| Device for protecting of the hips -> Monitor Keywords |
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Device for protecting of the hipsRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Guard Or Protector, Side Impact Torso ProtectorDevice for protecting of the hips description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070067895, Device for protecting of the hips. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a device for protection of the hips of the human body comprising a belt part arranged to surround the human body at least in the area of the hip, which at least is partly made of an elastic material having a inner surface and an outer surface, and hip protection means. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Protection of the hips has become increasingly important due to the fact that the number of hip fractures as a consequence of falling has increased over the years. Osteoporosis is believed to be one of the main reasons for hip fractures. Even though osteoporosis and hip fractures may occur in the entire population, the hip fractures are most common in the elderly part of the population, where osteoporosis is also most common. [0003] The instant injury, permanent injury and posteffects caused by the hip fractures are also seen to be more serious for the elderly population due to the fact that the strength and elasticity of the bones decrease throughout the years as a result of a reduction of the mineral density of the bone and weakening of the bone structure. [0004] Furthermore, the flexibility and mobility of persons suffering from osteoporosis are decreased. In addition, this risk group of persons is often advised to exercise in order to strengthen the musculature as well as improve their balance and thereby minimise the risk of falling, whereby the risk of hip fractures is likewise minimised. Therefore, during exercise they need protection of especially the hip, so they do not fear falling during the exercise and therefore refrain from doing it or even injure the hip by falling during the activity. [0005] Another risk group for hip fractures are persons who attend rehabilitation after e.g. an operation, being confined to a bed for a long time or a period limited mobility because of any kind of psychical damages. This group lacks the ability of moving on their own and therefore may be exposed to falls during the exercises in the rehabilitation center. [0006] A Danish group of researchers has proven that hip protector means with energy dispersing materials protecting the greater trochanter decreases the number of hip fractures compared to persons with no hip protection by up to 53%. By the diversion of the impact to the surrounding area, the released energy is transferred to the soft tissue and muscles surrounding the greater trochanter and subsequently transferred further on to the femoral bone. ["Effect of the external hip protectors on hip fractures", J. B. Lauritzen, et al, The Lancet Vol 341, Jan. 2, 1993]. Energy dispersing hip protector means for protection of the greater trochanter are for instance known from WO 95/19154. [0007] The most common method to fixate the hip protector means is to incorporate the hip protector means in underpants. By fixation of the hip protector means in underpants it is ensured that the protector means are centred over the greater trochanter when the pants are positioned correctly. Such a garment with hip protector means, which is known from for instance U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,809 and WO 96/20615, can be difficult for persons of the above mentioned risk groups to put on and take off during changing of clothes, while going to the toilet or other similar activities. [0008] A different way of fixing the hip protector means is by sticking the hip protector means directly to the skin over the greater trochanter, a so-called self-sitting protection. The protectors can be difficult to put on, so that the protectors are placed correctly over the greater trochanter and so that they will not fall off during an activity were moisture is generated between the skin and the protectors. [0009] Neither the underpants with hip protectors nor the self-sitting protection are suitable to use in rehabilitation centres. Both protections are difficult to put on and take off due to the fact that undressing is needed in both incidents. Furthermore, because both protections are worn directly on the skin at great number of protections as well as washing procedures are needed for hygiene considerations. [0010] Additionally, some users prefer to wear their own underwear and others dislike the feeling of something being glued to or adhering to their skin. [0011] By wearing underpants having protection means or self-sitting protectors an increase of the proportions of the hip is obtained. Due to the fact that this protection is worn beneath clothes and the proportion of the hips is increased, the wearer often feels less attractive, wherefore some persons refrain from wearing the hip protection during public activities. In some cases, the person's clothes will no longer fit, when a person begins to wear hip protectors beneath the clothes. [0012] Additionally, when wearing the above mentioned protection during an activity heat is confined between the body and the protection, and both kinds of protection are worn beneath some clothing and therefore not easily detached for temporary cooling. This unpleasant heat generated during the activity may refrain persons from wearing the underpants with protector means or self-sitting hip protector means. [0013] Also in some of the mentioned research studies, compliance has been an issue to some of the participants. Some participants have not wished to wear the protector means for different reasons, and the same has been the case in the daily life, with some of the potential users in the risk groups, who have decided not at all to use, or no longer to use hip protector means. [0014] Some potential users do not consider themselves being so much at risk that they are willing to wear hip protectors all the time. There is thus a need for hip protectors that they can put on easily when they feel particular at risk, i.e. during exercise, while cleaning, while walking the dog, during other physical activity, at night when going to the bathroom, in the winter when it can be slippery, etc. and take of as easily afterwards. [0015] For these and other reasons many persons in the risk groups mentioned are choosing not to wear hip protector means of the known types, even though they are statistically exposed to hip fractures from falling. As an example of this, in the research referred to above, the persons who fractured their hips during the trial period for different reasons did not wear the underpants with hip protector means and therefore-were not protected, when they fell and fractured their hip. [0016] In general whenever a person of the risk groups mentioned above is active, there is a need for a hip protection, which protects the human body of the wearer sufficiently in the case of e.g. falling. Furthermore, a need for the protection to be easily attached before an activity and detached after the end of the activity without limiting the wearer during the activity, and which will give the human body the same protection as the pants with protection means, so that more persons will protect themselves when they are most exposed. [0017] There is thus a need for a protection of the hip during an activity of the human body, which is easily attached before and detached after the activity. [0018] Furthermore, there is a need for a protection, which can transport the heat out from the human body produced during such activity. [0019] Additionally, there is a need for a protection, which can be worn during the nightly visit to the toilet, e.g. put on before leaving the bedside and taken off when back in the bed again, so that no removal of tight fitting underpants and therefore the risk of falling during the undressing of the underwear is reduced and the hips can be protected, even during the toilet visit. [0020] There is also a need to offer a hip protector that is aesthetically pleasing, comfortable to wear and suitable to use during activity, that may be worn on top of normal clothes. This could contribute to convincing people in the risk groups that it is acceptable to wear hip protectors and to show them. [0021] Finally, there is a need for a hip protection that is suitable for use in rehabilitation situations, which is easy to put on, easy to adjust in size, and can be worn by different patients without hygiene issues. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Continue reading about Device for protecting of the hips... Full patent description for Device for protecting of the hips Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Device for protecting of the hips patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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