Patent Publication Number: US-2018028343-A1

Title: Apparatus, System and Method for Providing Back Support

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for compressing the abdomen of a wearer to provide spinal, lower back and/or lumbar support to assist lifting objects, such as those encountered while moving furniture. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-piece adjustable back support belt made from breathable mesh stretched across a canvas perimeter. The back support belt has reinforcement plates that tighten to secure the belt around a wearer by pulling a cord threaded through the plates. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Movers, luggage carriers, food transporters and/or other laborers often bend to pick up items, such as furniture and/or cargo, for example, to transport the items to a desired final position and/or destination, such as a house and/or a cargo truck, for example. The act of retrieving the items may require the laborer to bend at a peculiar and/or an unnatural angle, thus potentially contributing to lower back pain and/or discomfort of the laborer. Even the most skilled laborer may experience back pain and/or discomfort over time after performing routine, repetitive tasks that are strenuous and/or taxing on the body. Further, other factors may contribute toward back discomfort and/or pain experienced by such laborers, such as aging, muscle deterioration around the spine and/or wearing heavy protective clothing, i.e. where the weight of such clothing places stress upon the back of the wearer, for example. 
     Various devices and methods have been used to address body pain and/or injury issues associated with repetitive and/or strenuous heavy lifting. Specific lifting techniques may encourage the laborer to use his or her knees to provide force to grasp and/or to lift a heavy object, rather than bending downwards at the waist where doing so may strain the back of the laborer. However, such measures may be insufficient to protect the back of the laborer who is routinely required to perform demanding heavy lifting tasks. 
     Accordingly, back support devices, such as, for example, back support belts have been developed to address injuries associated with the repetitive lifting of heavy objects. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,418 to Cardinali et al. discloses an orthosis having a tensioning device with an anti-twist mechanism which includes members with a reduced degree of pliability to resist twisting of the orthosis. U.S. Pat. No. 9,066,792 to Garth et al. discloses a back brace to fit a wearer in a multitude of different configurations. The back brace has a lumbar support split into upper and lower sections that may be connected to a flexible joint allowing for the lumbar support to bend toward the spine of the user. U.S. Pat. No. 8,956,315 to Garth et al. discloses a double pull body brace having a panel that engages around the torso of a wearer and overlaps at the front of the panel. U.S. Pat. No. 8,945,033 to Guldalian discloses a segmented lumbosacral orthosis with two side members conjoined by a cord threaded through an array of seamless tubes. Each tube swivels from an axis point near to an end of each tube. U.S. Pat. No. 8,864,695 to Thornton discloses an adjustable brace apparatus with a pair of elongate wings configured for wrapping about and substantially conforming to a body of a user. 
     Further, U.S. Pat. No. 8,409,122 to Cropper et al. relates to a lumbar orthosis that has opposing and mating front attachment panels and an adjustable, rigid lumbar compression piece configured for positioning at the rear of a wearer. Pulling of a cord causes the brace both circumferentially to tighten and to concentrate compression and pressure of the rigid lumbar compression piece. U.S. Pat. No. 7,727,172 to Wang discloses a back brace that has a first brace member with a first connector, a second brace member with a second connector, and a coupler at opposing sides thereof. The coupler is detachably connectable to the first connector. U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,571 to Schwenn et al. discloses an orthosis having a first body member to conform to a portion of a patient&#39;s body, and a second body member that conforms to another portion of a patient&#39;s body. Moreover, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,118,543; 7,083,585; 6,342,044; 3,945,041 and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2014/0142485; 2009/0192425; 2007/0073204 and 2001/0020144 generally relate to back support belts and/or other similar orthopedic lumbar support devices. 
     Devices for providing lower back and/or lumbar support to a wearer of the device by wrapping an adjustable belt around the waist of a wearer are known. However, such devices may be suitable for particular lifting situations and/or back positions rather than offering a solution suitable for a variety of circumstances for a given intended lift load, for example. Moreover, larger, heavier and/or otherwise more substantial belts may present a difficulty in terms of ease of storage and/or portability, thus further limiting their use and/or utility. Accordingly, a need exists for a back support belt that may be stored, transported and/or configured for use. The back support belt may have multiple pieces for positioning and/or assembling by attachment of corresponding fastener panels as desired by a wearer. Further, the wearer may tighten the back support belt by pulling a cord threaded through rigid reinforcement pieces on the back support belt. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for providing lower back and/or lumbar support to assist lifting objects, such as those encountered while moving furniture. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-piece adjustable back support belt made from breathable mesh stretched across a canvas perimeter. The back support belt has reinforcement plates that may be tightened to further secure the belt around a wearer by pulling a cord threaded through the plates. 
