Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BACK SUPPORT WITH INTEr.RAL CARRYIN~7 CASE ~Q~43
B~CKGROUND 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 the like,
sitting in this posltion for extended periods of time is
~10 uncomfortable, often painful and difficult, particuJ.ar].y for
individuals with back problems. Such activities may inc].ude, but
are not necessarily limited to, athletic events such as hul-ting,
boating, camping and so .~orth. Other passive even~:s such as
watching athletic contests, meditating and even listening to
music m~y causQ back strain when one position ia maintai.ned ~or a
considerable length of time. Back supporting device.s wllicll are
generally similar to the present invention are shown in my prior
U.S. Patents 4,773,106 and 4,813,080, and in Japanese Serial
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 Eac.ilitate
carrying of the device when used for various acti.vities as
described hereinabove. The outer periphery ~upport member is
provided with a suitable fastener, preferrably in the form of a
~25 zipper, which permits the support to be folded back UpOIl itself,
and secured in that positlon forming a case structure~l 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.
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The back support includes a buckle to maintain the straps
together to hold the knees of the user in a more comEortable
position for creating a supporting force on the lower back of the
user.
Another feature includes a retainer strap for retaining the
back support on the back of the user in a non-use position.
Among the objects of the present invention are the provision
of a back support device which can be folded into an integrally
formed carry~ng case when not in use.
These and other objects will become apparent with reEerence
to the accompanying drawings and attached specification.
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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 i.n tlle 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 support being
carried by a user in an non-use position.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, the back support and integral
carrying case 10 of the present invention is shown in ~lle 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. q'he 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 which permit
adjustment of the length of each of the loops and wl~ich also
provide a closure for securing the loops in their operative
position. The straps may extend within the interior layers of the
back support member 12 connecting each of the strap components 16
and 18 together. It will also be appreciated that the ends oE
each of the straps may terminate at the ends 20 and 22 of the
back support member 12 as long as the mechanical conllection
between the straps and the support member is of sufficient
strength to withstand the forces subjected to it during use.
Handle members 28 and 29 are provided to carry tl~e ~support
when it is folded upon itself to form the integral carrying case
as shown in Figure 1. In the closed position, the strap.s 16 and
18 are maintained within the case formed by the back support
member 12.
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A snap type buckle 30, formed of a male locking member 32
and a female locking member 34, is connected to t~le inner
sections of the straps 18 and 16, respectively. ~s shown in
Figure 3, when the back support member 10 is used, the buckle 3~
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. ~he
;; straps 16 and 18 are al~o provided with knee pads 36 and 38 which
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: lessen the ~strain on the user's knees, permitting him to exert
sufPicient force on the support member 12 to hold tl-e 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 secured in
place by a suitable means such as a buckle 42 50 that tlle back
support may be worn on the user without the necessity of llaving
the elongated straps looped over the knees to maintain the
support in place. Whereas this does not provide any supporting
function, it eliminates the need for repositioning the .support
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each time that it is used and facilitates carrying tlle back
support without the need of a separate carrying case or without
continuously holding the item.
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 is fit against the lumbar portion
: of the back, and straps 16 and 18 are looped over the knees witll
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~ 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 illustra~es the back support in a non-use position
where the retainer strap 40 maintains the strap in t:he proper
position.
It will be appreciated that the above embodiments ~e not
limiting, and that various changes may be made in the invention
in keeping with the claims.
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