US3282264A

US3282264A - Back brace

Info

Publication number: US3282264A
Application number: US341915A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicholas C Connelly
Original assignee: SH Camp and Co
Current assignee: SH Camp and Co
Priority date: 1964-02-03
Filing date: 1964-02-03
Publication date: 1966-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 1983-11-01
Also published as: SE309824B; NL6501005A; DE1491137B1; GB1080241A

Description

Nov. 1, 1966 N. c. coNNELLY BACK BRACE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 3, 1964 INVENTOR NICHOLAS C. COMLLY ATTORNEY -FIQ 3 Nov. 1', 1966 N. c. coNNELLY BACK BRACE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1964 -FIQ 4 INVENTOR NICHOLAS C. COA/NELLY ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,282,264 BACK BRACE Nicholas C. Connelly, Eaton Rapids, Mich., assignor to S. H. Camp & Company, Jackson, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Feb. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 341,915 6 Claims. (Cl. 128-78) The invention pertains to a body brace and particularly relates to a back brace having a substantially rigid frame encased within a removable cover.

Body braces for orthotic purposes often employ a rigid frame for maintaining the body in the desired position during treatment. The frame is usually strapped to or embraces the patients body Vso as to closely conform thereto. The construction of such braces usually includes padding associated with the frame for purposes of comfort, It is the usual practice with padded body braces to permanently associate the padding and padding covering with the rigid brace frame during manufacture of the brace, and such padding becomes an integral part of the brace during its period of use.

The permanent attachment of the brace padding, and such covering as may be associated with the padding and the frame, makes it most difficult to maintain the cover and padding in a clean and hygienic state, in that the rigid nature of the frame prevents cleaning other than by a hand technique. Hand cleaning is only partially effective, at best, in that many of the folds, creases and crevices of the brace padding and cover are inaccessible to brushes and cleaning utensils.

Another disadvantage of body braces having permanently attached paddings and covers arises during the fitting of the brace to the patient. To provide the most effective body bracing, the frame of the brace is custom fitted to the particular configuration of the patient. Such shaping is produced by bending the frame to produce the proper contours. Such a practice is very common in back braces and the like where the configuration of the patients spine and adjacent areas is of utmost importance. Accurate shaping of conventional brace frames is dilicult due to the fact that the permanently attached padding and cover associated with the frame do not permit the technician to observe the configuration of the frame itself. Also, as bending of the frame must take place through the cover and padding, there is a possibility of damaging the padding during forming of the frame.

It is an object of the invention to provide a body brace incorporating a substantially rigid frame disposed within a padded cover wherein the cover may be easily removed from the frame for laundering and replacement purposes. In the practice of the invention, several padded covers may be furnished with a common frame and, thus, the patient will be able to easily maintain the brace in a hygienic and attractive condition.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a body brace employing a substantially rigid frame wherein the frame may be accurately fitted to the patient, and yet padding and an attractive and utilitarian cover may be employed with the frame.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a back brace employing a substantially rigid frame having a back portion and a pelvic band portion wherein slip-on padded covers are employed with the frame portions and may be easily mounted on and removed from the frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a back brace employing a slip-on padded cover wherein the cover may be affixed to the frame without requiring attachment means to be dened on the frame itself.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a back brace having a corset associated therewith wherein Patented Nov. 1, 1966 ice the corset is affixed to the back brace and becomes a component thereof during use.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a back brace having a corset associated therewith wherein straps are affixed to the upper portion of the back brace and pass over the patients shoulders and are looped through mounting means defined on a central portion of the back brace, and therefrom extend to the lower front portion of the corset. This arrangement transmits abdominal support to the shoulders, while maintaining the brace structure in conformity with the body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a back brace having a corset associated therewith wherein the corset .components are attached to the back brace by means of lacing to provide adjustment between the corset and the back brace.

Another object of the invention is to provide a back brace having a substantially rigid frame formed of a sheet material and including a pair of substantially parallel rails interconnected by a crosspiece. The crosspiece lies within the plane of the rails, whereby no projections or humps are formed which cause localized wear of the patients clothing.

These and other objects of the invention arising from the details and relationships of the components of an embodiment thereof will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front and side of a b'ody brace in accord with the invention as worn by the patient,

FIG. 2 is a back, elevational view of a body brace in accord with the invention as mounted on a patient,

FIG. 3 is a detail, enlarged, elevational view of the lower portion of the body brace illustrating the frame back portion and pelvic band portion covers in the unfastened condition,

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the conrponents of the body brace in accord with the invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan, cross-sectional view of the brace back portion padding and cover, as taken along section V-V of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 6 is an elevational, cross-sectional View of the pelvicy band portion padding and cover, as taken along section VI-VI of FIG. 2.

