Abstract: A therapeutic appliance is provided for application to the lumbar spine so as to overly the sacrum and sacroiliac joints. The therapeutic appliance is formed basically by an air bladder having a plurality of air chambers. The air chambers include a central air chamber elongated in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the air bladder, and inclined air chambers provided on opposing sides of the transverse air chamber and elongated in directions inclined relative to the transverse air chamber downwardly and toward the respective longitudinal ends of air bladder. Gap air chambers are also provided in the gaps formed between the transverse air chamber and the innermost inclined air chambers. Longitudinally extending air chambers are provided at opposing longitudinal ends of the air bladder.

Abstract: An improved dual-purpose golf and gym folded pocket towel having a concealed pocket therein for holding articles. the concealed pocket has zipper-type closure, and an adjustable hook and loop fastener attachment strap for securement to golf and gym equipment/apparatus. The folded pocket towel is uniquely designed to allow unhampered use by golf and gym patrons in cleaning golf implements and equipment and use in drying perspiration from face, hands and gym equipment/apparatus while carrying both accessories and personal items of the a fore mentioned patrons. An adjustable hook and loop fastener attachment strap provides convenient securemnet to a variety of golf and gym equipment/apparatus while adding to ease and accessibility of pocket/container therein.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment waistband and method of forming a waistband are provided which preferably include providing a first elongate layer of non-woven material having a first predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of elongate elastic strips are positioned to overlie a first portion of the upper surface of the first non-woven layer. A second elongate layer of non-woven material preferably is also provided having a second predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface of the second elongate layer is positioned to overlie the plurality of elastic strips and the upper surface of the first portion of said first non-woven elongate layer. The second predetermined width of the second non-woven layer preferably is narrower than the first predetermined width of the first non-woven layer. The upper surface of at least a second portion of the first elongate layer preferably is folded to overlie and to be secured to the upper surface of the second elongate layer.

Abstract: A torso support belt system has individually contoured back and abdominal muscle support pads and an associated multi-belt system. The locations of the abdominal and back support pads around the wearer's body are adjustable, so as to provide contoured support for both the back and abdominal regions of the wearer. The back support pad is contoured to generally conform with the wearer's lower back region, while the abdominal muscle support pads are contoured to generally conform with the wearer's abdominal region. The multi-belt system contains inner and outer belts which are looped through slots in the back support pad and the abdominal muscle support pads in such a manner as to securely fasten the abdominal muscle support pads and the back support pad about the torso of the wearer.

Abstract: A heated back supporting device including a belt portion having a pair of pockets formed in an interior surface thereof. The belt portion is securable around a waist of a user. A pair of heated gel packets are adapted for removable coupling within the pair of pockets formed in the interior surface of the belt portion. A plurality of utility pockets are securable to an exterior surface of the belt portion.

Abstract: A waist belt for weight lifting incorporates a strap ratchet and nylon strap for tightening the belt. The waist belt includes a heavy leather belt and a nylon strap, both with first and second ends. The strap ratchet is secured on the belt loop near the first end of the belt. The first end of the nylon strap is attached to the strap ratchet. The nylon strap is sewn to the belt until a quarter of the leather belt remains at the second end of the belt. The second end of the nylon strap hangs free at the second end of the leather belt. The second end of the leather belt is placed through the middle of the belt loop, gripping support loops as necessary. The second end of the nylon strap is placed through the strap ratchet nylon strap tightening mechanism. The belt is now tightened by gripping the strap ratchet's handle and ratcheting by hand for desired tightness. Belt is quickly unbuckled by pulling up and holding strap ratchet's nylon strap release mechanism and pulling fully open strap ratchet's handle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a garment support that satisfies this need for substantial waist size adjustability, yet maintaining comfort and style. A garment support having features of the present invention comprises a flexible, expandable, inner tube-type device to which an air intake and release mechanism will be attached. The present invention can be built into the inner waistband of garments or can be made detachable therefrom.

