US4022197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Body support and protection appliance
Assignee: THERM MOLD MEDICAL PRODUCTS Inc
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Filing: 1976-05-04
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1996-05-04
Abstract
Abstract An appliance for supporting and/or protecting body portions comprises a pair of substantially rigid sheet-like members adapted to engage against predetermined spaced portions of the body of a wearer. The sheet-like members are coupled together at one end by means of a relatively large expanse of elastic material and are detachably connected together at the other end also by means of elastic material, the resulting structure encircling a body portion. This construction permits substantial contraction and expansion of the encircled body portion without substantially restraining the encircled body portion from expansion.
Inventors
- 👤 Ignatius F. Castiglia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/06; A61F13/02; A61F13/14; A61F13/143; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/02; A61F5/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A body support and/or protection appliance comprising: a first elastic section adapted to extend across a body portion of a wearer; a means for substantially independently engaging against predetermined spaced portions of the body of a wearer, comprising a pair of substantially rigid sheetlike members coupled to end portions of said first elastic section; and second and third elastic sections respectively at the ends of said substantially rigid members remote from said first elastic section for detachably and elastically connecting said remote ends of said substantially rigid members together with at least a portion of at least one of said second and third elastic sections interposed therebetween to encircle a body portion of a wearer such that said elastic sections resiliently separate said substantially rigid members to permit substantial contraction and expansion of the encircled body portion of the wearer while retaining said substantially rigid members adjacent said predetermined body portions of the wearer during said contraction and expansion, without substantially restraining the body from expansion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A body support and/or protection appliance comprising: a first elastic section adapted to extend across a body portion of a wearer; a means for substantially independently engaging against predetermined spaced portions of the body of a wearer, comprising a pair of substantially rigid sheetlike members coupled to end portions of said first elastic section; and second and third elastic sections respectively at the ends of said substantially rigid members remote from said first elastic section for detachably and elastically connecting said remote ends of said substantially rigid members together with at least a portion of at least one of said second and third elastic sections interposed therebetween to encircle a body portion of a wearer such that said elastic sections resiliently separate said substantially rigid members to permit substantial contraction and expansion of the encircled body portion of the wearer while retaining said substantially rigid members adjacent said predetermined body portions of the wearer during said contraction and expansion, without substantially restraining the body from expansion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An appliance according to claim 1 comprising a first pocket member interposed between said first and second elastic sections and a second pocket member interposed between said first and third elastic sections, said first and second pocket members receiving a respective one of said substantially rigid sheet-like members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An appliance according to claim 2 wherein said pocket members each have an opening for removably receiving said respective substantially rigid sheet-like members therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
An appliance according to claim 1 wherein said substantially rigid sheet-like members are heat deformable and are moldable, in the heated condition, to conform to the contours of a body portion of a wearer, and substantially retain their contour molded condition upon cooling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An appliance according to claim 4 wherein said sheet-like members are plastic members with a fabric layer on at least one surface thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An appliance according to claim 5 wherein said sheet-like members have fabric layers on both sides thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An appliance according to claim 5 wherein said sheet-like members have a foam layer on one surface thereof, said foam layer being directed toward the body of a wearer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An appliance according to claim 2 wherein said first and second pocket members are of elastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
An appliance according to claim 8 wherein said first pocket is integral with at least a portion of said first elastic section and is integral with said second elastic section, and wherein said second pocket is integral with at least a portion of said first elastic section and is integral with said third elastic section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An appliance according to claim 1 wherein said second and third elastic sections have free ends with adjustable interengaging fastening members thereon for adjustably encircling a body portion of a wearer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An appliance according to claim 1 wherein said first elastic section comprises a substantially rigid stay member extending substantially transversely thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
An appliance according to claim 8 further comprising a skirt portion of elastic material below said respective pockets for engagement against a body portion of a wearer to prevent slipping relative to the body portion of the wearer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
An appliance according to claim 1 wherein said sheet-like members are formed to conform to the respective rib cage areas of a wearer, and wherein said first elastic section is adapted to extend across a substantial portion of the back of the wearer and said second and third sections are adapted to extend across a portion of the chest area of the wearer so as to provide an elastic section in the chest area of the wearer between said sheet-like members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
An appliance according to claim 8 wherein said sheet-like members are formed to conform to the respective rib cage areas of a wearer, and wherein said first elastic section is adapted to extend across a substantial portion of the back of the wearer and said second and third sections are adapted to extend across a portion of the chest area of the wearer so as to provide an elastic section in the chest area of the wearer between said sheet-like members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
An appliance according to claim 2 further comprising at least two skirt portions of elastic material adjacent said respective pockets, one of said skirt portions extending between said first and second elastic sections and the other of said skirt portions extending between said first and third elastic sections, to prevent slipping relative to the body portion of the wearer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |