Abstract:
A support apparatus comprising a waist band, a thigh band, a lateral vertical strap attached to said waist band and two extensions attached to said thigh band, and a medial vertical strap attached to said waist band then wrapping medially down around the thigh and attaching to the thigh band.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/956,454 filed Oct. 1, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,999, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     This application is related to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2006/0074365 A1, published on Apr. 6, 2006, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present invention relates to apparatus for supporting a person&#39;s hip. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     The present invention is designed to enhance biomechanical function. In particular the present invention is designed to alleviate pain associated with arthritis, labrum tears, loose bodies, post surgical hip replacement or arthroscopy, prophylactic support to help minimize worsening of pathologic conditions, following surgery, or to help prevent surgery. Also, it is designed to enhance biomechanical function and duration of strenuous activities such as athletics or physical labor. It also enhances mechanical stability of the lower lumbar spine and pelvis. 
     Other braces are rigid, using plastic and/or metal components and predominately are designed for limiting hip joint motion. The present embodiment brace is elastic, light weight, and provides for enhanced biomechanical function. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of the hip brace as worn; 
         FIG. 1A  is a front view of one embodiment of the hip brace as worn in a bilateral configuration with a utility strap; 
         FIG. 2  is a posterior view of one embodiment of the hip brace as worn; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the waist band  4 . 
         FIG. 4  is a person installing the waist band; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a drawing of one side of the thigh band; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a drawing of the other side of the thigh band; 
         FIG. 6  is a drawing of a buckle for securing the waist band; 
         FIG. 7  is a drawing of another embodiment of the buckle for securing the waist band; 
         FIG. 8  is a drawing of the lateral vertical strap; 
         FIG. 9  is a drawing of the medial vertical strap; 
         FIG. 10  is a drawing of the utility strap; and 
         FIG. 11  is an anterior view of one embodiment of the hip brace as worn in a bilateral configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other modifications and improvements will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. In the following description, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  is an anterior view of one embodiment of the hip brace  2  as worn. The hip brace  2  consists of a waist band  4 , lateral vertical strap  6 , medial vertical strap  8 , and a thigh band  10 . As seen in this view and also referring to  FIG. 8 , the base  22  of lateral vertical strap  6  is secured to the waist band  4  proximate to the side of the hip and a first extension  24  is secured proximate the anterior aspect of the thigh band  10  between the lateral and medial aspect of the thigh band  10 . The medial vertical strap  8  is secured to the posterior of the waist band  4  (not seen) then wraps down and around the leg and is secured to the thigh band  10  proximate the anterior aspect of said thigh band  10  between the lateral and medial aspect. In another embodiment, elastic bands may be added to the interior of the waist band to increase the elasticity of the waist band. 
       FIG. 2  is a posterior view of one embodiment of the hip brace  2  as worn. As seen in this view and also referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 9 , the first end  28  of medial vertical strap  8  is attached to the waist band  4  at the posterior of the hip. The medial vertical strap  8  wraps down and around the leg to the anterior aspect of said thigh band  10  between the lateral and medial aspect, and the second end  30  of medial vertical strap  8  is attached to the thigh band  10 . The second extension  1 - 4   26  of the lateral vertical strap  6  wraps down and around the thigh and the end of the second extension is attached to the posterior of the thigh band  10 . 
       FIG. 3  is a view of the waist band  4 . The waist band  4  consists of a first layer  14 , which includes a right flap  16  and a left flap  18 . The right and left flap  16 ,  18  are attached to the first layer  14 . The waist band  4  is manufactured from an elastic material such as neoprene. Further, the interior surface is smooth. The exterior surface of the right and left flap consists of a hook and loop system for attaching lateral vertical strap, medial vertical strap and a utility strap. The first layer  14  is wrapped tightly around the user&#39;s waist and may be secured at the right flap  16  and a left flap  18  by use of a hook and loop system, a buckle or a combination of the two. In the present embodiment, the right and left flap  16 ,  18  are sewn to the first layer  14  proximate a midpoint of the waist band  4 . The right and left flap  16 ,  18  are used for securing the lateral vertical strap  6  and a utility strap  12 . The right flap  16  is secured to the left flap  18  by use of a hook and loop system, a buckle or a combination of the two. In another embodiment, the right and left flaps  16 ,  18  may be secured to the first layer and/or each other using a hook and loop system. In a further embodiment, the second layer may consist of right flaps  17 ,  19  and left flaps  21 ,  23  may consist of a plurality of flaps or single flaps to which are secured to each other as described above. 
       FIG. 4  is a person installing the waist band  4 . In this instance, the person has wrapped the first layer of the waist band  4  around the waist. In the present embodiment, the waist band  4  is being held in place by a hook and loop system. The right and left flap  16 ,  18  are secured to the persons waist. The second layer may consist of either a single flap on either side or a dual flap system as shown. The right dual flaps  17 ,  19  and the left dual flaps  21 ,  23  are being held by the person. 
       FIG. 5A  is a drawing of one side of the thigh band  10 . The thigh band  10  is wrapped around a person&#39;s thigh just above the knee and secured by a system of hooks and loops, a buckle or a combination of the two. In the present embodiment the thigh band  10  is manufactured from an elastic material such as neoprene. Further, the interior surface is smooth. The exterior surface consists of a hook and loop system for attaching lateral vertical strap, medial vertical strap and a utility strap.  FIG. 5   5 B is a drawing of the other side of the thigh band  10 . In another embodiment, the thigh band  10  may be contoured for a better fit. 
       FIG. 6  is a buckle  20  for securing the single flap version of the waist band  4 . The buckle  20  may be substituted for the right and left flaps of the second layer of the waist band  4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a dual buckle system  25 ,  27  for securing the second layer of the waist band which incorporates the right dual flaps  17 ,  19  and the left dual flaps  21 ,  23 . 
       FIG. 8  is a drawing of the lateral vertical strap  6 . The lateral vertical strap  6  is manufactured from an elastic material such as neoprene. In the present embodiment the lateral vertical strap  6  is manufactured from  4  mm neoprene. The lateral vertical strap  6  consists of a base  22 , a first extension  24  and a second extension  26 . The base  22  also consists of a hook and loop system that allows the base  22  to be secured to the waist band  4 . A hook and loop system on the first and second extensions  24 ,  26  opposite the base  22  A allows the first and second extensions  24 ,  26  to be secured to the thigh band  10 . 
       FIG. 9  is a drawing of the medial vertical strap  8 . The medial vertical strap  8  is manufactured from an elastic material. The medial vertical strap  8  consists of a first end  28  and a second end  30 . Both the first end  28  and a second end  30  consists of a hook and loop system that allows the first end  28  to be secured to the waist band and the second end  30  to be secured to the thigh band. 
       FIG. 10  is a drawing of the utility strap  12 . The utility strap  12  is similar to the lateral vertical strap except smaller. In shorter people the utility strap  12  may be used as a replacement for the lateral vertical strap or, referring also to  FIG. 1A , it may be used in conjunction with the lateral vertical strap for added support. The utility strap  12  is manufactured from an elastic material such as neoprene. In the present embodiment the utility strap  12  is manufactured from 3 mm neoprene. The utility strap  12  consists of a base  32 , a first extension  34  and a second extension  36 . The base  32  also consists of a hook and loop system that allows the base  32  to be secured to the waist band. On the first and second extensions  34 ,  36  opposite the base  32  also consists of a hook and loop system that allows the first and second extensions  34 ,  36  to be secured to the thigh band. 
       FIG. 11  is an anterior view of one embodiment of the hip brace  2  as worn in a bilateral configuration. The hip brace  2  consists of a waist band  4 , a first and second lateral vertical strap  6   a ,  b , a first and second medial vertical strap  8   a ,  8   b , and a first and second thigh band  10   a    10   b . As seen in this view both the first and second lateral vertical strap  6   a ,  6   b  are secured to the waist band  4  proximate to the side of the hip and a first extension  24   a ,  24   b  is secured proximate the anterior aspect of the thigh band  10  between the lateral and medial aspect of the thigh band  10 . Both of the medial vertical straps  8   a ,  8   b  are secured to the posterior of the waist band  4  (not seen) and wrap down and around the leg and are secured to the thigh bands  10   a    10   b  proximate the anterior aspect of said thigh band  10   a    10   b  between the lateral and medial aspect of the thigh bands  10   a    10   b . 
     While embodiments and applications of this disclosure have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications and improvements than mentioned above are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The disclosure, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.