Abstract:
A lumbo-sacral orthopedic brace includes a rear member including a back portion and side portions. The brace also includes a front member. A closure is provided for adjustably and releasably securing the front member to the rear member and the closure includes straps coupled to the rear member. The straps are adapted to collectively span the front member and include hook and loop fastener elements to allow cooperating straps to be fastened to one another. The straps include finger loops into which the user or wearer can slip his or her fingers to conveniently manipulate the straps into position. In particular, the finger loops allow one to easily stretch out the straps to cinch the brace tight and to secure the straps to one another in a quick and easy manner.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/720,117, filed Sep. 23, 2005, and incorporates the disclosure of the same herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to an orthopedic brace and in particular relates to an orthopedic brace having an improved closure to provide easy and quick attachment and adjustment.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A great many orthopedic braces exist for numerous ailments. One such orthopedic brace is a lumbo-sacral orthopedic brace. Typically, such braces can be comprised of rigid panels, soft panels, soft panels with rigid or semi rigid inserts, etc. In this general field, a great many designs can be found. Many such designs utilize straps for securing and adjusting the fit of the brace to the wearer.  
         [0004]     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,998 discloses a lumbo-sacral orthopedic brace apparatus formed of flexible materials to fit over a patient&#39;s torso and has a flexible front section shaped to fit over the front of a patient&#39;s torso and covered with a hook and loop fastener loop material. A plurality of flexible straps are attached to the front section on either side thereof by being attached to a hook and loop fastener hook strap which is attached to the brace front section loop material. A flexible rear section is shaped to fit over the rear of a patient&#39;s torso and has a plurality of loops attached to each side thereof by being attached to a hook and loop hook strap which is attached to the rear section loop material. The straps on the flexible front section are looped through the loops on the rear section and are connected in groups to common flexible straps. Pulling one common strap pulls a plurality of straps through the loops. Each common strap has hook material attached thereto so that the common strap can be attached to the front section loop material in different positions and angles to adjust the stress of the rear flexible member on the rear of a patient&#39;s torso.  
         [0005]     One problem with many such orthopedic braces is that the straps can be hard to operate and manipulate. In some instances, this problem is even more prolonged because many wearers of such a brace are experiencing some sort of physical difficulty of one sort or another at the time.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Briefly described, in a first preferred form the present invention comprises a lumbo-sacral orthopedic brace and includes a rear member including a back portion and side portions. The brace also includes a front member. A closure is provided for adjustably and releasably securing the front member to the rear member. The closure includes straps coupled to the rear member. The straps are adapted to collectively span the front member and include hook and loop fastener elements to allow cooperating straps to be fastened to one another.  
         [0007]     Preferably, the straps include finger loops into which the user or wearer can slip his or her fingers to conveniently manipulate the straps into position. In particular, the finger loops allow one to easily stretch out the straps to cinch the brace tight and to secure the straps to one another quickly and easily. Preferably, the finger loops are at one distal end of the straps. These first distal ends of the straps have some hook and loop material thereon, with some hook material on one side of the ends of the straps and some loop material on the other side. Preferably, to facilitate one strap overlying another and to be fastened thereto, the position of the finger loops on straps extending from one side of the rear member is different from the position of the finger loops on the straps extending from the other side of the rear member.  
         [0008]     Preferably, the orthopedic brace includes loop material in locations to allow the ends of the straps to be temporarily “tacked” in place by temporarily securing the end of the strap to some loop material on the brace.  
         [0009]     Preferably, the front member has a central panel and two smaller side panels. In one form, the side panels have loop material, while the central panel does not. In another form, the central panel includes loop material. Preferably, the distal ends of the straps bearing the finger loops have a width on the order of the width of a human hand, to facilitate manipulation of the straps by a user or wearer.  
         [0010]     In one form, the straps are secured to the rear member using fixed loops. The fixed loops preferably are mounted securely to the rear member and the straps are threaded therethrough. Optionally, the rear panel or rear member can comprise a central back panel and two side panels.  
         [0011]     Preferably, at least a portion of the straps comprises elastic material. Also preferably, a second, opposite end of the straps comprises a fastener panel. Preferably, the fastener panel includes loop material on one side and hook material on an opposite side.  
