Anti-Fatigue Brace Device

Abstract

A lower-leg anti-fatigue brace device wherein the device has a horseshoe-shaped buttress, a hinge mechanism, an adjustable, telescoping support member and a non-slip attachment. The support member is adjustable in height by the utilization of a height adjustment push button and a plurality of height adjustment holes. The anti-fatigue brace device provides a user alleviation from standing fatigue by supporting the weight of the user when the brace is in use. The lower-leg brace device is ideal for individuals who stand in a stationary position at their jobs for prolonged periods of time including cashiers, production employees, and surgeons.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to an anti-fatigue brace device and assembly, preferably a lower-leg brace device which affords the user weight support capability and positioning within a quasi-kneeling position, to alleviate standing fatigue, stress, and strain when in an otherwise constant and prolonged standing position, without affecting knee contact with a surface and thus physically taxing the knees of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Leg braces are typically used for a variety of physical problems, both temporary and chronic in nature. Usually, a patient requires a brace due to an injury or the patient needs assistance and support through recovery. Sometimes, after an injury, individuals wear supporting braces in order to prevent repeat injury. It has long been known that braces, particularly leg-braces, are used as supporting mechanisms to assist a patient in relieving stress to joints, ligaments, and tendons, and to prevent and recover from injury.

Certain careers and jobs require an employee to spend prolonged, extended periods of time on his feet, with little rest. Some employees are required to stand for hours on end to complete a shift or a certain task. These jobs may range from fast food employees, laborers, and cashiers who are required to stand behind a counter for their entire shift, to surgeons and other operating room personnel who stand continuously while at the operating table.

Prolonged standing at work can lead to fatigue, occupational injury, and harm. Studies have demonstrated that standing on one's feet for prolonged periods of time can not only lead to muscle fatigue and back and joint pains, but also psychological fatigue. Furthermore, prolonged standing often leads to sore feet, strained veins, and symptoms of arthritis. This discomfort can result in long-term harmful effects and negative implications on work productivity, efficiency, and motivation.

It is concurrently known in the art to utilize one-leg stools or seats that are sometimes used to support some of the weight of the user while he stands. Some of these stools are adjustable, however they remain relatively cumbersome to carry. In addition, these stools are generally uncomfortable particularly when utilized over periods of time, which exceed greater than a few minutes duration. Furthermore, these stools are often designed for single-leg support and do not help the user relieve strain on both legs simultaneously, thus resulting in the same hardships of aching muscles, joints, and back pain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant series of system, method and series of apparatuses, as illustrated herein, are clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. Thus the several embodiments of the instant apparatus are illustrated herein.

According to the present system, an anti-fatigue brace device to alleviate fatigue is in situations wherein a user is forced to stand for prolonged periods of time. In one embodiment, the anti-fatigue brace device may comprise a horseshoe-shaped, or similarly supportive shaped, buttress, a hinge mechanism, an adjustable telescoping support member, and a non-slip attachment. For the purpose of the present application, the horseshoe-shaped buttress may be padded with durable cushioning.

In its broadest interpretation, this disclosure describes a lower-leg, anti-fatigue brace device, a primary goal of which is to provide users alleviation from standing fatigue and eliminate long-term damage to muscles, feet, joints, and the lower back caused by standing for long periods of time. The lower-leg brace device is ideal for individuals who stand in a stationary position at their jobs for long periods of time. The lower-leg brace device allows the user to be in a mixed standing and kneeling position, thus alleviating the stress and aches that result from standing extensively.

It is an object of the present system to provide a user a lower-leg, anti-fatigue brace device wherein the device attaches or latches below the user's knee with the horseshoe-shaped buttress upon which the user will unload his weight onto the buttress. In order to unload his weight, the user slides the device onto his upper shin, and leans forward, planting the device into the ground so that the device supports his weight.

Upon planting the device into the ground, the user should be in a quasi-kneeling position, leaning into the device in a front-loaded position. The device is then able to carry the bulk of the user's weight thus eliminating fatigue to muscles caused by long hours of standing. The user's feet will remain on the ground, and he will be in a hybrid standing/kneeling position.

It is yet another object of the present system to provide a lower-leg, anti-fatigue brace device in which the user is able to load and unload his weight on demand. When the lower-leg brace device is not in the front-loaded position, the user may still wear the device until he wants to utilize the front-loaded position again. The hinge mechanism allows the device to hang in a straight down position, parallel to the user's legs, off the floor and allows the user to walk and move about freely without interference. When the user is ready again, he may load his weight back into the lower-leg, anti-fatigue brace device.

In one embodiment, the present device contemplates a lower-leg, anti-fatigue brace device in which the horseshoe buttress is attached by a hinge to a telescopic, adjustable support member. The support member may be split into an upper attachment and a lower attachment. The upper attachment comprises the horseshoe-shaped buttress attached to a hinge mechanism, which hinges to a pole with a height adjustment push button. This entire upper attachment may be thought of as a “male” piece that is later inserted into the lower attachment or “female” body.

The “female” body is another vertical pole, in which height adjustment holes are formed in the vertical pole in order to interact with the height adjustment push button of the male piece.

When the male piece is attached to the female body, the entire telescopic, adjustable support member is formed and the support member may be adjusted by activating the height adjustment push button and height adjustment holes. Further, the telescopic, adjustable support member may be made from lightweight aluminum, plastic, or other suitable materials in the art. The female vertical pole may have up to ten to twelve height adjustment holes in order to adjust the overall device to many different heights. The height adjustment push button on the male pole may be pressed and released to lock into any one of the height adjustment holes within the female vertical pole.

In another embodiment, the user will adjust the height of the lower-leg, anti-fatigue brace device so that they may utilize the standing and kneeling front-loaded position the most comfortably. Further, the height is ideally adjusted so that when the lower-leg brace device is not in use, it hangs straight down from the user's knee, off the floor and does not interfere with the user who can walk freely about.

In yet another embodiment the female vertical pole, after being attached to the male piece, the female vertical pole is inserted into a non-slip attachment in order to support the user and prevent the user from sliding or slipping. The non-slip attachment may be rubberized and may have a wide base in order to balance the user effectively.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of a lower-leg, anti-fatigue brace device in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the lower-leg, anti-fatigue brace device that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein may be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the system in detail, it is to be understood that the anti-fatigue brace device is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

These together with other objects of the system, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the system, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the system, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present system will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the anti-fatigue brace device;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the anti-fatigue brace device;

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the anti-fatigue brace device;

FIG. 4 illustrates a right side view of the anti-fatigue brace device;

FIG. 5 illustrates a left side view of the anti-fatigue brace device;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the anti-fatigue brace device;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the anti-fatigue brace device;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the anti-fatigue brace device in use in an environment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the anti-fatigue brace device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the system and does not represent the only forms in which the present system may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the device in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the anti-fatigue brace device 10. The overall anti-fatigue brace device 10 is made up of two separate parts: a male piece 15 otherwise known as the upper portion and the female body 14, otherwise known as the lower portion. The male piece is made up of a horseshoe-shaped buttress 12 and a hinge mechanism 8, which hinges the horseshoe-shaped buttress 12 to a pole member 6 with a height adjustment push button 16.

The female body 14 is a vertical pole, in which height adjustment holes 17 are formed in the vertical pole in order to interact with the height adjustment push button 16 of the male piece 15. Here, the male piece 15 is attached to the female body 14 and the height adjustment push button 16 is interacting with the height adjustment holes 17 and locked at a set height. The female body 14 is attached to a non-slip attachment 18, in this case a rubberized non-slip attachment. The non-slip attachment ensures that when the lower-leg brace device is in use, the user is able to remain in the front-loaded position without falling.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the assembled lower-leg brace device 10. As seen, the horseshoe-shaped buttress 12 is attached to a hinge mechanism 8, which hinges it to a pole member 6. The pole member then fits into the telescopic, vertical pole 13. The vertical pole 13 has height adjustment holes 17 on the front of the pole to interact with the height adjustment push button. The vertical pole 13 is then attached to a non-slip attachment 18. Once the pole member 6, the vertical pole 13, and the non-slip attachment 18 are attached, the entire area comprises an adjustable, telescoping support member 11 of the lower-leg brace device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the assembled lower-leg brace device 10. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate side views of the lower-leg brace device 10. In these illustrations, the height adjustment push button 16 is noticeable as it interacts with the vertical pole and the height adjustment holes.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the lower-leg brace device. From this angle, the top of the horseshoe-shaped buttress 12 is shown and its attachment to the hinge mechanism 8. In other embodiments, the top view of the lower-leg brace device would show a top view with sturdy padding. FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the lower-leg brace device. From this angle, the bottom of the non-slip attachment is visible 18 and the bottom of the horseshoe-shaped buttress 12.

