Abstract:
A splint for immobilizing a joint including at least one flat body that has two contact surfaces for limbs adjoining the joint to be immobilized and a supporting member in an outer contour having an angular structure for adjusting and bracing an angle between the contact surfaces for the limbs, wherein at least two surfaces are non-displaceably joined together to create a double-walled structure, and wherein a joint axis of the joint to be immobilized forms an angle of less than 60° with a normal of the non-displaceably joined surfaces.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to PCT/EP2011/000241 filed Jan. 21, 2011, which claims priority to DE 10 2010 001 583.0 filed Feb. 2, 2010, the entirety of both of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a splint for immobilization of a joint, which is to be worn on the joint to be immobilized, wherein the splint comprises at least one flat body that has at least two contact surfaces for limbs adjoining the joint to be immobilized, wherein a supporting member is provided, which in its outer contour has an angle structure for adjusting and bracing an angle between the contact surfaces for the limbs. 
     When the muscles of the human body are strained, injuries repeatedly occur in daily life, at work, and during recreation, which make it necessary to immobilize them with inclusion of one or more joints, in order to ensure complication-free healing. 
     Injuries to the bones, tendons, muscles, nerves or blood vessels often involve considerable pain. This is true especially for fractured bones and soft tissue injuries. Symptoms of this are pain upon movement, exertion, pressure or extension, as well as bleeding. Especially common are injuries in recreational sports and athletics, as well as in daily life. Many of the injuries and pain conditions occurring in these areas necessitate the provision of a splint. 
     For minor injuries and sprains, in addition to immobilization it is also customary to apply cold and elevate the affected body part. Furthermore, immobilizing tape dressings, ointment dressings, and zinc paste dressings, as well as physical therapy, braces and bandages are used. 
     Splint dressings are used exclusively for serious injuries or pain conditions. The affected body part with the inclusion of one or more joints is immobilized by use of a splint or ready-to-wear brace in this case. Splints made from materials such as natural plaster, thermoplastics, fiberglass or polyester, as well as ready-to-wear braces made of plastic or aluminum are usually employed for this. 
     Ready-to-wear braces and custom-made splints differ in that the immobilization of one or more joints after applying a custom-made splint requires fixation with a bandage. Ready-to-wear braces, on the other hand, are provided with hook-and-eye closure systems that perform the fixation. Due to the more costly manufacturing, ready-to-wear braces are used exclusively in long-term care situations, for cost factors. For short-term applications, splints are used that are prepared and individually adjusted by the physician himself. 
     Splint care is time-consuming and cost-intensive, since individual preparation and adjustment is necessary. Due to the heavy weight of the material with sharp edges caused by the processing method, such splints are often uncomfortable to wear. The applying and preparing of such splint dressings, such as the shaping of the plaster into the medically desired splint with no sharp edges, requires special skills and knowledge, which requires special education and training. 
     With such known splint systems it is not possible to quickly apply a splint at the scene of an injury just suffered, so that the affected joint or body part can be immobilized to prevent further worsening of the injury in the near future. Nor can such splints be used when injuries affecting the skin are to be treated, since traditional splint systems cannot be removed flexibly and then put back in place again. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The problem of the invention is to provide splints for immobilization of a joint, which are to be worn on the joint to be immobilized, with which immediate care can be provided on an injury for the immobilization of a joint, at the same time affording better wearing comfort, being more cheap to produce and package, and having increased stability. 
     This problem is solved by a splint for immobilization of a joint, which is to be worn on the joint to be immobilized, wherein the splint comprises at least one flat body, the splint having at least two contact surfaces for limbs adjoining the joint to be immobilized, wherein a supporting member is provided, which in particular in an outer contour has an angle structure for adjusting and bracing an angle between the contact surfaces for the limbs, said splint being further modified in that at least two surfaces arranged in the assembled state of the splint on the sides of the contact surfaces facing away from the limbs are provided, being immovably joined together to form a double-wall or multiple-wall structure at least in some sections, while a joint axis of the joint to be immobilized or of an edge between the contact surfaces or an intersection of the extensions of at least two contact surfaces makes an angle of less than 60° with a normal of the immovably joined-together surfaces. Preferably, the supporting member serves to adjust and brace an angle between the contact surfaces for the limbs. 
