jacket 12 having a jacket body 14, a removable hood 13, a collar 16, and sleeves 18. A front opening 24 is provided which may use a closure device 26. The closure device 26 most conveniently comprises a zipper or a set of buttons. The garment 10 cooperates with a support system 40 (FIG. 4). The garment 10 is usable with the support system 40 or without the support system 40.

[0033] The jacket body 14 includes an interior 30 comprising a back area 54, a right side area 56 and a left-sided area 58. The interior 30 may include a lining 36. The resolution of the jacket body 14 into these particular areas is for illustration of one preferred embodiment. A manufacturer could divide the garment 10 structure into other areas. Back, right side, and left side are used in their ordinary sense. Particular boundaries between areas need not be specifically defined.

[0034] The garment 10 will store body supports such as those illustrated in FIG. 3 within various areas. The structure of the garment 10 allows garment 10 to be worn in a normal manner while storing the body supports. The support system 40 is configurable. Components (FIG. 4) of the support system 40 are stored in and easily removable from respective storage areas and are selectively deployed within the support system 40.

[0035] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an airplane seat 100. The airplane seat 100 is representative of many forms of transport seating. Other padded seats may be found in railroad trains or some boats. Hard seating may be found in ferries, buses, and commuter light rail. The airplane seat 100 comprises a base 110 supporting a seat 116. The seat 116 for purposes of the present description is shown as being unitary with a seat back 120. Generally, the seat 116 will include a removable cushion. A pivot mechanism 124 is generally provided for selectable angular displacement of the back 120 with respect to the seat 116.

[0036] The airplane seat 100 provides many disadvantageous features. These features may include non-uniformities of support in the seat 116 such as depressed areas in a seat cushion. Wooden bench seats have splinters. Hard plastic seats may have uncomfortable contours. All forms of seating will harbor contaminants. Contaminants may include microbes, spilled liquids, traces of fecal matter, dust, and dirt that may be present on the seat 116. Textile seats that include padding are particularly hospitable to microbes and will store other contaminants more effectively than hard seats. The body support system of FIG. 4 will provide a barrier between a user and contaminants.

[0037] The present body support system may be useful in alleviating discomfort, the potential for injury, and other health hazards of airplane seating in particular. Seating in airplanes has become increasingly cramped. This is in part due to deregulation of airlines in the United States. An article entitled The Problem with Reclining Airplane Seat Design by Tara Parker-Pope, at http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/08/reclining-airplane-seat-design/?_r=0, Sep. 8, 2014 points out that seat pitch is a good approximation of how much seat and leg room a passenger can expect. Seat pitch is the distance from any point on one seat to a corresponding point on the seat in front or behind it. The measurement on short-haul flights averages about 31 inches, or 79 cm, on most flights, ranging from a tight 28 inches or 71 cm, on some airlines to a roomy 38 to 39 inches or 98 cm on a few. The standard of about 31 inches or 79 cm is tight. A pitch of 28 inches or 71 cm is incredibly tight.

[0038] Passengers who are confined to tight seats and who cannot move comfortably are at risk for painful hot spots. Hot spots are precursors to the bed sores of the type that occur in nursing home patients who are not moved frequently. A greater concern is economy seat syndrome. The term economy seat syndrome was coined to identify the effects of blood clots developed in the deep veins of the legs, deep vein thrombosis, after sitting for prolonged periods in cramped conditions, notably the coach sections of commercial airplanes. Deep vein thrombosis is a potentially deadly condition.

[0039] In tightly spaced airplane seats, a passenger must bend one support system section at a greater angle to a next body section than in properly spaced airplane seats. The shins are bent with respect to the thighs and the thighs are bent with respect to the torso. The present system allows a user to sit in a manner in which adjacent body sections are less rigidly angled with respect to one another. Therefore, use of the present system may facilitate a user's ability to employ preventive measures such as massaging feet, ankles, lower legs, and knees to move blood out of the legs and toward the heart and exercising calf muscles by clenching toes. Resilience of the body support system 40 alleviates the stiff, fixed position of a passenger in a cramped seat 100.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a substrate 200. In the present description, upper and lower refer to comparative positions in a direction from a head of a user toward the feet of the user. These terms do not refer to a spatial relationship with objects not included in the support system 40. The substrate 200 is constructed of a sturdy textile such as canvas or is constructed of a synthetic material. The substrate 200 supports a back substrate section 210 for fitting in the back area 54 of the garment 10 (FIG. 1). The back substrate section 210 functions as an inner lining. The back substrate section 210 comprises an inner lining element for the back area 54 of the jacket or anorak 12. The substrate 200 can selectively support a right substrate section 214 for fitting in the right side area 56, and a left substrate section 218 for fitting in the left side area 58. Flex rods 224 are disposed along transverse sides of each of the substrate sections 210, 214, and 218 in an axial direction. Compartments 226 are each formed extending axially at opposite transverse sides of the back substrate section 210. Each compartment 226 comprises an elongated chamber dimensioned for receiving a flex rod 224. These flex rods 224 are easy to remove from the chambers 226. Each substrate section 210, 214, and 218 may be referred to as an inner lining.

[0041] All inner lining elements are easy to remove or put back. The chambers 226 may include at least one closure member 228 located at one or more ends of the chamber 226. The flex rod 224 may comprise an integral or discrete flexible end section 229 at an axial end thereof having a fixed flexibility. The flexible end section 229 in one preferred form is approximately 3 inches or 8 cm long. Use of the flexible end section 229 allows lower portions 214 and 218 of the substrate 200 to bend so as to decrease the axial length of each of the lower portions 214 and 218 to allow greater rotation about the seam 230. This allows a user to push the lower sections 214 and 218 toward the base 110 of the seat 100. Consequently, the user may allow others to pass by the lower section 214 and 218 without the user's having to remove the lower sections 214 and 218.

[0042] As further explained below with respect to FIGS. 12-16, the flex rods 224 are settable to provide a first preselected level of tension within the flex rods 224 in a first state or a second preselected level of tension within each flex rod 224 in a second state. When a flex rod 224 is in the first state, it is flexible. When a flex rod 224 is in the second state, it has a degree of stiffness sufficient to prevent conformance of the substrate 200 to the contour of the seat 100 (FIG. 2) under the weight of a user.

[0043] In one preferred form, the back substrate section 210 is fixed in the back area 54 (FIG. 1) of the garment 10. To assemble the substrate 200, the right substrate section 214 is removed from the right side area 56, and the left substrate section 218 is removed from the left side area 58 (FIG. 1). Upper ends of the right substrate section 214 and the left substrate section 218 are releasably secured to a lower border panel 230 at a lower end of the back substrate section 210. One preferred form of fastening is with hook and mesh strips, generally referred to by the trademark Velcro. The lower border panel 230 is partially broken away to show hook and mesh fasteners 242 at upper ends of the right substrate section 214 and the left substrate section 218. A portion of the lower border panel 230 is turned up to show the mesh portion 244 of the hook and mesh fastener 242.

[0044] FIG. 4 is an isometric view, partially broken away, of a first embodiment of the support system 40. A resilient back support 300 is secured to the back support substrate section 210 and includes a chamber 304. Resilience may be provided by fulfilling, self-inflatable foam filling, or fluid filling such as air or carbon dioxide. The resilient back support 300 may be inflatable or self-inflatable, having a valve 308 to vent or to seal the chamber 304. The chamber 304 comprises a plurality of parallel transversely disposed resilient bars 320. The bars 320 are separated by transversely extending separator bars 324. At opposite transverse ends of the resilient bars 320, passages 330 keep the resilient bars 320 in fluid communication within the chamber 304.

[0045] In one preferred form, the resilient back support 300 is self-inflating. The resilient bars 320 each house a foam body 334. When the resilient back support 300 is uninflated, the foam bodies 334 are compressed. The valve 308 is closed, and the foam bodies 334 remain compressed. When the valve 308 is open, air enters the chamber 304. As outside and inside air pressures equalize, the foam bodies 334 decompress and the chamber 304 inflates.

[0046] A resilient right leg support 340 is fixed to the right substrate section 214 of the substrate 200. The right leg support 340 includes a chamber 346 having a valve 348. The chamber 346 comprises a plurality of parallel transversely disposed resilient bars 350. The bars 350 are separated by transversely extending separator bars 354. At opposite transverse ends of the resilient bars 350, passages 356 keep the resilient bars 350 in fluid communication.

[0047] A resilient left leg support 360 is fixed to the left substrate section 218. The left leg support 360 includes a chamber 366 for having a valve 368. The chamber 366 comprises a plurality of parallel transversely disposed resilient bars 370. The bars 370 are separated by transversely extending separator bars 374. At opposite transverse ends of the resilient bars 370, passages 376 keep the resilient bars 370 in fluid communication.

[0048] Each of the chambers 304, 346, and 366 may be inflated using devices illustrated in FIG. 11 below. Alternatively, each of the chambers 304, 346, and 366 may be self-inflatable or non-inflatable. Before or after the support system 40 is inflated, a user may select tension in the flex rods 224.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the support system 40. A headrest 404 is provided at the top of the back support section 300. The headrest 404 may be inflatable and may communicate with the chamber 304 or comprise a separate chamber. The headrest 404 may be self-inflatable. The headrest 404 may be secured to the anorak hood 13. This hood 13 is releasably secured to the anorak 12 and can be replaced with a conventional anorak hood 13 when desired. A right side pillow 410 and a left side pillow 420 may be provided at opposite transverse sides of the back support section 300. Each of the side pillows 410 and 420 may be inflatable and may communicate with the chamber 304 or comprise a separate chamber. Alternatively, the side pillows 410 and 420 may be self-inflatable. One or all of the headrest 404, right side pillow 410, and left side pillow 420 may comprise a solid foam member. Alternatively, the side pillows 410 and 420 may be integrated in a lower portion of the back support section 300. The side pillows 410 and 420 provide cushioning to a user in a transport carrier seat or when reclining on a hard surface.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a partial detailed perspective view of resilient bars 320 in the back support section 300. This disposition of support sections is also representative of the support sections in the right leg support section 340 and the left leg section 360 (FIG. 4). The separator bars 324 may each comprise a strip wherein an upper layer is welded to a lower layer. Substantially parallel separator bars 324 define the resilient bars 320. The valve 308 is formed in one resilient bar 320.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of support sections disposed in the garment 10. The back support section 300 is fixed to the back area 54. The back support section 300 may be releasably secured or sewn into the back area 54 of the garment 10.

