Integrated back support and knee protection apron

Abstract

An integrated back support and knee protection apron configurable for individual users and multiple applications is described. The integrated knee support and knee protection apron combines external support of the lumbar spine giving some measure of protection against back injury from bending, stooping, and lifting with a knee protector system which allows for use of interchangeable knee pads to suit any variety of applications. These features are all contained within a single, unitary garment which is adjustable to fit users of varying sizes by way of separate adjustment systems for the back support elements and the knee protector elements of the device. Additional elements of the device include interchangeable knee pads, interchangeable thigh pads, and a three-tiered adjustment system for a back support belt component of the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated protection apron comprising:
 a unitary garment, wherein the unitary garment comprises further comprising
 an outer surface; 
 an inner surface; 
 a back support belt; and 
 a first adjustment means; and 
   a knee protector coupled to the unitary garment.   
     
     
         2 . The protection apron of  claim 1 , wherein the first adjustment means further comprises:
 a rear support strap coupled to the unitary garment;   a waist coupling means coupled to the unitary garment; and   a side support strap coupled to the unitary garment, wherein the waist coupling means and the side support strap in a closed position at least partially covers the waist coupling means under a condition of the protection apron worn with the waist coupling means and the side support strap closed, the side support strap at least partially covers the waist coupling means.   
     
     
         3 . The protection apron of  claim 1 , further comprising a second adjustment means coupled to the unitary garment. 
     
     
         4 . The protection apron of  claim 3 , wherein the second adjustment means comprises a thigh attachment coupled to the unitary garment. 
     
     
         5 . The protection apron of  claim 3 , wherein the second adjustment means comprises a leg attachment coupled to the unitary garment. 
     
     
         6 . The protection apron of  claim 3 , wherein the second adjustment means comprises a thigh attachment and a leg attachment coupled to the unitary garment. 
     
     
         7 . The protection apron of  claim 1 , wherein the back support belt further comprises an elastomeric fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The protection apron of  claim 1 , further comprising a thigh pad reversibly coupled to the outer surface. 
     
     
         9 . The protection apron of  claim 1 , further comprising a knee pad reversibly coupled to the outer surface. 
     
     
         10 . The protection apron of  claim 1 , wherein the first adjustment means comprises a hook-and-loop attachment means. 
     
     
         11 . The protection apron of  claim 1 , wherein the knee protector further comprises a knee protector pocket coupled to the unitary garment; and a knee pad removably coupled to the knee protector pocket. 
     
     
         12 . The protection apron of  claim 11 , wherein the knee pad further comprises a cutout. 
     
     
         13 . The knee protector of  claim 11 , wherein the knee protector is coupled to the outer surface of the unitary garment. 
     
     
         14 . An integrated back support and knee protection apron comprising:
 a unitary garment comprising
 a knee protector pocket; 
 a back support belt; 
 a first adjustment means comprising a rear support strap coupled to the unitary garment;
 a waist coupling means coupled to the unitary garment; and 
 a side support strap coupled to the unitary garment, wherein under a condition of the protection apron worn with the waist coupling means coupled at a first attachment point and the side support strap coupled at a second attachment point, the side support strap at least partially covers the waist coupling means; 
 
   a knee protector, wherein the knee protector pocket receives the knee protector; and   a second adjustment means coupled to the unitary garment wherein the second adjustment means positions the knee protector over the knees of a user.   
     
     
         15 . The protection apron of  claim 11 , wherein the knee protector pocket is coupled to the outer surface. 
     
     
         16 . The protection apron of  claim 11 , wherein the knee protector pocket is coupled to the inner surface. 
     
     
         17 . The protection apron of  claim 11 , further comprising a thigh pad. 
     
     
         18 . The protection apron of  claim 11 , further comprising a knee patch. 
     
     
         19 . The protection apron of  claim 11 , further comprising a thigh pad and a knee patch. 
     
     
         20 . A method of forming an integrated back support and knee protection apron comprising the steps of:
 cutting a unitary fabric;   attaching an adjustment means to the unitary fabric; and   coupling a knee protector attachment means to the unitary fabric.