     The invention provides an apparatus having a belt with a first section and a second section positioned opposite to the first section. The first section may connect to the second section at a rear connection region. A reinforcement plate may be attached to the first section and the second section at the rear connection region. An adhesive strip may extend lengthwise across the first section and the second section. A first fastener panel may be attached to the first section and a second fastener panel may be attached to the second section. The second fastener panel may be positioned to correspond with and attach to the first fastener to secure the belt around a lower back area of a wearer of the belt. A cord may be interwoven through the reinforcement plate and may be pulled to secure the first section to the second section. 
     Additionally, the invention provides a system having a belt having a first side and a second side positioned opposite to the first side. The first side and the second side may have a perimeter with a mesh stretched across the perimeter. A plate may be attached to the mesh of the first side and the second side. The plate may be positioned adjacent to the lower back of a wearer of the belt to support the wearer during movement. A strip may be attached to the mesh where the strip may extend lengthwise across the belt. A cord may be threaded through the plate where pulling of the cord may compress the belt to further secure the belt on the wearer. The cord may attach to the strip to retain the belt in a fixed position. 
     Further, the invention provides a method for wrapping a belt around a lower back area of the wearer. The belt may have a first side section and a second side section substantially identical to and positioned adjacent to the first side section. A fastener panel on the first side section may be attached to a corresponding fastener on the second side section to secure the belt around the lower back area of the wearer. A cord threaded through the first side section and the second side section may be pulled to tighten the belt around the wearer. The cord may be fixed onto an adhesive strip that may extend across the first side section and the second side section to secure the belt in a fixed position on the wearer. 
     Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus, a system and a method that may be easily transported and/or configured to provide lower back and/or lumbar support to assist in lifting objects, such as those encountered while moving furniture. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a belt with a first section and a second section that may extend from a rear connection region of the belt to wrap around a lower back area of a wearer of the belt to secure the spine region of a wearer of the belt. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a belt that accommodates convenient fastening of two corresponding fastener panels, where each fastener panel is located on an opposing side of the belt. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a belt with a bungee cord that may be pulled by a wearer of a belt to secure the belt in a tightened position around the wearer. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present embodiments are described herein with reference to the following drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a support belt with a cord interlaced through a support portion in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a support belt with a fastener strap connected to an adjustment cord in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of inward-facing surfaces of two connected mesh panels of the support belt in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the support belt with one mesh panel folded and placed on another mesh panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the back support belt with one mesh panel folded and placed on another mesh panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the back support belt folded to a reduced size in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a detailed view of a fastener strap connected to an elastic adjustment cord extending from the back support belt in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a detailed view of a fastener attachment region on an inward-facing surface of a mesh panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of the back support belt worn by a wearer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a front view of the back support belt worn by a wearer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present invention. Further, numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a support belt  10  is shown. In an embodiment, the support belt  10  may be referred to as a back and/or lumbar support belt and/or brace, a lumbosacral orthosis and/or any other device and/or belt that may be worn generally around the waist, midsection and/or lower back area K of a wearer  64  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , for example. A circumference of the support belt  10  may be adjusted and/or reduced as necessary to accommodate the girth of the wearer  64 . The support belt  10  may provide reinforcing support to the lower back area K of the wearer  64  during, for example, physically taxing and/or otherwise strenuous activity, such as, but not limited to, bending, lifting and/or moving heavy items, such as furniture and/or cargo. 
     The support belt  10  may compress against the spine of the wearer  64  at, for example, the lower back area K, to prevent unwanted and/or sudden movement of the spine that may hurt and/or otherwise harm the wearer  64 . Further, in an embodiment, the wearer  64  may adjust the tension and/or compression of the support belt  10  around the lower back area K of the wearer  64  to accommodate various tasks. Each task may demand and/or be suited for a particular level and/or degree of compression of the support belt  10 . For example, more strenuous activity over a short duration may demand a higher degree of compression of the support belt  10  around the waist and/or girth of the wearer  64 . Likewise, less strenuous activity taking place over a longer period of time may require only a relatively loose compression of the support belt  10  around the waist of the wearer  64 . Moreover, the support belt  10  may be made in conformance with specific dimensions, such as height, weight and/or thickness, for example. Heavier ones of the support belt  10  may be better suited for more demanding tasks undertaken by the wearer  10 . Similarly, lighter ones of the support belt  10  may be better suited for less demanding tasks. 
