Apparatus and Method for Applying Forces to a Pelvis of a Person

Abstract

An apparatus for applying forces to a pelvis of a person is disclosed. The apparatus includes a garment having at least a pelvic portion for location around the pelvis of a person, and a belt including a fastening member for fastening together two different parts of the belt when the belt surrounds the garment. The apparatus also includes a first attachment mechanism configured to fix a first part of the belt at a first location on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent the first part of the belt from sliding in any direction from the first location.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for applying forces to a pelvis of a person. In particular, they relate to an apparatus and method for applying forces to a pelvis of a person to provide support to one or more joints within the pelvic girdle of the person.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The pelvic girdle consists of three joints: two sacroiliac joints at the back and the symphysis pubis at the front. Any one of these three joints can be the cause of Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP).

Pelvic compression belts arranged for positioning relative to the pelvic region of the human body are known to provide compressive forces for treatment of joint dysfunction. For optimal stability of the joints and optimal pain relief, the applied compression is targeted at specific locations on the pelvis. However, a problem with known pelvic compression belts is a lack of stability of their location over time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus for applying forces to a pelvis of a person, the apparatus comprising: a garment having at least a pelvic portion for location around the pelvis of a person; a belt comprising a fastening member for fastening together two different parts of the belt when the belt surrounds the garment; and a first attachment mechanism configured to fix a first part of the belt at a first location on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent the first part of the belt from sliding in any direction from the first location.

This provides the advantage that the location of the belt is stabilized, such that it does not move out of position over time during wearing.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus for applying forces to a pelvis of a person, the apparatus comprising: a garment having at least a pelvic portion for location around the pelvis of a person and two openings, each one of the two openings for allowing the passage of a leg of a person wearing the garment; a strap configured to extend at least part way around the garment; a first attachment mechanism for fixing a first part of the strap at a first location on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent the first part of the strap from sliding in any direction from the first location; and a second attachment mechanism for fixing a second part of the strap at a second location on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent the second part of the strap from sliding in any direction from the second location.

This provides the advantage that the location of the strap is stabilized, such that is does not move out of position over time during wearing.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method for applying forces to a pelvis of a person, the method comprising: locating a pelvic portion of a garment around the pelvis of a person; using a fastening member to fasten together two different parts of a belt when the belt surrounds the garment; and using a first attachment mechanism to fix a first part of the belt at a first location on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent the first part of the belt from sliding in any direction from the first location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show respectively a rear view and a schematic plan view of an apparatus 101 for applying forces to a pelvis of a person;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a second example of an apparatus 201 for applying forces to a pelvis of a person

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the apparatus 201;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the apparatus 201;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic plan view of the apparatus 201;

FIG. 6 shows the strap 204A of apparatus 201;

FIG. 7 shows one end of a strap 204A with the end section 603A removed from the end of the main section 601;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the fastening member 205A in a rear view and an exploded view respectively;

FIG. 9 shows the garment 202 worn by a person without the fastening members 205A and 205B or the straps 204A and 204B attached;

FIG. 10 shows the rear strap 204A attached to the garment 202;

FIG. 11 shows the straps 204A, 206B fitted to the garment 202 and tensioned;

FIG. 12 shows the apparatus 210 with the rear strap 204A fitted horizontally and the front strap 204B fitted at an angle to the rear strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The Figures illustrate an apparatus 101, 201 for applying forces to a pelvis of a person, the apparatus comprising: a garment 102, 202 having at least a pelvic portion for location around the pelvis of a person; a belt 103, 203 comprising a fastening member 105, 205A for fastening together two different parts of the belt 103, 203 when the belt surrounds the garment 102, 202; and a first attachment mechanism 106, 206A configured to fix a first part 107, 207A of the belt at a first location on the pelvic portion of the garment 102, 202 to prevent the first part of the belt 103, 203 from sliding in any direction from the first location.

The first attachment mechanism 106 may be configured to allow the belt to be released from the garment and reattached to the garment. The belt may comprise a single strap 104 or a plurality of straps 204A, 204B.

