US3362402A - Sacro-lumbar supporting garment - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 9, 1968 H, LOEFFEL ET Al. 3,362,402

SACRO-LUMBAR SUPPORTING GARMENT v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 13, 1965 United States Patent 3,362,402 Y SACR-LUMBAR SUPPRTING GARMENT Lester H. Loeffel, West Haven, and Emory C. Champagne,

Woodbridge, Conn., assignors to The Berger Brothers Company, New Haven, Conn., a corporation of 'Connecticut Filed May 13, 1965, Ser. No. 455,486 3 Claims. (Cl. 12S-78) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A combination sacro-lumbar supporting garment in the form of a tube which encases the lower torso of a wearer, and a dorso-lumbar element selectively interconnectable therewith in a plurality of adjustable positions, whereby a single garment may be employed to selectively t persons of varying physical proportions.

This invention relates generally to the field of foundation garments, and more particularly to an improved sacro-lumbar supporting garment of a type used in correcting or ameliorating back ailments in the sacro-lumbar areas. Devices of this type are generally known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details permitting facilitated fitting to individual wearers using a minimum range of stock sizes, as well as increased comfort.

In devices of this type, it is customary to fabricate a single sacro-lumbar supporting garment in the form of a tube which encases the lower torso of the wearer, the device including a back panel which is heavily boned on either side of the dorsal plane thereof. Where dorso-sacral support is required, garments of this type are formed as an integral construction to include an upper portion thereof with heavy steels extending up to the shoulder region of therwearer. Thus, the prior art construction constitutes a specific length of the back support feature built into the garment itself, so that it may not be varied to physiological changes in men and women.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved sacro-lumbar garment of the class described in which there is provided a sacro-lumbar element which is in itself an entity, and which may be used singly or with the addition of a special panel which transforms the garment into a dorso-lumbar type.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a garment including separate sacro-lumbar and dorsolumbar elements which may be used in conjunction with each other such that the position of one may be adjusted with respect to the other without structural alteration of either element.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved combination garment in which means are provided for lixing the relative adjustment vbetween the elements in such manner that readjustment may be obtained as required without cutting of stitches or additional sewing operations.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved combination sacro-lumbar, dorso-lumbar garment in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonable order, directly comparable with existing prior art devices, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A feature of the invention lies in the use of hook and pile interconnecting means between the two elements comprising the garment.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the prog- ICC ress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a sacrolumbar element comprising a part of the disclosed embodiment.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen from the plane 2 2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view in elevation corresponding to the lower right-hand portion of FIG-URE 1, but showing certain of the component parts in altered relative position.

FIGURE 4 is a view in perspective of the dorso-lumbar element which forms a part of the disclosed embodiment.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the embodiment in position upon a wearer.

FIGURE 6 is a similar fragmentary view in perspective showing the side opposite that seen in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a similar fragmentary view in perspective, partly broken away to show detail, of the interconnection of the sacro-lumbar and dorso-lumbar elements.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional view as seen from the plane 8-8 in FIGURE 6.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a sacro-lumbar support element 11 and a dorsolumbar support element 12.

The sacro-lumbar support element 11 may be fabricated using existing techniques known in the art, and is of generally tubular conguration. As best seen in FIG- URES 1 and 5, the element 11 includes first and second overlapping front edges 15 and 16, respectively, an upper bound edge 17, and a lower bound edge 18. Extending leftwardly as seen in FIGURE 1 from the edge 15 is a left front panel 19, bounded by a side edge 20 and including side boning 21 in the upper portion of a sheath adjacent the edge 20; Front boning 22 extends partially downward from the upper edge 17, terminating above the crotch area of the wearer. To facilitate conformance to individual torso configuration, there is provided an upper gusset member 23 of generally triangular configuration, bounded by a free edge 24 and edges 25 and 26. A corresponding lower elastic gusset member 27 is bounded by a free edge 28 and side edges 29 and 30.

The edges 26 and 30 are interconnected to a front edge boning member 31 which mounts four adjustable straps 32. The straps 32 are provided with individual buckle members 33 having loop means 34 for the engagement of corresponding hook means 35, as will more fully appear. A lower auxiliary front panel 36 is bounded by an upper edge 37, a lower edge 38, a xed vertical edge 39, and a free edge 40. The edge 40 is provided with a row of eyelets 41 through which elastic cord 42 isthreaded.

The cord 42 also engages an interconnecting panel 43, bounded by a vertical edge 44 having a corresponding row of eyelets 45, an upper edge 46, a lower edge 47, and a vertical edge 48 having hook means 49 engageable with corresponding eye means 5t) on a short panel 51 secured by stitch means 52 to a right front panel 53 (as seen on FIGURE 1).

The right front panel 53 mounts a plurality of stitched loops 54 which support the hook means 35, and includes a sheath S5 for front boning 56 which corresponds in location to the boning 22. As is the case in the left front panel 19, the right front panel 53 includes an upper gusset 57 -bounded by edges 58, 59 and 60, and a lower gusset 61 bounded by edges 62, y63 and 64. Side boning 65 extends partially downwardly from the upper edge 17, and corresponds to the boning 21 of the left front panel 19.

