Patent ID: 8590078

Claim:
A support structure which can be placed around the waist of a user and which comprises (1) a front member which has an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, and (2) a rear member which is secured to the front member, and which can be moved between (i) a first position in which the rear member and the inner perimeter of the front member define between them an open area having an opening through which the waist of a user can pass, and (ii) a second position in which the rear member extends across the opening and forms an enclosure around the waist of a user; the front member having an upper surface, the upper surface comprising one of (A) a first area which extends across the front of a user and a second area which (i) extends across the front of a user, (ii) is closer to the inner perimeter than the first area, and (iii) is inclined downwards relative to the first area or (B) at least one upstanding ridge, the upstanding ridge being adjacent to at least part of the inner perimeter or the outer perimeter of the front member, wherein the front member comprises (a) a front section which has substantial width and substantial thickness, (b) two side sections which extend from either end of the front section, and generally at right angles to the front section, and which have substantial width, and substantial thickness; and wherein (c) the upper surface comprises said first and second areas, the first area is substantially horizontal, and each of the first and second areas extends across substantially the whole of the front section.