Abstract:
A conformable pad ( 100 ) for use under an orthopedic brace includes an upper edge ( 101 ) having a straight dimension and a lower edge ( 108 ) having an uneven dimension with at least one wide section ( 101 ) and at least one narrow section ( 115 ). The pad ( 100 ) further includes a first edge ( 117 ) having a straight dimension and positioned adjacent to the at least one wide section ( 101 ) and a second edge ( 119 ) also having a straight dimension and positioned adjacent to the at least one narrow section ( 115 ) such that the first edge ( 117 ) is longer than the second edge ( 119 ). The invention is advantageous for use with orthopedic braces in order to prevent friction and irritation created by the brace against the user&#39;s skin.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to protective padding worn on the body and more particularly to a protective pad worn under an orthopedic brace. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Foam padding for protecting the human body is known in the art particularly in situations to prevent frictional movement against body parts that would produce skin irritation. For example, Gates U.S. Pat. No. D333,939 illustrates a design for a back support cushion. U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,064 to Ellender teaches the use of a low-friction multilayer pad with foam backing for reducing share and friction forces on a user&#39;s body. U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,972 to DeBusk teaches the use of padding for an orthopedic support device that includes a resilient foam plastic layer and fabric layer for placement against a body member. U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,862 to Bernstein teaches a waist supporting garment having two belt members that encircle the waist of the user in the manner of a corset or girdle. U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,408 to Tomlinson et al. teaches a protective athletic pad for use across a knee or elbow to protect the user from abrasion and bruising during sports activities. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,362,387 to Carlson et al. teaches a self-adhering liner that is sized to low-friction support for a portion of a human body for a shoe or prosthetic socket. 
     Users of these types of devices often find that these pads do not stay firmly in position nor do they work well with Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis (TLSO) type of braces and the like. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a protective pad for an orthopedic brace in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the pad shown in  FIG. 1  positioned in a semi-circular manner; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the pad shown in  FIG. 1  positioned in a circular manner; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the pad used in connection with the orthopedic brace; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the pad as used in position under the orthopedic brace. 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to protective pad for use with an orthopedic brace. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , the pad  100  for use with an orthopedic brace includes a long upper edge  101 , having a plurality of upper edges  102 ,  103 ,  105 ,  107 . The total length of the upper edge might typically be 135 centimeters (cm) or similar in order to accommodate a wide range of persons using the pad. A non-linear lower edge  108  extends long the lower portion of the pad  100  and includes a plurality of lower edges  109 ,  111 ,  113 ,  115 . The brace  100  is further bordered by end  117  and end  119  both have a straight dimension where the side  117  is longer than side  119 . In practice, the side  117  might be approximately 20 cm in length, while side  119  might be approximately 12 cm in length. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the edge  109  is located in a slightly indented section along the bottom edge  108 , while edge  111  forms a first protuberance section. The first protuberance section forms a wide section or bulge in the pad  100  having the greatest width. The distance d 1  formed between edge  101  and edge  109  is less than the distance d 2  formed between edge  103  and edge  111 . Distance d 1  might be approximately 20 cm in width, while distance d 2  may be approximately 28 cm in width. Similarly, the lower edge  108  then steps inwardly a predetermined distance from the edge  111  to form an edge  113 . The distance d 3  is formed between edge  105  and edge  113  and creates a second protuberance that is narrower in width than the first protuberance. The distance d 3  may be approximately 20 cm in width. Finally, from the edge  113 , the lower edge again steps inwardly a predetermined distance to an edge  115 . The distance d 4  is formed between edge  107  and edge  115  and may be approximately 13 cm in width. 
     As specifically seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , one side of pad  200  has a foam-like texture positioned toward the user&#39;s body while having a smoother, non-textured feel on its opposite side. This type of material is like that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,933 issued to Gorowicz et al., which is herein incorporated by reference. The foam-like material is commonly referred to as “energy absorbing foam,” while the opposite side maybe manufactured from a 100% nylon material. The material was selected due to its ability in maintaining its uniformity and for providing resiliency with no apparent change in the configuration of the invention. Hence, the invention creates protection around the body and helps in preventing additional medical complications, such as pressure ulcers. The invention utilizes no fasteners, zippers, buttons, or any mechanical attachments for affixing the fabric around the person. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this creates the unique ability for creating custom sizing for each individual. This invention was developed in order ensure there was a smooth surface between the underclothing and brace that works to prevent bunching, rolling, slipping, and/or shifting of material. The movement creates stress on the user as the user moves throughout the day as well as movement during sleep periods. 
     In use, as the pad  100  is wrapped around a user&#39;s body, the end having the larger edge  111  typically wrapped to approximately the middle of the body. The pad  100  encircles the body forming a circular wrap until the end having smaller edge  115  overlaps to either the left side of the user&#39;s body or the right side of the user&#39;s body. This provides an additional overlapping layer where the mechanics of the brace can frictionally wear greatly against the hip and/or leg. This ultimately protects the user from further medical complications by adding comfort during either movement and rest periods. Still yet an additional advantage of the design is the material which is very light weight and convenient to clean for personal hygienic purposes. 
     In use, the side having the smoother, non-textured appearance is placed against the orthopedic brace. The pad  200  is bent, folded, and/or positioned into a semi-circular shape when orienting the pad about the user&#39;s torso such that the first protuberance section located between edges  102 ,  111  is positioned over the user&#39;s abdomen. The first protuberance section is approximately 80 cm in length, while the second protuberance section may be approximately 30 cm in length. As seen in  FIG. 3 , when positioned on the user&#39;s body, the pad  300  is formed into a circular shape such that one end of the resilient material holds itself in a fixed position. This will allow end  117  to be positioned over and on top of edge  119  such that the smoother side of the pad  300  goes over the foam-like side allowing the materials to frictionally engage to hold the pad  300  around the user. In use, the pad may be rotated so that the end  117  and end  119  are positioned to be on either side of the user&#39;s torso. 
     With regard to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ,  FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a pad used in connection with the orthopedic brace, such as a TLSO brace  402 , while  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the pad  100  as used in position under the orthopedic brace. The pad  100  is generally placed toward the user&#39;s torso  403  in a manner like that shown in  FIG. 4 . While although not easily seen in  FIG. 5 , the user is generally clad with some type of undergarment or shirt placed over his/her torso  403 . The pad  100  is wrapped around the user such that the resilient nature of the material allows the pad to frictionally engage with itself holding it into position around the torso  403 . The TLSO brace  402  is then positioned over the pad  100 , which provides a great amount of user comfort for preventing friction between the brace and clothing which will rub against the user&#39;s pelvis and lower lumbar regions. 
     As is known in the art, the TLSO brace  402  includes a rigid back section  405  and a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners  407  or the like, that are used to hold the back section  405  into a fixed position. A rigid front section  415  is generally positioned over the user&#39;s abdomen. The rigid front section  415  joins with the rigid back section  405  to prevent the user from bending or moving his/her spine from a fixed position. Further, a fastening strap  409  is connected to the back section  405  and a thigh brace  411 . The thigh brace  411  is held around the user&#39;s thigh using a fastening device  413 , such as a hook-and-loop fastener or the like. The thigh brace  411  and fastening strap  409  is used to hold the back section  405  into a fix position so that it does not rotate or slide upwardly on the user&#39;s torso  403 . 
     Thus, the present invention is a low-friction pad for use with TLSO orthopedic braces and the like. The pad is configured into a unique shape so that when wrapped around the user&#39;s torso to reduce shear forces, friction, pressure, and chafing caused by the brace&#39;s movement across the user&#39;s body. 
     In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.