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: The belt for protecting the lower spinal region of a wearer from injury by impact or abrasion when engaging in a hazardous activity, such as motocross, is provided with sets of male press studs and/or touch and close fasteners. Cooperating sets of female studs and/or touch and close fasteners are provided on the inner waistband of trousers to enable the belt and the trousers to be secured together in a variety of different relative vertical positions to suit the body shape of the wearer.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved dynamic harness for the human spine. The harness has adjustable supports for two shoulders, a belt and an elastic or semi-elastic band. The shoulder supports are coupled by a harnessing array with an upper suspender, a lower suspender and a crossed suspender.

Abstract: A body protective vest for sports use has a front panel and a back panel joined at the shoulders and side panels. The front panel and back panel include inner and outer plies having elongate padding inserts held in place between the inner and outer panels by line stitching. The padding inserts on the front panel are angled diagonally and held in place by diagonal line stitching which permits the front panel to yield and fold as the wearer assumes different positions.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a protective garment such as a firefighter's coat or trousers having a lumbar support belt attached to the innermost layer of the garment. As a result, no portion of the garment is disposed between the wearer of the garment and the lumbar support belt such that maximum support is achieved. The belt can be releasably secured to the garment such that it can be worn without the garment or the garment can be worn without the belt.

Abstract: A lower back support device for use in applying force to the lumbar vertebrae of the human spinal column. The device has a support plate attached to a pair of inner bands, for encircling the wearers' body to position the support plate. It also has a one-piece outer band, which fastens to its outside of the inner band to pass the plate toward the back of the wearer.

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: The invention includes a back support belt having a dual-belt assembly in which a wide, elastic inner belt completely encircles the abdominal and lower lumbar regions of the body. The inner belt is secured before a second, relatively less elastic outer belt, primarily providing rigid support, is fastened over the inner belt. The middle and side panels of the inner belt provide additional support to critical areas of the region through the use of supplemental internal padding.

Abstract: A pelvic protective device is disclosed including a foam padding member having a plurality of spaced apart ridges on opposite broad surfaces thereof and forming valleys between the ridges and with the ridges on one of the broad surfaces being aligned with the valleys on the other of the broad surfaces. A plurality of flexible tubular elements are fixedly secured to the padding member in the valleys between the ridges. The tubular elements include a plurality of openings through the walls thereof facing the padding member and a bonding material securing the tubular elements to the padding member and extending through the openings with a cap portion on the end thereof inside the tubular elements and wherein the cap portion has a diameter larger than the adjacent opening.

Abstract: Firefighter's pants include a torso portion having an upwardly extending rear panel. A plurality of loops are permanently connected to the rear part of the torso portion. The loops slidably receive and support a conventional back brace. One of the straps is connected to the rear panel by hook and loop fastener members so that the strap can be partially or totally disconnected from the rear panel. Hook and loop fastener members are also disposed at the front part of the torso portion for engaging cooperating members on a back brace to support the back brace at the front part of the torso portion.

Abstract: A chest trapeze (1) is cut to size from a flexible plate (2) made of plastic, which is sewn in a tear-resistant covering (3) made of a synthetic fiber fabric. The chest trapeze (1) has a back part (4), two hip and abdominal parts (5, 6) extending crosswise to the latter and two shoulder parts (7, 8) adjoining the back part (4). A support for the lumbar area of the spinal column (9) of a surfer or sailor, made of support elements (11) with limited flexibility interlocking with one another, is integrated in the back part (4). The mode of action of support elements (11) is such that when the surfer leans back, the support elements are pushed together into a stiff brace matched to the curvature of the spinal column (9) in the lumbar area, and when the surfer bends forward, the support elements spread out from one another into a flexible link belt. Trapeze (1) thus assures that with the various maneuvers, the surfer enjoys full freedom of movement.

