Back Brace

Abstract

A back brace includes an inner frame member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a plurality of recesses formed in the interior surface, and a clamshell shape configured to wrap around a portion of a torso of a user. Each of a plurality of inserts is positioned in one of the recesses. An inflatable bladder is positioned on the exterior surface of the inner frame member, and an exterior shell member is wrapped about the bladder and the inner frame member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A back brace comprising:
 an inner frame member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a plurality of recesses formed in the interior surface, and a clamshell shape configured to wrap around a back, sides, and a portion of a front of a torso of a user;   a plurality of inserts, each insert positioned in one of the recesses;   an inflatable bladder positioned on the exterior surface of the inner frame member;   an inflation valve mounted to the bladder, the inflation valve including a check valve operably connected to the bladder;   a pressure adjustment assembly mounted to the bladder, spaced from the inflation valve, and configured to allow deflation of the bladder and to control a pressure of the bladder, and   an exterior shell member wrapped about the bladder and the inner frame member.   
     
     
         2 . The back brace of  claim 1 , wherein the inflation valve comprises:
 a housing having an aperture extending therethrough;   a shoulder extending inwardly from the aperture; and   a disc seated against the shoulder at an innermost end of the aperture and movable toward an interior of the bladder.   
     
     
         3 . The back brace of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure adjustment assembly comprises: a housing having a housing central aperture;
 a control member seated on the housing and having a control central aperture, a plurality of recesses in its top surface in fluid communication with the control central aperture, a plunger extending through the control central aperture, and a threaded projection that extends through housing central aperture;   a compression plate positioned beneath the housing and having a threaded central aperture, the threaded projection threadingly engaging the threaded central aperture;   a control spring captured between the compression plate and the housing;   a plunger base positioned beneath the control spring and having a base central aperture, the plunger extending through the base central aperture; and   a locking pin engaged with the plunger base plate and an end of the plunger to prevent retraction of the end of the plunger upwardly beyond the plunger base plate.