[0052] The right leg support 340 is removably secured in the right side area 56, and the left leg support 360 is removably secured in the left side area 58. Securing means could comprise a hook and mesh fasteners, buttons, zippers, or pockets in which the right leg support 340 and left leg support 360 may be readily inserted or from which they may be readily removed. In the present illustration, the right leg support 340 is supported to the right side area 56 and the left side leg support 360 is supported to the left side area 58 by hook and mesh fasteners 440. The dimensions of the right leg section 340 and the left leg section 360 are selected to permit the right and left sides to close normally over a user wearing the garment 10. The right leg section 340 and the left leg section 360 may each be constructed to weigh under 500 grams, or about one pound.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7. The support system 40 is fixed to the garment 10 by securing the back support section 300 to the interior 30, and preferably the back area 54. The substrate 200 is fixed to the back area 54. The back support section 300 is fixed to the substrate 200. The back support section 300 includes an interior layer 448 and an outer layer 450. The chamber 304 and the passages 330 are formed between the interior layer 448 and the outer layer 450. The back support section 300 may be fixed to the lining 36 or may be fitted within a recess and affixed directly to the interior 30. The back support section 300 may be releasably secured to the lining 36 or the back area 54 to allow use of a garment 10 having a removable lining 36, so that the support system 40 may be used whether the lining 36 is included or not included in the garment 10. Consequently, the range of seasons over which the garment 10 is used is increased.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 4 illustrating a first form of a back support section 300. The back support section 300 comprises the interior layer 448 and the outer layer 450. Pairs of substantially parallel separator bars 324 define resilient bars 320 therebetween. The resilient bars 320 are inflated with air to provide resilient support. This embodiment is inflatable in conjunction with the devices described with respect to FIG. 11 below.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view also taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 4 illustrating a second form of a back support section 300. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the resilient bars 320 are self-inflatable. The chamber 304 is filled with foam 470. When the chamber 304 is deflated, the back support section 300 is substantially flattened. The foam 470 is compressed. Valve 308 (FIG. 4) is closed. Air pressure in the chamber 304 is less than atmospheric pressure. The chamber 304 remains deflated. In order to return the back support section 300 to an inflated state in which resiliency is maximized, the valve 308 is opened. Air enters the chamber 304 and the foam 470 returns to its decompressed shape. The valve 308 is then closed.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 4 illustrating a valve 308, 348, or 368 (FIG. 4) in the back support section 300 and selectable inflation devices. A manual pump 480 has an outlet 482 comprising a check valve 484. The outlet 482 fits in the valve 308, 348, and 368. A bulb 486 is compressible by a user to pump air into the back support section 300. In the alternative, inflation may be provided by a pressurized pump 490 having a nozzle 492. A manually activated valve 494 selectively communicates a source of pressurized fluid 496 with the nozzle 492. The source of pressurized fluid 496 may comprise a carbon dioxide cartridge 498. Compartments may be provided in the garment 10 to house the pumps 480 and 490. Both pumps 480 and 490 may be light weight for convenient inclusion in the garment 10.

[0057] FIG. 12 is an elevation of the flex rod 224. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12, which is perpendicular to the view of FIG. 13. FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 are discussed together.

[0058] Each of the flex rods 224 may have the same construction. Lengths of the flex rods 224 in the back support section 300 (FIG. 4) are longer than the lengths of the right leg section 460 and the left leg section 464. In one preferred embodiment, the selection may be made between a first or second degree of stiffness. In a first state, the flex rod 224 is substantially deformable to the contour of a surface. In a second state, the flex rod 224 resists deformation. When the flex rod 224 is in a first state, the sections 300, 460, and 464 may be retained in the garment 10 and generally conform to the contours of the garment 10 as it moves in response to movements of a user. When the user is going to employ the system 40, the right leg section 460 and left leg section 464 are removed from the garment 10 and affixed to the back support section 300 (FIG. 4). The flex rods 224 are moved into the second state.

[0059] In accordance with the present subject matter, the stiffness of the flex rod 224 is selectable. In the present context, stiffness is examined with respect to bending of the flex rods 224. A bending stiffness K is the resistance of a member against bending deformation. It is a function of elastic modulus E, an area moment of inertia I of the beam cross-section about the axis of interest, length of the beam, and beam boundary condition. Bending stiffness of a beam can analytically be derived from the equation of beam deflection when it is applied by a force.

[0060] K=p/w where p is the applied force and w is the deflection. According to elementary beam theory, the relationship between the applied bending moment M and the resulting curvature of the beam is:

M=EI=EId.sup.2w/dx.sup.2

[0061] where w is the deflection of the beam and x is the distance along the beam. Double integration of the above equation leads to computing the deflection of the beam, and in turn, the bending stiffness of the beam. Bending stiffness in beams is also known as flexural rigidity. Although deflection need not be calculated in use of the present system 40, calculation of K provides a measure of relative stiffness.

