Patent ID: 7201727

Claim:
An orthosis comprising: a first semi-rigid body support member conforming to a waist portion of a user's body having one of a first nap and hook material on an exterior surface of one end; a second semi-rigid body support member conforming to another waist portion of a user's body having one of a second nap and hook material on an exterior surface of one end and configured for removable attachment to the first semi-rigid support member; and a closure unit having a first connector member with a first plurality of support posts operatively connected to the first body support member, the first plurality of support posts are fixed and have axes extending approximately perpendicular to the surface of the first support member, a second connector member with a second plurality of support posts operatively connected to the second semi-rigid body support member, the second plurality of support posts are fixed and have axes extending approximately perpendicular to the surface of the second semi-rigid support member, and an elongated flexible pull member operatively extending between the respective first and second support posts to provide a mechanical force advantage when tightened by the user in moving the first semi-rigid body support member and second semi-rigid support member to conform about and against the user's body, each of the first semi-rigid body support member and second semi-rigid body support member have a semi-rigid panel mounted within a central portion to enable a bending flex about a vertical axis of the user's waist for conformity to the user's body and higher resistance to any bending about a transverse axis to the vertical axis.