Abstract: A back warmer for keeping a person's lower back warm. The back warmer comprises a flexible pad including an upper panel extending between opposite sides of a person and around a person's lumbar, together with a lower panel extending downwardly from the upper panel to substantially cover a person's tail bone. A belt is formed by a pair of elongate elastic straps attached to opposite sides of the upper panel and extending around a person's waist. The upper panel may also include a pocket for containing a heating element. The back warmer may also include a removable seat cushion extending downwardly from the lower panel which is hinged to the lower panel for use as a stadium cushion or the like.

Abstract: A unisize type lifting belt containing basically three elements: the underlying wrap assembly with expandable back panel and overlapping closure ends; suspenders with four adjustable ends to secure to the underlying wrap assembly at varying positions in front and at two positions varying vertically in the rear; and expandable side pull portions which have a pair of elastic band portions and removably secured end tabs is disclosed. The expandable side pulls are normally applied by snugly securing the side pulls to the underlying wrap assembly prior to lifting.

Abstract: A support stay for use with an article to be worn by a person has two durometers of hardness. The support stay includes a base member having a first hardness, the first hardness sufficient to provide a required rigidity for support. A gripping member is operatively connected to the base member. The gripping member has a second hardness which is softer than the first hardness. The gripping member, when attached to the inner surface of the article, provides a non-slip surface against the person wearing the article to keep the article in position.

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 thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis device includes a jacket having opposite side portions, a back portion, and a releasable front portion. The back portion is integrally formed with the side portions. A compartment is formed within the jacket for receiving padding and a brace member, with the padding being positioned between the patient and the brace member. The brace member is formed from a moldable material so as to conform to the patient's spine. The side portions of the jacket include pockets for receiving side supports to provide lateral trunk stability for the patient. Auxiliary pads can be attached to the side portions to provide additional lateral stability when the patient is sitting in a chair.

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: Protector and an article of sportswear using the same. The protector includes a cushioning pad for buffering external impact, the cushioning pad having one face being adapted to be mounted over a garment, and a plurality of parallel protecting rigid members, mounted on the other face of the cushioning pad in a spaced manner, for protecting the cushioning pad from being damaged from the external impact.

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: A Shoulder Protector Guard harness having a appearance as suspenders with attached shoulder pads to protect each shoulder of a wearer from bruises, lacerations and other injuries caused by heavy construction materials. Each pad is held in place by a vertical suspender strap at its front and back. The vertical straps attach to the wearer's belt or pants with clamps to hold the shoulder protector in place. A horizontal center strap attached to each vertical strap holds each vertical strap in place thereby assisting the secure placement of the shoulder pads on the shoulders of the wearer.

Abstract: An improved lumbar spine support including preferably both an anterior and a posterior shell form-fitted around the corresponding torso areas. These shells are connectable by flexible fabric panels and a strap arrangement in opposing position tightly against the torso. The anterior shell includes a V-shaped indentation which hydrostatically lifts the lower abdominal musculature inwardly and upwardly. 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.

Abstract: A pelvic protective device is disclosed including a foam padding member having a plurality of spaced apart ridges on opposite broad surfaces thereof and forming valleys between the ridges and with the ridges on one of the broad surfaces being aligned with the valleys on the other of the broad surfaces. A plurality of flexible tubular elements are fixedly secured to the padding member in the valleys between the ridges. The tubular elements, and particularly at least 1/2 thereof, project above the ridges, and the tubular elements have a ratio of the thickness of the tubular element to the outside diameter of the tubular elements of substantially 1 to 7.

Abstract: A protective garment incorporating radiation resistant materials has a resilient support for conforming to and supporting the weight of the garment across the back of the wearer. The support is a wide resilient band having a first end connected at a first interior side seam and a second end connected at a second interior side seam for extending across an interior back panel surface of the garment. When stretched across the back, the garment weight is distributed uniformly across the back to reduce fatigue. Alternatively, the garment may have a pair of resilient straps which extend from the shoulder seams and sides of a front panel, across the back to the front of the garment. By providing resilient back panels which extend from the shoulders, the front panel weight is distributed over the shoulders and back. Utilizing such a protective garment reduces upper body fatigue for those required to wear such garments.

