Story Behind the Invention
Braces, bandages, andother similar medical aids are worn by just about everyone at sometime in their life. While the comfort, rehabilitation, and painrelief they bring is real, they are not known for being a fashionitem or even aesthetically pleasing to look at. In fact, most peoplelook at such medical devices as a detractive factor in that itaffects ones appearance, ones emotional state, and even howothers view them. As such, many people who should be wearing suchaids refuse to in order to avoid these negative feelings. Thisobviously affects their health and may cause current injuries topersist. In some cases, the lack of use of braces and bandages canhave a permanent negative affect on ones health.
Through similarexperiences in a very warm climate, inventor TheresaZipf of Kihei, HI, has developed a clever innovation thatprovides an attractive alternative to the boredom of conventionalmedical braces and bandages, which help a user feel better about himor her self.
The DecorativeAthletic and Injury Braces is a line of medical braces andbandages with an exterior decorative design. The invention wouldutilize many of the same components as used with the conventionalmedical aids, but would be provided with a decorative exteriorsurface. While the exact configuration of the exterior surface isalmost unlimited, it is envisioned that various themes would beprovided. Such themes include the use of blocks or rattles for useby infants, toy cars or dolls for use by younger children, sportsitems for older children, and simple geometric shapes or patterns foradults. Other themes such as hearts, flames, corporate logos, sportteams, and the like could also be utilized. Such graphicalrepresentations are envisioned to reduce the embarrassment andself-conscious feeling associated with the wearing of a bandage andbrace. It would do this by focusing the attention of a passerby onthe uniqueness of the exterior design rather that the injury ordisability itself. The invention provides an attractive alternativeto the conventional sterile boredom of conventional braces andbandages, and thus helps a user feel better about him or her self.