     This problem is moreover solved by a splint for immobilization of a joint, which is to be worn on the joint to be immobilized, wherein the splint comprises at least one flat body that has at least two contact surfaces for limbs adjoining the joint to be immobilized, wherein a supporting member is provided, which in an outer contour has an angle structure for adjusting and bracing an angle between the contact surfaces for the limbs, said splint being further modified in that at least two surfaces arranged in the assembled state of the splint on the sides of the contact surfaces facing away from the limbs are provided, being immovably joined together to form a double-wall or multiple-wall structure at least in some sections, while a joint axis of the joint to be immobilized makes an angle of less than 60° with a normal of the immovably joined-together surfaces. 
     The immovable joining of several surfaces that protrude from the bottom of the contact surfaces has the effect, according to the invention, that the surfaces not only stabilize the contact surface more, but also stabilize each other. This means that the supporting member is protected, for example, against sideways folding away, which benefits the stability of the splint. By immovably joined is meant, according to the invention, that a displacement of the surfaces relative to one another is prevented both in the lengthwise direction of the splint and also perpendicular to the contact surfaces. A surface in the context of the invention is in particular a flat body that has an in particular predeterminable thickness. 
     In the context of the present invention, a “double-wall” or “multiple-wall” structure means that two or more surfaces are arranged parallel to one another with little or no spacing. This is illustrated by a case in which the supporting member is folded together from a flat body, resulting after the folding in an essentially rectangular cross section. The rectangular cross section of such a supporting member has two outer walls, only one of which, however, forms a double-wall or multiple-wall structure at least in some sections, according to the invention. 
     This double-wall or multiple-wall design of the side walls, i.e., the walls projecting downward from the receiving surfaces, means that such an essentially rectangular cross section cannot be transformed by a sideways force into a diamond-shaped cross section which would have a lesser supporting action. 
     The normal to a surface is a line which is perpendicular to the surface. The feature that a joint axis of the joint to be immobilized makes an angle of less than 60° with a normal of the immovably joined-together surfaces thus means in the context of the invention that the joint axis passes through the surfaces perpendicularly or at an angle of up to 60°, but does not lie in the surfaces. In this way, for the stabilization of the joint to be immobilized, the fact that the surfaces, especially in the assembled state, have good rigidity to shearing forces, i.e., against bending in the surface, even if they are not very rigid to bending which is directed perpendicular to the surface, is utilized. Preferably, the joint axis of the joint to be immobilized or an edge between the contact surfaces and the normal of the immovably joined-together surfaces make an angle of less than 45°, more preferably an angle of less than 30°, especially preferably an angle of less than 15°. Preferably, the normals of the immovably joined-together surfaces and the joint axis or the edge or the intersection are essentially parallel to each other. 
     It is preferable that two pairs of at least two surfaces are provided which are arranged in the assembled state of the splint on the side of the contact surfaces facing away from the limbs, said surfaces being immovably joined together to form a double-wall or multiple-wall structure at least in some sections and arranged symmetrically with respect to one another about a lengthwise axis of the splint. This yields a symmetrical triangular or trapezium shape, producing an especially good stability of the splint. 
     Supporting members of the invention can bridge a concave or a convex side of a splint or be arranged to the side of it. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the supporting member has a sheetlike material and is folded or can be folded into a three-dimensional form having an outer contour with an angle structure for configuring the contact surfaces of the flat body. Such a folded or foldable structure has a shape in cross section that provides a supporting action, with surfaces protruding from the bottom of the contact surfaces, i.e., side surfaces which according to the invention form a double-wall or multiple-wall structure at least in some sections. The basic shapes that are especially suitable for this are an equilateral triangle, a symmetrical trapezium, or a rectangular shape. 