         [0012]     Preferably, straps extending from one side of the rear member have loop material on the front, while straps extending from the other side of the rear member have hook material on the back.  
         [0013]     In another preferred form the present invention comprises a lumbo-sacral orthopedic brace and includes a rear member including a back portion and side portions. The brace also includes a front member. A closure is provided for adjustably and releasably securing the front member to the rear member. The closure includes straps coupled to the rear member. The straps include finger loops into which the user or wearer can slip his or her fingers to manipulate the straps conveniently into position. In particular, the finger loops allow one to easily stretch out the straps to cinch the brace tight and to secure the straps to one another quickly and easily.  
         [0014]     Preferably, the finger loops are at one distal end of the straps. These first distal ends of the straps have some hook and loop material thereon, with some hook material on one side of the ends of the strap and some loop material on the other side. Preferably, to facilitate one strap overlying another and to be fastened thereto, the position of the finger loops on straps extending from one side of the rear member is different from the position of the finger loops on the straps extending from the other side of the rear member.  
         [0015]     Preferably, the straps are adapted to collectively span the front member and include hook and loop fastener elements to allow cooperating straps to be fastened to one another. In one form, the front member is provided without any loop material thereon so that the straps are fastened to one another without being secured to the front member. In an alternative form, the front member can be provided with loop material and then the straps can be secured directly thereto or can be secured to each other and also to the front member.  
         [0016]     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, partially disassembled view of a lumbo-sacral orthopedic brace according to a first preferred form of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a top view of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 1 , shown in a closed position, such as when worn by a user.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 1 , shown in a partially opened position, such as when being donned by a user.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of the end of one of the straps of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 3B  is a back view of the strap end portion of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 3A .  
         [0022]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the strap end portion of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 3A .  
         [0023]      FIG. 3D  is a side view of the strap end portion of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 3A .  
         [0024]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of the end of another one of the straps of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 4B  is a back view of the strap end portion of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 4A .  
         [0026]      FIG. 4C  is a top view of the strap end portion of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 4A .  
         [0027]      FIG. 4D  is a side view of the strap end portion of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 4A .  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a top view of end portions of strap portions of the orthopedic brace of  FIG. 1 , shown overlying and fastened to one another.  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the orthopedic brace according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention and shown in a closed position, such as when worn by a user. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     Referring now to the drawing figures, in which like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout the several views, preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example embodiments. It is to be understood that the embodiments described and depicted herein are only selected examples of the many and various forms that the present invention may take, and that these examples are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a lumbo-sacral orthopedic brace  10  includes a posterior member  12  that can be releasably secured to an anterior member  14 . The posterior member  12  has a back panel  16  for placement against a user&#39;s back and a pair of smaller sides  18  and  20  for wrapping around the hips of the user. The back panel  16  can be constructed of a rigid or a semi-rigid material, such as plastic, and covered with foam or fabric, or it can be constructed of a soft material with rigid or semi-rigid inserts. Preferably, the outer material for the posterior member comprises either loop material or a fabric having a weave that would cooperate with hook material. Optionally, the back panel  16  can have one or more pockets for receiving one or more inserts so as to provide additional lumbar support. Those skilled in the art will understand that the posterior member  12  can be made in any of a variety of sizes and shapes so as to accommodate users of various body sizes. Those skilled in the art will also understand that the posterior member  12  can also be constructed of various materials so as to provide lumbar and/or lumbosacral support.  
         [0032]     The side panel  20  includes a plurality of eyelets or belt loops  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  for capturing and retaining a pair of closure straps  30  and  32 . Similarly, the side panel  18  includes four similar eyelets or belt loops (see for example eyelet  23 , as shown in  FIG. 2A ), for capturing a pair of closure straps  36  and  38 . As used herein, the term “eyelets” is used to describe the eyelets  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  for ease of description, and to minimize confusion even though the term “loop” may be more technically descriptive (because the term “loop” is also used to describe other features herein).  
         [0033]     The anterior member  14  includes a front panel  40  and side panels  41  and  42 . The anterior member  14  can be contoured so as to fit snugly against the abdomen of the user. The front panel  40  of the anterior member  14  has an outer surface  44 , while the side panels  41  and  42  have outer surfaces  45  and  46 , respectively. Preferably, the outer surfaces  45  and  46  of the side panels  41  and  42  are covered with loop material, while the outer surface  44  of the front panel is not. However, the outer surfaces  44 ,  45 , and  46  can be covered with loop material or a fabric that is compatible with hook material (so that the hook material attaches to the fabric).  