The back panel 66 includes light boning members 67 and 68, as well as heavier boning members 69, 70, 71

3 and 72, the members 69 and 72 being provided with eXtra steels where required. Disposed outside the members '70 and 71 is one part 74 of corresponding hook and pile members which provide for selective interconnection of the elements 11 and 12.

The dorso-lumbar support element 12 is of generally elongated shape, and is bounded by an inner surface 8i, an outer surface 82, and a continuous bound edge S3. The edge 83 includes an upper portion 84, left-hand and right-hand rounded portions 85 and 86, respectively, left and right downwardly tapered portions 87 and 88, respectively, and a bottom portion 89. Four heavy bone- o1 members 90, 91, 92 and 93 are disposed on either side of the center line of the element li12, the spacing being substantially identical with that of the members 69-72 of' the element 11. Positioned in the boned central areas 72 is the other member 95 of the hook and pile combination which is selectively engageable with the member 74.

Mounted on the outer surface 82 in the area of the rounded portions 85 and 86 are pad members 96 mounting projecting studs 97 to which are attached body-engaging straps 98 and 99. The straps 98 and 99 are substantially similar, each including a padded portion 100 as well as a non-padded portion 101. The portions 101 are mutually engageable 4by buckle means 1.02, individual Iit lbeing obtained by an adjustment buckle 103 in wellknown manner.

During fitting, the dorso-lumbar support element 12 is positioned within the sacro-lumbar support element 1:1, so that the upper portion of the former is secured by the straps 98-99, and the lower portion held in position by constricting pressure of the latter. During this fitting, the member 74 may be suitably covered by masking tape or other protective layer to prevent accidental engagement. When proper adjustment has been determined, the outer surface of the element 12. may be marked with respect to its relation to the upper edge 17 of the element 11, and the protective layer removed so that the member '74 may be engaged with the member 95. Since this interconnection is not permanent, the device may be readjusted as many times as is necessary to provide maximum comfort.

lf desired, stitch means (not shown) may be substituted for the members 74 and 95, but readjustment is not as readily available where such means is employed. Thus, relatively tall persons as well as relatively short persons can often be accommodated by a single stock garment, which convenience is not possible in prior art garments. Further, where the use of the dorso-lumbar support element is only required for part of the wearing time of the garment, it may be conveniently disengaged and reengaged as desired.

We wish it to be understood that we do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specication, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

We claim:

1. A combination sacro-lumbar, dorso-lumbar supporting garment, comprising: a sacro-lumbar support element of generally tubular configuration adapted to enclose the lower trunk of a wearer, said support element having a rear panel and vertically disposed honing members positioned on either side of the vertical center line of said rear panel; a. dorso-lumbar support element including a rear panel 4adapted to overlie the dorsal region of said wearer, and having strap means adapted to engage the upper torso thereof; and means selectively interconnecting said sacro-lumbar support element and said rear panel of said dorso-lumbar support element in one of a plurality of vertically adjustable positions.

2. A combination sacro-lumbar, dorso-lumbar supporting garment, comprising: a sacro-lumbar support element of generally tubular configuration adapted to enclose the lower trunk of a wearer, said support element having a rear panel and vertically disposed honing members positioned on either' side of the vertical center line of said rear panel; a dorso-lumbar support element including a rear panel adapted to overlie the dorsal region of said wearer, and having strap means adapted to engage the upper torso thereof; and means selectively interconnecting said sacro-lumbar support element and said rear panel of said dorso-lumbar support element in one of a plurality of vertically adjustable positions; said dorso-lumbar support element having vertically disposed honing members forming continuations of said boning members of said sacro-lumbar support element upon interconnection.

3. A combination sacro-lumbar, dorso-lumbar supporting garment, comprising: a sacro-lumbar support element of generally tubular conguration adapted to enclose the lower trunk of a wearer, said support element having a rear panel and vertically disposed honing members positioned on either side of the vertical center line of said rear panel; a dorso-lumbar support element including -a rear panel adapted to overlie the dorsal region of said wearer, and having strap means adapted to engage the upper torso thereof; and means selectively interconnecting said sacrolumbar support element and said rear panel of said dorsolumbar support element in one of ra plurality of vertically adjustable positions; said dorso-lumber support element having vertically disposed honing members forming continuations of said honing members of said sacro-lumbar support element upon interconnection; said interconnecting means including hoolr and pile members positioned upon oppositely disposed surfaces of each element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 766,863 8/1904 Adams 12S-78 1,303,330 6/1919 Karlin 128-426 1,469,335 10/1923 Roth 12S-567 1,602,459 10/1926 Robinson 128--520 2,104,699 1/1938 ODell 12S-78 2,900,984 8/ 1959 Cunningham 12S-556 3,135,256 6/1964 Gruber 128-75 3,282,264 tl 1/1966 Connelly 128-78 3,285,243 11/1966- Yellin 12S-75 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

J. W. HTNEY, Assistant Examiner.

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