     If at least one strap is arranged preferably in the flat body in the region of the contact surface for a forearm, which strap can be folded out and in the assembled state of the splint can be introduced or is introduced into at least one slit in the sheetlike material of the supporting member, a secure and immovable contact surface with the supporting member is achieved, along with a double-wall design of the surfaces projecting from the bottom of the contact surfaces in some sections. The strap surface leading downward from the contact surface to the slit in the surface of the supporting member is arranged parallel to one side surface and, as a result of the connection to the supporting member, immovably on the supporting member or the corresponding surface of the supporting member. This is an especially simple and stable design for a connection. Several straps can also be provided, said straps being able to engage on both sides of the supporting member. 
     In an alternative or additional embodiment, which is likewise preferred, the supporting member comprises several flat bodies arranged parallel to each other, and joined to each other. In this embodiment, a common supporting member is formed from several flat bodies, the flat bodies being oriented parallel to each other, for example, stacked on one another. The orienting of the flat bodies as a supporting member is such that the surfaces of which the supporting member is composed project downward from the contact surfaces for the forearm and for the palm of a hand. 
     In this embodiment of the invention, a quasi-solid supporting member is produced from several flat bodies, which is quick and easy to do with suitable prefabricated shapes. Preferably, the supporting member is or can be connected at an outer contour with an angle structure to a side or bottom of the flat body facing away from the limbs. In the context of the invention, the bottom of a flat body is defined as being the side of the flat body facing away from the limbs and from the joint to be immobilized. Preferably, also, several supporting members will be used, especially ones that are parallel to each other. These can be arranged at the side of the joint to be immobilized. 
     The connection of the flat bodies to each other and/or the connection of the supporting member to the flat body preferably comprises an adhesive, a rivet, a screw, a clamp, a strap or a hook-and-eye connection. By a strap connection is meant in this context for example the case where a bendable sheet element or insert element of a sheetlike strap of a flat body is pushed through a corresponding slit of another flat body and in this way fixing is accomplished, which can be loosened if necessary. By an adhesive connection in the context of the invention is also meant a glue connection. 
     The supporting member constructed from flat bodies that are joined together is preferably punched out, in particular at first the flat bodies are stacked and joined together and then the entire supporting member is punched out. Prepunched flat bodies can also be joined to form a supporting member according to the invention. Supporting members assembled in this manner, especially glued, produce lightweight and highly stable splints. 
     Preferably, supporting members with different angles for the joint to be immobilized are produced and/or kept in stock, so that the correct angle position for a joint can be used during their application. 
     A supporting member constructed from two or more layers can be applied to the splint as a block or divided, for example, with two smaller angles. This allows easier stacking during storage. 
     In a further modification of the invention, it is preferable that the supporting member in the folded state encloses a cavity extending along the splint, in which cavity a second supporting member is arranged or into which cavity a second supporting member can be introduced. The first supporting member, which is folded, and/or the second supporting member which can be introduced into the cavity or is arranged in it, have according to the invention a double-wall or multiple-wall structure, as already described above. Such a dual support structure with a foldable first supporting member and a quasi-solid or solid second supporting member ensures yet further increased stability of the support structure. 
     Preferably, the flat body or bodies consist of a high tensile strength material, especially cardboard or corrugated cardboard. These materials have tensile strength in their two-dimensional plane, but can be easily bent about fold lines. Other materials, such as plastics, which are more elastic in a direction perpendicular to their surface, can be bent even without fold lines. If the flat body or supporting member is made of corrugated cardboard, the interior ribs of the corrugated cardboard are preferably at least partly orthogonal to the bending of the flat body or supporting member or oriented at least partly parallel to the fold lines of the flat body and/or supporting member. Thus, the ribs are oriented at least partly along the spine of a bend of the flat body and support the stabilizing action of the bend. Corrugated cardboard is especially stable against bending in the direction of the ribs. 
     In a supporting member constructed from several interconnected layers of corrugated cardboard, the corrugations of the different layers of the corrugated cardboard are preferably oriented in parallel. To increase the tensile strength in different directions, it is furthermore advantageously provided for the corrugations of the different layers of the corrugated cardboard to be oriented in different directions, especially perpendicular to each other, especially in an alternating sequence of layers. 
