Patent Publication Number: US-7914473-B2

Title: Posture training device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a posture training device. In particular, the device relates to training an individual to maintain movement patterns to ensure good posture. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Good posture is an important element for maintaining optimal health and wellbeing. Good posture aids in recovery following injury and assists with growth and development. Correct posture contributes greatly to appearance and it can have a significant impact upon self esteem and general fitness. For many people, adopting good postural habits is difficult. Issues with maintaining good posture such as awareness of body position, muscle strength and endurance may present difficulties for people who are going through the process of changing their posture. 
     There are many different types of posture training devices including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,480 and International patent application number WO 91/06082. Both of these posture devices provide feedback to a user when correct posture is not being maintained. Both of these devices provide the feedback on specific areas of a person&#39;s body. However, generally when a person&#39;s breastbone is lifted vertically then a person&#39;s posture will be correct. Neither of these prior art documents address this aspect of good posture. 
     Applicant&#39;s co-pending Australian patent application number 67103/01 describes a posture training device. This posture training device includes a signalling unit that is attached at one end to a waist strap with the other end of the signalling device attached to a pair of shoulder straps. This posture training device operates very effectively to provide feedback on a person&#39;s posture when they are at a front facing position. However, when rotation of the body occurs the shoulder straps can cause activation of the signalling unit due to movement of a person&#39;s shoulders. This can become annoying for a wearer so that they discontinue wearing the posture training device. Further, a person can become confused thinking they are not maintaining a good posture when in fact they are. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one form, although not the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a posture training device comprising; 
     a signalling unit able to be worn longitudinally over a user&#39;s spine, the signalling unit having two ends that can be used to activate the signalling unit by tension being applied to either of the two ends; 
     a waist strap able to be fitted around a waist of a user, the waist strap connected to one of the ends of the signalling unit; and 
     a central strap able to extend adjacent the spine of a user, the central strap being connected to an opposing end of the signalling unit and to the waist strap. 
     The posture training device may include a body strap that holds the central strap adjacent the spine of the user. 
     Preferably the body strap includes two shoulder straps attached to the central strap to hold the central strap adjacent the spine of the user. The shoulder straps may also be connected to the waist strap or adjacent a lower portion of the central strap. 
     Alternatively, the body strap is a collar attached to the central strap to hold the central strap adjacent the spine of the user. 
     The signalling unit may emit an audible signal and/or a vibration signal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures; 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a posture training device according to a first embodiment of the device; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of a user wearing the posture training device of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of a posture training device according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a user wearing the posture training device of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of a posture training device according to a third embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 3B  shows a user wearing a posture training device of  FIG. 3A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  show a posture training device  100  to train a user  10  to maintain correct posture. The invention includes two shoulder straps  110 , a central strap  120 , a signalling device  130  and a waist strap  140 . The shoulder straps  110  are connected to the central strap  120  and to the waist strap  140 . The shoulder straps  110  are flexible and made from a non-elastic strap. Adjustment buckles  111  are located on each shoulder strap  110  to adjust the length of the respective shoulder strap  110 . 
     The waist strap  140  is also made from a non-elastic material. An adjustment clip  141  is located at an end of the waist strap  141  to adjust the length of the waisted strap  141 . 
     The signalling device  130  is connected to the central strap  120  and the waist strap  140  as shown. 
       FIG. 1B  shows posture training device  100  worn by a wearer  10 . The wearer  10  adjusts the length of the waist strap  140  and the shoulder straps  110  whilst maintaining good postural position of the back, neck and shoulders. The signalling unit  130  will remain deactivated so long as good postural position is maintained. If the upper spine or shoulders of the wearer slouch forward beyond a desired position, opposing forces are exerted on the signalling device  130  by the waist strap  140  and the central strap  120 . This causes the ends of the signalling unit  130  to be extended thereby activating the signalling unit  130 . 
     Preferably, the signalling unit  130  has two biased extensions that are connected to the central strap  120  and the waist strap  140 . When a force is applied to either extension to overcome the biasing force on the extensions, the extensions move. The signalling unit  130  preferably uses a magnetic reed switch type circuit as is known in the art to detect this movement and thus activate the signalling unit  130 . 
     When the signalling unit  130  is activated, the signalling unit  130  preferably emits an auditable tone from a speaker or the like. Optionally, the signalling unit  130  may also vibrate in a fashion similar to a mobile phone. 
     When the wearer  10  readjusts their body position and returns to the state of desired posture, the ends of the signalling unit  130  return to their resting position at which time the signalling unit  130  will be deactivated. 
       FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  show a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the shoulder straps  110  are connected to a lower portion of the central strap  120  instead of the waist strap. This allows for smaller framed people such as children to wear the posture training device  100  of the invention. 
       FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  show yet another alternative embodiment in which the shoulder straps  110  have been replaced by a collar  150 . The collar  150  is adjustable in length and has an adjustment clip  151  similar to the adjustment clip  141  of the waist strap  140  to adjust the length of the collar  150 . Furthermore, the central strap  120  has an adjustment clip  121  to adjust the length of the adjustment strap  120 . 
     The advantage to the embodiments described above over the prior art embodiments is that the force applied to the signalling unit is generally along the spine. Therefore any twisting motion that occurs is less likely to activate the signalling unit. A user is therefore more likely to wear the training unit for the desired period of at least twenty minutes per day to train the muscles to maintain good posture. 
     Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention. 
     It will be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.