Back support vest

Abstract: A back support vest (10) including a lower back supporting section (20) formed of elastic material that encircles the body in the lumbar and lumbosacral region, an upper back supporting section (40) formed of non-elastic material that encircles the body in the thoracolumbar and thoracic region, and shoulder straps (44) that join the front and rear lateral portions of the upper section. The vest also includes a reinforced section (60) that spans the lower (20) and upper section (40) centering on the dorsolumbar region. The elastic material of the lower section (20) keeps the reinforced section (60) in tension to provide effective support. Additional support is provided by pockets (68, 69) that releasably attach to the rear of the vest and are adapted to hold additional back support devices such as pillows (80), inflatables (82) and moulded spinal orthoses (84).

Description: This invention relates to back support vests and more particularly to vests that provide support of the entire back area from the thoracic to the lumbosacral region. Eight out of ten Americans experience a painful back episode at some time during their lives. One hundred million Americans have serious back problems, and over one-quarter million have back surgery each year. Many devices are known that provide support to specific regions of the back. However, no previously known device provides effective support to the entire back area to maintain the normal curvature of the spine while engaging in various physical activities. Those concerned with these and other problems recognise the need for an improved back support vest. In DE-A-2,709,369 there is disclosed a back support vest as recited in the preamble to claim 1. US-A-4,022,197 discloses an appliance for supporting and/or protecting body portions comprising a pair of rigid sheet-like members adapted to engage predetermined body portions and coupled by elastic material. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved back support vest. According to this invention there is provided a back support vest, comprising a back-supporting section disposed to encircle the human body; means for releasably securing the back-supporting section in body-encircling form; and a pair of shoulder straps disposed to join front and rear lateral portions of the vest; characterised in that: the back-supporting section comprises: a lower back-supporting section of an elastic disposed to encircle the lumbar and lumbosacral region; and an upper back-supporting section of a non-elastic material attached to, and extending above, said lower section and disposed to encircle the thoracolumbar and thoracic region; and in that the vest further comprises: a reinforced section including multiple layers of non-elastic material attached to said vest and disposed to extend from the lower section into the upper section, said reinforced section being centered on and extending across the dorsolumbar region and extending upwardly therefrom; and a pocket at the rear of said vest and disposed to extend across the lower section, said pocket being adapted to selectively receive a support device. Preferably, said means for releasably securing the ends of the lower section includes overlapping ends attached with a presence sensitive contact fastener. Preferably, said means for releasably securing ends of the upper section includes overlapping ends attached with a pressure sensitive contact fastener. The pressure sensitive contact fastener is preferably in the form of a narrow fabric woven in pile form, with uncut and cut loops, and a ribbon woven in velvet form, whereby the narrow fabric can engage the ribbon to be fastened thereto. A suitable such fastener is a velcro-type fastener. The present invention may provide a back support vest including a lower back supporting section formed of elastic material that encircles the body in the lumbar and lumbosacral region, an upper back supporting section formed of non-elastic material that encircles the body in the thoracolumbar and thoracic region, and shoulder straps that join the front and rear lateral portions of the upper section. The vest also includes a reinforced section that spans the lower and upper section centering on the dorsolumbar region. The elastic material of the lower section may keep the reinforced section in tension to provide effective support. Additional support may be provided by pockets that releasably attach to the rear of the vest and are adapted to hold additional back support devices such as pillows, inflatables and moulded spinal orthoses. the vest and are adapted to hold additional back support devices such as pillows, inflatables and moulded spinal orthoses. It is an advantage of the present invention that it provides a back support vest that simultaneously supports the entire back, lifts the chest to move the shoulders back to a released position, and maintains the natural curvature of the spine. A further advantage of the invention is that it provides a back support vest that is washable and easy to maintain. Still another advantage is that it provides a back support vest that is durable. A still further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a back support vest that moulds to the wearer's body, is cool and comfortable, and can be worn under street clothes without being noticeable. Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the back support vest of the present invention showing the front side having overlapping ends with the Velcro-type fastener to secure the vest in body encircling position, and the adjustable shoulder straps; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the rear of the vest having the selectively detachable pockets secured by Velcro strips; Figure 3 is a rear elevational view showing the detachable pockets in place; Figure 4 is a front elevational view; Figure 5 is a side elevational view; Figure 6 is a top plan view; Figure 7 is a bottom plan view; Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the positioning of supporting devices in the detachable pockets; and Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the rear of the vest in an open layed-out configuration, and showing the orientation of the supporting devices in the detachable pockets. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 shows the back support vest 10 of the present invention. The vest 10 includes a lower back supporting section 20 made of parallel panels 22, 24, 26 of elastic material joined by stitching 21. The lower panel 20 encircles the lumbar and lumbosacral region of the human body. An upper back supporting section 40 is formed of non-elastic material attached to the lower section 30. The upper section 40 encircles the body in the thoracolumbar and thoracic region. The rear of the upper section 40 extends up to the neck area while the front extends only over the abdomen up to the chest area. The front of the lower section 20 and the upper section 40 have overlapping ends that carry Velcro-type fasteners 30, 32 secured to the entire opposing surfaces of the overlapping ends to provide a large area of contact which results in a secure attachment and reliable support. A pair of selectively, adjustable shoulder straps 44 are formed by joining extensions 46, 48 by Velcro-type fasteners 50, 52. As best shown in Figures 8 and 9, a reinforced section 60 is attached by stitching to the rear of the vest 10. The reinforced section 60 is formed of a triple layer of non-elastic material that spans the lower section 20 and the upper section 40, and is centered on and extends across the dorsolumbar region. The elastic material of the lower section 20 keeps the reinforced section 60 in tension to provide effective support to the dorsolumbar region when the vest 10 is worn. A pair of sleeves 62, 63, including slit openings 64, 65 are formed in the rear of the vest 10 to receive vertical supports 66, 67 formed of bone, wire mesh, or other suitable material. The rear of the vest 10 carries a detachable pocket 68 and an auxiliary pocket 69 attached by Velcro strips 70, 72 as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. The pockets 68, 69 are adapted to selectively receive a number of supporting devices such as pillows 80, inflatables 82, and moulded spinal orthoses 84. The vest 10 may be made in a number of standard sizes, e.g., small, medium, large, extra large. Also, the overlapping ends and the shoulder straps can be selectively positioned to provide a proper fit for each individual user. When in use, the vest 10 simultaneously supports the entire back, lifts the chest, and maintains the natural curvature of the spine while the user engages in various physical activities. Thus, it can be seen that at least all of the stated objectives have been achieved. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims: A back support vest (10), comprising a back-supporting section (20,40) disposed to encircle the human body; means (30,32) for releasably securing the back-supporting section in body-encircling form; and a pair of shoulder straps (44) disposed to join front and rear lateral portions of the vest (10); characterised in that: the back-supporting section comprises: a lower back-supporting section (20) of an elastic disposed to encircle the lumbar and lumbosacral region; and an upper back-supporting section (40) of a non-elastic material attached to, and extending above, said lower section (20) and disposed to encircle the thoracolumbar and thoracic region; and in that the vest further comprises: a reinforced section (60) including multiple layers of non-elastic material attached to said vest and disposed to extend from the lower section (20) into the upper section (40), said reinforced section being centered on and extending across the dorsolumbar region and extending upwardly therefrom; and a pocket (68) at the rear of said vest and disposed to extend across the lower section (20), said pocket (68) being adapted to selectively receive a support device (80;82;84). A back support vest (10) according to claim 1 and further comprises an auxiliary pocket (69) at the rear of said vest above said pocket (68) and disposed to extend across the upper section (40), said auxiliary pocket (69) being adapted to selectively receive a support device (80;82;84). A back support vest (10) according to claim 1 or 2 and further comprising vertical supports (66,67) attached to the rear of said vest and disposed to span the lower section (20) and upper section (40) in spaced parallel relationship to the spine. A back support vest (10) according to claim 3, wherein each of said vertical supports (66,67) is carried in a sleeve (62,63) in the rear of said vest. A back support vest according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said means for releasably securing the ends of the lower section (20) includes overlapping ends attachable together with a pressure sensitive contact fastener (30,32). A back support vest according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said means for releasably securing ends of the upper section includes overlapping ends attachable together with a pressure sensitive contact fastener (30,32). A back support vest according to claim 5, wherein said fastener (30,32) extends over the entire opposing surfaces of the overlapping ends. A back support vest according to claim 6, wherein said fastener (30,32) extends over the entire opposing surfaces of the overlapping ends. A back support vest according to any preceding claim, wherein said shoulder straps (44) are selectively adjustable. A back support vest according to claim 8, wherein said sleeves (62,63) include slit openings (64,65) for selective removal and insertion of said vertical supports (66,67). A back support vest according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said back support device is selected from a group consisting of pillows (80), inflatable (82) and moulded spinal orthoses (84). A back support vest according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said pocket (68) is selectively detachable from the rear of said vest (10). A back support vest according to claim 12, wherein said pocket (68) is attached with a pressure sensitive contact fastener (70,72). A back support according to claim 2 and any of claims 3 to 13 when appended thereto, wherein said supporting device is a pillow (80), or an inflatable (82) or a moulded spinal orthoses (84). A back support vest according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said auxiliary pocket (69) is selectively detachable from the rear of said vest (10). A back support according to claim 2, or any of claims 3 to 15 when appended thereto, wherein said auxiliary pocket (69) is attached with a pressure sensitive contact fastener (70,72).

Inventors: DEWALL TERRY L, DEWALL, TERRY L.
Applicants: DEWALL TERRY L, DEWALL, TERRY L.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A41D1, A41D13, A61F5