Braces having inelastic and elastic materials
Lower back braces and materials for braces having an elastic base and inelastic strands or tightening mechanism(s) are provided. An elastic base material could be made effectively inelastic by tightening an inelastic cord that extends across the elastic base material. Additionally or alternatively, an elastic base material could include one or more inelastic strands that define one or more inelastic compression zones in an otherwise elastic base.
1. A brace that provides support to a lower spine of a wearer, comprising:
a belt comprising first and second lateral panels;
wherein the first lateral panel comprises:
an elastic base having a first elasticity in a first direction; and
a first set of inelastic strands incorporated into a first portion of the elastic base along the first direction to define a first inelastic zone between a first elastic zone and a second elastic zone bordering opposite sides of the first inelastic zone; and
wherein the first lateral panel has a second elasticity in the first direction and along the first inelastic zone that is less than 50% of the first elasticity.
2. The brace of claim 1 , further comprising a mid-panel positioned between the first and second lateral panels, wherein the mid-panel, the first lateral panel and the second lateral panel comprise separate pieces that are coupled to one another to form the belt.
3. The brace of claim 1 , wherein the first portion extends across at least 50% of a length of the elastic base.
4. The brace of claim 1 , further comprising a mid-panel positioned between the first and second lateral panels, and a tightening system that extends across the mid-panel.
5. The brace of claim 1 , wherein a top edge of the first lateral panel has a third elasticity that is greater than the second elasticity.
6. The brace of claim 5 , wherein the first elasticity is substantially the same as the third elasticity.
7. The brace of claim 1 , wherein a height of the first inelastic zone is less than 10% of a height of the first lateral panel.
8. The brace of claim 1 , wherein the first lateral panel further comprises a second set of inelastic strands incorporated into a second portion of the elastic base along the first direction to define a second inelastic zone between the second elastic zone and a third elastic zone.
9. The brace of claim 8 , wherein the first set of inelastic strands and the second set of inelastic strands are separated by at least two inches.
10. The brace of claim 1 , wherein the second lateral panel comprises:
a second elastic base having a third elasticity in the first direction; and
a second set of inelastic strands incorporated into a first portion of the second elastic base in the first direction to define a second inelastic zone between a third elastic zone and a fourth elastic zone.
11. The brace of claim 10 , wherein the second lateral panel has a fourth elasticity in the first direction and along the second inelastic zone that is at least 50% less than the third elasticity.
12. The brace of claim 11 , wherein the first and second inelastic zones are horizontally aligned when the brace is worn.
13. The brace of claim 1 , wherein the elastic base is knitted.
14. The brace of claim 13 , wherein the elastic base comprises at least two distinct knit patterns.
15. A brace that provides support to a lower spine of a wearer, comprising:
a belt having a first end and a second end;
wherein the first end comprises a first fastener, and the second end comprises a second fastener; and
wherein the belt has a first belt elasticity in a first direction that is unequal to a second belt elasticity in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and wherein the belt comprises:
an elastic base having a first base elasticity in the first direction that is substantially the same as a second base elasticity in the second direction; and
a first set of inelastic strands incorporated into the elastic base along a first length in the first direction to define a first inelastic compression zone.
16. The brace of claim 15 , wherein the belt further comprises a second set of inelastic strands incorporated into the elastic base along a second length to define a second inelastic compression zone.
17. The brace of claim 16 , wherein the first set of inelastic strands incorporated into the elastic base has a first zigzag shape, wherein the second set of inelastic strands incorporated into the elastic base has a second zigzag shape different from the first zigzag shape, and wherein the elastic belt has a third belt elasticity along the second inelastic compression zone that is different from the first belt elasticity.
18. The brace of claim 15 , wherein the first direction is horizontal when the brace is worn.
19. The brace of claim 15 , wherein each strand of the set of inelastic strands incorporated into the elastic base has a length of at least 12.7 cm.
20. The brace of claim 15 , wherein each of a top edge and a bottom edge of the belt has a greater elasticity than the first belt elasticity.
21. The brace of claim 20 , wherein each of the top edge and the bottom edge has a height of at least 2.54 cm.
22. The brace of claim 15 , further comprising a tightening mechanism, wherein the tightening system includes a first inelastic cord that crosses a mid-portion of the brace at least two times.
23. The brace of claim 15 , wherein the belt comprises a continuous piece of material.
24. A brace that provides support to a lower spine of a wearer, comprising:
a belt having a mid portion positioned between a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion;
wherein the first lateral portion comprises:
a base having a first elasticity in a first direction;
a first set of inelastic strands incorporated into the base in the first direction and along a first portion of the base to define a first inelastic compression zone having a height of less than 2.54 cm, and a length of at least 12.7 cm; and
wherein the first portion of the first lateral portion has a first combined elasticity in the first direction that is at least 50% less than the first elasticity.
25. The brace of claim 24 , wherein a second set of inelastic strands is incorporated into the base along a second portion to define a second inelastic compression zone, and wherein the first and second inelastic compression zones are separated by at least one inch.
26. The brace of claim 24 , wherein the base is at least one of knit, woven, and braided.
27. The brace of claim 24 , wherein the first lateral portion further comprises a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein each of the top and bottom edges is at least 25% more elastic than the first combined elasticity.
28. The brace of claim 24 , wherein the belt comprises two or more pieces.
29. A material for a brace, comprising:
an elastic base having a first base elasticity in a first direction;
a first set of inelastic strands incorporated into the elastic base along the first direction and along a first portion of the elastic base to define a first zone of inelasticity;
wherein the first zone of inelasticity has a height no greater than 10% of a height of the elastic base;
wherein a first strand of the first set of inelastic strands has a thickness of less than 3 mm; and
wherein the material has a first combined elasticity in the first direction and along the first portion that is at least 25% less than the first base elasticity.
30. The material of claim 29 , further comprising a second set of inelastic strands incorporated into the elastic base in the first direction and along a second portion of the elastic base to define a second zone of inelasticity, wherein each of the first and second zones are at least 12.7 cm in length, and wherein the first and second sets of inelastic strands are spaced apart by between 5-15 cm.
31. The material of claim 29 , wherein the elastic base comprises at least 2 visually distinct knitting patterns.
32. A brace that provides support to a lower spine of a wearer, comprising:
a belt having a mid portion disposed between a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion; and
wherein at least one of the mid portion, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion comprises:
a first elastic base having a first elasticity in a first direction and a second elasticity in the second, substantially orthogonal direction;
a first inelastic strand incorporated into the first elastic base along a first length to define a first inelastic compression zone along the first direction; and
wherein the first inelastic compression zone has an elasticity that is at least 50% less than the first elasticity.