Spine protector
First Claim
1. A flexible spine protector for use with protective clothing, sports related activity or any other activity benefiting from spinal protection comprising:
- a plurality of elongate substantially rectangular rigid support members and a plurality of resilient elongate substantially rectangular underpads;
said support members being comprised of a plurality of upper support members and lower support members;
each of said upper members being adapted to fit over two adjacent lower support members in mating relationship;
said lower support members being mounted on said underpads;
said underpads and support members being adapted in operation to lie perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spine;
said upper support members being spaced apart from adjacent upper support members;
said lower support members mounted on said underpads being space apart from adjacent lower support members mounted on said pads;
said support members being connected to one another in matingly overlapping relationship by a fastening means;
said support members further including a concave central recess on the underside thereof; and
said recess being adapted to lie directly over the vertebrae of the wearer, when in use.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a unique spine protector for use with or without protective clothing and in particular, in bomb disposal suits or in sports related activities. The protector is made up of a plurality of overlapping elongate support members having a central recess in the mid-portion thereof such that when an external force is applied to the spine protector, the force exerted is transmitted to the spinal muscles and/or thoracic support structures on either side of the vertebrae while the vertebrae remain minimally loaded. The spine protector is made up of two sizes of support members which overlap each other in mating relationship and are loosely joined so that the spine protector can flex in three dimensions.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A flexible spine protector for use with protective clothing, sports related activity or any other activity benefiting from spinal protection comprising:
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a plurality of elongate substantially rectangular rigid support members and a plurality of resilient elongate substantially rectangular underpads; said support members being comprised of a plurality of upper support members and lower support members; each of said upper members being adapted to fit over two adjacent lower support members in mating relationship; said lower support members being mounted on said underpads; said underpads and support members being adapted in operation to lie perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spine; said upper support members being spaced apart from adjacent upper support members; said lower support members mounted on said underpads being space apart from adjacent lower support members mounted on said pads; said support members being connected to one another in matingly overlapping relationship by a fastening means; said support members further including a concave central recess on the underside thereof; and said recess being adapted to lie directly over the vertebrae of the wearer, when in use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification