Method and Apparatus for Enhanced Ergonomic Bowel Movement Posture

Abstract

A method and apparatus for enhanced ergonomic bowel-movement posture are presented. The objective of the method and apparatus is to prevent injury to due to incorrect posture during a bowel movement. One aspect of the invention comprises a garment for use during a bowel movement comprising ergonomic enhancements such as a rigid spine, and convenience and hygienic enhancements such as dispensers for such liquid, aerosol, and/or paper products as are commonly required during a bowel movement. The method and apparatus enable more efficient and hygienic bowel movements, thereby avoiding health risks associated with known bowel movement methods.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fabric garment;   a spine;   a closing mechanism; and   a non-permeable pouch capable of storing a fluid or gel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fabric garment is a vest. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the spine is positioned longitudinally along the rear of the fabric garment. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the closing mechanism is a zipper. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the closing mechanism is at least one snap. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the closing mechanism is Velcro. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the closing mechanism is at least one deployment buckle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one fluid dispenser. 
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one powder dispenser. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one sanitary cloth dispenser. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fabric garment includes one or more weight pockets. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising:
 weight inserts in the pockets. 
 
     
     
         13 . A method for enhancing bowel-movement posture comprising:
 providing a fabric garment comprising:
 a spine positioned vertically in the rear of the fabric garment; and 
 a closing mechanism; and 
   supporting a vertebral column of a user wearing the fabric garment.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 dispensing a fluid from a fluid dispenser included in said fabric garment in response to a user-indicated desire to dispense fluid. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 dispensing a sanitary cloth from a sanitary cloth dispenser in said fabric garment in response to a user-indicated desire to dispense a sanitary cloth. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 dispensing a powder from a powder dispenser in said fabric garment in response to a user-indicated desire to dispense a powder. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 exercising at least the quadriceps of a user, wherein said exercising comprises providing weight in excess of the vest inserted into at least one pocket of said fabric garment which the user is required to lift when transitioning from a squat position to an upright position.