Patent ID: 8568344

Claim:
A torso assist orthotic device configured to be worn by a user, the user requiring assistance in holding a torso of the user in a vertical position and returning the user's torso to a vertical position from a forward bent over position, the torso assist orthotic device comprising: an upper body engaging portion, including a pair of upper arms, one positioned at each side of the upper body engaging portion; a lower body engaging portion, including a pair of lower arms, one positioned at each side of the lower body engaging portion; each upper arm rotatably connected to a respective one of the pair of lower arms and forming a hinged connection therewith; a spring assist device mounted at and engaging each hinged connection, the spring assist device being selectively disengagable, such that when the spring assist device is engaged, the spring assist device provides resistance to forward movement of the user's torso and urges each upper arm into substantial alignment with the respective lower arm; the spring assist device including a self-latching spring engagement/disengagement device; said self-latching spring engagement/disengagement device including a peg, a locking pin and a slider having a slot therein, the spring assist device including a forward stop to prevent the upper body engaging portion from going forward past approximately ninety degrees with regard to the lower body engaging portion, and a rearward stop to prevent the upper body engaging portion from going rearward past being generally in line with the lower body engaging portion; the spring assist device including a spring selected to counteract the weight of the user's torso so as to aid the return of the user's torso to a vertical position with minimal effort by the user.