ORTHOPEDIC BELT WITH GRIP ELEMENTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an orthopedic belt for a user, as defined by independent claim 1, said belt comprising a first lateral panel and a second lateral panel, each of the first lateral panel and the second lateral panel having a dorsal end and a distal end, the first and second lateral panels being intended to encircle together at least one part of the user's body, the belt defining a central line adapted to be placed against the user's spine, the central line defining a principal direction, the dorsal ends of the first and second lateral panels being connected to each other, the distal ends of the first and second lateral panels being adapted to be fixed to each other reversibly.

[0002] An orthopedic belt can, in particular, support or assist the spine according to the user's needs.

[0003] The geometry of the orthopedic belt is then adapted to these needs to provide the desired effort or support.

[0004] However, the shape of the belt may make it difficult to position around the user without assistance. In particular, for a belt with an asymmetry, the positioning of the back of the belt relative to the user's spine may be incorrect.

[0005] Thus, such an orthopedic belt is likely to be worn incorrectly and therefore not have the intended purpose, or even be harmful to the user.

[0006] One aim of the invention is therefore to provide an orthopedic belt adapted to provide support to a user and easy for the user to put on. Documents FR 2 987 739 A1 and US 2010 / 217167 A1 describe an orthopedic belt.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a belt of the aforementioned type, in which the first and second side panels are asymmetrical with respect to the central line, so that the distal ends are configured to be placed asymmetrically around the user, the first side panel and the second side panel each being provided with a gripping element for the user to position the belt around the user, the gripping elements being arranged symmetrically on the belt with respect to the central line.

[0008] The symmetrically placed gripping elements allow for a symmetrical hold, even though the orthopedic belt is generally asymmetrical in shape. This enables the user to correctly visualize the belt's placement and thus position it properly.

[0009] The orthopedic belt may also have one or more of the following characteristics, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations: The ratio between the average distance between the centerline and each distal end and the distance between the centerline and each gripping element is between 1.5 and 1.75; each gripping element comprises a textile strip extending between a first end and a second end; the textile strip is attached to the first or second side panel, respectively, at the first and second ends; the textile strip is free from the first or second side panel, respectively, except at the first and second ends of the textile strip; the first and second ends of the textile strip are substantially aligned along the main direction; the first and second ends of the textile strip extend along axes that are not parallel to each other; the dimension of the textile strip along the main direction decreases as it approaches the distal end of the first or second side panel, respectively.The belt includes a tightening mechanism comprising: an upper row of cable guides on each of the dorsal ends of the first and second side panels, a lower row of cable guides on each of the dorsal ends of the first and second side panels, a cable threaded through the cable guides of the upper and lower rows of the first and second side panels, the cable being threaded alternately through the cable guides of the first and second side panels, a first and a second handle element, the cable being connected to the first and second handle elements, such that the dorsal ends of the first and second side panels are brought together by tightening the cable around the cable guides of the upper and lower rows when at least one of the first and second handle elements is pulled,the ends of the cable being fixed in a manner at least substantially fixed to the first handle element, the cable being slidably threaded through the second handle element, the upper row of cable guides of the first side panel is spaced from the lower row of cable guides of the first side panel by a gap and the upper row of cable guides of the second side panel is spaced from the lower row of cable guides of the second side panel by a gap, and / or the cable is single.

[0010] The invention further relates to a method for fitting an orthopedic belt as defined above, comprising the following steps: gripping the belt by the gripping elements, placing the belt around a part of the user's body by placing the gripping elements symmetrically on either side of said body part, and attaching the belt around the user's body by fixing the distal ends to each other.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a schematic view of a belt according to one embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 is a schematic view of a first handle element of the belt of the figure 1 , And [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 is a schematic view of a second handle element of the belt of the figure 1 .

[0012] An orthopedic belt 10 for a user according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in the figure 1 .

[0013] The belt is designed to encircle the torso of a user when belt 10 is worn by that user.

[0014] The belt 10 is designed to apply pressure to a user when it encircles the user's torso, in order to support the user's torso, particularly to prevent or relieve back pain.

[0015] Belt 10 defines a central line D suitable for being placed against the user's spine.

[0016] The central line D extends along a main direction X.