     The support belt  10  may be defined by a perimeter  16  made from a pliable and/or resilient fabric material, such as, for example, canvas, denim, cotton and/or a synthetic fiber blend. A mesh  18  that may be made from interwoven fibers may stretch across the perimeter  16  to form a first side piece  20  that may connect with and/or otherwise attach to a second side piece  22 . The first side piece  20  may be substantially symmetrical to the second side piece  22 , at both a rear connection region A and a front connection region B as shown in  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, the first side piece  20  and/or the second side piece  22  may be referred to as a “section” of the support belt  10 . Both the first side piece  20  and the second side piece  22  may have an adhesive strip  28  that may be, for example, attached to and/or stitched onto the mesh  18 . In an embodiment, the adhesive strip  28  may engage with a tab  40  which may be connected to and/or otherwise extend from a cord  30 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, to secure the belt  10  in a fixed position. 
     The cord  30  may be made from an elastic material that may be configured to reversibly deform upon receiving a force, such as being stretched and/or pulled in a given direction and, in an embodiment, may be referred to as a “bungee,” “bungie” and/or as a shock cord. Resilient fibers within the cord  30  may “snap-back” and/or otherwise return to an original, resting position thus allowing for the cord  30  to occupy limited volume when not use. Further, such resilient fibers may be stretched as necessary to attach to the adhesive strip  28  to secure the support belt  10  around the lower back area K of the wearer, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , for example. 
     In an embodiment, the tab  40 , the adhesive strip  28 , a first fastener panel  44  and/or a second fastener panel  46 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , for example, may be Velcro®, a registered trademark of Velcro USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and/or otherwise similar to Velcro® in form and/or function. The tab  40  may be extended and/or pulled by the wearer  64  to wrap the cord  30  around the belt  10  and to attach to the adhesive  28  as desired to accommodate the girth of the wearer  64  within the lower back region K as shown in, for example,  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     A first reinforcement plate  12  made from, for example, a rigid material, such as plastic, may be positioned, stitched onto and/or otherwise attached to the mesh  18  of the first side piece  20  within the rear connection region A as shown in, for example,  FIG. 1 . The first reinforcement plate  12  may have perforations  24  formed within the first reinforcement plate  12  to, for example, reduce the weight of the first reinforcement plate  12 . A first protrusion  32  may be integrally formed with and extend outwardly from the first reinforcement plate  12 . A sleeve  36  may be integrally formed with the first reinforcement plate  12  and may attach to the first protrusion  32 . The sleeve  36  and the first protrusion  32  may have hollow interiors to receive, guide and/or otherwise accommodate the cord  30  which may be threaded through the sleeve  36  and/or the first protrusion  32  as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example. 
     Specifically, the cord  30  may be inserted in and/or otherwise woven through holes  26  in the first protrusion  32 . Accordingly, the cord  30  may extend to, thread into and/or otherwise connect with a corresponding second protrusion  34 . In an embodiment, the second protrusion  34  may be integrally formed with and extend from a second reinforcement plate  14  located on the second side piece  22 , which may be attached to the mesh  18  thereof. Similar to the first reinforcement plate  12 , the second reinforcement plate  14  may be made from a substantially rigid material, such as plastic and/or a composite, and may be stitched onto and/or otherwise attached to the mesh  18  of the second side piece  22 . The first reinforcement plate  12  and the second reinforcement plate  14  may be collectively referred to as a back support. In an embodiment, the adhesive strip  28  may extend from the second reinforcement plate  14  on the mesh  18  of the second side piece  22 . 
     Pulling of the tab  40  in either direction C or direction D may extend the cord  30  around the circumference of the support belt  10  that may allow the wearer  64  to affix the tab  40  on the adhesive strip  28  at a location chosen by the wearer  64  to, for example, accommodate the girth of the wearer  64 . Further, the belt  64  may be worn tighter around the lower back area K of the wearer  64  which may be desirable in certain strenuous and/or high-load situations. Extension of the cord  30  around the circumference of the support belt  10  may tighten and/or pull the cord  30  through and/or about the holes  26  that may be located on both the first protrusion  32  and/or the second protrusion  34  to generally pull the first reinforcement plate  12  in the direction C toward the second reinforcement plate  14 . Likewise, the second reinforcement plate  14  may be pulled in the direction D toward the first reinforcement plate  12  to secure the first side piece  20  to the second side piece  22 . 