Abstract: A dorso-abdominal support belt constituted by unitary assembly having a crotch piece, and organized to exert permanent compression on the zone concerned of the body. According to the invention, the unitary assembly comprises two complementary portions connected together by an associated seam, said portions comprising an enveloping front-and-back main portion made of a first elastic textile material selected to exert controlled support, and an abdominal portion made of a second elastic textile material which is substantially more stretchable than said first material, such that said abdominal portion allows freer swelling of the abdomen, and wherein a peripheral band is associated with the unitary assembly, being connected to said assembly via seams that are disposed so that the peripheral band can exert additional support in the super-pubic and/or pre-umbilical zone.

Abstract: A device to prevent rape of a person wearing trousers or shorts is in the form of a locking, cut resistant belt that has the external appearance of an ordinary belt. A flexible, cut resistant cable is secured to the underside of the belt. A special clasp is attached to one end of the cable. The other end of the cable is engaged by the clasp at adjustable distances from the end to thereby snugly encircle the waist with the belt. The clasp is locked in the cable engaged position by a small padlock held within an elastic pocket. The clasp, padlock and pocket are all concealed flat against the underside of the belt.

Abstract: An adjustable fastener assembly for forming an adjustable loop around a portion of a wearer's body has an body has an elongate member for encircling the body portion and first and second interengageabie end portions at opposite ends of the elongate member. One of the end portions is a buckle and the other is a strap for releasable threaded engagement through the buckle with the free end of the strap on the inside of the loop. Secondary fasteners such as mateable strips of Velcro.RTM. material are provided on the opposing inner faces of the free strap end and inner face of the loop. The elongate member may be a belt or waistband, a collar for an animal, or a hat band or sweat band of a cap or hat.

Abstract: A two piece reversible support belt has a body and a strap. The body is longitudinally curved so that when it is wrapped around a human waist it forms a tapered shape, and may be worn so that the tapered shape either opens up or opens down. The strap encircles the body and is detachably removable from the body so that the free end of the strap may always be held in the right hand by a man or in the left hand by a woman, regardless of which orientation the body is worn in. In one form, lateral slits are cut in the body to retain the strap laterally, and the strap may be worn against either side of the body in this embodiment. Detachable fastener material may be provided on the inside surface of the strap in this embodiment and an accessory such as a lumbar pad may be secured thereby, between the belt body and the wearer. The body may also be made articulated with elastic hip sections or with molded foam accordion fold hip sections.

Abstract: A support belt has a core layer made of a three dimensional fabric in which a cushion layer has a serpentine undulating cross-sectional shape in at least one dimension so as to define peaks and valleys which space inner and outer surfaces of the core such that the thickness of the core at a given location is greater than the sum of the thicknesses of threads of the fabric at that location. The core may have multiple cushion layers and may be covered with a closed weave fabric on one or both sides thereof. Preferably, a strap encircles the core and a buckle is provided for adjustably securing the strap around a body with the core between the strap and the body.

Abstract: A detachable waist band extender enables an individual with a garment having a certain waist band dimension to wear the garment when the waist measurement of the individual exceeds the waist dimension of the garment. The waist band extender has a tab portion which is fastened to a button on a first side of a fly opening of the garment and a belt loop portion having a buckle at a first free end and a tongue at a second free end. The tongue of the belt loop portion is passed through a button hole in a second side of the fly opening and adjustably secured to the buckle to join the sides of the fly together. Since the tongue is adjustably secured to the buckle, the effective length of the waist band extender can be adjusted to accommodate the waist measurement of the wearer and later changed to accommodate any changes in the waist measurement of the wearer.

Abstract: A karate belt having a body to which is fixed a tying strap. The body of the karate belt is secured to the waist of a user independent of the tying strap. The tying strap remains free so that the user can practice tying a predetermined knot without being impeded or distracted by the need to simultaneously hold the belt about the user's waist while attempting to tie the knot.