The garment 102, 202 may have two openings for allowing the passage of leg of the person wearing the garment, and a third opening for the location of the trunk (or torso) of the person. In the illustrated examples the garment 102, 202 comprises a pair of shorts, but it will be understood on reading the following description that other types of garment that have at least a portion configured to extend around the pelvis of a human body may be used. For example the garment may also extend along the legs and/or over the chest of the body.

In examples, the garment is formed of fabric capable of stretching and providing a snug fit over a person's pelvic region. In examples, the garment may comprise a fabric formed of a mixture of fibres including elastane (or spandex) fibres. Consequently, the garment itself may provide a degree of supportive compression to the pelvis of the wearer. The compression may also ensure that the apparatus rests stably on the wearer's body. The one or more straps forming the belt may be relatively inelastic when compared to the fabric of the garment.

An apparatus 101 for applying forces to a pelvis of a person is shown in the rear view of FIG. 1A and the schematic plan view of FIG. 1B. The apparatus 101 comprises a garment 102 having at least a pelvic portion for location around the pelvis of a person and a belt 103 comprising a fastening member 105 for fastening together two different parts of the belt when the belt surrounds the garment. The apparatus 101 also comprises a first attachment mechanism 106 configured to fix a first part of the belt 103 at a first location 107 on the pelvic portion of the garment 102 to prevent the first part of the belt 103 from sliding in any direction from the first location.

In the present example the garment is in the form of a pair of shorts. The belt 103 comprises a strap 104 and the fastening member 105 is configured to fasten together two different parts of the strap when the belt surrounds the garment as shown in the FIGS. 1A and 1B.

The first attachment mechanism 106 may be configured to allow the belt to be released from the garment and reattached to the garment.

In the example of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first attachment mechanism 106 is positioned at a location that is spaced apart from the fastening member 105, but, as will be understood from the description below, with reference to other embodiments, the first attachment mechanism 106 may be located at the fastening member 105.

The fastening member 105 is configured to fasten together the two different parts of the belt 103 so that a tension force may be maintained in the belt. Consequently, the belt 103 may be used to apply forces to the pelvic girdle region of a person wearing the apparatus 101.

The first attachment mechanism 106 may be positioned substantially centrally on the rear of the garment 102 such that when the garment is worn the attachment mechanism 106 may be positioned over the spine of the person wearing it.

The first attachment mechanism 106 ensures that the first part 107 of the belt 103 cannot slide from the first location in any direction. This provides the advantage of ensuring that the belt 103 applies force to the person wearing the apparatus 101 at the first location. That is, the belt is prevented from sliding out of position from the first location and providing a force at a location where the force is not required.

In the present example, the belt 103 comprises only a single strap 104 and different parts of the strap are held together by the single fastening member 105 which forms the belt. However, the belt 103 may comprise a plurality of straps 104 and a plurality of fastening members 105 to connect adjacent straps together, such that the straps and fastening members form a continuous loop to surround the garment 102 (and a person wearing the garment).

In the example of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B the apparatus comprises only a single attachment mechanism 106, but in other embodiments, the apparatus comprises a plurality of attachment mechanisms. For example, a second attachment mechanism may be provided at the location of the fastening member. By providing several attachment mechanisms 106 at different locations around the garment 102 and belt 103, the belt is provided with additional positional stability to ensure that pressure provided by the belt to the person may be maintained in the correct locations.

In examples where the apparatus comprises a second attachment mechanism, the second attachment mechanism is configured to fix a second part of the belt at a second location on the garment while the first part is fixed at the first location so that a first portion of the belt extends over the outer surface of the garment from the first location to the second location. Because the first and second attachment mechanisms are fixed so that they cannot slide over the garment, they may be arranged to hold the first portion of the belt in tension, independently of tensions applied to other parts of the belt.

