Integrated garment and configurable body support system

Abstract

A jacket or anorak suitable for day-to-day use is integrated with a selectively deployable configurable body support system. A support section comprising resilient, substantially parallel transverse members extends across a back area of the jacket perpendicular to an axis substantially parallel to a spine of the user. The transverse members are non-inflatable, inflatable with a portable pump, or self-inflatable. Removable flexible rods extend axially along opposite transverse sides of the support section. The flexible rods are each a lamellar structure operable to provide a first or a second degree of stiffness. The support section is removably secured within the garment. Leg support sections are stored in front sections of the jacket or anorak. The leg sections are removable and may be releasably secured to a lower end of the back support section, with the back support section and leg support sections being supported to a substrate.

1 . A combined garment and body support system comprising:
 a garment comprising at least a vest;   a back section fixed to said vest, said back section comprising a first set of transverse members axially distributed along an axis designed to be substantially in registration with a spine of a user wearing said garment;   a first leg section comprising a second set of transverse members and a second leg section comprising a third set of transverse members, each leg section comprising fastening means for releasably securing to said back section;   a transversely disposed lamellar structure; and   axially disposed passages formed in said back section for releasably containing flexible rod-like structures.   
     
     
         2 . A combined garment and body support system according to  claim 1  wherein said garment comprises a jacket having a shell and said back section is disposed inside of the shell. 
     
     
         3 . A combined garment and body support system according to  claim 2  further comprising a substrate to which said back section is fixed. 
     
     
         4 . A combined garment and body support system according to  claim 2  further comprising a lamellar rod disposed in each said axially disposed passage. 
     
     
         5 . A combined garment and body support system according to  claim 4  each said lamellar rod comprises a lamella having stiffness as a function of a degree to which the lamella is twisted. 
     
     
         6 . A combined garment and body support system according to  claim 3  wherein said substrate further comprises areas for receiving said first leg section and said second leg section and comprising fasteners for releasably securing said first leg section and said second leg section to said substrate. 
     
     
         7 . A combined garment and body support system according to  claim 6  wherein said garment comprises first and second front areas, said first and second each comprising a component for storing said first leg section and said second leg section respectively. 
     
     
         8 . A combined garment and body support system according to  claim 7  wherein said first front area and said second front area each comprises a compartment for containing said first front section and said second front section respectively. 
     
     
         9 . A combined garment and body support system according to  claim 7  wherein said first front area and said second front area each comprises a fastener releasably securing said first front section and said second front section respectively. 
     
     
         10 . A combined garment and body support system according to  claim 9  wherein each said fastener comprises at least one hook and mesh fastener. 
     
     
         11 . A combined garment and body support system according to  claim 10  wherein said transverse members comprise inflatable compartments. 
     
     
         12 . A garment comprising:
 a jacket comprising a body and sleeves, the body comprising a back area, a left side front area, a right side front area and a releasable securing closure mechanism for enabling a user to close the jacket;   a back section comprising resilient transversely disposed support members, and a left side leg section and a right side leg section each comprising resilient transversely disposed support members; and   a substrate for supporting said back section, said left side leg section, and said right side leg section.   
     
     
         13 . A garment according to  claim 12  wherein said transverse members are formed in fluid communication. 
     
     
         14 . A garment according to  claim 13  wherein said garment further comprises an inflation device. 
     
     
         15 . A garment according to  claim 12  wherein said transverse members are self-inflating. 
     
     
         16 . A garment according to  claim 12  further comprising axially disposed passages at opposite transverse sides of said back section, said left side leg section, and said right side leg section, each said passage being dimensioned for receiving a flexible rod. 
     
     
         17 . A method for operating a combined garment and body support system comprising:
 providing a garment comprising at least a vest;   providing a back section fixed to said vest, said back section comprising a first set of transverse members axially distributed along an axis designed to be substantially in registration with a spine of a user wearing said garment;   providing a first leg section comprising a second set of transverse members and a second leg section comprising a third set of transverse members, each leg section comprising fastening means for releasably securing to engage with said back section and selecting none, one, or both of said first leg section and said second leg section to said back section;   supporting each said section to an interior of the garment;   placing a lamellar structure in the form of a flexible rod at opposite transverse ends of each engaged section; and   operating on each said lamellar structure to very stiffness of said lamellar structure.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the step of operating on said lamellar structure comprises twisting said lamellar structure. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18  further providing a lamellar structure transversely disposed in said back section and operating on said transversely disposed lamellar structure in order to vary its stiffness. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19  wherein the step of operating on said transversely disposed lamellar structure in order to vary its stiffness comprises pulling on the lamella structures to very thickness and disposing members inside a flexible housing to impede flexing of said lamellar structure.