Abstract:
A support assembly for a portion of a user&#39;s body includes a pivotable frame with a top elongated member, a bottom elongated member, a first side member and a second side member, the top elongated member and bottom elongated members each having first and second ends that are pivotably connected to top and bottom ends of the first side member and the second side member, respectively. A support element is operatively connected to the pivotable frame and a tensioner mechanism is adapted to adjust an amount of force required to move the support element relative to the first side member. The tension member is disposed within one of the top and the bottom elongated member and exerts a tensile force parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the one of the top and the bottom elongated member.

Description:
CLAIMS OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/544,053, filed Oct. 6, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an arm support that can be adjusted to provide varying degrees of support. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Quite often, neurological and/or orthopedic patients exhibit poor to fair muscle strength in their upper torso, shoulders, arms, etc. As such, it is difficult to perform many functional tasks such as eating, drinking, grooming, grasping objects, etc. Additionally, these patients are often easily fatigued when performing the exercises required to strengthen the subject muscles. As such, it is known to provide devices that assist the patient by supporting a given amount of the weight of the patient&#39;s arm. 
         [0004]    Known arm rests and support devices often include complex tension mechanisms such as, but not limited to, slings, pistons, etc., which decrease the overall versatility of the devices. More specifically, these tension mechanisms are often difficult and time consuming to both set-up and adjust with regard to the amount of support being provided. As would be expected, not only are these complex mechanisms often expensive to manufacture and maintain, they can inhibit the patient&#39;s ability to quickly and easily select a desired amount of support when, for example, transitioning from using the support during exercise (less support desired) to using it to perform fine motor action movements (more support desired), or vice versa. 
         [0005]    Additionally, the tension mechanisms of existing arm supports are often mounted externally to a frame of the support. As such, the pistons, springs, pulleys, etc., are exposed. This can be both troublesome and dangerous in those instances where the patient may have intravenous therapy leads, heart monitor leads, etc., secured to the supported arm due to the increased risk of entanglement with the components of the tension mechanism. 
         [0006]    The present invention recognizes and addresses considerations of prior art constructions and methods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    One embodiment of a support assembly for supporting a portion of a user&#39;s body in accordance with the present disclosure includes a pivotable frame with a top elongated member, a bottom elongated member, a first side member and a second side member, the top elongated member and the bottom elongated members each having first and second ends that are pivotably connected to top and bottom ends of the first side member and the second side member, respectively. A support element is operatively connected to the pivotable frame and adapted to receive the portion of the user&#39;s body to be supported. A tensioner mechanism is adapted to selectively adjust an amount of force required to move the support element relative to the first side member. The tension member is disposed within one of the top and the bottom elongated members and exerts a tensile force parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the one of the top and the bottom elongated member. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment of a support assembly for supporting a portion of a user&#39;s body in accordance with the present disclosure includes a pivotable frame with a top elongated member, a bottom elongated member, a first side member and a second side member, the top elongated member and the bottom elongated members each having first and second ends that are pivotably connected to top and bottom ends of the first side member and the second side member, respectively. A support element is operatively connected to the pivotable frame and adapted to receive the portion of the user&#39;s body to be supported. A tensioner mechanism is adapted to selectively adjust an amount of force required to move the support element relative to the first side member, the tensioner mechanism including a tension member and an adjustment assembly configured to adjust an amount of force exerted on the tension member. The adjustment assembly is adapted to increase the amount of force applied to the tension member when rotated in a first direction and decrease the amount of force exerted on the tension member when rotated in an opposite second direction. 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile arm support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the mobile arm support shown in 
           [0013]      FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the mobile arm support shown in 
           [0015]      FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partial, cut-way view of the mobile arm support shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the mobile arm support shown in  FIG. 1 , with the arm support in a lowered position; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the mobile arm support shown in  FIG. 1 , with the arm support in a raised position. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation, not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , an embodiment of a mobile arm support  10  in accordance with the present disclosure includes a pivotable frame  20 , a support stand  40  and an arm support  60 . Pivotable frame  20  includes a top elongated member  22 , a bottom elongated member  24 , a first side member  26  and a second side member  28 . Each of top elongated member  22  and bottom elongated member  24  are pivotably mounted at their opposing ends to opposing ends of first side member  26  and second side member  28 . As such, pivotable frame  20  forms a parallelogram in which second side member  28  can be moved both up and down relative to first side member  26 , while at the same time remaining parallel to first side member  26 . 
         [0022]    Pivotable frame  20  is mounted to a vertical support  44  of support stand  40  by first side member  26  such that pivotable frame  20  is rotatable relative to support stand  40 . More specifically, as best seen in  FIG. 4 , first side member  26  is rotatably mounted to a support shaft  45  that is rotatably received in a bushing  47  disposed in an open top end of vertical support  44 . Preferably, bushing  47  is formed of a low friction material such as, but not limited to, nylon, hard plastic, etc. Additionally, upper and lower bearings  49   a  and  49   b  are provided between first side member  26  and support shaft  45  to facilitate rotation of pivotable frame  20  relative thereto. As shown in  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of support stand  40  includes a horizontal base  42 , from which vertical support  44  extends, with a plurality of wheels  46  to allow mobile arm support  10  to be positioned as required. Note, pivotable frame  20  can also be mounted to other articles, such as, but not limited to, a table top, a chair, a hospital bed, etc., provided the article includes a vertical support, as discussed above. 
