Orthotic structural support band

Abstract

An adjustable lower extremity orthotic support band adapted to the user's morphology and pelvic tilt is disclosed, the band comprising at least one lateral segment, a posterior support segment and a two-piece fixation segment, the at least one lateral segment having an associated pivotal attachment, the pivotal attachment comprising a fixation mechanism to fix the lower extremity orthotic to the lateral side in a variable sagittal orientation, the two-piece fixation segment being connected via a locking mechanism to fix the band to the user.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 122,445, filed December 7, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a corrective structural support belt. Background Technology

[0004] Existing support belts for corrective structures do not allow the angle at which the corrective structure attaches to the belt to rotate in the sagittal plane. This can result in pressure points on the user requiring different angles of the corrective structure for proper fit. Furthermore, corrective support belts often come in multiple sizes to accommodate different waist circumferences.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a corrective support band that allows the angle at which the corrective structure is attached to the support band to rotate in the sagittal plane and adapt to the various shapes of the user. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides an adjustable lower limb corrective support belt to fit the user's posture and pelvic tilt, the belt comprising:

[0007] At least one intermediate segment is configured to be laterally located in the sagittal plane and has associated pivot attachments to support a lower limb orthotic structure with variable sagittal orientation;

[0008] Rear support section; and

[0009] The front support system is connected via a locking mechanism.

[0010] Among them, the pivoting attachment allows the lower limb orthotic structure to remain vertically aligned while adapting to the user's pelvic tilt.

[0011] The front support system can be, for example, a two-piece fixed section, such as a strip connected by a locking mechanism, such as a lateral release buckle.

[0012] This disclosure provides a belt as described above, comprising two lateral segments, each having a first end and a second end, a rear support segment connected to the respective second ends of the two lateral segments, and wherein each of the two-piece fixing segments is connected to the respective first ends of the two lateral segments.

[0013] This disclosure also provides a belt in which the pivot attachment includes a pivot base and a fixing mechanism thereon, the pivot base rotatably and optionally removably engaging a corresponding intermediate segment circular receiving portion disposed on each intermediate segment. The pivot attachment may be, for example, the first piece of a two-piece side-release buckle or the first piece of a two-piece magnetic clip. Advantageously, the intermediate segments are rigid at least in the sagittal plane, and the portion of the intermediate segments below the pivot attachment is rigid in all planes.

[0014] This disclosure also provides a belt including at least one length adjusting mechanism that connects a rear support section and an intermediate section and / or connects one piece of a two-piece fixed section to the intermediate section. The length adjusting mechanism may consist of a variable-length strip and loops, and may also include a locking tab configured to bend and overlap to lock the variable-length strip to a desired length. The locking tab may be, for example, a Velcro strip. TM Strip. The at least one length adjustment mechanism may further include a pivot that provides adjustment freedom in the front plane and the horizontal plane.

[0015] This disclosure also provides a belt as described above, wherein each of the intermediate segments includes a pivot element retainer, which may be, for example, a strip and a connector, such that the strip passes over the pivot attachment when secured to the connector, thereby securing it in place. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the corrective structure support band according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded three-dimensional view of the corrective structure support band;

[0019] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the lateral segment;

[0020] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the lateral segment;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the corrective structure support belt in an unfixed configuration according to an alternative embodiment; and

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the corrective structure support component in a fixed configuration.

[0023] Similar reference numerals used in different figures indicate similar parts. Detailed Implementation

[0024] In general, the non-limiting illustrative embodiments of this disclosure provide an orthopedic support band with a vertical attachment, configured to support the orthopedic structure regardless of the user's shape or pelvic tilt. An example of an orthopedic structure that can be supported by this orthopedic support band is disclosed in International PCT patent application WO2011 / 123928A1, published on October 13, 2011, entitled "LOAD DISTRIBUTION DEVICE FOR HUMAN JOINTS".

[0025] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The corrective structure support band 10 typically includes a pair of intermediate sections 12, a rear support section 14, and a front support system 15.

