System and cincture to protect the upper torso of an individual
A cincture is worn on and protects the upper torso of an individual. The cincture is spaced apart from the neck of the individual and contacts the individual's shoulder at points intermediate the individual's neck and distal end of the collarbone to protect the individual's neck from injury and to facilitate transmitting strike forces over the posterior of the shoulder and upper back of the individual.
This invention relates to methods and apparatus to protect the body of an individual and to minimize the risk of injury when the body is hit.
More particularly, the invention relates to a cincture to protect the upper torso including the upper sternum, upper ribs, shoulder girdle, upper spine, brachial plexus and associated musculature.
Those of skill in the art have for many years pursued systems to protect an individual engaged in football and other sports or endeavors.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved system to protect an individual when the individual is struck by an exterior force.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved system to protect the upper torso of an individual's body.
This, other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an improved cincture to be worn on and protect the upper torso of an individual. The upper torso includes a sternum, a pair of clavicles each having a distal end, a pair of shoulder girdles, a pair of shoulders, an upper back, and a medial line. The torso interconnects the arms and neck of the individual. The improved cincture includes a frame and a primary epaulet. The frame includes a back portion. a sternum protector; and, a pair of spaced apart wing units. Each wing unit interconnects the back portion and the sternum protector; and, includes an upper wing and a lower wing spaced apart from the upper wing. The upper and lower wings co-terminate at an inner arcuate connector. The frame also includes an elastic shock absorbing structure connected to and extending outwardly from the upper wing. The cincture also includes a pair of primary epaulets each pivotally mounted on a different one of the wing units and shaped and dimensioned to conform to and seat on the elastic shock absorbing structure of the wing unit. The cincture is shaped and dimensioned such that when it is mounted on the upper torso of the individual, the neck of the individual extends upwardly between the inner arcuate connectors; each of said inner arcuate connectors is spaced apart from the neck; and, each of the lower wings at the midline of the shoulder contacted by the lower wing is spaced apart from the neck, extends at least partially above the distal end of the clavicle that is in the shoulder contacted by the lower wing, and does not extend outwardly past the distal end of the clavicle that is in the shoulder contacted by the lower wing. The lower wing is shaped and dimensioned freely to permit, when the individual is standing upright, abduction of the arm connected to the shoulder contacted by said lower wing and hanging downwardly vertically at the side of the individual through an angle of at least one hundred and sixty degrees.
Turning now to the drawings, which illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention by way of illustration and not limitation, and in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views,
While the material(s) utilized to construct frame 10 can vary as desired, a polymer is presently utilized. The polymer produces a frame 10 which is hard and relatively stiff. As will be described below, however, although the frame is relatively rigid, it also is preferably somewhat pliable and elastic and can flex to help absorb a blow that is directed toward the frame (and the individual on which frame 10 is mounted) and that contacts the frame 10.
In further describing the structure and function of frame 10, it is important to first note structure and functions in US Patent Application 2006/0010590, filed Jan. 19, 2006, that were, during development of the invention described herein, found to be contrary to the invention.
First, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 is described as extending over the base and sides of the neck:
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- “The collar and the protective padding beneath it are anatomically specifically contoured so that this collar and padding assembly rests at the base of the neck posteriorly and arcs anteriorly on the sides of the neck anteriorly across the superior aspect of the sternum.” Page 1, §[0002], item 2.
- “The collar . . . is rounded on the sides of the neck in an outward facing “U” shape.” Page 1, §[0002], item 5.
Second, the system described in Application 2006/0010590, further suggests (immediately after the language above) that the system directly contacts the shoulder adjacent the neck: - “The collar and padding supports the entire protection system and is the only point of direct contact across the shoulder.” Page 1, §[0002], item 2.
Third, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 suggests that the collar creates a protective space at a point higher up the neck where Erb's point is located:
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- “ . . . the position and shape of the inside aspect of the sides of the collar create a protective space for the neck and the brachial plexus of nerves existing the neck at Erb's point. This collar configuration is intended to reduce neck abrasions and blunt trauma to Erb's Point that may result in the “stinger syndrome”. Page 1, §[0002], item 8.
Erb's point is the point on the side of the neck above the base of the neck. Erb's point is two to three centimeters above the clavicle and in front of the transverse process of the sixth cervical vertebra. It is located on the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle midway between its attachments to the mastoid process, and the sternum and clavicle. At Erb's point, cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus emerge from behind the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The four cutaneous nerves of the cervical plexus are the lessor occipital nerve, great auricular nerve, transverse cervical nerve, and supraclavicular nerve.FIG. 13 illustrates the Sternocleidomastoid muscle 55 and also illustrates the great auricular nerve 56, the cervical cutaneous nerve 57, and supraclavicular nerves 58 emerging from behind the posterior border of the Sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck 50 of an individual.FIG. 14 further illustrates the Sternocleidomastoid muscle 55 attached to the bottom of the skull and the collarbone 52.FIG. 12 illustrates the brachial plexus 53 as it exits the lower portion of neck 50 and extends into the shoulder 51 and behind the clavicle 52 of an individual.
- “ . . . the position and shape of the inside aspect of the sides of the collar create a protective space for the neck and the brachial plexus of nerves existing the neck at Erb's point. This collar configuration is intended to reduce neck abrasions and blunt trauma to Erb's Point that may result in the “stinger syndrome”. Page 1, §[0002], item 8.
Fourth, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 facilitates adduction:
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- “The epaulets . . . provide for unrestricted movement of the shoulder in the adduction (flexion) and rotational planes.” Page 1, §[0002], item 12.
Fifth, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 states that the upper portion of the collar provides a shock absorbing platform for “epaulet 1”:
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- “ . . . [the] upper portion of the “U” on the lateral aspect provides a spring shock absorbing platform that Epaulet 1 is rigidly affixed to.” Page 1, §[0002], item 6.
Sixth, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 describes the collar as having an outward facing “U” shape:
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- “The collar . . . is rounded on the sides of the neck in an outward facing “U” shape.” Page 1, §[0002], item 5.
Seventh, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 attributes the absorption of impact to the flexing of three “epaulets”:
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- “This 3 epaulet system . . . creates a supported channel of space between the epaulets and the superior shoulder from the outside (or lateral?) aspect of the collar allowing the epaulets to flex and absorb the impact before the shoulder is contacted.” Page 1, §[0002], item 13.
Eighth, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 describes the contour of “epaulet 2” as responsible for unrestricted superior adduction:
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- “The contour of epaulet 2 . . . allows for unrestricted superior adduction (medial flexion) of the shoulder.” Page 1, §[0002], item 17.
Ninth, the system described in Application 2006/001590 forms a complete protective channel for the entire length of each shoulder and collar bone:
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- “This configuration in combination with the collar configuration of claim 3 forms a complete protective channel for the entire length of each shoulder and collar bone (clavicle).” Page 1, §[0002], item 13.
Tenth, the system described in Application 2006/001590 only incorporates a channel over the spine in the back plate:
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- “The Back Plate contains a space (channel) over the spine.” Page 2, ¶[0002], item 28.
As can be seen in
Eleventh, the system described in Application 2006/001590 describes “epaulet 1” as forming a channel over the superior aspect of the shoulder:
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- “These corresponding ridges allow epaulet 2 to sit firmly on epaulet 1 strengthening the channel that these two epaulets form over the superior aspect of each shoulder.” Page 1, ¶[0002], item 15.
Twelfth, the system described in Application 2006/00590 does not describe where “ridges” on “epaulet 1” correspond to “ridges” on “epaulet 2”:
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- “Epaulet 1 . . . is formed with ridges that correspond directly to the ridges of epaulet 2.” Page 1, ¶[0002], item 15.
The location of such “ridges” (although that terminology is misleading) is critical in the functioning of the cincture of the invention described herein.
- “Epaulet 1 . . . is formed with ridges that correspond directly to the ridges of epaulet 2.” Page 1, ¶[0002], item 15.