The concepts of the invention are illustrated and described in conjunction with a body brace of the type commonly known as a Taylor back brace. It is to be understood that the concepts of the invention are not to be limited to this particular type of body brace, but may be employed with other types of body braces, such as chair-back and Goldthwaite type braces, as would be within the scope of one skilled in the art.

The basic component of the body brace, in accord with the invention, is the frame 10 whose configuration is apparent in FIG. 4. The frame 10 is preferably formed of a substantially rigid material such as 24 ST spring aluminum plate and includes a back portion 12 and a pelvic band portion 14. The back portion 12 includes an upper portion 16, a central portion 18, and a lower portion 20. The back portion 12 is so formed that the brace back portion comprises a pair of substantially parallel spaced rails 22 interconnected by an integral crossbar 24. The rails 22 include inner lateral side edges 26, and as the crossbar 24 is formed of the same material as the rails, the crossbar, in effect, interconnects the inner side edges 26 of the rails 22 and lies within the plane of the rails. The side 28 of the rails and crossbarvwhich will be disposed adjacent the wearer is designated the front side, and the opposite side 30 of the back portion components is henceforth designated the back side.

The pelvic band portion 14 is of a substantially arcuate configuration and includes outer

arcuate portions

32 and 34 and a central portion 36. The central portion 36 is connected to the lower ends of the rails 22 by rivets 3S or similar fastening means.

The frame is bendable and is fitted to the patient by the technician. As no covering or padding is associated with the frame during the fitting, the technician can very accurately bend and shape both the back portion and the pelvic band portion as desired and observe and measure the frame directly.

The frame 10 is encased within padded slip-on covers. The covers include pockets defined therein for receiving the frame, and means are provided on the covers for maintaining the frame within the pockets, as will be described.

The back portion cover is best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, and includes a pair of

fabric layers

42 and 44, FIG. 5, sewn together at their lateral edges through a binding 46. A padding material 48, such as foam rubber or foam polyurethane, is interposed between the fabric layers, and is maintained between the layers by the seam interconnecting the layers. It will, therefore, be appreciated that a pocket 50 is defined between the

fabric layers

42 and 44, and this pocket is open at its lower end, as will be apparent from FIG. 3, wherein edge 52 indicates the lower edge of the rear fabric 44, and he inner fabric 42 extends substantially beyond the edge 52 to define a flap 54.

The upper portion of the cover 40 is bifurcated to conform to the configuration of the upper portion of the frame 10, as will be apparent from FIG. 2, and shoulder straps 56 have their upper ends attached to the ends of the bifurcated cover portions.

Fastening means are associated with the inside of the fabric flap 54, FIG. 3. In the preferred embodiment such fastening means are of the type commercially known as Velcro and comprise a Velcro loop mat 58 sewed to the fabric 42 so that the loops of the mat may coact with the hooks defined on the Velcro hook strip 60 sewed to the fabric 44 upon the fiap 54 being folded back to enclose the pocket 50. Eyes 61 are attached in the back portion cover adjacent the lateral edges thereof, as will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3.

A right corset portion 62 and a left corset portion 64 are attached to the back portion cover 40. The corset portions are preferably formed of a nonelastic material having elastic inserts 66 sewed therein adjacent the lateral upper and lower central regions thereof. The rear edges of the

corset portions

62 and 64 are defined by

edges

68 and 70, respectively, FIG. 2, adjacent to which eyes 72 are defined whereby lacing 74 may adjustably attach these edges to the brace back portion cover 40.

Flaps

76 and 78, FIG. 4, are sewed to the corset portions to provide a continuity to the corset portions with respect to the corset circumferential configuration. The right corset portion 62 is also provided with a tongue 80 adapted to prevent contact of the adjustable buckles with the wearers abdomen. Adjustable buckles 82 and straps 84 are mounted on the front portions of the corset portions whereby the corset portions may be interconnected and adjusted to provide the desired support. Garters 86 may be sewed to the corset portions, if desired.