Where an apparatus comprises two attachment mechanisms, these may be provided centrally at the front and rear of the garment or may be provided at each of the two sides of the garment. The attachment mechanisms ensure that the belt stays in position at these locations. In addition, it is possible to fit the apparatus such that a first tension is present in a first portion of the belt extending clockwise from the first attachment mechanism to the second attachment mechanism and a different second tension is present in a second portion of the belt extending clockwise from the second attachment mechanism to the first attachment mechanism. Therefore, if the wearer requires a different application of pressure from the belt at the rear compared to the front, or at the left side compared to the right side, then this may be achieved.

The garment 102 of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B has a first garment portion 108 for location around legs of a person and a second garment portion 109 for location around the upper part of the pelvic region or the abdomen of the trunk of the person. The first attachment mechanism 106 is configured to provide attachment of the belt 103 to the garment 102 at various positions along a line 110 from the first garment portion 108 to the second garment portion 109. That is, the first part 107 of belt 103 may be fixed at a first location on the garment 102 that may be varied along the line 110. Therefore, the wearer of the apparatus may choose the first location to be at a height that is most suited to them. That is, a first location that is most comfortable and/or provides greatest pain relief.

In embodiments where a second attachment mechanism is provided, the second attachment mechanism may be configured to provide attachment of the belt at various positions along a second line from the first garment portion 108 to the second garment portion 109.

The attachment mechanism 106 of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B may comprise a hook and loop fastener comprising a hook part and a loop part. In embodiments, one of the hook part and the loop part forms a part of the garment 102 and the other one of the hook part and the loop part forms a part of the belt 103. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a loop part 111 forms a part of the garment 102 and a hook part 112 forms a part of the belt 103.

A second example of an apparatus 201 for applying forces to a pelvis of a person is shown in the front view of FIG. 2, the rear view of FIG. 3, the side view of FIG. 4 and the schematic plan view of FIG. 5. Like that of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the apparatus 201 of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 comprises a garment 202 for location at least around the pelvic girdle of a person and a belt 203 comprising a fastening member 205A configurable to fasten together two different parts of the belt 203 when the belt surrounds the garment.

In the present example, the belt comprises two straps 204A and 204B and the fastening member 205A is configurable to fasten a part of one strap 204A to a part of the second strap 204B. A second fastening member 205B is provided that is configurable to fasten together two other parts of the two straps 204A and 204B such that each of the two straps extends partly around the garment 202 and the belt 203 forms a continuous loop around the garment.

The apparatus 201 also comprises a first attachment mechanism 206A configured to fix a first part 207 of the belt 203 at a first location on the garment 202 to prevent the first part of the belt from sliding from the first location. The first attachment mechanism 206 is configured to allow the belt to be released from the garment and reattached to the garment. In the present example, the attachment mechanism 206A is configured to attach a middle part of the first strap 204A to the garment.

The apparatus 201 also comprises three other attachment mechanisms 206B, 206C and 206D. The four attachment mechanisms (206A, 206B, 206C, 206D) are approximately evenly spaced around the garment, on the back (in the case of 206A), on the left side (in the case of 206B), centrally on the front (in the case of 206C) and on the right side (in the case of 206D).

The attachment mechanisms 206B and 206D are configured to fix second and third parts 207B and 207D respectively of the belt to the garment at second and third locations 207B and 207D, and the attachment mechanism 206C is configured to fix a fourth part 207C of the belt to the garment at a fourth location.

Like the attachment mechanism 206A, the attachment mechanisms 206B, 206C and 206D are each configured to fix a part of the belt 203 on the garment 202 to prevent the respective part of the belt from sliding in any direction from its location. Thus, for example, the first and second attachment mechanisms 206A and 206B are able to hold a first portion 221 of the belt in tension while the first portion 221 extends over the outer surface of the garment, and the first and third attachment mechanisms 206A and 206D enable a second portion 222 of the belt extending between the first and third locations 207A and 207D to be held in tension.

Furthermore, because the first attachment mechanism 206A is configured to prevent the first part 207A of the belt 203 from sliding from its location, the first attachment mechanism 206A prevents movement of the first part 207A of the belt from the first location even when a first tension force is provided in the first portion 221 of the belt and a second different tension force is provided in the second portion 222 of the belt.

