GB2381732A

GB2381732A - Elastic support Band

Info

Publication number: GB2381732A
Application number: GB0127100A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Anthony Collins; Vincent Burns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-10
Filing date: 2001-11-10
Publication date: 2003-05-14
Also published as: GB0127100D0

Abstract

An elasticated support band for example to hold up a sock or to secure medical or sporting items to the human body comprises an elasticated flat length of material being extendible along the length, a first fastener 101 positioned at a first half of the length of material, and a second fastener 102 positioned at a second half of the length of material, the first and second fastener being secured to a first surface of the length of material, wherein the length of material and the second fastener are configured to engage with the first fastener to allow the band to form a loop around the body part. The elasticated band is constructed from woven polyamide and the fasteners are hook and loop type materials. The invention is also suitable for use on animals, and can include a flap 300 with a graphic thereon 105.

Description

ELASTIC SUPPORT BAND Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an elasticated support band being able to form a closed loop.

Background to the Invention In order to secure items to a human body, it is known to use support bands, and in particular elasticated support bands which may be closed to form a loop placed around a human body part. Typically, such support bands found in the art comprise fastenings positioned at opposed ends of the band so providing means to hold the loop in place.

In particular GB 2346311 discloses a sports sock hold up band which is configured for positioning around a sock extending over a human's leg. Two distinct fastenings are provided at either end of the band to secure the closed loop.

Similarly, GB 2050810, GB 1548566, DE 19509439, FR 2539963 and FR 2681221 all disclose means and method for securing items to a human body utilizing a band or strap (being elasticated and non-elasticated), configured with fastenings positioned substantially at opposed ends. Further, it is also known in the art to utilize support bands to secure medical equipment to a human body as disclosed In GB 2335344, again, the teaching within this specification is of a band comprising fastening means positioned at opposed ends along the length of the band The inventors have realized various problems associated with prior art support bands, these problems include : * Support bands found in the art, being either elasticated or non-elasticated are found to have limited adjustability. This limited adjustability IS due, in part, to the use of fastenings positioned at opposed ends of the band, P767 spec

such that the fastenings may only engage with one another to form a closed loop.

If the area or multiplicity of the fastenings positioned on the band or strap is increased, the band, being an elasticated band, would have reduced elasticity as a result of the non-elastic fastenings On realizing these problems, the inventors provide an elasticated support band with improved adjustability thereby providing a user with the ability to form closed loops with an increased range of sizes.

Summary of the Invention The Inventors provide an elasticated support band configurable to form a fully adjustable sized loop, in particular being operable to securing items to a human or animal body part. The inventors provide an improved support band over those found in the art, having increased adjustability without resort to an Increase in the size or multiplicity of fastenings. The band comprises an elasticated length of material, possibly made from woven polyamide (nylon) and spandex rubber thereby providing an elasticated band extendible along its length. First and second fasteners are provided at substantially opposed halves of the length of material to allow the band to form a closed loop around a limb or body part The fasteners Cr. n) maybe VELCRO/fasteners, where the first VELCRO fastener comprises hooked members and the second VELCRO fastener comprises looped members.

The first and second fasteners are secured to a first surface of the length of material such that when the band is closed to form a loop the first fastener is configured to engage with the second fastener.

The increased adjustability of the band to provide a large range of loop sizes, is due, in part, to the nature and construction of the elasticated length of material such that the hooked members of the first fastener can engage with both the

length of material and the second fastener. As such, the elasticated length of material functions in a similar way to the second fastener such that the loop may be held in place owing to the interaction between the first fastener and the length of material.

The first fastener is provided on a portion of a first half of the length of material such that a portion of the first fastener extends away from this first half As

such, the elasticity of the length of material is maintained as the first fastener does not extend over a large portion of the material. The utilization of a relatively long ) length of VELCRO forming the first fastener, as compared with fasteners found on prior art support bands, provides the band with increased adjustability, when forming the closed loop.