Abstract: A leg ornamentation device including an upper strap adapted to form an upper loop when worn by a user. Three upper male fasteners on the front face of the upper strap are capable of securing the upper loop around the leg below the knee by coupling with an upper female fastener on the rear face of the upper strap adjacent the second edge of the upper strap. A lower strap adapted to form a lower loop when worn by a user. Three lower male fasteners on the front face of the lower strap are capable of securing the lower loop around an ankle of the leg by coupling with a lower female fastener on the rear face of the lower strap adjacent the second edge of the lower strap. A vertical connecting strap that extends between the upper and lower strap and has a top looped portion capable of receipt therethrough the upper strap and a bottom looped portion capable of receipt therethrough the lower strap and a middle portion therebetween.

Abstract: A back support to be worn by sufferers on their bodies comprises a patch of fur having a shape with a contour including an uppermost widest side, two lateral sides extending downwardly from the uppermost side and converging toward one another, and a smallest lower side connecting the lateral sides with one another, and means for holding the patch on a user's body.

Abstract: A belt for use with a clamp type buckle having a sliding cinch bar and a method of making the belt. The belt includes an elongated outer fabric piece having a tab end, a buckle attachment end opposite the tab end and a pair of substantially parallel outer edges. Two thickening strips extend along the entire length of the belt and a spine member is sandwiched between the strips adjacent to the tab end of the belt. The length of the spine member is less than the length of the belt. The fabric piece is folded around the thickening strips and the spine member which are secured by stitches.

Abstract: A reversible apparel belt having a plurality of interconnected links is disclosed. Each link is formed from two pieces of flexible sheet material which are fastened together. The outside surface of the first piece of flexible sheet material differs in appearance from the outside surface of the second piece of flexible sheet material. The front face of the belt is formed from the outside surfaces of the first pieces of flexible sheet material and the back face of the belt is formed from the outside surfaces of the second pieces of flexible material so as to provide a reversible belt.

Abstract: A handle for stabilizing a passenger riding in tandem with an operator of a vehicle has a tubular core made of soft rubber. The tubular core is surrounded by a pliable covering of foamed elastomeric material. A nylon strap extends through, and has an end portion projecting to either side of, the tubular core. The end portions of the strap are provided with snaps which allow the handle to be releasably connected to one or more belts worn by the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A back support belt comprising a primary support belt including fasteners for fastening the same generally at the frontal area of the waist of the wearer, and a secondary tensioning belt comprising fasteners for fastening the same around the primary support belt generally at the frontal area of the waist of the wearer is provided, and includes back support belt color tensioning indicators on the secondary tensioning belt which are visible only from the rear and side areas of the waist of the wearer, and thus not by the wearer, and which are operable to indicate both when the back support belt is properly tensioned around the waist of the wearer, and when the back support belt is not properly tensioned around the waist of the wearer. The back support belt color tensioning indicators are operable to indicate proper and improper tensioning of the support belt independently of the relationship between the size of the support belt and the waist size of the wearer to thus be virtually foolproof in operation.

Abstract: A support belt has a cinching system which incorporates two or more rings and results in a reduction of the force required to secure the belt around a user's waist. An elastomeric material may be deposited on the interior surface of the belt so as to increase the resistance of the belt to turning around the waist when the belt is being tightened.

Abstract: An improved lumbar spine support including a posterior shell form-fitted around the corresponding torso area. This shell is connectable by flexible fabric support belt arrangement tightly against the torso. The posterior shell includes an elongated upright indentation having a laterally extending wider lower portion for centering and securing the posterior shell over the lumbosacral area of the spine. A tightening strap arrangement connected to the support belt provides increased independent right and left side tightening of the posterior shell against the torso.

Abstract: A fireman's back brace including a lumbar spinal support belt disposed about a user's torso by a first coacting fastening means, a straplike tensioning member pair affixed to the lumbar spinal support belt and being wrappedly secured about the user's torso using a second coacting fastening means, manual engagement loops affixed to free ends of the straplike tensioning member pair, and a releasable means for affixing the fireman's back brace to existing garmentlike firefighting equipment. The fireman's back brace is composed of flame retardant materials.