         [0034]      FIG. 2A  shows a top view of the orthopedic brace  10  in a closed position. The straps  30  and  36  mate together so as to releasably connect the posterior member  12  to the anterior member  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . Thus, the straps are  30  and  36  are connected together, while straps  32  and  38  (although not shown in this view) are also secured together in a manner substantially similar or identical to that of the straps  30  and  36 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 2B  shows a top view of the orthopedic brace  10  in a partially open position such as when being donned by the user. As depicted, the strap  30  and the strap  32  (although not shown) are connected to the posterior member  12  but are not connected to the anterior member  14 , while the strap  36  and the strap  38  (although not shown) are connected to both the anterior member  14  and the posterior member. This configuration allows an opening for the user to slide the brace around his or her lower back. Alternatively, the straps  36  and  38  can be connected to only the posterior member  12 , while the straps  30  and  32  are connected to both the anterior member  14  and the posterior member  12 .  
         [0036]     As described herein, the straps  30  and  32  are substantially similar to one another with the exception of their placement on the orthopedic brace, and thus only strap  30  will be described. The strap  30  has a distal broad strap end  50  and a base end  52 . The broad strap end  50  has a bulb  54  permanently secured to an intermediate strap portion  56 . Preferably, the distal broad strap end  50  has a width on the order of the width of a human hand to facilitate manipulation of the straps by a user or wearer. Between the intermediate strap portion  56  and the base end  52  is a pair of generally parallel elastic bands  58  and  59  that are permanently secured to both the base end and the intermediate portion. The eyelet  22  holds captive the elastic band  58 , and the eyelet  24  holds captive the elastic band  59 . Those skilled in the art will understand that the various portions of the strap  30  can be permanently secured together by stitching, gluing, bonding, or the like. Alternatively, the various portions can be semi-permanently or releasably connected together with various fasteners and/or fastening methods. Or, the straps can be a single unitary piece. In another embodiment, the strap  30  can include a single elastic band captured by a single eyelet, or the strap  30  can include a plurality of elastic bands captured by one or more eyelets.  
         [0037]     The strap  30  has an anterior surface  60  and a posterior surface  62 , as more clearly shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3D . The anterior surface  60  of the bulb  54  and the intermediate portion  56  comprise loop material, although a portion of the broad strap end  40  includes a semicircular patch  64  of hook material for connecting with a cooperating loop material portion of the strap  36 . Those skilled in the art will understand that the patch  64  of hook material can include various shapes and sizes. The anterior surface of the bulb  54  includes a finger loop  66  permanently secured thereto through which the user can slip one or more fingers to conveniently manipulate the strap  30  into position. Preferably, the width of the finger loop  66  is on the order of the width of a human hand to facilitate the manipulation of the strap  30  by the user. Alternatively, the width of the finger loop  66  can be somewhat smaller, so as to accommodate one or more fingers of the user, or the finger loop  66  can be somewhat larger.  
         [0038]     Additionally, the anterior surface  60  at the base portion  52  includes a strip (not shown in the figures) of hook material for releasably securing the strap to the side  20  of the orthopedic brace  10  or to the outer surface  46  of the side panel  42  of the anterior member  14 . The posterior surface  62  of the strap  30  comprises mostly loop material with the exception of a small auxiliary patch  68  of hook material located proximate the distal broad end  50  for temporary tacking to the side panel  20  of the posterior member  12 , or to the side panel  42  of the anterior member  14 , or to the strap&#39;s base end  52 .  