The utilization of the length of material to form the elasticated band, following use of the material as a second fastener to engage with the first fastener, results in the material becoming slightly frayed at the region of engagement with the first fastener. As a result, the first fastener engages with this frayed region to a larger extent than any unfrayed regions along the length of material, the band is therefore configured to form increasingly secure loops throughout its lifetime.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an elasticated support band for securing an item to a human body part, said band being configurable to form an adjustably sized loop, said band comprising: an elasticated length of material being extendible along said length ; a first fastener positioned substantially at a first half of said length of material; and

a second fastener positioned substantially at a second half of said length of material, said first and said second fastener being secured to a first surface of said length of material ; wherein said length of material and said second fastener are configured to engage with said first fastener to allow said band to form a loop, around said human body part.

Preferably, wherein a portion of said first fastener extends away from said first half of said length of material.

Preferably, wherein said length of material comprises woven polyamide and spandex rubber.

Preferably, wherein said portion of said first fastener is substantially two thirds of a length of said first fastener.

T) Preferably, wherein said first fastener and said second fastener are VELCRO fasteners.

Preferably, wherein a length of said second fastener is substantially one third of said length of material.

Preferably, wherein said length of material is configured to display a graphic.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an elasticated support band according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Figure 2a illustrates an elasticated support band, forming an extended closed loop according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Figure 2b illustrates a support band forming a closed loop according to a specific implementation of the present invention ; Figure 3c illustrates a support band forming a reduced closed loop according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a support band being configurable to display a graphic, according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a support band for securing equipment to a body part according to a specific implementation of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated an elasticated support band configured to form an adjustably sized loop, according to the specific

implementation of the present invention. The elasticated support band comprises a length of material 100, such a length of material being optionally a flat length of material extendible along its length The elasticated and resiliently extendible properties of the length of material 100 are provided by the utilization of woven polyamide and spandex rubber forming the band. Positioned substantially in a first half of the length of material 100 is a first fastener 101. Fastener 101 is secured to the first half of length of matenal 100 such that a portion of first fastener 101 extends away from the first half. As such, the portion of fastener 101 that overhangs length of material 100 may engage with another suitable fastener or other body.

Positioned at substantially a second half of length of material 100 is a second

fastener 102 According to the specific implementation of the present invention f. nj fasteners 101 and 102 are VELCRO ; fasteners, being secured to the length of material by stitching 103 and 104 respectively. According to the specific implementation of the present invention, the entire length of fastener 102 is secured to material 1 00, In contrast to fastener 101 which overhangs material 100.

The elasticated length of material 100, according to the specific implementation of the present invention is configured to achieve a 55 % 10 % elongation or stretch, with respect to a non-extended length. The resiliently deformable or elasticated properties of the length of material 100 together with the utilization of fasteners 101 and 102 provides an elasticated support band configured to form an adjustably sized loop. Moreover, the elasticated support band according to the specific implementation of the present invention is configurable to form closed loops with an increased range of sizes over that found in the art. This feature provides for a support band having a wide variety of applications being configured to fit around a variety of objects with a variety of sizes.

The length of material 100 is configured to display a suitable graphic 105 The graphic 105 may be adhered to the surface of the length of material 100 using

a suitable adhesive, or optionally, may be releasibly attached using suitable means (R. r1 J for attachment (e. g. VELCRO/fastenings). Optional, a graphic 105 may be stitched onto the length of material 100, simply applied using an ink/paint based medium, or the graphic may be a transfer, including specifically a heat applied transfer.

Referring to Figure 2a there is illustrated the elasticated support band of the specific implementation of the present invention, being formed in an extended closed loop orientation. The first fastener 101 and second fastener 102 are secured to a first surface 200 of a length of material 100. The first surface 200, when the length of material is orientated to form a closed loop, forms the outer surface while a second surface 201 forms an inner surface of the length of material. This inner surface 201, when the band is positioned around a body part, is substantially in contact with the body.