The straps 56 are intended to pass over the shoulders and under the underarms of the wearer, as will be ap parent from FIGS. 1 and 2. Rings 88 are attached to the frame back portion cover fabric 44 by means of a reinforcement 90, and the straps 56 pass through the rings and then extend on a like side of the wearer to the lower front region of the corset portions, as will be apparent from FIG. 1. Adjustable buckle means 92 attach the straps to the corset portions. This construction permits the shoulders to contribute to the support of the abdomen as well as maintain the frame back portion in intimate engagement with the patients back.

The pelvic band portion 14 is also provided with padded covers having POkGtS .defined therein whereby the pelvic band portions may be inserted therein. As the pelvic band covers for each pelvic band portion are substantially identical, the right cover 94 will be described and like components on the left cover 94 are indicated by primes. The pelvic band portion covers 94 and 94 each include an inner fabric 96 and an outer fabric 98, FIG. 6. A padding material 100, such as sponge rubber or foam polyurethane, is sandwiched between the

fabrics

96 and 98, and the cover is sewed together along its lateral edges through a binding 102. A pocket 104 is defined between the outer fabric 98 and the padding 100, and the inner fabric 96 terminates at edge 106, FIG. 4, a distance considerably shorter than the terminating edge 108 of the outer fabric 98 defining a

flap

110 and 110. Thus, the entrance to the pocket 104 will be dened adjacent the pocket edge 106. The

fiaps

110 and 110 are each provided with a snap fastener element 112 adapted to interconnect to maintain the pelvic portion covers 94 and 94 on the associated frame

pelvic portions

32 and 34. Straps 114 are sewed to the ends of the covers and include adjustable buckle means 116 whereby the straps may be passed about the wearers body and drawn tight to maintain the pelvic band portions in firm engagement with the lateral portions of the patients body.

To assemble the body brace in accord with the invention, it is only necessary to insert the frame back portion 12 into the pocket 50 defined in the back portion cover 40. Insertion of the frame back portion into the pocket continues until the upper edge 118 of the pelvic band central portion 36 engages the edge 52 whereupon the frame will be located within the cover 40, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2. The

covers

94 and 94 are then inserted on pelvic band portions 32 and 34', respectively, by slipping the pelvic band portions into the pockets 104 of the covers. The covers are of such length that upon the end of the pockets 104 being engaged by the end' of the pelvic portions, the

flaps

110 and 110 may be folded into alignment with the pelvic band portion 36 and the snap fastener elements 112 connected. Thereupon, the fiap 54 is folded under the contral portion 36 of the pelvic band portion and up over the flaps 110 and 110' whereby the mat 58 may connect with the strip 60 to produce the relationship shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, it will be apparent that by the use of the

fiaps

54, 110 and 110', and their associated fastening means, the

covers

40, 94 and 94 may be firmly mounted on the frame, yet may be quickly disassembled therefrom. As the means for maintaining the covers on the frame are all defined on the covers themselves, fastening means need not be defined on the frame.

The padding 48 within the back portion cover 40 eX- tends to a point substantially even with the bottom edge 120 of the pelvic band portion, FIG. 3. Thus, the central portion of the pelvic band which is not encased within any pocket will be padded against contact with the wearer. The adjustabililty provided by the lacing 74 permits the body brace to be properly fitted to the patient whereby the corset portions may be most effectively attached to the back portion cover and upon the

covers

40, 94 and 94v being soiled, the covers are removed from the frame and may be laundered in a conventional manner.

It is appreciated that modifications to the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is intended that the invention be defined only by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A body brace comprising, in combination (a) fieXible frame-covering means of an inverted T-shape configuration including a back-engaging portion having an upper end portion and longitudinally disposed lateral sides and a pelvic-engaging portion transversely disposed to said back-engaging portion having ends, said covering means being formed of flexible interconnected layers defining a frame-receiving pocket,

(b) a frame including a back portion and a pelvic band portion received within said covering means pocket,

(c) closure means defined on said covering means permitting said frame to be removed from said covering means pocket,

(d) right and left corset portions, each of said corset portions having a rear portion and a front portion, one of said corset portions being affixed at its rear portion to one of said covering means lateral sides, and the other of said corset portions being afiixed at its rear portion to the other of said covering means lateral sides,

(e) fastening means mounted on said corset portions front portions adapted to interconnect said front portions,

(f) a right shoulder strap :and a left shoulder strap, said straps each having first yand second end portions, said shoulder straps irst end portions being afiixed to said covering meansy upper end portion,

(g) means slidingly connecting said straps to said covering means Iback engaging portion, said second end portion of said right shoulder strap being aflxable to one of said corset portions and said second end portion of said left shoulder strap being aflixable to the other of said corset por-tions, and

(h) cooperating means aixing said straps second end portions to the associated corset portion.

