ACCESSORY FOR INHIBITING BACK INJURY
First Claim
1. A protective device comprising:
- an elongate array of support elements configured to extend along the back of a wearer of the device, adjacent the wearer'"'"'s spine; and
attachment means for removably attaching the array of support elements to the wearer'"'"'s body in at least two locations that are spaced apart axially along the array;
pivotal connection means for attaching the support elements to each other, wherein the pivotal connection means is configured to allow pivotal movement between adjacent support elements only to a limited, predetermined extent, said pivotal connection means between adjacent support elements including;
pivot formations that interact to allow pivoting movement between the adjacent support elements andlimit formations that interact with predetermined play when the elements are pivoted relative to each other and that abut when the play has been taken up, to inhibit further pivotal movement, along at least one pivot axis,wherein the limit formations include at least one protuberance extending from one element, which is receivable with said predetermined play in a recess defined in the adjacent element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A protective device is provided for protecting the back of a wearer against injury. The device includes an array of support elements that extend along the wearer'"'"'s back adjacent his spine and is held in position on his back by attachment means, which can include a neck brace attached to the upper end of array, a chest strap, a waist strap and/or webbing that are spaced apart axially along the array. The support elements are attached to each other in such a way that they can move relative to each other to allow free, but limited bending, extension and contraction of the array, but the connection means between the elements is configured to prevent further movement between them once a predetermined limited movement has taken place, so that the array becomes practically rigid and can bear further loading that may otherwise have been born by the spine.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A protective device comprising:
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an elongate array of support elements configured to extend along the back of a wearer of the device, adjacent the wearer'"'"'s spine; and attachment means for removably attaching the array of support elements to the wearer'"'"'s body in at least two locations that are spaced apart axially along the array; pivotal connection means for attaching the support elements to each other, wherein the pivotal connection means is configured to allow pivotal movement between adjacent support elements only to a limited, predetermined extent, said pivotal connection means between adjacent support elements including; pivot formations that interact to allow pivoting movement between the adjacent support elements and limit formations that interact with predetermined play when the elements are pivoted relative to each other and that abut when the play has been taken up, to inhibit further pivotal movement, along at least one pivot axis, wherein the limit formations include at least one protuberance extending from one element, which is receivable with said predetermined play in a recess defined in the adjacent element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification