Abstract:
A support device that provides support to selected regions of a human body, such as the back, hips, upper thighs and groin areas. The support device comprises an undergarment or bodysuit which is adapted to be disposed against the person&#39;s body and extends from the thorax just below the chest) down to the upper thighs. A support belt is positioned at the loin, hips, and abdomen areas of a wearer and secured thereto by a detachable attachment. Two opposite lateral portions extend downwardly from the support belt and secured to the upper thighs of the wearer by detachable attachments. The detachable attachments are adjustable so as to allow the tension against the person&#39;s body according to the wearer&#39;s preferences.

Description:
This is a non-provisional application of provisional application Ser. No. 60/194,423 filed on Apr. 4, 2000, now pending. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of support devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of braces for providing support to the back, hips, upper thighs and groin areas of a person. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Injuries to body parts such as the back, hips, upper thighs and groin are common and result in excruciating pain. Attempts have been made to provide support to the injured back, hips, upper thighs and groin so that a person can lead a normal life without the help of others or support devices, such as a wheelchair or cane. 
     It is highly desirable to have a very efficient and also very effective design and construction of a support device that is comfortable to wear and provides support to the back, hips, upper thighs and groin areas so that a person wearing the support device can lead a normal life. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a support device that provides support to selected regions of a human body, such as the back, hips, upper thighs and groin areas. 
     The support device comprises an undergarment or bodysuit which is adapted to be disposed against the person&#39;s body and extends from the thorax (just below the chest) down to the upper thighs. Two shoulder straps are provided on top of the undergarment for maintaining the upper portion of the undergarment against the person&#39;s body, wherein a respective one shoulder strap encircles a respective one of the person&#39;s shoulders. A support belt is positioned at the abdomen area of a wearer and secured to the undergarment by detachable attachment means. Two opposite lateral portions extend downwardly from the support belt and are secured to the undergarment at the locations of the upper thighs of the wearer by detachable attachment means. The detachable attachment means are adjustable so as to allow the tension against the person&#39;s body to be adjusted according to the wearer&#39;s preferences. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a support device that provides support to the injured back, hips, upper thighs and groin areas of a user and is cosmetically acceptable. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a support device that can be worn and removed easily, especially by older people with arthritic or weak hands. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a support device for providing support to the back, hips, upper thighs, and groin areas that is lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. 
    
    
     Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
     FIG. 1 is a front illustrative view of the present invention support device worn by a user; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear illustrative view of the present invention support device worn by the user; 
     FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the present invention support device, showing an open support belt unattached together; 
     FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of the present invention support device, showing lower lateral portions of the support belt unattached together and located adjacent to the upper thighs of the user; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown at  10  the present invention support device worn by a person  2  (shown in dashed lines) for providing support to the injured back, hips, upper thighs and groin areas. The present invention support device  10  allows the person  2  to engage in everyday activities without excruciating pain while protecting and supporting the injured areas of the body. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the support device  10  comprises an undergarment or a partial bodysuit  12  and a support belt  14 . The bodysuit  12  has a pair of over-the-shoulder straps  16  and  18  which extends upwardly from the top of the bodysuit  12 . The left over-the-shoulder strap  16  encircles the left shoulder while the right over-the-shoulder strap  18  encircles the right shoulder. These two over-the-shoulder straps  16  and  18  further assist in maintaining the bodysuit  12  against the person&#39;s body. The over-the-shoulder straps  16  and  18  fit snugly about the shoulders without constricting, gathering, or pinching and allow free movement of the arms. 
     At the front of the bodysuit  12 , there is provided a vertical zipper member  20  which opens and closes the front of the bodysuit  12  for providing easy access to and from the bodysuit  12 . The zipper member  20  extends down towards the groin area  84 . 
     The bodysuit  12  further includes a padding  80  for providing comfort to the person wearing the bodysuit  12  and which is sewn onto the interior of the bodysuit  12  and located at the groin area  84 , the posterior rugae area  82  and the buttock area  86  of the person  2  wearing the bodysuit  12 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3,  5  and  6 , there is shown an open support belt  14  which can be secured around the loin, hip and abdomen areas of the person  2  by conventional means. The exterior surface of the support belt  14  has a connecting means  40 . The interior surface of the support belt  14  has a mating connecting member  44  which corresponds to the connecting member  40  of the bodysuit  12  for securing the support belt  14  thereto. The support belt  14  has a detachable attachment means for securing the belt  14  thereto. By way of example and illustration only, the detachable attachment means shown comprises a first connecting member  40  attached to the exterior surface at an end portion  42  of the belt  14  by stitching or other suitable means. The detachable attachment means further comprises a mating second connecting member  44  which is attached the interior surface at the other end portion  46  of the belt  14  by stitching or other suitable means. The connecting members  40  and  44  enable the belt  14  to be attached tightly together and around the loin, hip and abdomen areas of the wearer  2  (see FIG.  1 ). By way of example only, the preferred embodiment of the two connecting members  40  and  44  are mating male hook and female loop type fasteners, commonly known as Velcro®. It will be appreciated that any other suitable connecting members, including buckles, fasteners, snaps, etc. are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The support belt  14  further includes connecting members  58  and  60  which are located on the interior of the belt. Mating connecting members  62  and  64  are provided on the front of the bodysuit  12  which respectively mate with the connecting members  58  and  60 . These connecting members  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  support the belt  14  from slipping down on the bodysuit  12 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown connecting members  50  and  52  which are attached to the thigh portions of the bodysuit  12  by conventional means. Each connecting member has two detachable attachment means  56  which are attached together for holding firmly around and supporting the thigh area of the person  2  when attached. These detachable attachment means  56  are similar to the one just described above, and the description thereof will not be repeated. Each connecting member is secured around the upper thigh of the wearer  2  as shown in FIG.  1 . These detachable attachment means are adjustable so as to allow the tension against the person&#39;s body according to the wearer&#39;s preferences. 
     The size of the bodysuit  12  varies as needed in order to fit individual users in the manner shown and set forth herein. Therefore, there can be a wide range of possible sizes of undergarment of bodysuit  12 . 
     Construction of the support device  10  is generally achievable by means currently known in the art for the stitching and sewing of apparel. Generally, the entire support device  10  may be made of elastic materials. Materials having greater elasticity should be used. The support belt  14  may be made of the least flexible or even non-flexible material so as to provide a more rigid support. By way of example, the bodysuit  12  can be made of shear neoprene material while the support belt  14  can be made of nylon lycro material. Such materials provide a desirable degree of durability and soil resistance, as well as an acceptable feel and conventional appearance to the support device. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention support device  10 , the over-the-shoulder straps  16  and  18  may have detachable attachment means that are similar to the ones described above, and the description thereof will not be repeated and which can be adjusted according to the wearer&#39;s preferences and are located at locations  70  and  72 . 
     It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to make this device accommodate female users. For this particular use, it is preferred to have the detachable attachment means on the over-the-shoulder straps  16  and  18  in order to facilitate simple removal of the garment when one is going to the bathroom. 
     Defined in detail, the present invention is a body support device for supporting a user when worn by the user, comprising: (a) a skintight bodysuit made of a shear neoprene material and having a back side, a front side, a torso portion, a pair of thigh portions extending down from the torso portion for accommodating the user&#39;s thighs, and a pair of over-the-shoulder straps extending upwardly from the torso portion to form a top opening for accommodating the user&#39;s head and two opposite side openings for accommodating the user&#39;s arms; (b) a support belt having a first fastener affixed on one side of the torso portion and a second corresponding mating fastener affixed on the other side of the torso portion, where the first and second fasteners are located between the thorax area and the abdomen area of the user, each fastener having an attachment means for holding firmly around and supporting the back area and the hip area of the user when attached; (c) the each thigh portion having a pair of adjustable fasteners, each adjustable fastener having an attachment means for holding firmly around and supporting the thigh area of the user when attached; and (d) a zipper means located on the front side of the torso portion and extending downwardly to a crotch area of the torso portion for opening or closing the torso portion of the bodysuit. 
     Defined broadly, the present invention is a body support device for supporting a user when worn by the user, comprising: (a) a non-skintight bodysuit having a back side, a front side, a torso portion, a pair of thigh portions extending down from the torso portion for accommodating the user&#39;s thighs, and a pair of over-the-shoulder straps extending upwardly from the torso portion to form a top opening for accommodating the user&#39;s head and two opposite side openings for accommodating the user&#39;s arms; (b) a support belt having a first fastener affixed on one side of the torso portion and a second corresponding mating fastener affixed on the other side of the torso portion, where the first and second fasteners are located between the thorax area and the abdomen area of the user, each fastener having an attachment means for holding firmly around and supporting the back area and the hip area of the user when attached; (c) the each thigh portion having a pair of adjustable fasteners, each adjustable fastener having an attachment means for holding firmly around and supporting the thigh area of the user when attached; and (d) a zipper means located on the front side of the torso portion and extending downwardly to a crotch area of the torso portion for opening or closing the torso portion of the bodysuit. 
     Defined more broadly, the present invention is a body support device for supporting a user when worn by the user, comprising: (a) a bodysuit having a front side, a torso portion, at least two thigh portions extending down from the torso portion for accommodating the user&#39;s thighs, and at least two over-the-shoulder straps extending upwardly from the torso portion to form a top opening for accommodating the user&#39;s head and two opposite side openings for accommodating the user&#39;s arms; (b) at least two adjustable fasteners affixed on opposite sides of the torso portion and located between the thorax area and the abdomen area of the user, each adjustable fastener having an attachment means for holding firmly around and supporting the back area and the hip area of the user when attached; (c) the each thigh portion having at least two adjustable fasteners, each adjustable fastener having an attachment means for holding firmly around and supporting the thigh area of the user when attached; and (d) means for opening or closing the torso portion of the bodysuit. 
     Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a support device to be worn by a user, comprising: (a) a bodysuit having a torso portion and at least two thigh portions; (b) means for holding firmly the torso portion around and supporting the back area and the hip area of the user; and (c) means for holding firmly the at least two thigh portions around and supporting the thigh area of the user. 
     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated. 
     The present invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent laws by providing full public disclosure of at least one of its forms. However, such detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the present invention, or the scope of the patent to be granted. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.