[0026] Each intermediate segment 12 is provided with a pivot attachment 13, which is formed by a pivot base 131 and a fixation mechanism 132 located thereon, to connect the lower limb corrective structure to the associated intermediate segment 12 in a variable sagittal direction. Advantageously, the portion of the intermediate segment 12 below the pivot base 131 is rigid in all planes, while the remainder of the intermediate segment 12 is rigid at least in the sagittal plane. The fixation mechanism 132 may be, for example, the first piece of a two-piece side release buckle, which is rotatably connected to the intermediate segment 12 via the pivot base 131 engaged in the circular receiving portion 1 of the intermediate segment, allowing the pivot attachment 13 to be positioned at a variable sagittal angle. The second piece of the two-piece side release buckle (not shown) is provided with an corrective structure for attachment to the fixation mechanism 132. Optionally, the pivot attachment 13 may be removably fixed to the intermediate segment 12. Also optionally, the intermediate segment 12 may be padded to improve comfort.

[0027] The rear support section 14 and the flexible front support system 15 are connected to the corresponding opposite ends of the middle section 12 to form the corrective support strap 10. The flexible front support system 15 consists of a two-piece fixing section 16 connected via a locking mechanism 17 (e.g., a strap with a side release buckle) to secure the corrective support strap 10 around the user's waist.

[0028] Optionally, the corrective support belt 10 may further include one or more length adjustment mechanisms 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d between the middle section 12 and the rear support section 14 and / or the strip 16 to adjust the circumference of the corrective support belt 10 to fit the waist of users of various sizes. The length adjustment mechanisms 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d may consist of, for example, strips and loops of variable length. Alternatively, the length adjustment mechanisms 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d may also include a pivot providing adjustment freedom in the front plane and the horizontal plane. Between the middle section 12 and the rear support section 14 and / or the strip 16.

[0029] Now for reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 Alternative embodiments 12' and 12' of the intermediate segment are shown respectively. In the first alternative embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown, the intermediate segment 12' includes a pivot attachment retainer 20 for ensuring that the pivot attachment 13 remains securely connected to the lateral segment 12' and does not pop out of the intermediate segment circular receiving portion 1. The pivot attachment retainer 20 may be, for example, a strip and a connector, such that the strip passes over the pivot attachment 13 when secured to the connector.

[0030] In the second alternative embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the middle segment 12” is similar to Figure 3 The intermediate segment 12” is provided, but with an alternative pivot attachment 23. A pivot attachment retainer 20 ensures that the pivot attachment 23 remains securely connected to the lateral segment 12” and does not pop out of the intermediate segment circular receptacle 1. The pivot attachment 23 is formed by a pivot base 231 and a fixation mechanism 232 located thereon to connect the lower limb corrective structure to the associated intermediate segment 12 in a variable sagittal direction. In this alternative embodiment, the fixation mechanism 232 is the first piece of a two-piece magnetic clip, rotatably connected to the intermediate segment 12 via the pivot base 231 engaged in the intermediate segment circular receptacle 1, allowing the pivot attachment 23 to be positioned at a variable sagittal angle. The second piece (not shown) of the two-piece magnetic clip is provided with an corrective structure for attachment to the fixation mechanism 232. Alternatively, the pivot attachment 23 can be removably fixed to the intermediate segment 12.

[0031] Optionally, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 One or more length adjustment mechanisms 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d may be equipped with locking tabs 22, such as Velcro. TM The strips can be bent and overlapped to lock the variable-length strips of the corresponding adjustment mechanisms 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d to the desired length.

[0032] Now for reference Figure 5The diagram shows a corrective structure support band 10” with an intermediate section 12” and a locking piece 22”, wherein the pivot attachment retainer 20 is in an unsecured configuration, while Figure 6 The corrective structure support band 10 is shown with the pivot attachment retainer 20 in a fixed configuration (i.e., overlapping with pivot attachments 13, 23).