Abstract: A holster worn outwardly of an article of clothing and attached to a snug body engaging inside article of clothing in the form of a belt or an undershirt or a bullet-proof vest, the attachment including spaced keys mounted on a semi-flexible inside support member attached at selected positions on the inside article of clothing and keyhole or keyways attached to the holster.

Abstract: A shooter's support belt that can be used by competition shooters, police officers, service personnel, security officers and others to simultaneously support a wearer's lower back while virtually immobilizing an outer gun holster and belt to increase gun draw speed, whereby the support belt provides a relatively stiff support platform having hook and loop fastening material permanently attached between the belt ends and a fastening strap extending from one end lined on both sides with hook and loop fastening material so that 360.degree. of hook and loop fastening material is always provided for releasably attaching an outer belt and holster system having a corresponding hook and loop liner.

Abstract: A garment and method for its use, a covering such as a poncho or an anorak, designed to enable a backpacker to don the covering while he or she is wearing a backpack. The garment incorporates a belt with an integrally-formed pouch where the covering garment is stored. The pouch is worn about the waist of the user with the pouch at the front. Where the garment is an anorak, it is open in the back. To use, the user unfolds the garment from the pouch and dons the garment from the rear. There is a slide fastener in the back of the unfurled garment, allowing the user to close the back of the garment after it has covered the backpack.

Abstract: A support belt has a core layer made of a three dimensional fabric in which a cushion layer has a serpentine undulating cross-sectional shape in at least one dimension so as to define peaks and valleys which space inner and outer surfaces of the core such that the thickness of the core at a given location is greater than the sum of the thicknesses of threads of the fabric at that location. The core may have multiple cushion layers and may be covered with a closed weave fabric on one or both sides thereof. Preferably, a strap encircles the core and a buckle is provided for adjustably securing the strap around a body with the core between the strap and the body.

Abstract: An umbilical girdle for securing the navel of newborns, and characterized by the fact that it comprises one tubular piece formed from an elastic mesh (1) and provided in its border portions with an elastic edge. The measurements of the girdle in a state of contraction and repose and its degree of elasticity adjust to the measurements of the midsection of the newborn (2), so that when in use it adheres gently but firmly around the abdomen in such a way that it secures a compress (3) and the fastening clip on the stub of the umbilical cord without causing discomfort to the user. The placement and removal of the mesh is performed quickly and simply without having to wrap it around the newborn's body.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic device for human wear comprising of a flexible belt encircling the human, with free ends thereof joined by a hook and loop fastener to position the belt on the wearer, and wherein the flexible belt is provided with a pad to be positioned against the lumbar and sacral regions of the wearer and with vertical stiffeners for the flexible belt. A static support is fixedly attached to the flexible belt and completely encircles the wearer. The static support is bi-level with one level encircling the wearer, extending around the flexible belt, and attached thereto adjacent the pad, and is provided with adjustable length belt buckle ends for cinching the one level about the user with varying degrees of tension. A second level is V-shaped and is attached to the elastic belt adjacent to the pad to dispense the support to the sacral regions when additional support is desired and the buckled clasp and first level tightened.

Abstract: A pair of suspenders and a belt for use in securing firefighter's pants are manufactured of an inelastic material to prevent the firefighter's pants from sagging. In conventional suspenders, the elastic nature of previous designs tended to lose their strength over the course of time and cause a potentially hazardous and uncomfortable situation in which the firefighter's pants no longer hung at the desired place.

Abstract: Orthopedic splint materials made with thermoplastic polyester, particularly poly (epsilon-caprolactone) with a molecular weight of over 5,000 and melting between 50.degree. C. and 100.degree. C. have improved properties when subjected to gamma radiation in the range from 0.5 to 30 megarads.