FIG. 8 illustrates the lower-leg braces 10 in use. As seen, the lower-leg brace device latches below the user's knee 20 with the horseshoe-shaped buttress 12 upon which the user will unload his weight onto the buttress. In order to unload his weight, the user slides the device onto his upper shin, and leans forward, planting the device into the ground so that the device supports his weight. Upon planting the device into the ground, the user show be in a kneeling position, kneeling into the device in a front-loaded position. The device is then able to carry the bulk of the user's weight thus eliminating fatigue to muscles and joints caused by long hours of standing. The user's feet will remain on the ground, and he will be in a mixed standing and kneeling position.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the present system, wherein the lower-leg brace device 10. In this embodiment the horseshoe-shaped buttress 12 has an added durable cushioning 22 to provide the user more comfort when the lower-leg brace device is in use.

Thus has been outlined, rather broadly, a variety of embodiments for the present system. Although the system has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system.

Claims

1. An anti-fatigue brace device comprising:

a male piece member further comprising: a buttress mechanism; a hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism is in communication with the buttress mechanism; and a pole member, wherein the pole member is in communication to the hinge mechanism; and

a female body further comprising: an adjustable support member; and a non-slip attachment, wherein the non-slip attachment is in communication with to the adjustable support member.

2. The anti-fatigue brace device of claim 1, wherein the buttress mechanism comprises a horseshoe-shaped member.

3. The anti-fatigue brace device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable support member further comprises a telescoping mechanism.

4. The anti-fatigue brace device of claim 1, wherein the pole member further comprises a height adjustment push button.

5. The anti-fatigue brace device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable support member further comprises a set of height adjustment apertures formed on the vertical pole.

6. A lower-leg brace device for supporting a user in a generally standing position on a ground surface, the lower-leg brace device comprising:

a buttress mechanism;

a hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism is in communication with the buttress mechanism;

an adjustable support member, wherein the adjustable support member is in communication to the hinge mechanism; and

a non-slip attachment, wherein the non-slip attachment is in communication to the adjustable support member.

7. The lower-leg brace device of claim 6, wherein the buttress mechanism comprises a horseshoe-shaped member.

8. The lower-leg brace device of claim 6, wherein the adjustable support member further comprises a telescoping mechanism.

9. The lower-leg brace device of claim 6, wherein the adjustable, support member further comprises an upper attachment and a lower attachment.

10. The lower-leg brace device of claim 7, wherein the upper attachment further comprises at least one pole member wherein the buttress mechanism is attached to the hinge mechanism and wherein the hinge member is attached to the pole member.

11. The lower-leg brace device of claim 10, wherein the pole member further comprises a height adjustment push button.

12. The lower-leg brace device of claim 10, wherein the lower attachment further comprises a vertical pole member attached to the non-slip attachment.

13. The lower-leg brace device of claim 10, wherein the vertical pole further comprises a set of height adjustment apertures formed on the vertical pole.

14. The lower-leg brace of claim 13, wherein the set of height adjustment apertures formed on the vertical pole interact with the height adjustment push button.

15. The lower-leg brace device of claim 9, wherein the lower attachment is attached to the upper attachment.

16. The lower-leg brace device of claim 6, wherein the buttress mechanism further comprises a cushion apparatus.

17. The lower-leg brace device of claim 6, wherein the adjustable, telescoping support member is made from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, plastic, metal, and alloy.

18. The lower-leg brace device of claim 6, wherein the non-slip attachments comprises a rubberized composition.

19. The lower-leg brace device of claim 6, wherein the adjustable support member comprises a length shorter than that of a user's lower leg such that upon the user's retraction from a kneeling position, the lower-leg brace device remains attached to the user and the user is free to walk without encumbrance.

20. A method for utilizing lower-leg brace device of claim 6, comprising the steps of:

latching the lower-leg brace device below a user's knee joint with the buttress mechanism;

adjusting the adjustable, telescoping support member to the user's desired height;

sliding the buttress mechanism onto the user's upper shin area;

kneeling into the buttress mechanism, wherein the no-slip attachment is affixed to a ground surface;

retracting from a kneeling position; and,

retaining the lower-leg brace upon the user for continued use.