Abstract: An upper torso restraining device is disclosed for maintaining an individual in a seated position in a chair or similar by providing attachment and support of the upper torso. An external upper body garment with appearance similar to ordinary clothing is provided with side slits. An interior vest having straps extending from front crossover and crossunder portions is attached to the upper body garment along the upper edges of the interior vest. Straps from the crossunder portion pass through one side of the interior vest through interior slits and straps from the crossover portion pass through external loops located on the opposing side of the interior vest. The straps then pass through the side slits, and may be secured together behind an individual wearing the interior vest and upper body garment.

Abstract: A harness for minimizing possible back injury from excessive or improper bending and lifting includes a flexible back strap, a pair of flexible shoulder straps attached to the back strap, and an anchor holding the back strap to the wearer's pants. The pair of shoulder straps fit over the wearer's shoulders and below the wearer's shoulder blades so that the wearer has free movement of his scapula and arms. The anchor and pants restrain back bending by the wearer beyond a predetermined maximum angle by the interference of the wearer's pants with the anatomic structure of the wearer's groin.

Abstract: An abdominal support belt of the type which includes an elongated flat waist band adapted to encircle the waist of a user and one or more supplemental elastic (resilient) strap or straps having unattached ends adapted to be grasped and drawn toward the anterior midline of the user's abdomen and releasible secured to the waist band when the belt is secured about the waist of the user for enhancing the support provided by the belt, and including one or more devices for limiting the extent of return of the strap or straps when the unattached end thereof is released from the waist band and the strap or straps is permitted to return toward its relaxed state. The belt further includes improved wear resistance and shape retention properties, particularly associated with the opposite ends of the waist band.

Abstract: A back support (110 & 210) for providing abdominal and lumbosacral support having a waistband (111 & 211) comprising a front panel (112 & 212) and a second panel (113 & 213). An elastic band (150 & 151) is operatively connected to the waistband (111 & 211). In one embodiment, the front panel (210) forms a cup to lift and support the fat tissue of an obese wearer.

Abstract: A shoulder pad assembly for protecting the upper body and shoulders. The shoulder pad assembly includes a substantially rigid outer shell having left and right body members. Each of the body members has a generally horizontally disposed arched portion for spanning one of the shoulders. A chest plate portion and a back plate portion depend from the arched portion. The shoulder pad assembly also includes a cantilever support extending between the plate portions for supporting the outer shell above the shoulders to substantially reduce the impact of the outer shell on the shoulders. The cantilever support is configured to support the outer shell above the trapezius muscle such that, when the muscle is substantially developed, the generally horizontally disposed arched portion is evenly supported on the trapezius muscle by the cantilever support.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for protective equipment comprised of relatively soft inner cushioning material and relatively rigid outer shell-like material. The fastening is comprised of a main strap which has a fixed end and free end. The fixed end is sewn in place to both inner and outer fabric surfaces of a cushion. The free end of the strap is threaded through a series of three slots and through an opening formed by a transverse strap. The circuitous path of the main strap prevents separation of the cushion from the shell. Hook-and-loop fastening surface areas on different portions of the main strap allow it to be completed with one hand.

Abstract: An orthopedic device to provide lower back support for a wearer includes a flexible flat body, a resilient contoured lumbar support pad of varying thickness secured to the body, and a flexible belt traversing the pad and secured to the body at points beyond the pad, the belt being configured and dimensioned to be secured about the waist of the wearer for positioning the pad on the lumbar region of the wearer.

Abstract: An improved lumbar spine support including an anterior and a posterior section form-fitted around the corresponding torso areas. These sections are connectable by flexible fabric panels and a strap arrangement in opposing position tightly against the torso. The anterior section includes a V-shaped indentation which hydrostatically lifts the lower abdominal musculature inwardly and upwardly. The posterior section includes an elongated upright indentation having a laterally extending wider lower portion for centering and securing the posterior section over the lumbosacral area of the spine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sports useable body protector primarily for use as a chest protector and comprising a rigid frame with forward padding and a rearward suspension strap on the frame. The rigid frame is formed with rearwardly extending wrap around rib covering portions and wrap over collar bone and shoulder covering portions all of which are shaped to pull the rigid frame rearwardly when worn by a user such that the suspension strap is snug against the user with the rigid frame in a tight body fitting position.