Abstract: A personal protection device includes a belt which conceals a whip in an internal sheath formed therein. The whip has a handle which also is concealed by an end portion of the belt. The whip can be quickly and easily withdrawn from the sheath in the belt by releasing the end portion and grasping the handle, all in a substantially single motion. The whip material allows sufficient flexibility to be worn comfortably around the waist, but is rigid enough to be an effective striking device. Embodiments for sports and uniform use are disclosed.

Abstract: A work belt with lumbar support, stretchable side panels and interchangeable pouches comprising a main belt structure having a buckle at one end and holes at the other end for removable coupling with respect to the buckle and with a central section of an increased height, a lumbar support extending laterally within the central section and fabricated of an elastomeric material, elastic panels secured to the belt at locations laterally spaced from the lumbar support, pouch support straps located on the belt laterally disposed on opposite sides of the lumbar support for receiving any one of a plurality of interchangeable pockets, suspender straps permanently secured to a central extent of the belt structure with opposite ends releasably secured to the upper edges of the belt near the buckle and holes, and a plurality of interchangeable pockets adapted to be secured to the support straps.

Abstract: A rib protector is disclosed for protecting a player's torso while playing athletic events, such as football. The rib protector includes an pad having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. A flexible belt is attached to the outer surface of the pad for securing the pad around the player's torso in a position in which the inner surface of the pad is adjacent the torso. A plurality of removable plates are attached to the belt for covering portions of the outer surface of the pad. The plates are constructed for receiving the impact of blows delivered to the rib protector and distributing the impact force to the pad. The plates are separate from one another and individually removable from the belt whereby a player using the rib protector may attach a selected number of plates to the belt.

Abstract: An elastic (1) belt with a buckle (2) and having an adjustment slide (3) for waist size adjustment and "Race Number Attachment System" (4 and 5) which consists of 2 small dangling elastic pieces which are stitched (7B and 7C) at one end to the belt. These 2 dangling elastic pieces (4) are fed through the 2 top holes in a race number indicator sign. The 2 dangling elastics (4) are long enough to accept a variety of different size race numbers. The number is held in place and adjustment made using 2 cord locks (5A and 5B).

Abstract: A waistband adapted to surround the waist of a wearer as a fashion accessory comprises both a scarf and a semi-rigid form made of flexible sheet material. The scarf covers and is wrapped about at least a portion of the form, when in use as a waistband, with the form disposed at the midsection of the wearer. The scarf thus takes on a shape defined in part by the form.

Abstract: A belt for supporting the lumbar region of the spine provides transverse and axial support to the hard tissues, including the vertebrae and discs of the lumbar spine, while accommodating extension and contraction of the soft tissues, including the paraspinal musculatures. A compressible support extending from and fixably positioned by the belt includes a vertically transversely oriented ridge bearing against the hard tissues and interleaved troughs for nestingly receiving the soft tissues and without appreciable laterally compressive restrictive effect.

Abstract: As is well-known in the prior art, flexible elongate rope-like tethers have a leadward-end attached to a leadwardly-impelled aquamarine equipment (e.g. surfboard, towed water-ski, etc.) and having a trailward-end securely attached to the towed operator (e.g. a surfboarder, a water-skier, etc.). It is also well known in the prior art that the aquamarine's tethered operator might find himself/herself in a visually discernible perilous situation and wherein the elongate tether should be disengaged from the towing aquamarine device. Accordingly, the present invention provides a vertical-pin type releasably-lockable device that has the required secure attachment to the operator's body, but wherein the operator can manually vertically withdraw the vertical-pin portion of a releasable-lockable device to quickly withdraw himself/herself from the leadwardly tethered aquamarine equipment whenever the operator somehow discerns a perilous condition.