     In an embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1  for example, the first reinforcement plate  12  may be connected and/or attached with the second reinforcement plate  14  by interweaving the cord  30  through the array of holes  26  at the rear connection area A. Further, the rear connection area A, generally defining the first reinforcement plate  12  and the second reinforcement plate  14 , may be aligned with the lower back area K of the wearer  64  to, for example, compress against and/or provide support to the wearer  64 . Thus, upon pulling, tightening and/or attachment of the tab  40  on the adhesive strip  28  extending along the circumference of the support belt  10  on the mesh  18 , the wearer  64  may compress the first reinforcement plate  12  and/or the second reinforcement plate  14  against the wearer  64 . Such compression may assist the wearer  64  in alleviating and/or otherwise avoiding potential sources and/or causes of pain in the lower back area K that may be associated with and/or otherwise caused by the repetitive lifting and/or moving of objects, for example. 
     To wear the support belt  10 , the wearer  64  may, for example, grasp the support belt  10  which may have the cord  30  pre-threaded as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, and may wrap the first side piece  20  toward the second side piece  22 . Accordingly, the wearer may attach the first fastener panel  44  on the first side piece  20  with the corresponding second fastener panel  46  on the second side piece  22  to secure the support belt  10  to itself in the circumferential direction as shown in, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 2 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the spatial configurations and/or orientations described of the various components of the support belt  10 , such as, but not limited to, the first reinforcement plate  12  and/or the second reinforcement plate  14 , are exemplary in nature and not otherwise intended to depart from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, other types and/or methods of adhering the tab  40  to the adhesive strip  28  may be used other than Velcro® and/or Velcro-type fasteners, for example. Further, the positioning of panels of fasteners may be interchanged and/or inverted to accommodate attachment of the first side piece  20  to the second side piece  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the support belt  10  is shown illustrating pulling, sliding and/or other general movement of the tab  40  connected to the cord  30  in a direction F in the front region B. The tab  40  may be interwoven with a loop  42  wrapped around a ring  60  connected to the cord  30 . In an embodiment, the wearer may pull the tab  40  in the direction F to attach to the adhesive strip  28  to tighten and/or to loosen the support belt  10  in the circumferential direction. Grommets  38  may extend through, provide structural definition to and/or assist in the attachment of the first reinforcement plate  12  and/or the second reinforcement plate  14  to the mesh  18  stretched across the perimeter  16  of the support belt  10 . 
     In an embodiment, the wearer  64  of the support belt  10  may pull the cord  30  in the direction E and/or F, as shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, to constrict and/or otherwise reduce the overall circumference of the support belt  10  and/or to accommodate the girth of the wearer  64 . For example, the wearer  64  may pull the tab  40  along the adhesive strip  28  on the second side piece  22  to attach to the same. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the relative orientations and/or placement of the tab  40  that may be connected to the cord  30  are exemplary, and the support belt  10  may be worn inverted and/or the tab  40  may be extended in a direction opposite to directions E and/or F, as shown in  FIG. 2  to wrap the cord  30  around in a direction opposite to that shown in  FIG. 2 . In such a configuration, the cord  30  may also reduce the overall circumference of the support belt  10  to accommodate the girth of the wearer  64 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the support belt  10  is shown as unfolded and/or otherwise laid-flat such that the second side piece  22  may be positioned adjacent to the first side piece  20 . In an embodiment, the support belt  10  may be folded across a central axis G for storage and/or transport as shown in, for example,  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Further, the support belt  10  may be folded again more, for example, across mid-axes H and/or I after first folding across the central axis “G” to form a more compact form of the support belt  10  as shown in, for example  FIG. 6 . The second fastener panel  46  may be attached to the mesh  18  of the second side piece  22  to fit with and/or otherwise engage with the corresponding first fastener panel  44  attached to a location on the first side piece  20 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Specifically, the second fastener panel  46  may be attached to an exterior-facing surface of the mesh  18  of the second side piece  22  to engage with the first fastener panel  44 , which may be attached to the mesh  18  of the first side piece. Accordingly, the second fastener panel  46  may attach to, engage with and/or otherwise combine with the first fastener panel  44  in the front region B as shown in  FIG. 2 , for example to secure the belt circumferentially around the lower back area K of the wearer  