In contrast to the foregoing comments in Application 2006/00159, the cincture of the invention:
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- 1. Does not contact the base or sides of the neck. The cincture of the invention is spaced apart from the neck.
- 2. Does not directly contact the shoulder adjacent the neck. The cincture of the invention is spaced apart from the portion of the shoulder adjacent the neck.
- 3. Does not create a protective space at a point higher up the neck where Erb's point is located.
- 4. Does not facilitate adduction. The cincture of the invention does the direct opposite, it facilitates abduction.
- 5. Does not focus on utilizing the inner “collar” part of the cincture as a spring shock absorbing platform to which an operatively associated shock absorbing structure somewhat similar to “epaulet 1” is rigidly affixed. It is the operatively associated shock absorbing structure which functions as the spring shock absorbing platform. The operatively associated shock absorbing structure is not rigidly affixed in the apparatus of the invention. Instead, it flexes.
- 6. Is, as noted, not on the sides of the neck and does not have a simple “U” shape. The cincture has an irregular wing shape critical to the functioning of the cincture.
- 7. Absorbs force largely due to the flexing of only the operatively associated shock absorbing structure.
- 8. Does not permit abduction due to the contour of a primary “epaulet” which is somewhat similar to “epaulet 2” in Application 2006/001590. In the cincture of the invention, the contour of the primary “epaulet” has nothing to do with abduction.
- 9. Does not form a protective channel over the complete length of the collar bone and shoulder. In the cincture of the invention, a protective channel of limited length is formed only over a portion of the shoulder and collar bone. This limited scope of the protective channel in the apparatus of the invention is critical in permitting largely unrestricted abduction.
- 10. Does incorporate a ridge that arches over and protects cervical vertebra.
- 11. Does not include a structure which is similar to “epaulet 1” in Application 2006/001590 and which extends over the superior aspect of the shoulder. The portion of the cincture of the invention that in some respect is similar to “epaulet 1” extends from the midline of a portion of the shoulder over a portion of the posterior of the shoulder. As used herein, the midline comprises an imaginary line drawn from the end of the collarbone in the right shoulder, through the center of the neck, and through the end of the collarbone in the left shoulder.
- 12. Includes an operatively associated shock absorbing structure and a primary epaulet which in some respects are similar to “epaulets 1 and 2” in Application 2006/001590 but which have arcuate portions contoured such that the primary epaulet seats on and interlocks with the operatively associated shock absorbing structure at locations above the posterior of the shoulder.
Frame 10 includes a sternum protector 11, a back portion 12, a first wing unit 13 spanning between and interconnecting protector 11 and portion 12, and a second wing unit 14 spanning between and interconnecting sternum protector 11 and back portion 12.
Wing units 13 and 14 presently are mirror images of one another, although that need not necessarily be the case depending on the physiology of an individual being fitted with a frame 10.
Wing unit 13 includes upper wing 15 and lower wing 16 spaced apart from upper wing 15. Upper and lower wings 15 and 16, respectively, co-terminate along inner arcuate connector 17. Wing 16 includes arcuate foot 16A which is connected to upper panel 35 of sternum protector 11. Upper panel 35 is connected to lower panel 26 of protector 11.
Wing unit 14 includes upper wing 18 and lower wing 19 spaced apart from upper wing 18. Upper and lower wings 18 and 19, respectively, co-terminate along inner arcuate connector 20. Connector 20 is opposed to and spaced apart from connector 17. Wing 19 includes arcuate foot 19A which is connected to upper panel 24A of sternum protector 11. Upper panel 24A is connected to lower panel 25 of protector 11.
Wing unit 13 also includes an upper operatively associated substantially rigid, flexible, elastic shock absorbing structure 21 that extends outwardly from upper wing 15. Wing unit 13 also includes a lower operatively associated structure 24 (
Wing unit 14 also include an upper operatively associated shock absorbing structure 22 that extends outwardly from upper wing 18. Wing unit 14 also includes a lower operatively associated structure 23 that extends outwardly from lower wing 19 and that is spaced apart from shock absorbing structure 22.