In the present example, the attachment mechanisms 206B and 206D are respectively configured to fix the fastening members 205A and 205B to the garment, and the attachment mechanism 206C is configured to fix a middle part 207C of the second strap 204B to the garment at the fourth location 207C.

The attachment mechanism 206A may be similar to attachment mechanism 106 of the first apparatus 101, in that it comprises a hook and loop fastener. In the present case, the garment 202 comprises a piece of loop material 211A (or hook receptive, material) permanently fixed to the front of the garment and a piece of hook material 212A permanently fixed to the second strap 204A.

The attachment mechanism 206C is similar to attachment mechanism 206A in that is comprises a hook and loop fastener. In the present case, the garment 202 comprises a piece of loop material 211C (hook receptive material) permanent fixed to the front of the garment and a piece of hook material 212C permanent fixed to the second strap 204B.

The attachment mechanisms 206B and 206D are similar to each other and each comprises a hook and loop fastener configured to attach a respective one of the fastening members 205A and 205B to a respective side of the garment. The attachment mechanisms 206B and 206D each comprise a first part of the hook and loop fastener in the form of a band of material 223A, 223B which extends down the garment at a respect side. In the present case, the bands of material are formed of loop material (hook receptive material) for the hook and loop fastening while a hook material is provided on the fastening members 206B and 206D.

The straps 204A, 204B and 104 may have a similar structure to each other, although they may differ in their sizes. For the purposes of conciseness only strap 204A will be described.

The strap 204A of apparatus 201 is shown in FIG. 6. The strap 204A comprises a main section 601 in the form of a band of fabric. The piece of hook material 211A is permanently fixed to one side of the main section 601 substantially at the middle of its length.

A first piece of hook material 602A is fixed on the strap near to one end of the strap 204A and a second piece of hook material 602B is fixed on the strap 204A near to its other end. The first and second pieces of hook material 602A and 602B are fixed on the strap 204A on the side opposite to the side on which the middle piece of hook material 211A is fixed.

The main section 601 of the strap is formed of a hook receptive material configured to be attachable to the first and second pieces of hook material 602A and 602B. Consequently the strap 204A may be folded back on itself to form loops and the first and second pieces of hook material 602 and 602B may be used to fix the ends of the strap to middle parts of the strap.

In an example, the main section 601 is formed of a velour hook-receptive fabric.

The straps 204A may have a fixed length suitable for a range of different sizes of people who may use the apparatus. However, in an embodiment, the strap 204 is constructed so that its length may easily be shortened if required. In this embodiment, the pieces of hook material 602A and 602B are each provided on a removable end section 603A, 603B.

One end of such a strap 204A is illustrated in FIG. 7 with the end section 603A removed from the end of the main section 601.

The end section 603A comprises a pair of leaves 701A and 701B that are joined at a fold 702. The leaves 701A and 701B are similar in form and may be folded together or opened apart as shown in FIG. 7. The surfaces of the leaves that face one another are each provided with a piece of hook material 703. The hook material 703 is configured to provide a hook and loop attachment with the material of the main section 601. Thus, the end piece 603A may be attached to the end of the main section 601 by enclosing the main section 601 between the two leaves 701A and 701B.

To shorten the length of the strap 204A, the leaves 701A and 701B are peeled from the main section 601 to remove the end section 603A as shown in FIG. 7. The main section 601 is then cut to a required length before the end section 603A is reattached to the cut end.

The fastening member 205B is constructed in a similar manner to fastening member 205A and consequently only fastening member 205A will be described below in detail. (It may be noted that the fastening member 105 of FIG. 1A may be constructed in a similar manner.)

The fastening member 205A is shown in the rear view of FIG. 8A and the exploded view of FIG. 8B. The fastening member 205A comprises a pair of rectangular rings 801 and 802; a first band of fabric 803 which is folded in half to enclose one side of the first rectangular ring 801; and a second band of fabric 804 which is folded in half to enclose one side of the second rectangular ring 802. The two bands of fabric 803 and 804 are connected together by a fastener 805 which passes through holes formed in the bands of fabric 803 and 804. In the present example the fastener is in the form of a two-part rivet comprising a rivet cap 806 and a rivet tube 807. As the two bands of fabric 803 and 804 are only connected by the fastener 805, the fastener 805 provides a pivot about which one band of fabric 803 and its rectangular ring 801 may rotate with respect to the other band of fabric 804 and its rectangular ring 802.