64  as shown in, for example,  FIGS. 9 and 10 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the relative configuration and/or positioning of each the second fastener panel  46  on the second side piece  22  and/or the first fastener panel  44  on the first side piece  20  is exemplary and thus not intended to be limiting to the specific configuration and/or positioning shown in the figures. Alternative suitable configurations may exist that may also accommodate attachment of the second side piece  22  to the first side piece  20  as shown in, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 2 , to wrap around the lower back area K of the wearer  64  as shown in, for example,  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the support belt  10  is shown folded onto itself along the central axis “G” as shown in  FIG. 3 , for example, to expose the second side piece  22 . In an embodiment, the support belt  10  may be folded as shown in  FIG. 4  to reduce in size and thus accommodate transport and/or storage. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the tab  40  connected to the cord  30  may be extended across the second side piece  22  lengthwise to span the length of the adhesive strip  28  and attach to the second fastener panel  46 . Accordingly, the support belt  10  may be further folded across mid-axis “I” to form a compact configuration as shown in  FIG. 6 , for example. Guide passages  52  may be positioned between the perforations  24  and the second protrusion  34  on the second reinforcement piece  14  to guide the cord  30  from the of holes  26  across the adhesive strip  28  on the mesh  18  and toward the second fastener panel  46  that may be attached to the mesh  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the support belt  10  is shown folded over upon itself along the central axis G as shown in  FIG. 3  such that the first side piece  20  may be exposed. In an embodiment, the support belt  10  may be folded as shown in  FIG. 5  to reduce in size and thus accommodate transport and/or storage. A redundant description of like elements first introduced and discussed in connection to the preceding  FIGS. 1-4  is omitted. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the adhesive strip  28  may extend partially across the mesh  18  of the first side piece  20  to permit the wearer  64  to extend the tab  40  that may be connected to the cord  30  across the front region B, as shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, to secure the tab  40  to a position on the adhesive strip  38  proportionate to the girth of the wearer  64 . In an embodiment, the cord  30  may be inserted into and/or otherwise threaded through the sleeve  36  and the first protrusion  32  and extend through and/or across the holes  26  toward the second protrusion  34  on the second reinforcement piece  14  on the second side piece  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the support belt  10  is shown folded twice, i.e. first across the central axis G, as shown in  FIG. 3 , and second across mid-axes H and I to form the compact configuration of the belt as shown in  FIG. 6 . In the configuration shown in  FIG. 6 , the first side piece  20  is shown exposed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the configuration shown in  FIG. 6  is exemplary and the support belt  10  may be folded twice over across the central axis G and the mid-axes H and I to expose the second side piece  22 , if desired. The support belt  10 , in the reduced size configuration shown in  FIG. 6 , may be stored and/or transported. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in an embodiment, an extension  66  is shown connected to the tab  40  by the ring  50 . The wearer  64  may pull and/or otherwise maneuver the extension  66  to position the tab on the adhesive strip  28  for attachment as desired to accommodate the girth of the wearer. The extension  66  may be connected to the tab  40  which may connect with the cord  30  that may be positioned along and/or across either the first side piece  20  or the second side piece  22  for securing the support belt  10  around the lower back area K of a wearer and/or for storage. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a close-up view of the second fastener panel  46  is shown positioned at an end J of the second side  22 . In an embodiment, the second fastener panel  46  may be positioned on an interior-facing surface of the mesh  18  of the second side  22  to combine with the first side  20  at the front area B as shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, and/or as described in connection with  FIG. 3 . Threads  62  may extend length-wise across the second fastener panel  46  to attach the same to the mesh  18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a front view and a rear view of the support belt  10  worn by a wearer  64  is shown, respectively. The support belt  10  may provide lower back and/or lumbar support at the lower back region K to reinforce and/or support the wearer  64  as he or she engages in physically demanding and/or strenuous activity. Specifically, the front area B and/or the rear area A of the support belt  10  may be aligned as desired by the wearer  64  to maximize and/or otherwise provide optimal support and/or protection to the wearer  64 . 
     Although the preceding description has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the description is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the description extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.