Posture training device

• US 5,868,691 A
• Filed: 10/15/1996
• Issued: 02/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Vishnevsky
• Original Assignee: John Vishnevsky
• Inventors: Vishnevsky, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): POTHIER, DENISE M
• Application Number:
  US08/968,460
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 602/19, 602/17, 602/18, 602/32, 602/36, 602/5, 128/874, 128/845, 128/846, 128/869, 128/870, 128/DIG. 19, 2/44, 2/45
• US Class Current: 602/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/026 Back straightening devices with shoulder braces to force back the shoulder to obtain a correct curvature of the spine for clavicle fractures A61F5/05808; restraining devices A61F5/37

Abstract

A posture training device comprising a substantially rigid support member including a plurality of slots and a plurality of straps. The straps are detachably coupled to the support member by inserting and sliding each of the straps into and through one of the slots. The slots extend between the support member'"'"'s two opposing outer surfaces that are aligned substantially perpendicular to the individual'"'"'s back when the device is worn. Each strap includes couplers at the ends of the strap for connecting ends each strap.

Claims

1. A posture training device, comprising:

a substantially rigid support member including a plurality of slots extending between two opposing outer surfaces of said support member, with both of said opposing outer surfaces positionable to be aligned substantially perpendicular to a user'"'"'s back; and

a plurality of straps detachably coupled to said support member, each of said straps being inserted through one of said plurality of slots to detachably couple said straps to said support member.

2. The posture training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said straps slide within said plurality of slots substantially along an axis defined by said slots.

3. The posture training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said straps is distensible and resilient.

4. The posture training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member is substantially T-shaped.

5. The posture training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein both ends of said straps include a coupler.

6. The posture training device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said couplers comprise hook and loop connection systems.

7. The posture training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said straps include a plurality of cushions.

8. The posture training device as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of cushions includes a cloth surface.

9. The posture training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member is non-malleable.

10. The posture training device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said support member comprises wood.

11. The posture training device as claimed in claim 1, further including a pad coupled to said support member.

12. The posture training device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said pad includes a deformable surface comprising foam rubber.

13. A posture training device, comprising:

a single substantially rigid support member comprising a rectangular cross section and including a plurality of slots extending between two opposing outer surfaces of said support member, both of said opposing outer surfaces positionable to be aligned substantially perpendicular to a user'"'"'s back; and

a plurality of straps, each strap inserted through one of said plurality of slots to detachably couple said straps to said support member, each of said straps sliding within said plurality of slots along an axis substantially perpendicular to said opposing outer surfaces, and each of said straps including a coupler for coupling both ends of said strap together.

14. A posture training device as claimed in claim 13, further including a pad comprising foam rubber, coupled to said support member.

15. A posture training device as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of said straps comprises an elastic material.

16. A posture training device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said couplers comprise hook and loop connection systems.

17. A posture training device to train muscles to maintain an upper body in a completely upright stance, comprising:

a single substantially rigid support member having a T-shaped cross section and including a plurality of slots having a rectangular cross section extending along a width of said support member between two opposing outer surfaces of said support member, with both of said opposing outer surfaces positionable to be aligned substantially perpendicular to a user'"'"'s back;

a plurality of distensible and resilient straps, with each strap inserted through one of said plurality of slots to detachably couple said straps to said support member, with each of said straps sliding within said plurality of slots substantially along an axis defined by said slots, including a hook and loop coupler for coupling both ends together, and including a cloth covered foam rubber cushion; and

a pad comprising foam rubber coupled to said support member.

18. A posture training device to train muscles to maintain an upper body in a completely upright stance, comprising:

a single substantially rigid support member having a T-shaped cross section and including a plurality of slots having a rectangular cross section extending along a width of said support member between two opposing outer surfaces positionable to be of said support member, with both of said opposing outer surfaces aligned substantially perpendicular to a user'"'"'s back;

a plurality of distensible and resilient straps, with each strap inserted through one of said plurality of slots to detachably couple said straps to said support member, with each of said straps sliding within said plurality of slots substantially along an axis defined by said slots, including a hook and loop coupler for coupling both ends together, and including a cloth covered foam rubber cushion; and

a pad comprising foam rubber coupled to said support member.

19. A method of training muscles to maintain substantially upright posture comprising the steps of:

providing a single substantially rigid support member including a plurality of slots extending between two opposing outer surfaces of said support member, with both of said opposing outer surfaces positionable to be aligned substantially perpendicular with a user'"'"'s back, including a plurality of elastic straps inserted through one of said plurality of slots to detachably couple said support member, with each of said straps sliding within said plurality of slots substantially along an axis defined by said slots, and including a coupler for coupling both ends together, with a cloth covered foam rubber cushion at the ends of the straps; and

attaching the device to the user'"'"'s body by placing the support member along