Abstract:
According to the present invention, the cervical brace includes the part of chin support in the form of a circular ring; the part of shoulder support in the form of a circular ring; the hinge part which connects the parts of chin support and shoulder support; the moving part which adjusts the distance between the chin-supporting part and shoulder-supporting part. This moving part corrects the posture of the cervical spine by adjusting height of the chin-supporting part.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to a cervical brace forming lordosis. Specifically, this cervical brace corrects the posture of cervical vertebra by aiding the formation of its normal forward curve. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Human spine is the backbone of human skeletal system that supports the shape of the body. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the vertebrae column is composed of cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal vertebrae, which correspond to neck bones, back bones, haunch bones, sacrums, and tailbones, respectively. 
         [0003]    Looking from the side, a healthy spine has normal lordosis, that is, the two forward curves in cervical and lumbar vertebrae, and normal kyphosis, which is the two backward curves in thoracic and sacral vertebrae. However, damages to centrums, intervertebral discs, and/or surrounding muscles may disrupt this normal shape of spine. When the thoracic curvature is exaggerated or the cervical and lumbar vertebrae have lost their normal forward curvature, it is called Kyphosis (the capitalized terms, Kyphosis and Lordosis, will be used to discuss the abnormal curvatures). 
         [0004]    A spine with normal lordosis provides body a physiological and structural support, as the line of gravity runs along the back of the vertebrae and the center of mass is located on the rear side of the spinal vertebrae and joints. 
         [0005]    However, if the cervical vertebrae straightens or curves backward, the line of gravity moves towards the front of the vertebrae. This causes the migration of the center of mass to lie above vertebral pulp and the unstable displacement of the centrum. As a result, the vertebral pulp gains tendency to move backwards where the boundary is relatively weaker, increasing the chance to cause cervical herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), or herniated disc. Thus, it is critical to maintain the normal forward curvature on cervical vertebrae in order to prevent such physiological damage. 
         [0006]    As shown above, cervical vertebrae plays an important role in human body. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it is urgent to develop a novel cervical brace that not only effectively maintains and/or improves the lordosis but also is straightforward and easy to use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The invention of the lordosis-forming cervical brace, that is, the means to achieve the purposes presented above, is composed of the following: a circular ring-shaped chin-supporting unit; a circular ring-shaped shoulder-supporting unit; two hinge units that connect the chin-supporting and shoulder-supporting units, equipped at both sides of the rear; and control units, located at both sides of the front, which maintain and adjust the gap distance between the two units at the front, connecting the two supporting units. Once the front portion of the chin-supporting unit rotates upward around the aforementioned hinge units, the above-mentioned control units lock up and maintain the gap between the two supporting units. 
         [0009]    Also, because the control units are comprised of articulating parts, including interlocking toothed latch wheels, they extend as the chin-supporting unit rotates upward, while the articulating parts interlocks once the chin-supporting unit comes to a halt. When the articulating parts lock up, the distance between the chin- and shoulder-supporting units is fixed and maintained. The chin-supporting unit can rotate downward when the interlocking toothed latch wheels are separated from each other, allowing them to pivot in the opposite direction to reduce the distance between the two supporting units. 
         [0010]    Further, the above-mentioned control units can be divided into the upper and lower regulatory arms, centering on the articulating junction. One or more of these arms contain internal springs in order to provide tension when the chin-supporting unit is bearing weight. 
         [0011]    In addition, the aforementioned control units may consist of the following: the upper regulatory arm that can assemble and combine with the chin-supporting unit; the first coupling part that is located at the bottom end of the upper arm and includes a toothed latch wheel; the second coupling part that interlocks with the toothed latch wheel of the first coupling part; the lower regulatory arm that is located at the bottom end of the second coupling part and can assemble and combine with the shoulder-supporting unit; the equipped bolt that penetrates the first and second coupling parts; and the compression spring that is implemented around the penetrating bolt to interlock the first and second coupling parts. 
         [0012]    Moreover, when the bolt is pressed on its head, the toothed latch wheel of the first coupling part separates from that of the second coupling part, allowing the chin-supporting unit to rotate downward around the hinge units as axis. 
         [0013]    Additionally, the abovementioned upper regulatory arm can include the pinning body, where the first coupling part is mounted on the bottom end, as well as the tension-providing body, which contains a spring at its one end. This end of the tension-providing body incorporating the internal spring is inserted into the pinning body to form a complex and exert tension on the chin-supporting unit. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, a plate-shaped cushion, or the cervical-supporting part, may be supplemented onto the rear center of the chin- and shoulder-supporting units to provide an extra support on the cervical spine. 
         [0015]    Also, the cervical-supporting cushion is enclosed in a covering made out of flexible material. In order to allow an easy use of the device, a small portion of the control units may be exposed out of the covering or the control units may be silhouetted against the covering by tightly fitting the covering around the control units. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates normal human vertebral column in its correct posture. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the lordosis-forming cervical brace. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the control units of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the invention when the chin-supporting part is swung upward. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the invention from the rear. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates the rear view of a patient wearing the invention around neck. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates when a patient first wears the invention around neck. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates the formation of lordosis achieved when a patient wears the invention by lifting and fixing the chin-supporting part. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates the patient in  FIG. 7  wearing the invention fitted in covering. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  illustrates the patient in  FIG. 8  wearing the invention fitted in covering. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    A summary of element numbers used in the drawings is provided below: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10: Chin-supporting part 
                 20: Shoulder-supporting part 
               
               
                   
                 31a, 30b: Hinge part 
                 40a, 40b: Control units 
               
               
                   
                 41: Upper regulatory arm 
                 42: Pinning part 
               
               
                   
                 43: Moving Part 
                 44: Spring 
               
               
                   
                 45: First coupling part 
                 46, 53: Toothed latch wheels 
               
               
                   
                 47, 54: Hole 
                 51: Lower regulatory arm 
               
               
                   
                 52: Second coupling part 
                 55: Bolt 
               
               
                   
                 56: Head 
                 57: Compression spring 
               
               
                   
                 60: Cervical-supporting part 
                 70: Covering 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 100: Lordosis-forming cervical brace 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the lordosis-forming cervical brace consists of a ring-shaped chin-supporting unit  10 , a ring-shaped shoulder-supporting unit  20 , hinge units  30 , and control units  40 . The chin-supporting  10  and shoulder-supporting  20  units are preferably made of a flexible metal or plastic material. 
         [0029]    The hinge units  30  are equipped in the bent portion of the rear sides of the chin-supporting  10  and shoulder-supporting  20  units, connecting the chin-supporting  10  and shoulder-supporting  20  units. The chin-supporting  10  and shoulder-supporting  20  units can rotate up and down on the hinge units  30 . The hinge units ( 30   a ,  30   b  are equipped on each of the rear left and right bent portions. 
         [0030]    The control units  40  are located on both left and right sides of the front of the chin-supporting  10  and shoulder-supporting  20  units, connecting the chin-supporting  10  and shoulder-supporting  20  units, maintaining and adjusting the distance between the frontal portions of the chin-supporting  10  and shoulder-supporting  20  units. Two control units  40   a ,  40   b  are equipped on each of the frontal left and right sides. 
         [0031]    The chin-supporting unit  10  rotates upward around the hinge units  30  to increase the distance between the chin-supporting unit  10  and the shoulder-supporting unit  20 . When the chin-supporting unit  10  stops its motion, the interval distance is maintained without additional control. The chin-supporting unit  10  can be rotated upward either by directly lifting the chin-supporting unit  10  or by pivoting the control units  40  to push the chin-supporting unit  10  upward. 
         [0032]    The control units  40   a ,  40   b  are composed of articulating parts, including toothed latch wheels  46 ,  53 , so that they extend when the chin-supporting unit  10  rotates upward, but lock up when the chin-supporting unit  10  stops moving. When the chin-supporting unit  10  comes to a halt, the articulating parts are fastened as the toothed latch wheels  46 ,  53  interlock with each other, maintaining the interval distance between the chin-supporting unit  10  and the shoulder-supporting unit  20 . The interlocked toothed latch wheels  46 ,  53  can be separated to allow them to pivot in the opposite direction, rotating the chin-supporting unit  10  downward. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the articulating parts indicate the first coupling part  45  and the second coupling part  52 , which can be combined and separated by the interaction between the two toothed latch wheels  46 ,  53 . The first coupling part  45  and the second coupling part  52  can only rotate in one direction (Direction  1 ) when they are combined by elastic coupling of the latch structure and the compression spring  57 . When the toothed latch wheels  46 ,  53  are separated by the user&#39;s operation, they can rotate in the opposite direction (Direction  2 ). As described above, the first coupling part  45  rotates in Direction  1 , as the chin-supporting unit  10  is raised upward. This rotation can occur even when the toothed latch wheels  46 ,  53  are combined together. Once the first coupling part  45  stops its motion, because the structure of the latch structure prevents its rotation to Direction  2 , the articulating parts become fixed. When the user presses upon the head  56  of the bolt  55 , the toothed latch wheels  46 ,  53  are separated from each other, and the first coupling part  45  and the second coupling part  52  can rotate in Direction  2 , while staying intact with each other due to the presence of the bolt  55 . 
         [0034]    The control units  40   a ,  40   b  are comprised of the upper regulatory arm  41  and the lower regulatory arm  51 , centering on the articulating parts  45 ,  52 . Either or both of the upper regulatory arm  41  and lower regulatory arm  51  contain internal springs to provide tension when the chin-supporting unit  10  is bearing weight. Each of the upper regulatory arm  41  and the lower regulatory arm  51  consists of two frames, one of which inserted into the other to form a combinational body. The upper regulatory arm  41  and the lower regulatory arm  51  also include internal springs  44 , which can provide tension to absorb shock when bearing weight from the chin-supporting unit  10 . The upper regulatory arm  41  is hinged to the chin-supporting unit  10 , while the lower regulatory arm  51  is hinged to the shoulder-supporting unit  20 . 
         [0035]    Moreover, the control units  40   a ,  40   b  consist of the upper regulatory arm  41  that can assemble and combine with the chin-supporting unit  10 , the first coupling part  45  that is located at the bottom end of the upper regulatory arm  41  and includes a toothed latch wheel  46 , the second coupling part  52  of which toothed latch wheel  53  interlocks with the toothed latch wheel  46  of the first coupling part  45 , the lower regulatory arm  51  that is located at the bottom end of the second coupling part  52  and can assemble and combine with the shoulder-supporting unit  20 , the equipped bolt  55  that penetrates the first coupling part  45  and the second coupling part  52 , and the compression spring  57  that is implemented around the penetrating bolt  55  to interlock the first coupling part  45  and the second coupling part  52 . 
         [0036]    The hole  47  on the first coupling part  45  forms a screw thread on its inner surface. The bolt  55  contains a screw thread on its predetermined portion at the frontal end, which interlocks with the screw thread on the hole ( 47 ). The head ( 56 ) is located on the rear side of the bolt  55 , on which the user can press. A compression spring  57  is implemented around the bolt  55 , and this bolt  55 , penetrates through the hole  54  on the second coupling part  52  to combine with the hole  47  on the first coupling part  45 , causing the toothed latch wheels  46 ,  53  to interlock with each other. One side of the hole  54  formed internal of the second coupling part  52  is formed with a diameter large enough to include the bolt  55  equipped with the compression spring  57 . The other side of the hole  54 , through which the bolt  55  is passing, is formed in a smaller diameter in order to provide enough support and pressure to compress upon the compression spring  57 . 
         [0037]    When the head  56  of the bolt  55  is pressed upon, the compression spring  57  in the second coupling part  52  is compressed and the first coupling part  45 , which is combined with the bolt  55 , is pushed away. As a result, the toothed latch wheel  46  of the first coupling part  45  is set apart from the toothed latch wheel  53  of the second coupling part  52 . 
         [0038]    Consequently, the chin-supporting unit  10  becomes available to swing downward in Direction  2  around the hinge units  30   a ,  30   b  as its axis, allowing to reduce the interval distance between the chin-supporting unit  10  and the shoulder-supporting unit  20 . The user does not need to press onto the head  56  of the bolt  55  when desired to widen the interval distance between the chin-supporting unit  10  and the shoulder-supporting unit  20 , because the toothed latch wheels  46 ,  53  can still rotate upward in Direction  1  while still interlocked with each other. 
         [0039]    The upper regulatory arm  41  include the pinning body  42 , where the first coupling part  45  is mounted on the bottom end, and the tension-providing body  43 , which contains a spring  44  at its one end. This end of the tension-providing body  43  incorporating the internal spring  44  is inserted into the pinning body  42  to form a complex and exert tension on the chin-supporting unit  10 . In order to prevent the tension-providing body  43  from easily separating from the complex, one end of the internal spring  44  may be attached on the inner wall of the pinning body  42 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the lordosis-forming cervical brace  100  may also include the cervical-supporting unit  60 . 
         [0041]    The cervical-supporting unit  60  is located in the center of the rear bent portions of the chin-supporting unit  10  and the shoulder-supporting unit  20  and this plate-shaped cushion provides a stable support on the cervical vertebrae. Specifically, the cervical-supporting unit  60  should be attached to only one side of the rear bent portion so that the user may easily open up and take off the cervical brace  100 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  illustrates a patient, whose cervical vertebrae (C3-C7) has lost lordosis and become straightened, wearing the lordosis-forming cervical brace  100  around neck. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  illustrates the formation of lordosis on the cervical vertebrae (C3-C7) of a patient that is achieved by lifting the chin area of the patient, as the interval distance between the chin-supporting unit  10  and the shoulder-supporitng unit  20  increases, rotating around the hinge units  30   a ,  30   b.    
         [0044]    Moreover, while the chin-supporting unit  10  and the shoulder-supporting unit  20  maintain distance in between, the tension-providing unit  43  absorbs shock by providing tension in accordance with the movement of the chin, thus resulting in a comfortable fit of the invention. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the lordosis-forming cervical brace  100  ideally fitted in the covering  70  for use. 
         [0046]    The cervical brace  100  is equipped inside of the covering  70 , which is made of a flexible material. In order to allow an easy operation of a user, the control units  40   a ,  40   b  may either be partially exposed external to the cover  70  or be tightly fitted to silhouette against the covering  70 . Additionally, the covering  70  is ideally made of a well-ventilated and skin-friendly (non-irritating) material. 
         [0047]    This invention of the lordosis-forming cervical brace is able to correct the shape of the cervical vertebrae by effectively forming its “C-shaped” forward curvature, or normal lordosis, instead of simply raising the chin. 
         [0048]    Moreover, no complicated operation but only the simple lifting motion of the chin-supporting unit is necessary to fix it at a desired position to facilitate the formation of a normal lordosis on the cervical vertebrae. The chin-supporting unit can be reversed in its motion and lowered, by simply pressing on the buttons located on the both sides of the cervical brace. 
         [0049]    The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment of the specifics noted above. Various modifications may be suggested by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such changes and variations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.