     Preferably, the flat body and the supporting member consist of a single-piece flat body. In this way, all parts which can be assembled into a splint are available within easy reach. 
     The splints of the invention can be fastened to the joints to be immobilized or the adjacent body parts, for example, by wrapping with bandaging material or by lashing with belts or similar fixation means. 
     Splints according to the invention can be used on various joints, including the wrist, the elbow, the ankle or the knee. Small versions of splints are also possible and can be used on finger joints or toe joints. 
     Supporting members can be arranged according to the invention in the crook of a joint, i.e., the hollow of the knee, for example, on its outside, i.e., along a knee cap, or laterally outside, such as on either side of an elbow joint. Each of these versions affords advantages. Thus, supporting members arranged on either side of an elbow joint can protect the elbow head from shocks and breaks. A supporting member arranged on a knee cap exerts its supporting action close to the bone, while a supporting member arranged at the hollow of the knee engages with a smoother surface. 
     It may also happen that, as a result of further superficial injuries, a region of the joint or of the adjacent limbs is not available for support purposes. Thus, it is possible to adapt the arrangement and selection of the splint and of the supporting member to specific injury types and situations. 
     The problem is moreover solved by a splint for immobilization of a joint, which is to be worn on the joint to be immobilized, wherein the splint comprises at least one flat body, the splint having at least two contact surfaces for the limbs adjacent to the joint to be immobilized, wherein a supporting member is provided and is fashioned as a shaped body, whose angle between at least two surfaces of the shaped body that are connected to the sides facing away of the contact surfaces of the flat body dictate the angle between the contact surfaces. 
     Preferably, the shaped body is fashioned as a single piece. However, it can also be of two-piece or multiple-piece design. In the case when the shaped body is of two-piece or multiple-piece design, the individual pieces are preferably connectable, so that together they form a shaped body. Preferably, the shaped body has at least three surfaces, which are oriented toward the flat body and dictate at least two angles of the flat body. In this case, structures which are more complex in terms of their shape can also be provided. Preferably, the supporting member has in one outer contour an angle structure for adjusting and bracing an angle between the contact surfaces for the limbs. 
     Preferably, the shaped body is embodied in solid fashion, which enables quick and cheap fabrication. Preferably, the shaped body is fashioned from a single material. Preferably, the density of the shaped body lies in a range of 0.01 g/cm 3  to 3 g/cm 3 , especially up to 0.5 g/cm 3 . Accordingly, the shaped body is also preferably connected to the flat body or the flat bodies by an adhesive, riveting, screwing, clamping, strapping, or one or more hook-and-eye connections. By solid is also meant especially in the sense of the invention that several layers of cardboard or corrugated cardboard are joined together. 
     The shaped body can consist, for example, of balsa wood or a foam plastic, preferably a closed-pore foam plastic. Especially suitable for this are hard foams such as polyurethane hard foam, polyethylene hard foam, polycarbodiimide hard foam or similar materials. It is preferable for the compressive strength to be between 0.3 and 15 MPa. The compressive strength and/or the tensile strength of the shaped body or the supporting member should be such that a sufficient stability of the splint for the particular joint is made possible, such as the knee joint, the ankle, the elbow joint or the wrist. Thus, for example, there should be a lower compressive strength and tensile strength for the wrist and the elbow joint than for the ankle or the knee joint, since the load there will be less. It is possible for the skilled person to determine the compressive strength or the tensile strength by means of the particular loads occurring at the particular joint. 
     The shaped body, furthermore, can consist of a composite material, such as a composite material of a foam plastic with a metal, which can enclose the foam plastic at least in part. Suitable as the metal is aluminum or titanium, for example. The composite material is present preferably in a sandwich structure. The shaped body preferably also has two outer surfaces, whose normals make an angle of 60° with an axis of the joint or an edge between the contact surfaces of the flat body. 
     The invention will be described hereafter, without limiting the general notion of the invention, by means of exemplary embodiments making reference to the drawings; reference should be made to the drawings in respect of any features of the invention not explained more closely in the text. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic representation of a splint according to the invention in a two-dimensional view, 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic side view of the splint of  FIG. 1  in the assembled state, 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic rear view of the splint of  FIG. 1  in the assembled state, 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic side view of another splint according to the invention, 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic cross-sectional representation through a flat body according to the invention, 
         FIG. 6  shows schematic cross-sectional representations through other flat bodies according to the invention, 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic side view of another splint according to the invention, 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic rear view of the splint as per  FIG. 7 , 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic side view of a splint according to the invention for an elbow joint or ankle joint, 
         FIG. 10  shows a schematic top view of a flat body for a splint according to the invention for a knee joint, 
         FIG. 11  shows a schematic side view of a splint according to the invention as per  FIG. 10 , 
         FIG. 12  shows a schematic side view of another splint according to the invention for a knee joint, 
         FIG. 13  shows a schematic side view of another splint according to the invention for a knee joint, 
         FIG. 14  shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a splint according to the invention for an elbow joint or ankle joint in another configuration, and 
         FIG. 15  shows the embodiment as per  FIG. 14  in a schematic three-dimensional representation shown from a different direction. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following figures, the same or similar elements or corresponding parts are given the same reference numbers, so that they do not have to be introduced anew. 
       FIG. 1  shows a splint according to the invention in terms of a splint  1  for immobilization of a wrist, in a schematic two-dimensional representation, that is, in the unfolded state. The flat body  2  can be folded about the fold lines (shown in dashed fashion) to produce a splint for a wrist. The fold lines can be punched out or perforated. Solid lines in the flat body  2  represent slits, i.e., the adjacent flat elements or surfaces of the flat body  2  are not joined together at these sites. The slits can be directly punched out or initially perforated so as to be opened only when the splint is assembled. 
     The flat body  2  comprises a contact surface  3  for a forearm, which widens perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flat body  2 . This produces wings which can be folded upward about fold lines  20 ,  20 ′ in order to enclose a forearm. Next to the contact surface  3  for a forearm there is a contact surface  4  for the palm of a hand, which has sideways bendable contact surfaces  4 ′ for a thumb. This is a splint that can be used on both the right forearm and the left forearm; on either side of the contact surface  4  for the palm of a hand there are contact surfaces  4 ′ for a thumb. Next to the contact surface  4  for the palm of a hand there is a contact surface  5  for fingers. 
     The contact surfaces  3 ,  4  and  5  constitute the part of the splint  1  that is placed directly on the wrist to be immobilized and the adjacent body parts. The contact surfaces  3 ,  4  and  5  can each be folded about transverse folds  15  and  16  relative to each other. Thus, the angle structure can be adjusted so that a hand with its palm can be bent upward relative to the forearm. 
     This structure is adjoined on the other side of another transverse fold  14  by a flat structure for a supporting member  6 . The supporting member  6  consists of a sheetlike part of the flat body  2 , having a fold line structure which can be folded into an essentially rectangular body. A bottom  9  runs centrally, adjoined by side surfaces  10  and  10 ′ on both sides, which are in turn adjoined by two parts at the top side  11 ,  11 ′. The fold lines which separate the side surfaces  10 ,  10 ′ from the top sides  11 ,  11 ′ form, together with an angle structure  8 ,  8 ′, an outer contour  7 , on which the contact surfaces  3 ,  4 ,  5  for a forearm, a palm and fingers are placed. 
     The fold line for the bottom of the supporting member  6  is denoted by the reference numbers  12 ,  12 ′. These fold lines  12 ,  12 ′ each have a slit  13 ,  13 ′, into which a strap can be inserted by a strap insert piece  22 ,  22 ′. 
     The corresponding straps  17 ,  17 ′ are provided in the contact surface  3  for a forearm of the flat body  2 . They are arranged in mirror symmetry. The straps  17 ,  17 ′ have a strap fold line  18 ,  18 ′ in the contact surface  3  and a strap fold line  19 ,  19 ′ in the strap, adjoined by strap insert pieces  22 ,  22 ′. 