Abstract: A postural training and correcting device comprises a rod which is held firmly to a wearer's spine by way of adjustable elastic belts around the abdominal, shoulder, and head areas and achieves correct postural alignment by encouraging the wearer to hold in the abdominal muscles, hold the upper thoracic spine upright, and keep the neck and head in correct postural alignment with the wearer's body.

Abstract: A football shoulder pad includes a pair of relatively rigid arch portions which extend over the shoulders of a wearer and a pair of resilient pads which are removably secured to the rear surfaces of the arch portions. The pads reduce the tendency of a football to bounce off of the arch portions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a football shoulder pad which includes a pair of rigid arches and a less rigid pad member associated with each rigid arch. Each pad has opposite pockets which open toward each other, and terminal edges of the rigid arches are received in the pockets whereby the arches and the pad members can be readily assembled and disassembled. Snap fasteners or the like are utilized to hold the arches and associated pads assembled while facilitating the ease of release thereof.

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: A back and shoulder brace comprising flexible elastic elements to apply a compliant pressure that holds the shoulders back and places the spine under mild compression. The brace has a waist strap as a principal anchor with an elastic spinal strap joining two shoulder straps.

Abstract: A clavicle bandage with two adjustable-length strips, wherein one end of each strip is secured to a ring that accordingly fastens the two together, in that the strips are made of a material that essentially does not stretch, and in that their free ends have means of establishing loops.

Abstract: The "Lift Back" is an invention for providing spinal protection with an impact resistant moldable material for insertion in a fabric harness in sport aviation particularly Paragliding. The invention is comprised of two main parts which are fastened together and in union provides relief to the low back, rib cage and shoulders from the stress put on the body while the pilot operates his Paraglider, and most importantly provides spinal protection to the pilot's spinal column in the event of impact.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and support for posture training. The support comprises a pouch for holding one or more weights. The pouch is positionable on the back of a patient below the inferior angle of the patient's scapulae by means of adjustable clavicle straps secured to the pouch.

Abstract: A front-lock stabilizer for protective shoulder pads having breastplates and backplates wherein the breastplates are closed by laced interdigitated plates fixedly secured to the vertical edges of the breastplates, and the backplates are closed by a plurality of rigid plates extending between the backplates and fixedly secured thereto. The breastplates are prevented from being deflected inwardly relative to each other to thereby prevent injury to the wearer's sternum, and the right and left shoulder pads are prevented from movement relative to each other in a vertical plane to prevent one shoulder from receiving the full impact of a hit to the shoulder.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable protective cushion to be worn by people in high speed and high impact sports such as snowboarding for cushioning the blow when falling on their rear, or for sitting on as a seat when working on their boot bindings. The inflatable protective cushion comprises a pouch made of flexible and non-stretchable fabric material. The pouch has at least four constricted compartments parallel to one another, each constricted compartment containing an inflatable membrane made of flexible impervious material, where the inflatable membrane is arranged in constricted configuration. The inflatable protective cushion further comprises a valve means for inflating the inflatable membrane and maintaining a desired pressure therein, and means for attaching the pouch to the wearer, such that each of the two opposite hip regions of the wearer's body is overlapped by at least two of the at least four constricted compartments of the pouch.

Abstract: A back support adapted to be worn about a person's waist comprises a resiliently compressible, flexible elongate back pad, a pair of resiliently compressible, flexible elongate side pads, and resiliently elastic, flexible strap means. The back pad and side pads are configured and dimensioned to be positioned against the wearer's lower back and sides, respectively, when the back support is worn. The back pad is filled with a resiliently compressible, flexible filler (such as foam) and has stitching therethrough which compresses the filler in different areas to different degrees. Each of the side pads is attached at one end to a respective end of the back pad. The strap means releasably connects the side pads together to adjustably fit the back support about the wearer's waist.