[0033] It should be understood that the corrective structure support band 10 can have various configurations, such as having various pivot attachments 13, 23, having a single intermediate section 12, and having or not having one or more length adjustment mechanisms 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, pivot attachment retainers 20 and / or locking tabs 22.

[0034] Although this disclosure has been described by way of specific, non-limiting illustrative embodiments and examples thereof, it should be noted that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to certain embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the scope.

Claims

1. A lower limb orthotic support belt, adjustable to fit the user's shape and pelvic tilt, said belt comprising: Two intermediate segments (12) are configured to be laterally located in the sagittal plane and have associated pivot attachments (13, 23) to support the lower limb corrective structure with variable sagittal orientation; Rear support section (14); and A front support system (15) connected via a locking mechanism (17), the front support system (15) comprising a two-piece fixing section (16) connected via the locking mechanism (17); The pivoting attachments (13, 23) allow the lower limb orthotic structure to remain vertically aligned while adapting the belt to the user's pelvic tilt. Each of the two intermediate sections (12) has a first end and a second end, the rear support section (14) is connected to the respective second ends of the two intermediate sections (12), and each of the two-piece fixing sections (16) is connected to the respective first ends of the two intermediate sections (12); The pivot attachments (13, 23) include pivot bases (131, 231) and fixing mechanisms (132, 232) positioned on the pivot bases (131, 231). The pivot bases (131, 231) are rotatably engaged with corresponding intermediate section circular receiving portions (1) provided on each intermediate section (12).

2. The belt according to claim 1, further comprising a first rear length adjustment mechanism (18a, 18d) for connecting the rear support section (14) to at least one of the second ends of the two intermediate sections (12).

3. The belt according to claim 2, wherein, The first rear length adjustment mechanism (18a, 18d) consists of a variable length strip and a ring.

4. The belt according to claim 3, wherein, The first rear length adjustment mechanism (18a, 18d) is provided with a locking piece (22) which is configured to bend and overlap in order to lock the variable length strip at the desired length.

5. The belt according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein, The first rear length adjustment mechanism (18a, 18d) includes a pivot that provides adjustment freedom in the front plane and the horizontal plane.

6. The belt according to claim 1, further comprising a first front length adjustment mechanism (18b, 18c), the first front length adjustment mechanism (18b, 18c) connecting at least one of the two-piece fixed segments (16) to at least one of the respective first ends of the two intermediate segments (12).

7. The belt according to claim 6, wherein, The first front length adjustment mechanism (18b, 18c) consists of a variable length strip and a ring.

8. The belt according to claim 7, wherein, The first front length adjustment mechanism (18b, 18c) is provided with a locking piece (22) which is configured to bend and overlap in order to lock the variable length strip at the desired length.

9. The belt according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein, The first front length adjustment mechanism (18b, 18c) includes a pivot that provides adjustment freedom in the front plane and the horizontal plane.

10. The belt according to claim 4, wherein, The locking piece (22) is a Velcro™ strip.

11. The strip according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 10, wherein, The pivot attachments (13, 23) are removably connected to the associated intermediate section (12).

12. The strip according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 10, wherein, The pivot attachments (13, 23) are either the first of two-piece lateral release buckles (132) or the first of two-piece magnetic clips (232).

13. The strip according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 10, wherein, Each of the two intermediate segments (12) includes a pivot element holder (20).

14. The belt according to claim 13, wherein, The pivot element retainer (20) consists of a strip and a connector, such that the strip passes over the pivot attachments (13, 23) when it is secured to the connector.

15. The strip according to any one of claims 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 14, wherein, The two-piece fixing section (16) and the locking mechanism (17) are a strip and a lateral release buckle, respectively.

16. The strip according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 14, wherein, The intermediate segment (12) is rigid at least in the sagittal plane, and the portion of the intermediate segment (12) below the pivot attachments (13, 23) is rigid in all planes.

17. The strip according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 14, wherein, The rear support section (14) and the front support system (15) are flexible.

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