         [0039]     The straps  36  and  38  are substantially similar to one another with the exception of their placement on the orthopedic brace  10 , and thus only strap  36  will be described herein. The strap  36  has a distal a broad strap end  70  and a base end  72 . The broad strap end  70  has a bulb  74  permanently secured to an intermediate strap portion  76 . Preferably, the distal broad strap end  70  has a width on the order of the width of a human hand to facilitate manipulation of the straps by a user or wearer. Between the intermediate strap portion  76  and the base end  72  is a pair of generally parallel elastic bands (not shown) that are permanently secured to both the base end and the intermediate portion. The eyelet  23  holds captive the upper elastic band while a second eyelet (not shown) holds captive the lower elastic band, which is similar to the construction of the strap  30  with the elastic bands  58  and  59 . Those skilled in the art will understand that the various portions of the strap  36  can be permanently secured together by stitching, gluing, bonding, or the like. Alternatively, the various portions can be semi-permanently or releasably connected together with various fasteners and/or fastening methods. Or, the strap can be a single unitary piece. In another embodiment, the strap  36  can include a single elastic band captured by a single eyelet, or the strap  36  can include a plurality of elastic bands captured by one or more eyelets.  
         [0040]     The strap  36  has an anterior surface  90  and a posterior surface  92 , as more clearly shown in  FIGS. 4A through 4D . The anterior surface  90  of the bulb  74  and the intermediate portion  76  comprise loop material. The anterior surface of the bulb  74  includes one finger loop  96  permanently secured thereto through which the user can slip one or more fingers to conveniently manipulate the strap  30  into position. Preferably, the width of the finger loop  96  is on the order of the width of a human hand to facilitate the manipulation of the strap  36  by the user. Alternatively, the width of the finger loop  96  can be somewhat smaller, so as to accommodate one or more fingers of the user, or the finger loop  96  can be somewhat larger.  
         [0041]     Additionally, the anterior surface  90  at the base portion  72  includes a strip  77  of hook material for releasably securing the strap to the side  18  of the orthopedic brace  10 . The posterior surface  92  of the strap  36  comprises mostly loop material with the exception of a semicircular patch  98  of hook material located proximate the distal broad end  70  for connecting with a cooperating, loop material portion of the strap  30  and for tacking to the side panel  18  of the posterior member  12 , or to the side panel  41  of the anterior member  14 , or to the strap&#39;s base end  72 .  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the position of the finger loop  66  extending from one side of the posterior member  12  is different from the position of the finger loop  96  extending from the other side of the posterior member. Thus, when the strap  36  overlies and is secured to the strap  30 , the finger loops  66  and  96 , and consequently the user&#39;s hands, do not interfere with the closure of the straps  30  and  36 .  
         [0043]     Those skilled in the art will understand that even though the use of hook and loop material is described as preferable in the exemplary embodiments, other forms of fasteners can be used as well, including for example, fasteners that can be quickly released such as snaps, magnetic snaps, or other such fasteners. Those skilled in the art will also understand that fewer or additional straps can be used and still be within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0044]     To use or wear the orthopedic brace  10 , the user preferably configures the brace as shown in  FIG. 2A  and slides the open side around his or her lower back. The user slides his or her left hand (or a few fingers) into the finger grip  66  of the strap  30  and slides his or her right hand (or a few fingers) into the finger grip  96  of the strap  36 . The user manipulates the straps, using the finger grips  66  and  96 , to connect the straps such that the strap  36  overlies the strap  30 , thereby forming a closure for the brace  10 . The user secures the hook material  98  of the strap  36  to the loop material on the anterior surface  60  of the strap  30  while securing the hook material  64  of the strap  30  to the loop material of the posterior surface  92  of the strap  36 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . The straps  32  and  38  can be secured in a similar manner. Thus, as shown the straps  30 ,  32 ,  36 , and  38  collectively span the front panel  40 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of an orthopedic brace  110  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The orthopedic brace  110  is substantially similar to the orthopedic brace  10  but with the exceptions noted herein. The strap  136  does not overlie the strap  130 , nor does the strap  138  overlie the strap  132 . Rather, the straps  130  and  132  each include a patch of hook material  168  and  198  on the back (i.e., posterior) surfaces for connecting directly to the anterior surface  144  of the front panel  114  of the brace  110 . Thus, preferably, the anterior surface  144  of the front panel  114  includes loop material for cooperating with the hook material of the patches on the straps. Alternatively, the anterior portion  114  can include a fabric having a weave such that the hook material can be secured thereto. Thus, the user inserts his or hands (or just a few fingers) into the finger straps  166  and  196  and attaches the straps directly to the front panel  140  of the anterior member  114 , thereby forming a closure for the orthopedic brace  110 .  
         [0046]     While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.