     To assemble or put together the splint  1 , one proceeds as follows. First, the supporting member  6  is folded by first folding the side surfaces  10 ,  10 ′,  11 ,  11 ′ downward about the fold lines  12 ,  12 ′, so that they project essentially perpendicularly downward. Next, the surfaces  11 ,  11 ′ of the tops are bent inward once again by 90°, so that they overlap. The side surfaces  10 ,  10 ′ with the angle structures  8 ,  8 ′ then remain at the side. 
     The supporting member folded in this way is rotated about the transverse fold  14  and brought under the contact surfaces  3 ,  4 ,  5 . In the process, the contact surface  5  for the fingers comes to lie on the angle structure  8 , the contact surface  4  for a palm on the angle structure  8 ′ and the contact surface  3  for a forearm on the fold line which is denoted by the reference number  7  for the outer contour. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact surface  4  for a palm is bent by around 30° from the contact surface  3  for a forearm. 
     To secure the supporting member  6  to the contact surfaces  3 ,  4 ,  5 , the straps  17 ,  17 ′ are forced downward, so that the surfaces between the fold lines  18  and  19  or  18 ′ and  19 ′ are parallel to the side surfaces  10 ,  10 ′ of the supporting member  6 . The surfaces of the straps  17 ,  17 ′ beneath the fold lines  19 ,  19 ′ are strap insert pieces  22 ,  22 ′ and serve as flaps of the straps  17 ,  17 ′ that are pushed through the slits  13 ,  13 ′ in the flat body  2  of the supporting member  6 . In this way, the contact surface  3  for a palm is secured to the outer contour  7  of the supporting member  6 . The contact surfaces  4  and  5  follow the angle structure  8 ,  8 ′. 
       FIG. 2  shows schematically the outcome of the above-described folding and strapping process in a side view. On the top, at the left and right in  FIG. 2 , there is a contact surface  5  for fingers and a contact surface  4  for a palm. The latter is shown by a broken line, since the side view impinges on the fold line that separates the contact surface  4 ′ for the thumb from the contact surface  4  for a palm. Next comes the contact surface  3  for a forearm, the surfaces on either side of the contact surface  3  being bent upward about the fold lines  20  in the representation of  FIG. 2 . 
     Beneath the contact surfaces  3 ,  4 ,  5  is shown the supporting member  6 , looking at the side surface  10 . The outer contour  7 , produced by the side surface  10 , consists of the contour in the region of the contact surface  3  and the angle structure  8 ,  8 ′ in the region of the contact surfaces  5  and  4 . For better visibility, a gap has been left between the respective lines of the drawing that is not present or only minimally present in reality, and only occurs in some places. 
     In the laterally raised areas of the contact surface  3  for a forearm one can see a recess  21 , in which the strap  17  was present in the flat state. This has now been bent downward and inserted by its insert piece into the slit  13 . The side view in  FIG. 2  is therefore oriented in this place to the strap fold line  18  in the contact surface  3 , and therefore this is shown by a broken line. The same applies for the strap fold line  19  in the strap. 
     The joint axis of a wrist runs in the plane of the image in the representation of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic rear view of the splint  1  of  FIG. 2 . One can see the symmetrical arrangement, where the flat body  2  in the upper region has the upwardly bent sides of the contact surface  3  for a forearm. This is followed by the contact surface  4  for a palm with the contact surfaces  4 ′, arranged at the sides, for the thumb, on the left or right. 
     The double-wall or multiple-wall structure according to the invention of the surfaces beneath the contact surfaces is clearly shown in  FIG. 3 . The supporting member  6  in the folded state has a rectangular cross section. This has the bottom  9  and side surfaces  10 ,  10 ′. One can see that the tops  11 ,  11 ′ are folded inward and overlap each other. These are located underneath the contact surface  3  for a forearm. 
