AU632084B2

AU632084B2 - Back support with integral carrying case

Info

Publication number: AU632084B2
Application number: AU48556/90A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Victor Toso
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-10-03
Filing date: 1990-01-17
Publication date: 1992-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-17
Also published as: EP0421045A1; ES2064495T3; NZ232126A; DE69013111D1; DE69013111T2; ATE112466T1; AU4855690A; CA2010143C; CA2010143A1; DK0421045T3; EP0421045B1

Abstract

A back support (10) adapted to engage the lumbar region of the wearer having a pair of straps (16, 18) which extend longitudinally from the ends (20, 22) of the support member (12) and terminate in loops to engage the knees of the wearer when the wearer is seated on the ground or on a backless support, such as a bench or the like. The force of the wearer's knees on the straps (16, 18) pulls the back-supporting member (12) against the lower back supporting it and enabling the wearer to sit upright comfortably for extended periods of time. The back support (10) is provided with an integrally formed container pack by providing a closure member (14) along the outside periphery of the support (12) which, in the closed position, forms a container pack for the straps (16, 18). Carrying handles (28, 29) are provided. The back support (10) further includes a buckle (30) for connecting the straps (16, 18) together thereby restricting movement of the legs away from each other. The back support (10) also includes a retainer strap (40) to attach and maintain the back support (10) in position on the back of the user when the straps (16, 18) are disengaged from the knees of the user.

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act V COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Applicotion Numbert Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Pri.3rity Related Art: *see Aplcn.) Victo To 36 Coln Stee VOcto Toso1692 OFF AMERICA8/969 th Addes eto for performin is:on oapicn 6006 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a back support device, and in particular, to a back support for supporting the lower back region of a person in a seated position, combined with an integrally formed carrying case.

In activities where an individual must be seated upright on a flat surface without a rigid back support, for example on the ground or floor, or on a backless chair, bench, and tne like, Ssitting in this positon for extended periods oE time is uncomfortable, often painful and difficult, particularly for individuals with back problems. Such activities may include, but not necessarily limited to, athletic events such as hunting, "'boating, camping and so forth. Other passive events such as watching athletic contests, meditating and even I isl-oning to mueio mny cause back strain when one position is maint-ainnd for a .".considerable length of time. Back supporting devices which are seeo :generally similar to the present invention are shown in my prior Patents 4,773,106 and 4,813,080, and in Japanese Serial s Number 63-251009, among others. The present invention represents an improvement over the known prior art by providing a back "support combined with an integral carrying case to facilitate carrying of the device when used for various activities as described hereinabove. The outer periphery support member is provided with a suitable fastener, preferrably in the form of a zipper, which permits the support to be folded back upon itself, and secured in that position forming a case structured to receive the knee-engaging straps. Handles are provided, secured to the ends of the back support member, to facilitate carrying the device when the case is in the closed position.

-1As Y- ll-- -~----CIIICI l~s~a~lll~- ~pl, p Px~ *4 I ii i: :t 30.",2 According to this invention there is provided a back support apparatus for supporting the lower back region of a user when in a seated position comprising: a substantially rectangular support member having a length for substantially spanning the width of the lower back of said user and having a width for substantially spanning the length of the lumbar region of said user, elongated straps attached to and extending from the ends of said back support member, said straps forming loops and being of such a length as to be suitable to engage the knees of said user when said user is in a seated position, whereby the force of said user's knees on said straps acts to pull said back support member against the back of the user thereby to support said back, wherein: connecting means which are operable to connect said loops to each other, are positioned on opposed inner sections of said straps, thereby to hold the legs of said user together and to provide the user with more comfort while in a seated position.

The connecting means may include a buckle.

The back support apparatus may include a retainer strap for retaining the back support on the back of the user in a non-use position.

These and other features will become apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings and attached specification.

