Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Skeletal traction applicator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-21
2001-11-13
Pothier, Denise (Department: 3764)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Skeletal traction applicator
C602S036000, C606S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315750
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of orthotics and specifically relates to an orthotic device that relieves some of the downward force on the user's lower spine when the user is seated.
2. The Prior Art
It has long been understood that most of the weight of the torso is transmitted to the pelvis through the spine, and that if this weight is reduced, for example by pulling upward on the torso, the pressure on the spinal dics and the nerves around them will be reduced, thereby reducing the pain that accompanies sitting.
An early approach to the problem was to provide a harness for suspending the torso from the back of a car seat. This was not satisfactory for users who needed to move from one location to another and from one seat to another.
A more recent approach is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,528 issued Nov. 21, 1989 to Scott. In Scott's device the seat is not part of the device, and this is certainly an improvement over earlier devices. Scott's device includes a rigid U-shaped frame the legs of which are about as far apart as the user's shoulder blades. This frame extends up along the user's back, and a girdle attached to the rigid frame pulls upwardly on the user's rib cage, thereby transferring some of the weight of the upper body to the rigid frame. The base of the frame rests on the seat.
This device is not entirely satisfactorily for the following reason. All parts of the user's body are located in front of the rigid frame, and therefore the center of gravity of any lifted weight must also lie in front of the rigid frame. To the extent that the device diverts some of the weight from the user's spine, to that extent a pitching moment is developed that tends to rotate the upper torso forward. The user must continually force his torso rearward if he wishes to sit up straight.
With this in mind, the present inventor set out to create a better device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It occurred to the present inventor that to prevent the device from exerting an undesirable pitching moment on the user, it would be necessary to re-position the rigid load-supporting members forward to a location directly under the center of gravity of the relieved weight. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the load bearing rigid portions of the device are located, not behind the back of the user, but instead along his left and right sides so that a downward projection of the center of gravity approximately falls on an imaginary line joining the lower ends of the load-bearing uprights.
The present inventor also was conscious of the fact that if the device were to be used for an extensive period of time, it must be comfortable. To remain comfortable, it is necessary occasionally to adjust the device in relation to the softness of various seats and in relation to the user's changing tolerance level. Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes provision for adjusting the height of the girdle with respect to the rigid frame in a simple and convenient manner.
Thus, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a device having improved stability so that the user does not have to struggle to sit upright.
It is a further objective of the invention to provide a device that can readily be adjusted to accommodate seats of differing firmness.
In accordance with the present invention, these objectives are met by suspending a girdle by adjustable straps from the upper ends of load-bearing upright members, and by positioning the load-bearing upright members at the left and right sides of the user.
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its structure and method of use, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4030489 (1977-06-01), Buckner
patent: 4583533 (1986-04-01), Goodley et al.
patent: 4881528 (1989-11-01), Scott
patent: 4996978 (1991-03-01), Gingras
patent: 5224924 (1993-07-01), Urso
patent: 5462518 (1995-10-01), Hatley et al.
patent: 5848984 (1998-12-01), Bachar et al.
patent: 5868694 (1999-02-01), Marlow et al.
McKown Daniel C.
Pothier Denise
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