The portion of the first fastener 101 which overhangs the length of material 100, or extends away from the first half of length of material 100, engages with the second fastener 102 on the first surface 200 of the elasticated support band. As illustrated in Figure 2a, a portion of first fastener 101, when the band is orientated in a extended closed loop, functions as a region of the loop, this loop primarily comprising the length of material 100. Using the first fastener 101, or a portion of the first fastener 101 to form part of the loop structure provides for a band, or elasticated band having enhanced adjustability.

According to the specific implementation of the present invention, VELCRO fasteners are utilized for fasteners 101 and 102, such that fastener 101 comprises hooked members being configured to engage with looped members, these looped members forming fastener 102. The fasteners are releasably engaged by the

introduction of the hooked members of fastener 101 onto the looped members of fastener 102.

Through the utilization of first fastener 101 having a length of substantially one third of the length of material 100, where substantially two thirds of the length of the first fastener (a portion thereof) extend away from the material 100, provides for an enhanced adjustably sized loop as compared with support bands found in the art. Moreover, through the utilization of a second fastener having a length of substantially one third of the length of material 100, provides for a substantially large surface area onto which the hooked members of first fastener 101 can engage Referring to Figure 2b there is illustrated the elasticated support band, according to the specific implementation, being in a closed loop orientation Substantially the entire portion of first fastener 101 that overhangs or extends away from length of material 100, is engaged with second fastener 102 such that the entire loop substantially comprises the length of material 100, having fist outer surface 200 and second inner surface 201.

The support band being configured to form a range of adjustably sized loops, through the utilization of first and second fasteners as described with reference to Figures 1,2a and 2b, in addition to the elasticated properties material 100, allows the support band to function in a variety of applications including the securing of an item to a body part (e. g. a human body part). A body part being, for example, a limb, torso or head Such an item, or items being, for example, a sportswear item, a sports accessory, medical apparatus (as described with reference to Figure 4) or any other kind of item (s) to be secured to a human body part. In particular, the support band as described herein according to the specific implementation of the present invention is configurable to hold up sports socks on a human leg, the band being configurable to form an adjustably sized loop around a leg. Moreover, the support band as described herein according to the specific implementation of a

present invention is configurable to fit around an animal body for securing Items thereto as described with reference to the securing of items to a human body An item, or items may be positioned onto the second or inner surface 201 of the band, such that the band forms the closed loop, resulting in the item being trapped, or sandwiched between the limb or body part around which the band is placed and the inner surface 201. Additionally, means to secure an item to the band may be provided as described with reference to Figure 4. In addition, or alternatively an item may be secured between the first and second fasteners, such that the item IS secured to the support band by the action of the first and second fastener, substantially engaging around the item (s).

Referring to Figure 2c there is illustrated the elasticated support band according to the specific implementation of the present invention forming a closed loop having a reduced circumference. Figure 2c illustrates a portion of the length of material 202 overlapping with itself due to the forming of the loop of reduced circumference. The ability of the band, according to the specific implementation of the present invention, to form a loop of reduced circumference as detailed with reference to Figure 2c, is due to the nature of the material 100 being configured to engage with the hooked members of first fastener 101. A portion of fastener 101 engages with a portion of the length of material 203 and/or the second fastener 102 such that the band is held in the loop orientation, due In part, to the engaging of fastener 101 with the material (woven polyamide). As the first surface 200 of the length of material 100 is engaged with and released from the hooked members of first fastener 101, the first surface 200 becomes frayed so as to form similar looped members to those found forming part of second fastener 102. This may serve to increase the engagement of the first fastener 101 with the first surface 200 so as to form an increasingly secure loop.

The support band, according to the specific implementation of the present invention, is configured for a closed loop orientation through the engagement of the first surface 200 by the hooked members of the first fastener 101 only, without any

engagement of the second fastener 102 by the first fastener 101 Alternatively, a closed loop orientation may be formed through the interaction of the first surface 200 and the second fastener 102 with the hooked members of the first fastener 101. A third utilization of length of material 100 being configured to engage with the first fastener 101, provides a support band being configured to form a closed loop of substantially reduced circumference. As such, a support band is provided by the inventors configured to form a variety of loop sizes.