A piece of hook material 808 is fixed to an outside face of the first band of fabric 803. The piece of hook material 808 is configured to provide a hook and loop connection with the band of hook receptive material 223A on the garment 202.

In an alternative embodiment of the fastening member, the two separate bands of fabric 803 and 804, which form the fastening member 205A, may be replaced by a single band of fabric. The band of fabric is folded around both of the rectangular rings and sewn up to hold the rings in place at either end of a rectangle of fabric. However, this alternative fastening member does not enable the rings to be pivoted with respect to one another.

Further explanation of the details of the apparatus 201 is provided below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, which also illustrate a method for applying forces to a pelvis of a person. The method comprises locating a pelvic portion of a garment 202 around the pelvis of a person, and using the fastening members 204A, 204B to fasten together two different parts of the belt 203 when the belt 203 surrounds the garment 202. The first attachment mechanism 206A is used to fix a first part of the belt 203 at a first location 207A on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent the first part of the belt 203 from sliding in any direction from the first location. In the present example, the other attachment mechanisms 206B, 206C and 206D are used to fix respective parts of the belt 203 at respective different locations 207B, 207C, 207D on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent those parts of the belt 203 from sliding in any direction from their respective location.

The garment 202 is shown being worn by a person in FIG. 9 without the fastening members 205A and 205B or the straps 204A and 204B attached. It is envisaged that the fastening members 205A and 205B and the straps 204A and 204B will, in general, not be removed from the garment, but if the person wishes to adjust the height of the belt 203 then these will be removed as shown in FIG. 9.

To replace the belt, the fastening members 205A and 205B are attached at a desired height, which should be the same for both of them. In the present embodiment, this is achieved by bringing the hook material 808 of the fastening members into contact with a respective one of the bands of hook receptive material 223A, 223B on the sides of the garment.

The front and back straps 204A and 204B may then be attached at the same level as the fastening members. For example, the rear strap 204A is attached by passing each of its ends through a respective one of the rearmost rectangular rings of the fastening members 205A, 205B and bringing the hook material 212A at the middle of the strap 204A into contact with the hook receptive material 211A on the rear of the garment. The rear strap 204A is shown attached to the garment 202 in FIG. 10.

The front strap 204B may be attached to the front of the garment in a similar manner to the rear strap 204A, using the front rings of the fastening members 205A and 205B and the hook and loop fastener 206C. The ends of the straps 204A and 204B may then be pulled until a desired tension is obtained in each of the two portions in the two straps. For example, by pulling the left end 1001 of the rear strap 204A the tension in the portion 221 between the attachment mechanism 206A and the fastening member 205A may be increased. The hook material 602A at the end 1001 of the strap 204A may then be brought into contact with the hook receptive material forming main section 601 of the strap to secure the end 1001 in position.

Similarly, by pulling and positioning the right end 1002 of the strap 204A, the tension in the right portion 222 of the strap 204A between the attachment mechanism 206A and the fastening member 205B may be set in the same way as for the left portion 221. Thus, the strap 204A is made to form a loop at each end which passes through a respective ring of the fastening members 205A and 205B.

Although described above as two sequential processes, the tension in the left and right portions 221 and 222 of the strap 204A may be set simultaneously, in this way.

The straps 204A, 204B are shown fitted to the garment 202 and tensioned in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the ends 1001 and 1002 of the strap 204A are secured to a middle section of the strap 204A.

The tensions in the left and right portions 221 and 222 of the strap 204A may be set to be substantially the same as each other or may be set to be different to each other, depending upon the requirements of the person's condition.

The front strap 204B may be tensioned using a similar process to that for the rear strap. That is the ends of the front strap 204B may be pulled away from the fastening members 205A, 205B to provide tension in the strap and then the ends of the strap 204B may be fixed to the middle portion of the strap by means of the patches of hook material 602A, 602B at the ends of the strap.