[0062] As seen in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, a flex rod 224 comprises tubular sections 502. The tubular silicone rubber sections 502 are inserted into cylindrical coupling members 510. Each cylindrical coupling member 510 includes a recess 512 having an inner diameter dimension for receiving a tubular section 502. Successive tubular sections 502 and coupling members 510 are mounted coaxially along an axis 520. Stiffness is provided by a lamellar body 530. The lamellar body 530 is made of highly flexible acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. The lamellar body 530 extends along the axis 520 of the flex rod 224. In the present embodiment, the lamellar body 530 extends the entire length of the flex rod 224 and beyond in order to provide an axial section to which a radial lever 540 is mounted. In the first state, the lamellar structure 530 is substantially planar without any torque applied thereto. The lamellar structure 530 comprises a plurality of lamellae 546. A lamella 546 is a thin plate-like structure, often one amongst many lamellae very close to one another, with open space between. In the present illustration, the lamellae 546 are deformable when twisted around the axis 520.

[0063] FIG. 13 illustrates the accordion-like structure of the tubular sections 502 along the axis 520. The tubular sections 502 include compressible ridges 550. FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the compressible ridges 550.

[0064] FIG. 15 is a side elevation of the flex rod of FIG. 13 illustrating the flex rod 224 in a first state. FIG. 16 is a side elevation of the flex rod of FIG. 13 illustrating the flex rod 224 in a second state. In order to change from the first state to the second state, the radial lever 540 is rotated 90 from the initial position illustrated in FIG. 15. The radial lever 540 is rotated as seen in FIG. 16. The lever 540 twists the lamellar structure 530. When turned 90 the lamellae become substantially rigid, but not completely undeformable. This change of state renders the flex rods 224 stiffer in order to allow a passenger to sit in a system 40 having its own shape. The passenger need not conform to the contours of the seat 100. When a user leaves a seat the user rotates the lever 540 back to the position illustrated in FIG. 15 to relieve torque on the lamellar structure 530, which returns to its initial state of flexibility.

[0065] FIG. 17 is an elevation of flexible rod 624 which will be disposed in a transverse direction, i.e., substantially horizontally. FIG. 18 is a side elevation of the flexible rod 624. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible rod 624 of FIG. 17 taken along lines 19-19 of FIG. 17 in a first state. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible rod 624 of FIG. 19 in a second state. FIGS. 17, 18, 19, and 20 are taken together.

[0066] The components are disposed coaxially along an axis 620. Silicone rubber hose sections 630 are preferably spaced equidistantly and join intermediate ABS plastic tube sections 634. Flexible rod 624 may comprise any of a number of selected materials. Rubber hose and plastic tube sections are preferable since they are light weight and not subject to corrosion. The flexible rod 624 is installed independently of the flexible rods 224 to allow for independent bending. A flexible polymer wire 650 extends along the axis 620. A force is applied axially on the flexible polymer wire 650.

[0067] The ABS plastic tube sections 634 are longer than the flexible joint section 630. Inside of each ABS tube 634 is a rod 636 having an outer diameter dimensioned to slide within an inner diameter of each ABS tube 634. The rod 636 comprises glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). Each rod 636 is connected to a next rod 636 with the flexible polymer wire 650. When the rods 636 are inside the ABS tubes 634, the flexible rod 624 will bend. When axial force is applied to the polymer wire 650, the inner rods 636 slide from one tube 634 to a next tube 634 until the inner rod 636 is positioned between two ABS tubes 634 and rests axially within one rubber hose section 630. The rubber hose section 630 is prevented from flexing because it surrounds the GRP inner rod 636. Consequently, the flexible rod 624 becomes rigid.

[0068] FIG. 19 illustrates the flexible rod 624 in a first, flexible state. FIG. 20 illustrates the flexible rod 624 in a second non-flexible state. In order to transition from the first state to the second state, tensile force is applied to the flexible cord 650 to pull the lamellar structures 636 axially to increase tensile stress. The lamellae interact to render the flexible rod 624 substantially rigid.

[0069] It is to be understood that although the present invention, has been described with regard to preferred embodiments thereof, various other embodiments and variants may occur to those skilled in the art, which are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and such other embodiments and variants are intended to be covered by the following claims.