Referring to Figure 3 there is illustrated an elasticated support band according to a second specific implementation of the present invention configured with flap at least one extension 300 being secured to the length of material 100.

The flap 300 js, optionally, releasably secured to material 100 using, for example, VELCROLfastenings such that the flap 300 may be attached and removed from the band if desired by a user. Alternatively, flap 300 may be secured to material 100 by suitable stitching. Flap 300 is optionally, material, cloth, woven material, fabric material or any other material suitable and configurable to display a graphic 105. A graphic being, for example, lettering, numbering, illustrations, designs, images, colours and any other form of graphic appealing to the eye. Flap 300 extends downwardly and away from the length of material 100 such that when the band is utilized to hold up support socks on a human leg, flap 300 remains visible on the outside of the sock, such that any graphic on Its surface may be displayed. Flap 300 is secured optionally, to the second surface 201 of the length of material 100 such that any graphic 105 positioned on the first surface 200 is not effected by the attachment of flap 300. Alternatively, flap 300 is, optionally, attached to the underside 301 of the length of material 100. The inclusion of flap 300 forming part of the length of material 100 does not effect the functioning of the band as described with reference to Figures 1 to 2c.

Referring to Figure 4 there is illustrated an elasticated support band according to a third specific implementation of the present invention in a nonclosed loop orientation. The elasticated support band according to the third

specific implementation comprises means to secure equipment 400, equipment being optionally medical equipment 401, to a human body part. The elasticated support band according to the third specific implementation of the present invention, is operable to form the closed loop orientations as described with reference to Figures. 2a to 2c utilizing the first fastener, second fastener and length of material 100 to securely form the closed loop.

The means to secure 400 are provided on the first surface 200 of the length of material 100 such that equipment 401 may be secured to the band, such that equipment 401 is indirectly secured to the human body part around which the band is secured in the closed loop orientation using fasteners 101,102 and length of material 100. Means to secure 400 are secured to the first surface 200 of the length of material 100 using, optionally, suitable stitching, means to secure 400 being, optionally, a suitable length of material Means to secure 400 may be configured along surface 200 such that an array of equipment or apparatus may be secured to the elasticated support band, the means to secure 400 thereby extending along a region of surface 200. In a yet further specific implementation of the present invention means to secure 400 may be secured to the second surface 201 of material 100 such that the equipment is positioned on the inner surface of the closed loop in contrast to the positioning on the outer surface of the closed loop as illustrated in Figure 4.

The material comprising means to secure 400 is, optionally, woven polyamide or any other suitable material forming the elasticated support band 100 such that the first fastener 101 is configured to engage a means to secure 400 so as to form a closed loop of reduced circumference as detailed in Figure 2c.

In addition to the third specific implementation of the present invention as detailed with reference to Figure 4, the specific implementation of the present invention as detailed with reference to Figures 1,2a, 2b and 2c, is also configured for a variety of medical applications. The support band with reference Figures 1 to

4 is configurable to, by way of example, restrict the flow of fluid into or out of a body (human or animal) ; to be positioned around a body part so as to offer support for a limb or joint ; to restrict the movement of a limb or joint and/or to apply a restrictive pressure onto a limb or joint.

Claims

Claims : 1. An elasticated support band for securing an item to a human body part, said band being configurable to form an adjustably sized loop, said band comprising : an elasticated length of material being extendible along said length ; a first fastener positioned substantially at a first half of said length of material ; and a second fastener positioned substantially at a second half of said length of material, said first and said second fastener being secured to a first surface of said length of material ; wherein said length of material and said second fastener are configured to engage with said first fastener to allow said band to form a loop around said human body part
2. The band as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of said first fastener extends away from said first half of said length of material
3. The band as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said length of material comprises woven polyamide and spandex rubber.
4. The band as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion of said first fastener is substantially two thirds of a length of said first fastener.
5. The band as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said first fastener and said second fastener are VELCRO ; fasteners.