Like the rear strap, the tensions in the left and right portions of the front strap may be set to be the same or may be set to be different to each other. Furthermore, the tensions in the front strap may be set to be the same or different to the tensions in the rear strap.

It is envisaged that for many people it will be most appropriate to set the tensions in each of the four portions of the belt to be the same. However, for some people it may be appropriate to provide different tensions in different parts of the belt so that the pressure applied to the person's body by the belt varies around the belt. Because the four attachment mechanisms 206A, 206B, 206C and 206D allow the position of the belt at the attachment mechanism to be fixed relative to the garment, the apparatus 201 enables this to be achieved.

For example, for some people it may be most appropriate to set the tensions in the left portions of the rear and front straps 204A and 204B to be substantially the same as each other but greater than the tension provided in the right portions of the front and rear straps. In this way, a greater pressure may be applied by the belt to the left side of the person compared to the right side. Of course, a greater pressure may be applied to the right side of the person than the left side by making the tensions in the left portions of the straps less than the tensions in the right portions.

Alternatively, it may be desired to apply an even pressure to the back of the person and less pressure at the front. Thus, in this case, the tension in the left and right portions of the rear strap 204A may be made substantially equal but larger than the tensions in the front strap 204B.

In some cases it may be appropriate to provide greater tensions in diagonally opposed quarters of the belt. That is, greater or less tension may be provided in the right portion of the front strap and left portion of the rear strap compared to the tension in the left portion of the front strap and right portions of the rear strap.

When the apparatus 201 is to be removed from the person, the ends (1001 and 1002) of the straps 204A and 204B are detached from the middle section of the strap and the tensions in the straps are released. The garment 202 may then be removed from the person while the straps and attachment mechanisms are left in place on the garment.

It is envisaged that for most people it will be most appropriate for the straps to be arranged substantially horizontally on the person when they are in a standing position. However, for some people, such as pregnant women, it may be preferable to have one or both of the two straps 204A and 204B at angles to the horizontal, and/or have one of the straps at an angle to the other strap.

An example of such a case, where the apparatus 201 is fitted to a pregnant woman, is shown in FIG. 12. In this example, the rear strap 204A has been fitted horizontally but the front strap 204B has been fitted such that its middle section is positioned lower than the parts in contact with the fastening members 205A and 205B. To facilitate this arrangement, the front rings 802 of the fastening members 205A and 205B have been pivoted about their pivots 805 with respect to the rear rings 801.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example the attachment mechanisms of the above-described embodiments comprise hook and loop fasteners, but an alternative attachment mechanism may be employed in alternative embodiments. For example, in some alternative embodiments other types of fasteners, such as press studs (or snap fasteners), hook and eyes, buttons or clasps for example of the type known for use on busks are used to attach the belt to the garment. However, these do not allow the continuously variable positioning of the belt as the hook and loop fasteners do.

In some alternative embodiments the fastening member(s) which connects parts of the strap(s) together comprises other types of mechanisms which are known for connecting ends of belts together, such as buckles, D-rings, press studs (or snap fasteners), hook and eye fasteners, buttons, clasps for example of the type known for use on busks, etc. In alternative embodiments, the fastening member(s) may be configured as described but instead of the hook and loop mechanism being used to attach an end of a strap to itself, the strap may be provided with press-studs, hook and eyes, buttons, clasps for example of the type known for use on busks or some other alternative mechanism to enable this attachment to be made. However, these alternative arrangements do not allow the continuously variable tension to be set as the hook and loop fastenings do.

