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US5074288A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Soft body brace

Assignee: BOSTON BRACE INTERNATIONAL
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Filing: 1990-04-11
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Granted: 1991-12-24
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Expires: 2010-04-11
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Abstract

Abstract A soft body brace which may be used for providing support for non-structural deformities caused by muscle imbalance and weakness comprises an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material and an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material, the inner layer being bonded to the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material. The inner and outer layers together define a shell sized and configured to circumscribe the truck of a person and having a top edge and a bottom edge, a posterior portion and a vertically split anterior portion. A plurality of transversely spaced vertically disposed reinforcing stays are fixedly sandwiched between the outer and inner layers for maintaining the shell in the desired shape. Curved pads are also sandwiched between the inner and outer layers for engaging the iliac crests of the wearer. Releasable fasteners are attached to the open anterior ends of the shell to aid in seccuring the shell on the wearer.

Inventors

  • 👤 Marion E. Miller

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 14:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 107 words
A soft body brace for engaging the trunk of a person for supportive purposes comprising: a. an outer layer of soft compressible thermoplastic material, b. an inner layer of soft compressible thermoplastic material bonded to the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material, c. the inner and outer layers defining a shell having a split portion, the shell being sized and having a molded shape corresponding to the shape of the trunk of the person on whom it is to be worn, and d. a plurality of reinforcing stays fixedly sandwiched between the outer and inner layers to assist in holding said shell in its molded shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 107 words
A soft body brace for engaging the trunk of a person for supportive purposes comprising: a. an outer layer of soft compressible thermoplastic material, b. an inner layer of soft compressible thermoplastic material bonded to the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material, c. the inner and outer layers defining a shell having a split portion, the shell being sized and having a molded shape corresponding to the shape of the trunk of the person on whom it is to be worn, and d. a plurality of reinforcing stays fixedly sandwiched between the outer and inner layers to assist in holding said shell in its molded shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
The brace of claim 1 and further including iliac crest pads disposed between said inner and outer layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
The brace of claim 1 and wherein the stays are made of plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
The brace of claim 1 and wherein the stays are made of polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The brace of claim 1 and wherein the stays are transversely spaced and vertically oriented.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 17 words
The brace of claim 1 and wherein the inner and outer layers are made of polyethylene foam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 144 words
A soft body brace for engaging the trunk of a person for supportive purposes comprising: a. an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material, b. an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material bonded to the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material, c. the inner and outer layers defining a shell having a split portion, the shell being sized and shaped to conform to the shape of the trunk of the person on whom it is to be worn. d. a plurality of reinforcing stays fixedly sandwiched between the outer and inner layers to assist in holding said shell in its formed shaped, and e. fastening means for holding the two portions of the shell in place on the person, said fastening means comprising straps of hook and loop pile fasteners, said straps being attached to said shell through one of said stays.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 144 words
A soft body brace for engaging the trunk of a person for supportive purposes comprising: a. an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material, b. an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material bonded to the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material, c. the inner and outer layers defining a shell having a split portion, the shell being sized and shaped to conform to the shape of the trunk of the person on whom it is to be worn. d. a plurality of reinforcing stays fixedly sandwiched between the outer and inner layers to assist in holding said shell in its formed shaped, and e. fastening means for holding the two portions of the shell in place on the person, said fastening means comprising straps of hook and loop pile fasteners, said straps being attached to said shell through one of said stays.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2655916A Cited
US3871367A Cited
US4022197A Cited
EP0099783A1 Cited
US4688558A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-12-23 1995-06-24 1995-12-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-12-23 1999-06-24 1999-12-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-12-23 2003-06-24 2003-12-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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