L,

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6. The band as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a length of said second fastener is substantially one third of said length of material
7. The band as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said item is a sportswear item.
8. The band as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said item is a sports accessory.
9. The band as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said length of material is configured to display a graphic.
10 The band as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: at least one flap extension, said flap extension being secured to said length of material.
11. The band as claimed in claim 10 wherein said at least one flap extension is releasably secured to said length of material.
12. The band as claimed in claims 10 or 11 wherein said at least one flap extension is configured to display a graphic.
13. The band as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said band is configurable to fit around an animal body.
14. An elasticated support band for holding up a sports sock on a human leg, said band being configurable to form an adjustably sized loop, said band comprising an elasticated length of material being extendible along said length;

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a first fastener positioned substantially at a first half of said length of matenal ; and a second fastener positioned substantially at a second half of said length of material, said first and said second fastener being secured to a first surface of said length of material ; wherein said length of material and said second fastener are configured to engage with said first fastener to allow said band to form a loop around said human leg.
15. The band as claimed in claim 14, wherein a portion of said first fastener extends away from said first half of said length of material.
16. The band as claimed in claims 14 or 15, wherein said length of material comprises woven polyamide and spandex rubber.
17. The band as claimed in claim 15 wherein said portion of said first fastener is substantially two thirds of a length of said first fastener
18. The band as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein said first (í^) fastener and said second fastener are VELCRO (fasteners. t
19. The band as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein a length of said second fastener is substantially one third of said length of material.
20. The band as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein said length of material is configured to display a graphic.

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21 The band as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20, further comprising: at least one flap extension, said flap extension being secured to said length of material.
22. The band as claimed in claim 21 wherein said at least one flap extension IS releasably secured to said length of material.
23. The band as claimed in claims 21 or 22 wherein said at least one flap extension is configured to display a graphic.
24. An elasticated support band for securing medical equipment to a human body part, said band being configurable to form an adjustably sized loop, said band comprising: an elasticated length of material being extendible along said length ; a first fastener positioned substantially at a first half of said length of material ; and a second fastener positioned substantially at a second half of said length of material, said first and said second fastener being secured to a first surface of said length of material, wherein said length of material and said second fastener are configured to engage with said first fastener to allow said band to form a loop around said human body part.
25. The band as claimed In claim 24, further comprising

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means to secure said medical equipment to said band; wherein said equipment is indirectly secured to said human body part.
26. The band as claimed in claims 24 or 25, wherein a portion of said first fastener extends away from said first half of said length of material.
27. The band as claimed in claim 26, wherein said length of material comprises woven polyamide and spandex rubber.
28 The band as claimed in claim 26 wherein said portion of said first fastener is substantially two thirds of a length of said first fastener.
29. The band as claimed in any one of daims 24 to 28, wherein said first T) fastener and said second fastener are VELCRO/fasteners.
30. The band as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 29 wherein a length of said second fastener is substantially one third of said length of material.
31. An elasticated support band configurable to form an adjustably sized loop, said band comprising: an elasticated length of material being extendible along said length ; a first fastener positioned substantially at a first half of said length of material ; and a second fastener positioned substantially at a second half of said length of matenal, said first and said second fastener being secured to a first surface of said length of material ;

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wherein said length of material and said second fastener are configured to engage with said first fastener to allow said band to form a loop.
32. The band as claimed in claim 31 wherein a portion of said first fastener extends away from said first half of said length of material.
33. The band as claimed in claims 31 or 32, wherein said length of material comprises woven polyamide and spandex rubber
34. The band as claimed in claim 32 wherein said portion of said first fastener is substantially two thirds of a length of said first fastener
35. The band as claimed in one of claims 31 to 34, wherein said first fT fastener and said second fastener are VELCRO ; fasteners
36. The band as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 35 wherein a length of said second fastener is substantially one third of said length of material.
37. The band as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 36 wherein said length of material is configured to display a graphic.
38 The band as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 37 wherein said band is configured for medical applications.
39. An elastic support band configured to form an adjustably sized loop as described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.