2. In a body brace asin claim 1 wherein (a) said covering means upper end portion is bifurcated dening a right end and a left end, said right shoulder strap first end portion being aiiixed to said right end and said left shoulder strap first end portion being affixed to said left end.

3. In a body brace as in claim 1,

(a) strap means adapted to interconnect the said ends of said covering means pelvic-engaging portion.

4. A body brace comprising, in combination (a) exible frame-covering means of an inverted T- shape conguration including a back-engaging portion having an upper end portion and longitudinally disposed later sides and a pelvic-engaging portion transversely disposed to said back-engaging portion having ends, said covering means being formed of exible interconnected layers defining a frame-receiving pocket,

(b) a frame including a back portion and a pelvic band lportion received Within said covering means pocket,

(d) right and left corset portions, each of said corset portions having a rear portion and -a front portion,

one of said corset portions being afiixed at its rear portion to one of said covering means lateral sides, and the other of said corset 'portions being affixed at its rear portion to the other of said covering means lateral sides,

(f) a right shoulder strap and a left shoulder strap, said straps each having first and second end portions, said shoulder straps first end portions being aixed to said covering means upper end portion,

(g) means slidingly connecting said straps to said covering means back engaging portion, said second end portion fof said right shoulder strap being atiixable to said right corset portion and said second end portion of said left shoulder strap being affixable to said left corset portion, and

(h) cooperating means raflixing said straps second end portions lto the associated `corset portion.

5. In a body brace as in-claim 4 wherein (a) said covering means upper end portion is bifurcated defining a right end and a left end, said right Ashoulder strap first end portion being -afiixed to said right end and said left shoulder strap first end portion being affixed to said left end.

6. In a body brace as in claim 4,

(a) strap means adapted to interconnect the said ends of said covering means pelvicengaging portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 266,335 10/1882 Woodard 128-567 317,473 4/1885 Strouse 12S-520 367,113 7/1887 Nichols 12S-570 714,124 11/1902 Adams 12S-78 1,137,541 4/1915 Schweinburg 12S-520 1,993,671 3/1935 Kahn 12S-533 2,219,475 10/ 1940 Flaherty 128-78 2,586,658 2/1952 Hormann 12S-78 2,730,096 1/ 1956 Pease 2-44 FOREIGN PATENTS 995,063 11/1951 France.

1,059,835 3/1954 France.

OTHER REFERENCESv Body Brace Advertisement (upper left hand corner) by Truform in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, for September 1963, vol. -A, No. 6, page 11.

Taylor Brace disclosure on pages 213 and 214 of the Orthopaedic Appliances Atlas, vol. 1, 1952.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

J. W. HINEY, JR., Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,282,264 November l, 1966 Nicholas C. Connelly Column 5, line 44, for "later" read lateral Signed and sealed this 5th day of September 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A BODY BRACE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION (A) FLEXIBLE FRAME-COVERING MEANS OF AN INVERTED T-SHAPE CONFIGURATION INCLUDING A BACK-ENGAGING PORTION HAVING AN UPPER END PORTION AND LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED LATERAL SIDES AND A PELVIC-ENGAGING PORTION TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED TO SAID BACK-ENGAGING PORTION HAVING ENDS, SAID COVERING MEANS BEING FORMED OF FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECTED LAYERS DEFINING A FRAME-RECEIVING POCKET, (B) A FRAME INCLUDING A BACK PORTION AND A PELVIC BAND PORTION RECEIVED WITHIN SAID COVERING MEANS POCKET, (C) CLOSURE MEANS DEFINED ON SAID COVERING MEANS PERMITTING SAID FRAME TO BE REMOVED FROM SAID COVERING MEANS POCKET, (D) RIGHT AND LEFT CORSET PORTIONS, EACH OF SAID CORSET PORTIONS HAVING A REAR PORTION AND A FRONT PORTION, ONE OF SAID CORSET PORTIONS BEING AFFIXED AT ITS REAR PORTION TO ONE OF SAID COVERING MEANS LATERAL SIDES, AND THE OTHER OF SAID CORSET PORTIONS BEING AFFIXED AT ITS REAR PORTION TO THE OTHER OF SAID COVERING MEANS LATERAL SIDES, (E) FASTENING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CORSET PORTIONS FRONT PORTIONS ADAPTED TO INTERCONNECT SAID FRONT PORTIONS,