UPPER TORSO GARMENT WITH INTEGRAL BACK SUPPORT

Abstract: An upper torso garment including an integrally formed back support member adapted to engage the lumbar region of a wearer. A pair of straps (22, 24) extend longitudinally from the ends of the support member and terminate in loops to engage the knees of the wearer when the wearer is seated on the ground or on a backless support such as a bench, or the like. The force of the wearer's knees on the straps (22, 24) pulls the back supporting member against the back of the wearer supporting the back and enabling the wearer to sit upright comfortably for extended periods of time.

Description: The present invention relates to an upper torso garment. From US-A-4 625 335 it is known an overalls or a similar article of apparel which carries, integrally therewith, a rescue and safety harness, sewn to the garment or otherwise permanently affixed thereto which comprises a strap section running down the user's backbone, two oblique strap-sections which attain and surround the user's iliac crests and extend frontally, and two sections running along the user's groinlines and along the user's thigh-glutei lines. DE-A1-3 335 668 shows a harness which is always separate from the article of apparel worn by the user. This harness comprises two straps running from the shoulder to the feet and is used for little children in order to adjust and fix luxated hip-joints. In many outdoor activities, an individual must be seated upright on a flat surface without a rigid back support, such as on the ground or a floor, or in a backless chair, bench or the like. For example, spectators at athletic games often sit for extended periods of time on backless benches. Similarly, hunters and/or other outdoorsmen may be required to sit on various types of backless supports when hunting, eating, sitting by a fire, and the like. Many persons find such positions uncomfortable because of the lack of support at the lumbar region and such discomfort will often occur after a relatively short period of time for persons with poor posture and/or weak back structures. The object of the invention is to provide the upper torso garment with a back supporting device to enable one to sit upright comfortably for long periods of time without a rigid back support. This object is solved by an upper torso garment having an integral support device for supporting the back region of a user in a seated position, said garment including a front panel and back panel and openings to accomodate the arms of the user wherein the garment comprises: a flexible, rectangular back supporting member having a length sustantially spanning the width of the back of said user; said back supporting member being integrally formed with said back panel of said garment; elongated straps attached to and extending from the ends of the lenght said back supporting member; said straps forming loops and being of such a length to engage the knees of said user when said user is in a seated position; whereby the force of said user's knees on said straps pulls said back supporting member against the back of said user supporting the same. Advantages and embodiments of the invention are contained in the subclaims. The invention will be now described in detail by means of the accompaning drawings showing : Figure 1 is a perspective view of a garment including the back support in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a frontal perspective view of an individual seated on a ground surface wearing the garment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a view of a second embodiment of the present invention with a portion partially broken away to show an interior pocket of the garment. Figure 5 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 4 with the straps extended. Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 of Figure 5. Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate an upper torso garment and integrally formed back support member of the present invention. The garment 10 is illustrated as a sleeveless vest, but it will be appreciated that any type of upper torso engaging garment can be used in keeping within the scope of the present invention. As illustrated, the garment 10 includes an integrally formed back-pocket 12 having a suitable opening 14 and interim pocket structure 16. In a preferred embodiment, a support pad 18, which may include a thickened cushion for comfort, is permanently sewn into the pocket 12 formed on the lower part of the back panel 20 of the jacket. A pair of elongated straps 22 and 24 are integrally attached to the support pad 18 and extend from the sides of the back panel 20 to form a pair of loops as shown. Each of the straps 22 and 24 includes a buckle 26 which may be adjustable and which permits the straps to be lengthened or shortened where appropriate. Each of the straps 22 and 24 may also include knee pads 28 which are adjustably positioned along the length of each of the straps 22 and 24 using a suitable support means. Preferably, the jacket would include a rear pocket 30 where the straps may be supported when not in use. The straps 22 and 24 are made of flexible inelastic cloth or slightly elastic cloth material of sufficient strength to withstand the body forces against them when they are used. Referring to Figure 2, a user is shown wearing a jacket 10 of the present invention which includes an integrally formed support pad 18 and straps 22 and 24. In use, the straps are adjusted to fit the particular wearer and then are looped over the knees of the wearer when in a seated position as shown. The straps then pull the support pad 18 against the lumbar region of the wearer's back to provide suitable support. The knee pads 28 are positioned on the wearer's knees. When not in use, the straps may simply be folded and placed in the pocket 30 thereby permitting the jacket to be worn in a normal manner. Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention including an upper torso garment 100 having sleeves. Integrally formed support pad 118 is permanently attached into the garment in a pocket 114 of the garment 100. The support pad 118 is formed of heavy cloth or canvas sewn directly onto the back panel 120 of the garment 100 and extends from a point adjacent the lower lumbar region of a wearer to a second point adjacent the mid-dorsal region of the wearer. In this embodiment, a pair of elongated straps 122 and 124 are suitably attached to a back panel on the garment 100. The straps 122 and 124 also include buckles 126 which may be adjustable and which permit the straps to be lengthened or shortened where appropriate. The garment 100 includes a first pair of anchor straps 130 and 132 which are located immediately adjacent straps 122 and 124 and a second pair of anchor straps 134 and 136 which are located adjacent the upper portion of the support pad 118 at approximately the mid-dorsal region of the back of the wearer of the garment 100. With this arrangement, a user can secure the straps 122 and 124 to the lower anchor straps 130 and 132 thereby forming loops which engage the knees of the wearer in the same manner as described hereinabove. This will pull the support pad 118 against the lumbar region of the wearer's back to provide a suitable support. The user also has the alternative of securing the straps 122 and 124 to the upper anchor straps 134 and 136 which pulls the upper portion of the support pad 118 against the dorsal portion of the wearer's back providing support in this area. Using the upper portion of the support pad 118 and the upper anchor straps 134 and 136 can be particularly useful depending upon the position that the wearer assumes relative to a support surface. For example, with a wearer seated on a flat ground surface and with his knees up in the air, the upper support position is more effective in providing increased support and comfort to the user. The garment 100 includes an exterior pocket 140 having a pair of closure members 142 which are adapted to receive and store the various straps and anchor straps when they are not in use. It will be appreciated that the above embodiments are not limiting and that various changes may be made in the invention in keeping within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: An upper torso garment (101, 100) having an integral support device for supporting the back region of a user in a seated position, said garment including a front panel and back panel (20, 120) and openings to accomodate the arms of the user wherein the garment comprises: a flexible, rectangular back supporting member (18, 118) having a length substantially spanning the width of the back of said user; said back supporting member (18, 118) being integrally formed with said back panel (20, 120) of said garment; elongated straps (22, 24, 122, 124) attached to and extending from the ends of the length of said back supporting member (18, 118); said straps (22, 24) forming loops and being of such a length to engage the knees of said user when said user is in a seated position; whereby the force of said user's knees on said straps pulls said back supporting member (18, 118) against the back of said user supporting the same. The garment of claim 1 wherein said back supporting member (18,118) is a pad including a cushion. The garment of claim 2 wherein said back panel (20, 120) further includes a pocket (12, 114) and said cushion pad (18, 118) is formed within said pocket. The garment of claim 1 further including knee pads (28) slideably positioned on said straps (22, 24); said knee pads (28) being sized to cover the knees of said user when said straps (22, 24) engage the knees of said user. The garment of claim 1 further including adjustable buckle means (26, 126) attached to said straps (22, 24, 122, 124) whereby, in use, the length of said straps may be adjusted to fit a particular user. The garment of claim 1 wherein each of said straps includes a spanning section and a first pair of anchor strap (130, 132) and said spanning sections and said anchor straps (130, 132) are located adjacent said back supporting member (118). The garment of claim 1 wherein said back supporting member (118) extends from a first upper point adjacent the mid-dorsal region of a wearer to a second lower point adjacent the lower lumbar region of a wearer. The garment of claim 7 further including a second pair of anchor straps (134, 136) located above said first anchor straps (130, 132) on said back panel (120) adjacent the mid-dorsal region of said user. The garment of claim 8 further characterized by said second anchor straps (134, 136) being located adjacent said first upper point on said back supporting member (118). The upper torso garment of claim 1 further including an exterior pocket (140) formed on said back panel (120) to accomodate and maintain said straps in a non-use position.

Inventors: TOSO, VICTOR
Applicants: TOSO, VICTOR
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A41D13
IPC codes: A41D1, A41D13, A41F19