[0017] Belt 10 has an inner face that is not visible on the figure 1 and intended to be oriented towards the user's torso and an external face 11 visible on the figure 1and opposite to the inner face.

[0018] The belt 10 includes a first side panel 12 and a second side panel 14.

[0019] The first and second side panels 12, 14 are intended to surround together at least one part of the user's body, more particularly the torso.

[0020] The first and second side panels 12, 14 are asymmetrical with respect to each other with respect to the central line D.

[0021] More specifically, one of the side panels 14 has a dimension along a direction perpendicular to the main direction X, called the extension direction Y, which is strictly greater than that of the other of the side panels 12.

[0022] The ratio of the dimension of one of the side panels 14 along the extension direction Y to the dimension of the other of the side panels 12 along the extension direction Y is, for example, greater than or equal to 1.1.

[0023] This allows for a wide range of adjustment, particularly to adapt the belt to a user's measurements, and / or a wide range of tightening, depending on the effort required to relieve the user.

[0024] Each side panel 12, 14 has a dorsal end 16, 18 and a distal end 20, 22 opposite the dorsal end 16, 18. The dorsal end 16, 18 and the distal end 20, 22 are opposite along the Y extension direction.

[0025] The dorsal ends 16 and 18 are arranged on either side of the central line D, and are thus intended to be positioned on either side of the spine, more specifically close to the spine, of a user when the belt is worn. The dorsal ends 16 and 18 are intended to be positioned symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to said spine.

[0026] The dorsal ends 16, 18 of the first and second side panels 12, 14, and thus the side panels 12, 14, are further connected to each other, for example, via a clamping mechanism 40 which will be described in more detail later.

[0027] Alternatively, the dorsal ends 16, 18 are connected by another fastening system or are joined together so that the first side panel and the second side panel form a single piece.

[0028] The distal ends 20, 22 of the first and second side panels 12, 14 are adapted to be fixed to each other reversibly.

[0029] Since the side panels 12, 14 are asymmetrical with respect to the central line D, the distal ends 20, 22 are configured to be placed asymmetrically around the user, more particularly on the ventral part of the user.

[0030] Each side panel 12, 14 includes, more particularly, a dorsal portion 24, 26 intended to extend alongside a user's spine when the belt 10 is worn, a distal portion 28, 30 and an intermediate portion 32, 34 between the dorsal portion 24, 26 and the distal portion 28, 30.

[0031] The dorsal portion 24, 26, the intermediate portion 32, 34 and the dorsal portion 24, 26 of a lateral panel 12, 14 are aligned along the Y extension direction.

[0032] Each dorsal portion 24, 26 defines the corresponding dorsal end 16, 18 and each distal portion 28, 30 the corresponding distal end 20, 22.

[0033] The dorsal portions 24, 26 are substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to the central line D.

[0034] The dorsal portions 24, 26 are not elastic, that is to say they cannot be stretched.

[0035] Each dorsal portion 24, 26 includes at least one support element 36, 38.

[0036] The support elements 36, 38 of the dorsal portions 24, 26 of the side panels are placed symmetrically on either side of the central line D.

[0037] In the embodiment shown, each support element 36, 38 is here a whale extending substantially parallel to the corresponding dorsal end 16, 18.

[0038] Alternatively, each dorsal portion 24, 26 comprises two supporting elements, here whalebones, the supporting elements of the dorsal portions extending symmetrically on either side of the central line D. Each dorsal portion 24, 26 comprises, for example, a first supporting element close to and extending substantially parallel to the corresponding dorsal extremity 16, 18 and a second supporting element further from the dorsal extremity 16, 18 than the first supporting element. The second supporting element is not parallel to the dorsal extremity.

[0039] The intermediate portions 32, 34 are substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to the central line D.

[0040] The intermediate portions 32, 34 are elastic. They are, for example, woven or knitted from elastic yarns.

[0041] Here, "elastic" means that the belt 10 in the said portions is capable of being stretched by at least 10% without damage and of returning to its initial dimensions in the absence of stretching effort.

[0042] The distal portions 28, 30 are asymmetrical with respect to each other with respect to the central line D. More specifically, one of the distal portions 30 has a dimension along the extension direction Y strictly greater than that of the other of the distal portions 28.