In the above-described embodiments, the straps are attached to the garment by releasable attachment mechanisms in the form of the hook and loop fasteners. However, in alternative embodiments, one or more of the attachment mechanisms may be arranged to permanently attach one or more of the straps to the garment. For example, a part of one or more of the straps may be attached to the garment by sewing. However, the hook and loop attachment mechanism of the described examples has the advantage of enabling the position of the belt to be adjusted.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying forces to a pelvis of a person, the apparatus comprising:

a garment having at least a pelvic portion for location around the pelvis of a person;

a belt comprising a fastening member for fastening together two different parts of the belt when the belt surrounds the garment; and

a first attachment mechanism configured to fix a first part of the belt at a first location on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent the first part of the belt from sliding in any direction from the first location.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first attachment mechanism is configured to allow the first part of the belt to be released from the garment and reattached to the garment.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second attachment mechanism configured to fix a second part of the belt at a second location on the garment while the first part is fixed at the first location so that a first portion of the belt extends from the first location to the second location, wherein the first and second attachment mechanisms are configurable to hold the first portion of the belt in tension while the first portion extends over a surface of the garment.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the garment has a first garment portion for location around legs of a person and a second garment portion for location around a trunk of a person, and the first attachment mechanism is configured to provide attachment of the belt at various positions along a line from the first garment portion to the second garment portion.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising

a second attachment mechanism configured to fix a second part of the belt at a second location on the garment while the first part is fixed at the first location so that a first portion of the belt extends from the first location to the second location,

wherein the first and second attachment mechanisms are configurable to hold the first portion of the belt in tension while the first portion extends over a surface of the garment, and

wherein the second attachment mechanism is configured to provide attachment of the belt at various positions along a second line from the first garment portion to the second garment portion.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein the apparatus comprises a third attachment mechanism configured to fix a third part of the belt at a third location on the garment while the first part is fixed at a first location and the second part is fixed at a second location, and

the first and third attachment mechanisms are configured to enable a second portion of the belt extending between the first and third locations to be held in tension.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first attachment mechanism is configured to prevent movement of the first part of the belt from the first location when a first tension force is provided in the first portion of the belt and a second different tension force is provided in the second portion of the belt.

8-11. (canceled)

12. An apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the apparatus comprises an attachment mechanism configured to attach the fastening member to the garment.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the belt comprises a plurality of straps, each strap configured to extend partly around the garment.

14. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the belt comprises a plurality of straps, each strap configured to extend partly around the garment and at least one of the first and the second attachment mechanisms is configured to provide attachment of at least one of the straps at various angles to the garment.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the belt comprises a pivot mechanism to allow one of the straps at one side of the pivot mechanism to extend at an angle to one of the straps at the other side of the pivot mechanism.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein a respective ring is provided on each side the pivot mechanism and the rings are configured to receive a respective one of said straps.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the pivot mechanism forms a part of the fastening member.

18. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fastening member is one of a plurality of fastening members which are configured to connect two of the straps together.

19. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the garment has two openings, each one of the two openings for allowing the passage of a leg of a person wearing the garment.

20-22. (canceled)

23. An apparatus for applying forces to a pelvis of a person, the apparatus comprising:

a garment having at least a pelvic portion for location around the pelvis of a person and two openings, each one of the two openings for allowing the passage of a leg of a person wearing the garment;

a strap configured to extend at least part way around the garment;

a first attachment mechanism for fixing a first part of the strap at a first location on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent the first part of the strap from sliding in any direction from the first location; and

a second attachment mechanism for fixing a second part of the strap at a second location on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent the second part of the strap from sliding in any direction from the second location.

24-28. (canceled)

29. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of straps, each strap configured to extend only part way around the garment.

30. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein at least one of the first and the second attachment mechanisms is configured to provide attachment of at least one of the straps at various angles to the garment.

31. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the garment has a first garment portion for location around legs of a person and a second garment portion for location around a trunk of a person, and at least one of the first and second attachment mechanisms is configured to provide attachment of the belt at various positions along a line from the first garment portion to the second garment portion.

32. A method for applying forces to a pelvis of a person, the method comprising:

locating a pelvic portion of a garment around the pelvis of a person;

using a fastening member to fasten together two different parts of a belt when the belt surrounds the garment; and

using a first attachment mechanism to fix a first part of the belt at a first location on the pelvic portion of the garment to prevent the first part of the belt from sliding in any direction from the first location.