VF

2 L DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the back support with integral carrying case in the closed position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the invention in the open position with the straps extended.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the back support in use.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the back supporL being carried by a user in an non-use position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, the back support and integral carrying case 10 of the present invention is shown in the open position in Figure 2 and includes a back support member 12 having an elongated and generally rectangular shape. The outer periphery of the support member 12 is provided with a suitable closure fastener 14 which, in the preferred embodiment, would be a zipper or similar mechanical closure. The support member 12 may be cushioned or padded and/or reinforced thus providing sufficient strength to support the wearer's lower back in use. The back support 10 is provided with a pair of elongated straps 16 and 18 which are integrally attached to the support member 12 at respective ends 20 and 22. The straps 16 and 18 form elongated loops and include buckle members 24 and 26 whioch permit adjustment of the length of each of the loops and which also provide a closure for securing the loops in their operative S position. The straps may extend within the interior layors of the back support member 12 connecting each of the strap compcnonts 16 and 18 together. It will also be appreciated that the ends of each of the straps may terminate at the ends 20 and 22 of the back support member 12 as long as t-e mechanical connection between the straps and the support member is of sufficient Y strength to withstand the forces subjected to it during use.

Handle members 28 and 29 are provided to carry the support when it is folded upon itself to form the integral carrying case as shown in Figure 1. In the closed position, the straps 16 and 18 are maintained within the case formed by the back support member 12.

-4- A snap type buckle 30, formed of a male locking member 32 and a female locking member 34, is connected to the inner sections of the straps 18 and 16, respectively. As shown in Figure 3, when the back support member 10 is used, the buckle is connected thereby keeping the user's knees together which further relieves the strain on the lower back and aids in positioning the support member 12 in the proper position. The straps 16 and 18 are also provided with knee pads 36 and 33 which lessen the strain on the user's knees, permitting him to exert sufficient force on the support member 12 to hold the back in a supported position.

The back support 10 also includes a retainer strap 40 which is adapted to encircle the torso of a user and to be nscured in place by a suitable means such as a buckle 42 so that the back support may be worn on the user without the neoessity of having the elongated straps looped over the knees :c maintain the support in place. Whereas this does not provide any supporting function, it eliminates the need for repositioning the support each time that it is used and facilitates carrying the back support without the need of a separate carrying case or without continuously holding the item.

K It also permits removal of the knees during activities without having to interrupt the particular activity to handle or store the back support.

Referring to Figure 3, a user is shown wearing the back support. The support member 12 i fit against the lumbar portion of the back, and straps 16 and 18 are looped over the knees with the user in a seated position. The buckle 30 keeps the knees of the user together. Force, exerted by the knees, pulls the support member against the lumbar region of the wearer's back to provide suitable support. When not in use, the straps are folded into the integrally formed carrying case as described hereinabove.

Figure 4 illustrates the back support in a non-use position where the retainer strap 40 maintains the strap in the proper position.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiments are not limiting, and that various changes may be made in the invrntion in keeping with the claims.

-6- L

Claims

2. The back support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises a buckle slidable along a osaid inner sections of the straps. a° 3. The back support apparatus of claim 1 or claim :25 2, wherein said back support member includes a closure means integrally formed around the periphery thereof, whereby when said back support member is folded upon ".itself, the closure means can be used to secure opposed edges of the back support member to each other thereby to form a carrying pouch for carrying the back support apparatus in a non-use mode.
4. The back support apparatus of claim 3, wherein said closure means is a zipper. The back support apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, further including knee pads suitably positioned on said straps such as to engage the knees of a user during use of the back support apparatus.
6. The back support apparatus of any one of claims 39 1 to 5, furthor including a retainer strap connected to 7 I L- i-rr said back support member for attaching and retaining said back support apparatus in position on ',ie back of said user when said straps are disengaged from the knees of said user.
7. A back support apparatus for supporting the lower back region of a user when in a seated position substantially as herein described and illustrated. DATED: 15 October 1992 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: VICTOR TOSO DftA4. 0 00 0 o 0 0 00 000 o o o a 4,o 39 2062b -8- s