Anti-fatigue device

• US 8,721,577 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2011
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert J. Perry
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Perry
• Inventors: Perry, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco, Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CAMTU TRAN
• Application Number:
  US13/077,628
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 602/19, 602/36, 602/40, 2972831-2833, 297/284.1, 297/284.3, 29745218-45219, 297/452.63, 128/846, 128/869, 128/874, 128/875, 246/2, 244/122.R, 244/122.AG
• US Class Current: 602/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/01 Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
• 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

An exemplary embodiment of an anti-fatigue device includes a framework worn adjacent a body of a user; and interaction of a cable and the framework provides an anti-gravity support of the body that reduces user fatigue from an activity the user performs. In another exemplary embodiment, the anti-fatigue device includes a head support halo coupled to the framework, the head support halo provides an anti-gravity support of the head that reduces user fatigue while the user performs the activity. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the anti-fatigue device includes a leg support that substantially secures the framework adjacent the body while the user stands to perform the activity. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the anti-fatigue device includes a seat plate worn adjacent a buttock of the user substantially secures the framework adjacent the body while the user sits on the buttock to perform the activity.

Claims

1. An anti-fatigue device comprising:

a plurality of interconnected backbone plates;

a shield adjacent the plurality of interconnected backbone plates; and

a plurality of seat plates interacting with the plurality of interconnected backbone plates, wherein the interconnected back plates, the shield, and the plurality of seat plates cooperatively form a framework;

a shoulder hookup member secured to the framework;

a shoulder connection member attached to the framework; and

a shoulder attachment coupled between the shoulder hookup member and the shoulder connection member.

2. The device of claim 1, in which the shoulder attachment includes a first end coupled to the shoulder hookup member, a second end coupled to the shoulder connection member, and a medial portion disposed between said first and second ends, wherein an interaction of the shoulder and the framework provides an anti-gravity support.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a head support structure connected to the framework.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a head hookup member secured to the framework and interconnecting the head support structure with the framework.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a leg support linked to the framework.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a linking member interlinking the leg support and the framework.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a backbone attachment interconnecting each of the plurality of interconnected backbone plates, said backbone attachment providing a first end secured to the framework; and

a backbone attachment take-up secured to said framework, wherein said backbone attachment take-up interacts with a second end of the backbone attachment to control a spacing between each of the plurality of interconnected backbone plates.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a shoulder attachment take-up secured to said framework, wherein said shoulder attachment take-up interacts with a first end of the shoulder attachment to position the plurality of interconnected backbone plates, and further wherein the shoulder attachment is coupled to the framework by a second end of the shoulder attachment.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a head connecting member take-up secured to said framework, wherein said head connecting member take-up interacts with a first end of a connecting member, and further comprising a head support structure secured to a second end of the connecting member.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a leg linking member take-up secured to said framework, wherein said leg linking member take-up interacts with a first end of a linking member to position the plurality of interconnected backbone plates, and further wherein the linking member is coupled to the framework by a second end of the linking member.

11. A method of forming an anti-fatigue device, by steps comprising:

providing a plurality of interconnected backbone plates;

attaching a shield to the plurality of interconnected backbone plates; and

interconnecting a plurality of seat plates with the plurality of interconnected backbone plates, wherein the interconnected back plates, the shield, and the plurality of seat plates cooperatively form a framework of the anti-fatigue device;

securing a shoulder hookup member to the framework;

attaching a shoulder connection member to the framework; and

coupling a shoulder attachment between the shoulder hookup member and the shoulder connection member.

12. The method of claim 11, by steps further comprising:

fastening a leg linking member take-up to said framework, wherein said leg linking member take-up interacts with a first end of a linking member to position the plurality of interconnected backbone plates, and further wherein the linking member is coupled to the framework by a second end of the linking member.

13. The method of claim 11, by steps further comprising:

linking a second take-up to said framework, wherein said second take-up interacts with a head support structure to position the plurality of interconnected backbone plates.

14. The method of claim 11, by steps further comprising:

interconnecting a backbone attachment to each of the plurality of interconnected backbone plates, said backbone attachment providing a first end secured to the framework; and

attaching a backbone attachment take-up to said framework, wherein said backbone attachment take-up interacts with a second end of the backbone attachment to control a spacing between each of the plurality of interconnected backbone plates.

15. The method of claim 11, by steps further comprising:

securing a shoulder attachment take-up to said framework, wherein said shoulder attachment take-up interacts with a first end of the shoulder attachment to position the plurality of interconnected backbone plates, and further wherein the shoulder attachment is coupled to the framework by a second end of the shoulder attachment.

16. The method of claim 11, by steps further comprising:

attaching a head connecting member take-up to said framework, wherein said head connecting member take-up interacts with a first end of a connecting member, and further comprising a head support structure secured to a second end of the connecting member.