[0043] The ratio between the dimension along the Y extension direction of one of the distal portions 30 and that of the other of the distal portions 28 is here strictly greater than 1.25, more particularly greater than or equal to 1.50. Said ratio depends, for example, on the adjustment range and / or the dimensions of the reversible fixation of the distal ends described below.

[0044] The distal portions 28, 30 here are not elastic, that is to say they cannot be stretched.

[0045] To allow reversible fastening of the distal ends together, the distal portions 28, 30 are, for example, each provided with at least one additional hook and loop type self-gripping strip, at one end on the inner face and at the other end on the outer face.

[0046] More specifically, the external face of the distal portion 28, 30 of at least one of the side panels 12, 14, more specifically of the first and second side panels, is formed of one of the loop or hook types.

[0047] One of the side panels has on its inner face a part of the other of the loop or hook type.

[0048] The hook and loop fasteners cooperate with each other when the belt is closed around the user's torso.

[0049] The first side panel 12 and the second side panel 14, more particularly the distal portions 28, 30, are, in addition, each provided with a gripping element 42, 44 for the user to position the belt around the user.

[0050] The gripping elements 42, 44 are arranged symmetrically on the belt 10 with respect to the central line D.

[0051] The ratio between the average distance between the center line D and each distal end 20, 22 and the distance between the center line D and each gripping element 42, 44 is here between 1.5 and 1.75.

[0052] The ratio between the average distance between the center line D and the distal end 20 of the first side panel 12 and the distance between the center line D and the corresponding gripping element 42 is here greater than or equal to 1.

[0053] The ratio between the average distance between the center line D and the distal end 22 of the second side panel 14 and the distance between the center line D and the corresponding gripping element 44 is here less than or equal to 2.

[0054] Each gripping element 42, 44 comprises a textile band extending between a first end 46 and a second end 48.

[0055] The textile strip is configured so that a user is able to slide a hand or finger, such as a thumb, between the textile strip and the outer face of the corresponding side panel.

[0056] The textile strip is linked to the first or second respective side panel 12, 14 at the first and second ends 46, 48.

[0057] The textile strip is here sewn to the distal portion 28, 30 of the corresponding side panel 12, 14.

[0058] The textile band has an outer face, advantageously formed of the loop or hook type identical to that of the outer face 11 of the corresponding side panel 12, 14.

[0059] The textile strip here is a quadrilateral whose two opposite sides form the first and second extremities 46, 48.

[0060] The textile strip is free from the first or second respective side panel 12, 14 outside the first and second ends 46, 48 of the textile strip.

[0061] The first and second ends 46, 48 of the textile strip are substantially aligned along the main direction.

[0062] The first and second ends 46, 48 of the textile strip extend along respective axes not parallel to each other.

[0063] The dimension of the textile band along the main direction decreases as it approaches the distal end 20, 22 of the first or second respective side panel 12, 14.

[0064] The dimension of the textile band along the main direction at its end closest to the dorsal end 16, 18 is, for example, between 3 cm and 15 cm for the passage of a finger or a hand, more particularly between 8 cm and 15 cm, especially for the passage of a hand.

[0065] The dimension of the textile strip along the main direction at its end closest to the distal end 20, 22 is, for example, between 2 cm and 10 cm for the passage of a finger or a hand, more particularly between 5 cm and 10 cm, especially for the passage of a hand.

[0066] This allows, in particular, for dimensions that are especially suitable so that a user's hand can fit inside.

[0067] The clamping mechanism 40 mentioned previously is now described in more detail.

[0068] The clamping mechanism 40 includes cable guides 50, 52, 54, 56, a cable 58, more specifically a single cable, a first handle element 60 and a second handle element 62.

[0069] More specifically, the clamping mechanism 40 includes, on each of the dorsal portions 24, 26 of the first and second side panels 12, 14, an upper row of cable guides 50, 52 and a lower row of cable guides 54, 56.

[0070] The upper row of cable guides 50 of the first side panel 12 is separated from the lower row of cable guides 54 of the first side panel 12 by a gap greater than 2 millimeters (mm). They are substantially aligned along the main direction.

[0071] The space is advantageously greater than the distance between two adjacent guides of each of the rows of guides 50,54, here more particularly greater than 35 millimeters.

[0072] The upper row of cable guides 52 of the second side panel 14 is separated from the lower row of cable guides 56 of the second side panel 14 by a gap greater than 2 millimeters (mm). They are substantially aligned along the main direction.

[0073] The space is advantageously greater than the distance between two adjacent guides of each of the rows of guides 52,56, here more particularly greater than 35 millimeters.

[0074] Each dorsal portion 24, 26 is, for example, provided with a top plate and a bottom plate, the top row of cable guides 50, 52 being arranged on the top plate and the bottom row of cable guides 54, 56 being arranged on the bottom plate.

[0075] The plates of the same side panel 12, 14 are spaced at a distance of between 1 millimeter (mm) and 20 centimeters (cm).

[0076] Each cable guide, for example, is made from a single piece with the corresponding plate, thus reducing the number of components in the clamping mechanism. In another embodiment, the cable guides are separate parts, for example, attached to the plate.

[0077] Each cable guide here delimits a passage for guiding the cable.

[0078] Each cable guide 50, 52, 54, 56 includes, for example, a fixed lug around which the cable is intended to be threaded.

[0079] The fixed lug extends outward from the corresponding plate.

[0080] The lug is cylindrical and extends along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the plate extends so that a cable, arriving at the lug in an initial direction, passes around the lug and exits the lug in a direction forming a non-zero angle with the initial direction.

[0081] Each cable guide also includes a means of retaining the cable around the lug. The retaining means is, for example, a groove, a tube, or a top and / or radial stop.

[0082] Alternatively, each cable guide is formed by a pulley.

[0083] Cable 58 comprises a first end 68 and a second end 70.

[0084] The cable 58 is threaded through the cable guides of the upper and lower rows of the first side panel 12 and the second side panel 14. More particularly, the cable 58 is threaded alternately through the cable guides of the first side panel 12 and the second side panel 14, more particularly through the upper guide rows 50, 52 on the one hand and the lower guide rows 54, 56 on the other hand.

[0085] This forms a cross lacing of the cable 58 between the first side panel 12 and the second side panel 14, more particularly on one side in a lower part and on the other side in an upper part of the belt.

[0086] The cable 58 is connected to the first and second handle elements 60, 62, so that the dorsal ends 16, 18 of the first and second side panels 12, 14 are brought together by tightening the cable 58 around the cable guides of the upper and lower rows 50, 52, 54, 56 when one of the handle elements 60, 62 is pulled.

[0087] Each handle element 60, 62 includes, for example, at least one opening 64, 66 to permit gripping said handle element 60, 62 to permit a user to pull on the handle element 60, 62.

[0088] The first and second ends of the cable 68, 70 are fixedly attached to the first handle element 60, the cable 58 being slidably threaded through the second handle element 62.

[0089] More specifically, each handle element 60, 62 has two through holes 72.

[0090] The cable 58 has an expansion at the first end 68 and the second end 70 intended to keep each end 68, 70 fixed at a respective through hole 72.

[0091] This is, for example, achieved by knotting said cable at the ends 68, 70 after passing each end through a respective through hole in the first handle element 60.

[0092] Alternatively, the ends 68, 70 of the cable 58 are fixed together after each end of the cable passes through a respective through hole 72. The ends of the cable are then able to slide relative to the first handle element 60 by a distance less than the distance between the two through holes. It is assumed here that the ends of the cable 68, 70 are then substantially fixed relative to the first handle element 60.

[0093] The cable 58 also passes successively through the two through holes of the second handle element 62. This allows the cable to slide through the two through holes.

[0094] Such a sliding of the cable relative to the second handle element 62 makes it possible in particular to adjust the ratio between the cable length 58 in an upper part of the belt 10 and the cable length 58 in a lower part of the belt 10, so as to better adjust the belt 10 to the morphology of the user.

[0095] Indeed, by increasing the cable length 58 in an upper part, this moves the dorsal ends 16, 18 in the upper part of the belt further apart from the lower part, so that it is particularly suitable for a V-shaped morphology. Conversely, by decreasing the cable length 58 in an upper part, this brings the dorsal ends 16, 18 in the upper part of the belt 10 closer together from the lower part, so that it is particularly suitable for a ∧-shaped morphology.

[0096] A method for setting up an orthopedic belt according to the invention will now be described.

[0097] A user grasps the belt 10 using the gripping elements 42, 44, in particular by passing each of his hands into one of the gripping elements, more particularly between the belt and the textile band of the gripping element.

[0098] The user places the belt 10 around their torso, positioning the central line D against their spine. This is easily achieved by placing the gripping elements symmetrically on either side of their torso, between their right and left sides.

[0099] Once the belt is correctly positioned, the user fastens the belt 10 by securing the distal ends 20, 22 to each other.

[0100] The presence of the gripping elements therefore allows the user to symmetrize the grip, providing them with a reference point to correctly position the central line of the belt against their spine, without needing external assistance.

[0101] Properly positioning the belt ensures that it provides the desired effect on the user.

Claims

1. An orthopedic belt (10) for a user, comprising a first side panel (12) and a second side panel (14), each of the first side panel (12) and the second side panel (14) having a dorsal end (16, 18) and a distal end (20, 22), the first and second side panels (12, 14) being designed to jointly surround at least one portion of the user's body, the belt (10) defining a central line (D) adapted to be placed against the user's spine, the central line (D) defining a primary direction, the dorsal ends (16, 18) of the first and second side panels (12, 14) being connected to each other, the distal ends (20, 22) of the first and second side panels (12, 14) being adapted to be reversibly attached to each other, the first side panel (12) and the second side panel (14) each being provided with a user gripping element (42, 44) for positioning the belt (10) around the user, the gripping elements (42, 44) being arranged symmetrically on the belt (10) with respect to the central line (D), characterized in that the first and second side panels (12, 14) are asymmetrical in relation to one another with respect to the central line (D), such that the distal ends (20, 22) are configured to be placed asymmetrically around the user.

2. The orthopedic belt according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the average distance between the central line (D) and each distal end (20, 22) to the distance between the central line (D) and each gripping element (42, 44) is between 1.5 and 1.75.

3. The orthopedic belt according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each gripping element (42, 44) comprises a textile strip extending between a first end (46) and a second end (48), the textile strip being linked to the respective first or second side panel (12, 14) at the first and second ends (46, 48).

4. The orthopedic belt according to claim 3, wherein the textile strip is free of the respective first or second side panel (12, 14) outside of the first and second ends (46, 48) of the textile strip.

5. The orthopedic belt according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first and second ends (46, 48) of the textile strip are substantially aligned along the primary direction.

6. The orthopedic belt according to claim 5, wherein the first and second ends (46, 48) of the textile strip extend along respective axes not parallel to each other, the dimension of the textile strip along the principal direction decreasing as it approaches the distal end (20, 22) of the respective first or second side panel (12, 14).

7. The orthopedic belt according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a tightening mechanism (40) comprising: - an upper row of cable guides (50, 52) on each of the dorsal ends (16, 18) of the first and second side panels (12, 14), - a lower row of cable guides (54, 56) on each of the dorsal ends (16, 18) of the first and second side panels (12, 14) - a cable (58) threaded through the upper and lower rows of cable guides (50, 52, 54, 56) of the first side panel (12) and the second side panel (14), the cable (58) being threaded alternately through the cable guides of the first side panel (12) and the second side panel (14) - a first and a second handle elements (42, 44), the cable (58) being connected to the first and second handle elements (42, 44) such that the dorsal ends (16, 18) of the first and second side panels (12, 14) are brought together by tightening the cable (58) around the upper and lower row cable guides (50, 52, 54, 56) when at least one of the first and second handle elements (42, 44) is pulled, the ends (68, 70) of the cable (58) being at least substantially fixedly attached to the first handle element (42), the cable (58) being slidably threaded through the second handle element (44).

8. The orthopedic belt according to claim 7, wherein the upper row of cable guides (50) of the first side panel (12) is spaced from the lower row of cable guides (54) of the first side panel (12) by a space and the upper row of cable guides (52) of the second side panel (14) is spaced from the lower row of cable guides (56) of the second side panel (14) by a space.

9. The orthopedic belt according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the cable (58) is unique.

10. A method of placing an orthopedic belt according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: - a user grasping the belt (10) by the gripping elements (42, 44), - placing the belt (10) around a portion of the user's body by placing the gripping elements (42, 44) symmetrically on either side of said portion the body, and - securing the belt (10) around the user's body by fastening the distal ends (20, 22) to each other.