         [0023]    As shown, bottom elongated member  24  is pivotally attached to first side member  26  by a pair of mounting plates  25 . Bottom elongated member  24  is affixed to mounting plates  25  by a plurality of threaded fasteners  27 , with mounting plates  25  being pivotably mounted to first side member  26  by a first horizontal shaft  13 , as best seen in  FIG. 4 . A second horizontal shaft  15  and a third horizontal shaft  17  are secured to mounting plates  25  and serve as supports for a first pulley  92  and a tension member  90 , respectively, as discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0024]    As best seen in  FIG. 2 , second side member  28  includes an outer collar  29  that is rotatably received about a shaft  31 , which is pivotably mounted at its opposing ends to top elongated member  22  and bottom elongated member  24 . Upper and lower bearings  33   a  and  33   b  are disposed between the upper and lower ends of outer collar  29 , respectively, and shaft  31  to facilitate rotation of the collar relative to the shaft. Alternatively, upper and lower bushings constructed of a low friction material, such as, but not limited to, nylon, hard plastics, etc., may be used in place of the bearings. 
         [0025]    As best seen in  FIG. 1 , arm support  60  includes a horizontal member  62 , a first vertical member  64  and a cradle  66 . Horizontal member  62  is mounted to second side member  28  of pivotable frame  20  at a first end and includes first vertical member  64  rotatably mounted at its second end. More specifically, as best seen in  FIG. 4 , the first end of horizontal member  62  is mounted to collar  29  of second side member  28  at its first end. Cradle  66  is rotatably mounted to first vertical member  64 . In the embodiment shown, cradle  66  includes a frame and padding that are conformed to receive the underside of a user&#39;s forearm. Alternate embodiments include various configurations for cradle  66 . Cradle  66  can be malleable so it can be shaped to the user&#39;s forearm. It may also include straps, such as hook and loop type straps, attached to the cradle for securing the user&#39;s arm to the support. Referring additionally to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , arm support  60  can be secured in a stowed position by, in the preferred embodiment shown, a C-clip  87  that is mounted to first side member  26 . The opposed arms of C-clip  87  are urged outwardly by the outer surface of horizontal member  62  so it is received therebetween and retained thereby. Other embodiments may include magnets, hook and look-type fasteners, etc., to retain arm support  60  in the stowed position. 
         [0026]    As best seen in  FIG. 3 , mobile arm support  10  further includes a tensioner mechanism  80 . Tensioner mechanism  80  includes a threaded shaft  82 , an adjustment handle  84 , a carrier  86 , a cable  88  and a tension member  90 . Threaded shaft  82  is rotatably received within first side member  26  of pivotable frame  20  and adjustment handle  84  is connected to its top end such that adjustment handle  84  may be used to rotate threaded shaft  82 . Carrier  86  is free to travel along the length of threaded shaft  82  as adjustment handle  84  is rotated in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. Carrier  86  includes a pointer  86   a  that moves along a graduated scale  89  provided on first side member  26 . Pointer  86   a  and scale  89  allow a user to readily determine the amount of support being provided while adjusting the tension mechanism. A first end  88   a  of cable  88  is secured to carrier  86  and a second end  88   b  of cable  88  is secured to coil spring  90  which, in turn, is secured to mounting plates  25  of bottom elongated member  24  by third horizontal shaft  17 . In the preferred embodiment shown, tension member  90  comprises a coil spring. Note, however, alternate embodiments may include elastic bands, or other similar elements, to provide the desired amount of tension. 
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment shown, a first pulley  92  and a second pulley  94  are used to direct the travel of cable  88  between carrier  86  and coil spring  90 . As previously noted, first pulley  92  is rotatably supported on second support shaft  15 , which is supported by mounting plates  25 . Second pulley  94  is rotatably supported by a frame  95  at the opposite end of bottom elongated member  24 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , frame  95  is slidably positioned in bottom elongated member  24  by an adjustment assembly  97 . Adjustment assembly  97  includes a threaded bolt  98  and correspondingly threaded nut  99 . A head  98   a  of threaded bolt  98  is affixed to frame  95  and a threaded stem  98   b  passes through an aperture in the second end of bottom elongated member  24 . Threaded nut  99  is received on threaded stem  98   b  so that rotation of threaded nut  99  causes bolt  98  and, therefore, frame  95  to move longitudinally along the center axis of bottom elongated member  24 . Movement of second pulley  94  toward the second end of bottom elongated member  24  increases tension exerted on cable  88 , whereas motion toward the first end of bottom elongated member  24  reduces tension exerted on cable  88 . 
         [0028]    Cable  88  is received in an annular groove  92   a  of first pulley  92  so that cable  88  enters bottom elongated member  24 . Cable  88  extends almost the entire length of bottom elongated member  24  toward its second end and is redirected back toward the first end of bottom elongated member  24  by second pulley  94 , where it is secured to an end of coil spring  90 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , this construction offers the advantage that the entire coil spring  90 , and practically the entire cable  88 , are housed within bottom elongated member  24 . 
         [0029]    Rotation of handle  84  in a first direction (as shown, clockwise (CW) when viewed from above) causes carrier  86  to travel upwardly along threaded shaft  82 , thereby increasing the amount of force exerted on coil spring  90  by cable  88 . As such, pivotable frame  20  is able to support a greater amount of weight in cradle  66  of arm support  60  prior to second side member  28 , and therefore arm support  60 , moving downwardly. As such, increased effort on the user&#39;s part is required to move their arm downwardly. Conversely, rotation of handle  84  in an opposite direction (as shown, counter-clockwise (CCW) when viewed from above) causes carrier  86  to move downwardly along threaded shaft  82 , thereby releasing the amount of force exerted on coil spring  90  by cable  88 . As such, second side member  28  of pivotable frame  20 , and therefore arm support  60 , is able to move downwardly although reduced amounts of weight are being supported in cradle  66  of arm support  60 .  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show arm support  60  in its lowered and raised positions, respectively, with support being provided to the user&#39;s arm across the entire range of motion. 
         [0030]    While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.