When frame 10 is worn by an individual and rests on the upper torso of the individual, shock absorbing structures 21 and 22, in addition to extending outwardly from wings 15 and 18, respectively, each extend substantially from the midline rearwardly over the posterior of a shoulder of the individual. Further, when frame 10 is worn by an individual, narrower portions of structures 16 and 19 cross the midline at points spaced away from the neck to avoid producing pressure in the directions indicated by arrows L, K, J in
As can be seen in
A lower supplemental sternum guard, indicated by dashed lines 27 in
In
In
The minimum distance, indicated by arrows P in
The primary epaulet 40 illustrated in
Epaulet 40 is shaped and dimensioned such that when epaulet 40 is seated on wing unit 14 in the manner illustrated in
Raised portion 36 (
A supplemental member(s) 60 (
In
As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, an epaulet comparable to epaulet 40 is used in conjunction with upper wing 15 and support structure 21 in the same manner that epaulet 40 is used in conjunction with upper wing 18 and support structure 22.
In one embodiment of the invention, portions of the cincture are made to be removed and replaced by portions better adapted for a particular individual or for a particular condition. For example, during a football practice it may be desirable to reduce the risk of injury by providing a cincture with more padding. The padding on the inside (or outside) of the cincture is detachable so it can be readily removed and replaced with thicker padding. Or, supplemental member 60 is detachable and can be replaced by a comparable member 60 which is more flexible and reduces the risk of injury during practice. In another embodiment of the invention, a detachable supplemental member 60 is provided in a large size, a medium size, and a small size so that the cincture can be customized to better fit an individual. In another embodiment, the entire cincture is made in large, medium and small sizes so the best size can be selected for a particular individual. In a further embodiment of the invention, measurements are made of an individual's body so that a custom fit cincture can be manufactured based on the measurement.
As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art a secondary epaulet can be pivotally attached at or near outer edge 45 of a primary epaulet 40 to extend outwardly and downwardly away from epaulet 40 and provide additional protection for an individual's arm. An example of such a secondary epaulet is “epaulet 3” in Application 2006/0010590.
Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those of skill in the art to make and use the invention, I Claim:
Claims
1. A cincture to be worn on and protect the upper torso of an individual, the upper torso including a sternum, a pair of clavicles each having a distal end, a pair of shoulder girdles, a pair of shoulders, an upper back, and a medial line, the torso interconnecting the arms and neck of the individual, said cincture including said cincture shaped and dimensioned such that when mounted on the upper torso of the individual,
- (a) a frame including (i) a back portion, (ii) a sternum protector; (iii) pair of spaced apart wing units each interconnecting said back portion and said sternum protector, including an upper wing and a lower wing spaced apart from said upper wing, said upper and lower wings co-terminating at an inner arcuate connector, (Iv) an elastic shock absorbing structure connected to and extending outwardly from said upper wing,
- (b) a pair of primary epaulets each pivotally mounted on a different one of said wing units and shaped and dimensioned to conform to and seat on said elastic shock absorbing structure;
- (c) the neck of the individual extends upwardly between said inner arcuate connectors,
- (d) each of said inner arcuate connectors is spaced apart from the neck;
- (e) each of said lower wings at the midline of the shoulder contacted by said lower wing (i) is spaced apart from the neck, (ii) extends at least partially above the distal end of the clavicle that is in the should contacted by said lower wing, and (iii) does not extend outwardly past the distal end of the clavicle that is in the shoulder contacted by said lower wing, said lower wing being shaped and dimensioned freely to permit, when the individual is standing upright, abduction of the arm connected to the shoulder contacted by said lower wing and hanging downwardly vertically at the side of the individual through an angle of at least one hundred and sixty degrees.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 13, 2011
Publication Date: Jun 13, 2013
Inventor: Gary R. Fratesi (Scottsdale, AZ)
Application Number: 13/374,134