Abstract: A protective ballistic panel includes a first-impact, front layer and a spaced rear layer each of which is made of a relatively tough, nonmetallic material. The front and rear layers are connected to one another at their respective peripheries by an intermediate peripheral strip made of an at least semi-elastic material such as formed polyurethane or rubber. The peripheral strip together with the front and rear layers define an enclosed hermetically sealed air space betweeen said front and rear layers. The front and rear layers are each of laminated construction and comprise plural plies of composite material such as Kevlar, glass fibers, ballistic nylon and graphite fibers. The protective capacity of the first-impact front layer can be increased by providing a plurality of Kevlar plies therein together with at least one intercalated ply of Mylar film, all of the plies of the front layer being connected together by a laminating compound or by rivets.

Abstract: A support belt adapted to encircle the waist, comprising a unitary structure of pliable, nonelastic material, and having a back section for spanning the lumbar vertebrae. Strap means extend obliquely from the back section to form a belt, when considered in elevational side view, of a truncated configuration.

Abstract: A back compression dressing has two cooperating flexible sheet components, each of such components having a body-bonding adhesive-backed section and an elongated flap section joined in edge relationship and the flap sections having cooperating hook-and-pile fastener strip components, respectively, arranged for interengagement to hold the flaps in overlapping relationship when the body-bonding portions of the components are bonded to a patient's body at opposite sides of the lumbar region of the back.

Abstract: A surgical orthopedic support garment designed for both utility and comfort by either sex includes front and back panels of non-elastic fabric material connected by flexible inserts to form a generally tubular configuration for ease in donning and removing and is provided with a fastenable crotch strap for securement after donning. Both panels are provided with permanent flexible stays to support the back and abdomen and the back panel is adapted to removably receive rigid stays for added support when needed. VELCRO tabs are attached to respective ends of the front panel and extend through keepers on corresponding ends of the back panel across the inserts for adjusting the tightness of fit without leaving loose or flapping ends and a zippered opening in the front panel provides flexibility in donning the garment. This garment is preferably made with no parts having a magnetic influence so as to avoid any possibility of intereference with a pacemaker or the like that might be in use by the wearer.

Abstract: A shoulder pad for a football player, includes a rib protector pad body disposed adjacent to the body arch members and releasably connected to the pad body disposed beneath the body arch members of the shoulder pad.

Abstract: An extrication and spinal restraint device for use in emergency rescues, an onsite medical aid where potential back, neck and shoulder injuries may exist includes a jacket of flexible material arranged to extend the entire length of a victim's spine, neck and head and be secured thereto by head, torso and pelvic straps, the jacket mounting a pair of rigid backboard members arranged to be disposed behind a victim's back, neck and head and configured to extend with the confronting longitudinal edges disposed along a victim's spine to provide rigid support only inwardly of the sides of a victim's body and head, the pelvic straps configured and disposed specifically to engage the pelvic structure of a human torso specifically above the articulating joints of the hips, so that movement of the legs is permitted without affecting changes in tension on the jacket, and the head is positively immobilized by a pair of straps configured specifically to engage only the fixed, non-articulating portion of a human skull or a

Abstract: A shoulder brace appliance comprising a pressure exerting element positionable about the human shoulder to exert at least anteroposterior pressure, and preferably both inferior and anteroposterior pressure, on the superior aspect of the shoulder. One or more positionig elements may be positionable on the patients body, (e.g. around the thorax) and attachable to the pressure exerting element to hold the pressure exerting element in a desired position on the patients shoulder. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure exerting element comprises first and second curved members attached at their top ends by way of a hinge. The hinges is positionable over top of the human shoulder such that the first curved member extends downwardly over the anterior shoulder and the second curved member extends downwardly over the posterior shoulder.