     From the contact surface  3  for a forearm, the straps  17 ,  17 ′ are bent downward and are partly parallel to the side surfaces  10 ,  10 ′. The straps  17 ,  17 ′ are each folded inward about a fold, so that the outermost surface pieces, the strap insert pieces  22 ,  22 ′, are inserted through slits in the side walls  10 ,  10 ′ into the rectangular cross section and lie against the bottom  9  of the supporting member  6 . They are secured in this way. 
     The slits  13 ,  13 ′ and the fold lines  18 ,  18 ′,  19 ,  19 ′ are not shown separately in  FIG. 3 , but they correspond to the fold lines of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
     Since the strap insert pieces  22 ,  22 ′, which are also shown in  FIG. 1 , lie against the bottom  9  of the supporting member  6 , it is not possible for the contact surface  3  to be pulled upward relative to the supporting member  6 . This would result in a downward bending of the strap insert pieces  22 ,  22 ′, but that is prevented by the bottom  9  of the supporting member  6 . Thus, the straps  17 ,  17 ′ are secured immovably relative to the supporting member  6  by its side surfaces  10 ,  10 ′. In the lengthwise direction of the splint  1 , an immovable fixation is accomplished by adapting the length of the slits  13 ,  13 ′ and the width of the straps  17 ,  17 ′ at the location of the fold lines  19 ,  19 ′. 
       FIG. 3  furthermore shows that the contact surface  4  for a palm is also adjoined by the contact surface  5  for fingers. This is for the most part hidden by the supporting member  6 . However, since it is broader than the supporting member  6 , it protrudes slightly to the side beyond the supporting member  6 . The contact surface  5  is at the front end of the splint, as can also be seen in  FIG. 2 , and as can also be seen from  FIG. 1  it is connected to the bottom  9  of the supporting member at the transverse fold line  14 . For this, the contact surface  5  tapers somewhat toward the tip. 
     The axis of a wrist runs in the horizontal plane of the drawing in the representation of  FIG. 3 . A normal to the side walls  10 ,  10 ′, which are joined to the straps  17 ,  17 ′ in double-wall fashion, runs parallel to the axis of the joint, i.e., at an angle of 0°. If, instead of the rectangular cross section shown, a symmetrical triangular or trapezium cross section were used, this angle would be greater than 0°. 
       FIG. 4  shows schematically an alternative exemplary embodiment of a splint  31  according to the invention in a side view. The contact surfaces  33  for a forearm,  34  for a palm,  34 ′ for a thumb and  35  for fingers correspond to those from the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 . It is likewise shown how the contact surface  33  can then be bent to the side so that a forearm can be enclosed. 
     Unlike in the exemplary embodiments of  FIG. 1 to 3 , in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4  a separate supporting member  36  is provided, which is arranged underneath the contact surfaces  33 ,  34 ,  35  and joined to the latter. The separate supporting member  36  has an outer contour with an angle structure  38 ,  38 ′ that serves to shape and maintain the contact surfaces  33 ,  34  and  35 . Corresponding edges  30  to  30 ″″ or edge layers are formed in this way. 
       FIG. 5  shows schematically in cross section that a corresponding supporting member  36  is constructed from a plurality of flat bodies  39 ,  39 ′,  39 ″, and so on, stacked on one another. The transversely running broken lines correspond to the corner points or edges  30  to  30 ″″ of the structure that is shown schematically from the side in  FIG. 4 . Each individual vertical line in  FIG. 5  constitutes a schematic representation of a flat body. The flat bodies  39 ,  39 ′,  39 ″, and so on, are adhesively bonded to each other in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 5 . In this case, a normal to the flat bodies  39 ,  39 ′,  39 ″, which runs in the horizontal plane of the drawing, makes an angle of 0° with the axis of the wrist. 
       FIGS. 6 a   ) to  6   c ) show three different examples of how corresponding flat bodies can be joined together in a supporting member.  FIG. 6 a   ) shows a supporting member  36 ′ with several flat bodies, joined by a rivet  40 . Several rivets  40  can also be used, each one having two heads. 
