Back Support Garment with Integrated Pack Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing back support garments inadequately address lumbar and tailbone region support, fail to provide comprehensive support for leg and groin muscles, and lack localized therapeutic heating or cooling.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece back support apparatus comprising compression pants and a belt that extends upwardly to support the lumbar and abdominal areas, with adjustable fastening and integrated pack support structures for therapeutic heating or cooling, and optional inserts for additional support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing back support garments are used, then lumbar area compression is provided, but support to tailbone region and leg muscles is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The back support garment is divided into distinct functional segments: a belt portion for lumbar support, compression pants for leg and groin muscle support, and a pack support structure for therapeutic heating/cooling. This segmentation allows each component to address specific anatomical regions independently, resolving the contradiction by providing comprehensive coverage without compromising support reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated garment design combines multiple support functions into a single apparatus that simultaneously supports the lumbar region, tailbone area, leg muscles, and groin area. The pack support structure further adds therapeutic heating or cooling capability, making the garment multi-functional and adaptable to various back injury treatment needs.
2Reliability
If back support garments compress the lumbar area, then back strain prevention is achieved, but therapeutic heating or cooling is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mechanical compression function with therapeutic thermal therapy by integrating a pack support structure into the belt portion. This structure can receive and retain heating or cooling packs against the lumbar region, allowing the garment to simultaneously provide compression for strain prevention and thermal therapy for pain relief, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
3Force
If back support garments are designed for lumbar support, then lumbar compression is effective, but distribution of forces during athletic activities is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The compression force is extended from the traditional two-dimensional lumbar belt to a three-dimensional distribution across the lumbar region, tailbone area, and leg muscles through the integrated pants portion. This dimensional expansion allows forces to be distributed more evenly throughout the lower body during athletic activities, resolving the contradiction by maintaining effective compression while improving force distribution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Evenly distributes forces across the lumbar to mid-thigh regions during activities, providing enhanced support and therapeutic benefits while allowing freedom of movement, and customizable support for various activities and injury levels.
Implementation Method 1
maintain temperature transferring contact between the inner surface of the belt portion adjacent the hot and cold packs and the wearer's lumbar region
Data Source
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AI summary
A one-piece back support apparatus comprises a belt portion being configured to provide back and abdominal support encircling a wearer's waist and a compression pants portion. The belt portion has a front portion, a back portion, a top portion, a bottom portion and an inner surface. The compression pants portion secured to the belt is configured to provide support for the wearer's pelvis, legs, and groin area. The inner surface of the belt has one or more pack support portions with slots for receiving one or more gel packs so as to maintain contact between the gel packs and the wearer's back. Slots in the belt portion may accommodate vertically extending inserts of rigid plastic to reinforce the belt portion over the lumbar region of the wearer.