Patent Application
20230051922
The present invention relates to personal wearable support devices for the purpose of providing bodily support while allowing the use of upper body extremities while performing task related functions. In particular, the invention relates to a device that can be adjusted based on the user and allow for full range of motion while supporting back and core muscle systems.
The use of personal support devices, such as lumbar and back supports, joint supports, and muscle sprain supports have grown in use over the past twenty years. What originally started as elastic wraps have evolved into highly technical devices that provide support and are made up of a combination of materials.
The majority of these devices have a commonality. They are all designed to be applied after an injury or when support is needed, and none of them can provide an extra measure of support. They merely keep everything in place. When a tear or sprain occurs, the support device will allow for function to return with the full range determined my the extent of injury or insult.
In short, these support devices are reactionary. They are utilized after the something has occurred. Therefore, a need exists for devices to be utilized that provide a level of support that can eliminate or dramatically reduce the numbers of back and abdominal injuries, as well as injuries to extremities, while allowing for task productivity to increase.
The present invention comprises a novel device consisting of four major components. When the user wears the device in non-support mode, it folded to the chest in a relatively innocuous, and out of the way. When properly extended, the user can perform low to the ground tasks, with the device providing support to free the use from strain.
A clear understanding of the key features of the invention summarized above may be had by reference to the appended drawings, which illustrate the method and system of the invention, although it will be understood that such drawings depict preferred embodiment of the invention and, therefore, are not to be considered as limiting its scope with regard to other embodiment which the invention is capable of contemplating. Accordingly:
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed
items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific
terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of
techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.
The device 1 aids in the user's completion of various tasks by providing additional support and stability. After adjusting the device 1 to position the foot 3 in the desired location, the user can apply a portion of his body weight to the device 1, thus reducing stresses on the user's body, as shown in
The device 1 can be adjusted to position the foot 3 in various locations. The foot 3 can be planted on the ground, a shelf, a countertop, or similar objects.
To adjust the device 1 for proper positioning, the user can pivot the pivot arm 4 about the bracket 5. The pivot arm 4 is pinned to the bracket 5, and the pivot arm 4 can securely lock into several positions.
To actuate the rotation of the pivot arm 4, the user depresses the pivot arm buttons 6 before manually pivoting the pivot arm 4 about the bracket 5. In
The device 1 can be further adjusted by increasing the distance between the foot 3 and the bracket 5. The foot 3 is secured to the extender arm 7, and pulling on the foot 3 draws the extender arm 7 outward, as shown in
The extender arm buttons 8, mounted to the extender housing 9, contain geometry that locks the extender arm 7 in place, preventing the foot 3 from retracting back toward the bracket 5. In