Abstract: A novel arcuate wooden cummerbund with or without associated accessories. Two methods for making the wooden cummerbund are disclosed. When accessories are included, they may comprise coordinating wooden ties, matching cuff links. A storing and carrying case is disclosed for the wooden cummerbund and accessories, if any.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for blousing a pant leg. The central hole of a tubular, torus shaped, horizontally positioned, elastic sleeve is of a size to accept a calf of a person's leg. The sleeve includes a pair of opposing slits that each provide entry into the interior of the sleeve from above. A pair of foundation forms each have a curved, horizontally extending first portion positioned within the sleeve for providing conformal alignment of the sleeve with the natural curvature of a human calf. Each form further includes a second portion contiguous with the first portion and extending vertically from the first portion for protruding through one of the slits of the sleeve. A strap attachment slit is further included on each second portion for engaging at least one elastic anchoring strap, the strap holding the sleeve in place on the calf at a position adjacent to, and above, the top of a boot.

Abstract: An elastic band comprising a plurality of spaced elastic members and a pair of flexible sheet materials on opposed sides of the elastic members, the elastic members being secured in a stretched position to each of said flexible sheet materials.

Abstract: A lumbo-sacral support formed by the combination of a lumbo-sacral belt adapted to encircle the torso of the wearer and a separate, releasable, fastenable compression belt which can be infinitely positioned vertically or horizontally across the lower back and lumbar regions of the wearer. In a more specific aspect, a lumbar pad is used in combination with the primary belt and compression belt.

Abstract: A combination clothing belt and animal headstall device (10) in which an intermediate portion (19) of the belt comprises two strap-like portions (20), (21) which, in the headstall configuration, part to form a loop to encircle the nose of the animal whilst the end portions (11/24) (14) of the belt cooperate to encircle and hold the head of the animal.

Abstract: An arcuate wooden cummerbund with or without associated accessories. Two methods for making the wooden cummerbund are disclosed. When accessories are included, they may comprise coordinating wooden ties, matching cuff links. A storing and carrying case is disclosed for the wooden cummerbund and accessories.

Abstract: A tick repellant belt to be worn about the waist of an outdoorsman who wears pants with tightly closed cuffs to ward off or trap bloodsucking arachnids. The belt is comprised of a flexible band having outer and inner surfaces and two ends adapted to releasably interlock to secure the band's inner surface tightly against the outdoorsman to prevent ticks from passing upwardly between the band's inner surface and the outdoorsman. A tick barrier means is located on the outer surface which will prevent the tick from moving upwardly onto the outdoorsman beyond the belt. The tick barrier means includes variations of adhesive surfaces, lubricated surfaces, chemical surfaces and electrical conducting surfaces.

Abstract: A belt-type electric shock device includes a belt having a flexible strip and a buckle attached to one end of the flexible strip, a battery operated high voltage generator provided on the belt and generating a high voltage output, and a pair of spaced conductive strips provided on an outer side of the buckle and wired to the high voltage generator so as to receive the high voltage output, thereby causing electric shock to someone who contacts the conductive strips.

Abstract: The stabilizing belt comprises a pliable belt band, means for securing the band about the waist of the forward person of a tandem pair, and at least two discrete hand grip assemblies for the rearward person of the tandem pair. Each of the hand grip assemblies is adjustable to different locations along the belt band and yet is securely held at a selected location along the belt band when the belt band is secured in taut condition about the waist of the forward person. An anchor member is the base structure of each hand grip assembly. It is mounted on the belt band for adjustability along the belt band. A loop of material is then carried by the anchor member and has a portion in spaced relationship from the belt band for hand gripping by the rearward person.

Abstract: A back support (10) for providing abdominal and lumbosacral support has a waistband (11) comprising a front panel (12) and a second panel (13). An elastic band (50) is operatively connected to the waistband (11). An apron member (40) is operatively connected to the top portion of the front panel (12). A pocket member (60) is operatively connected to the bottom portion of the front panel (12).

Abstract: Exercise or physical therapy apparel including a vest, pants, spine strap, belt, wrist bands, ankle bands and weight packets. The vest and the pants are each provided with structure for holding at least one weight packet. The weight packets include plural rows and plural columns of weight members adjacent a layer of padding inside of a cloth pouch.

Abstract: An article of clothing comprises an elongated fabric tube and a generally circular elastic band wherein, by passing the band over different parts of the tube, various decorative and functional article forms are provided.