Patent ID: 6533741
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An articulated upper limb splint comprising:(a) a frame having a proximal limb support section and a distal limb support section; and (b) a connector interconnecting confronting ends of said proximal limb support section and said distal limb support section, (c) said connector comprising: (1) a proximal support section rotatable support secured at one end to the proximal end of said proximal limb support section for releasably securing said proximal limb support section in an adjusted lateral position, (2) a distal support section rotatable support releasably secured at one end to the proximal end of said distal limb support section for releasably securing said distal limb support section in an adjusted lateral position, and (3) means interconnecting said proximal support section rotatable support and said distal support section rotatable support for releasably securing said proximal limb support section and said distal limb support section, respectively, in an adjusted up and down movement, wherein said means comprises an intermediate rotatable support, a first bridging member interconnecting said intermediate rotatable support and said proximal support section rotatable support, and a second bridging member interconnecting said intermediate rotatable support and said distal support section rotatable support, said intermediate rotatable support releasably securing said proximal limb support section and said distal limb support section, respectively, in adjusted up and down positions, wherein said proximal support section rotatable support includes a first threaded shaft, and wherein said distal support section rotatable support includes a second threaded shaft, and wherein said intermediate rotatable support includes a third threaded shaft, said first bridging member being formed with annular ends with the axes of the annular ends being spaced ninety degrees apart, said second bridging member being formed with annular ends with the axes thereof being spaced ninety degrees apart, said first threaded shaft being received by one annular end of said first bridging member, said third threaded shaft being received by the other annular end of said first bridging member, said second threaded shaft being received by one annular end of said second bridging member, and said third threaded shaft being received by the other annular end of said second bridging member, wherein said third threaded shaft is rotated in one direction enabling said annular ends of said first and third bridging members received by said third threaded shaft to be rotated freely about the axis of said third threaded shaft for adjustably positioning said proximal support section and said distal support section, respectively, in the up and down position, said third threaded shaft being rotated in an opposite direction for releasably securing said proximal support section and said distal support section in their respective adjusted up and down positions, (4) a first internally threaded first disk for receiving said first threaded shaft in threaded engagement, and a second internally threaded disk for receiving said second threaded shaft in threaded engagement, said first shaft being rotated in one direction to enable said first disk to be rotated for adjustably positioning said proximal support section laterally, said second threaded shaft being rotated in one direction to enable said second disk to be rotated for adjustably positioning said distal support section laterally, said first shaft being rotated in an opposite direction for releasably securing the proximal support section in the adjusted position, said second shaft being rotated in an opposite direction for releasably securing the distal support section in the adjusted position, (5) a first rigid rod secured to said first internally threaded disk for supporting said proximal limb support section and a second rigid rod secured to said second internally threaded disk for supporting said distal limb support section, a first rigid tube for telescopically receiving said first rigid rod for adjusting the length of said proximal limb support section, a second rigid tube for telescopically receiving said second rigid rod for adjusting the length of said distal limb support section, a first locking device for releasably securing said first rigid rod to said first rigid tube for maintaining the adjusted length of said proximal limb support section, and a second locking device for releasably securing said second rigid rod to said second rigid tube for maintaining the adjusted length of said distal limb support section.