     In  FIG. 6 b   ), a supporting member  36 ″ has a strapping  41 . This means that two outwardly situated flat bodies each have a strap, which is led through a slit in the inner flat bodies and then bent or folded at the other side and led out once again. This can be done crosswise from both sides or in another suitable arrangement. 
       FIG. 6 c   ) shows by means of another supporting member  36 ″′ with a plurality of flat bodies an especially simple connection using round head clamps  42  with two feet, each of the flat bodies in the supporting member  36 ″′ having a hole for a round head clamp on the same side, the clamp being inserted through the corresponding hole. At the opposite side, the feet of the round head clamps are bent apart, so that a simple and secure purchase can be produced. 
     The splints and supporting members shown in  FIG. 4 to 6  constitute examples of very stable splints and supporting members that can be easily made from flat bodies. These, like the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 to 3 , can be fabricated and packaged easily and quickly. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show schematically a side view and a rear view of another exemplary embodiment, which combines the components of the exemplary embodiment from  FIG. 1 to 3  with a supporting member from  FIG. 4 to 6 . The splint  1  from  FIG. 1 to 3  will not be presented again, reference being made to the discussion of  FIG. 1 to 3 . 
     The supporting member  6 , which is rectangular in cross section, has a cavity that is suited to receiving a supporting member  36 ,  36 ′,  36 ″ or  36 ″′. Separate adhesive bonding, riveting, strapping, etc., of the supporting member  36  to the contact surfaces  3 ,  4 ,  5  is not necessary in this place, since it is securely incorporated and fixed in the cavity of the supporting member  6 , which is fixed by a strapping to the straps  17 . Of course, it is also preferably possible to fasten the supporting member  36  to one of the inner sides of the supporting member  6  by means of an adhesive or another suitable fixation method, as already presented above. Thanks to the complementary shapes of the cavity in the supporting member  6  and the outside dimensions of the supporting member  36 , however, a form-fit is created, so that the supporting member  36  is securely mounted in the supporting member  6  and performs its support function. 
       FIG. 9  shows schematically a splint  51  according to the invention for an elbow joint or ankle joint, from the side. Flat bodies  52 ,  52 ′ adjoining the joint and having a contact surface  53  for an upper arm and a contact surface  54  for a lower arm are shown partially. In the case of an ankle splint, the adjoining limbs would be the shin and the foot. The flat bodies  52 ,  52 ′ can also be configured as uniform sleeves in which the joint to be immobilized is inserted. 
     At the site of the joint, two laterally arranged supporting members  56 ,  56 ′ are shown, being joined at the side to the flat bodies  52 ,  52 ′ in sheetlike manner, for example, by adhesive bonding or gluing. This dual design confers enhanced stability on the splint. 
     The angled outer contours of the flat body  56  are given the reference numbers  57 ,  57 ′. The supporting members  56 ,  56 ′ are constructed from several interconnected layers of flat bodies, as already shown in  FIG. 5 or 6 , it being possible for the specific shape of the supporting member  56 ,  56 ′ to be punched out. The individual layers of the supporting members  56 ,  56 ′ lie in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, one on top of the other, in  FIG. 9 , such that the normals to the supporting members  56 ,  56 ′ project from the plane of the drawing, as does the axis of the joint to be immobilized. 
     The supporting members  56 ,  56 ′ have a slight projection beyond 90°, so that the upper arm or the elbow joint or the heel is protected against pressure. The projection is shown in  FIG. 9  in the region of the start of the line leading to reference number  57 ′. The edge or the outer contour  57 ′ here projects across at least one contact surface  53  or  54  or across both contact surfaces  53  and  54 . In this way, sufficient room is provided for the elbow joint or the heel. Furthermore, better care of the supported joint is assured. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic top view of a flat body  62  for a splint  61  according to the invention for a knee joint. A preferred angle of bending for a knee joint to be immobilized is around 20°. 
     The flat body  62  has a contact surface  63  for a thigh and a contact surface  64  for a shin, which are adjoined at the side by surfaces  66 ,  67  for the thigh and shin, respectively. In the middle is arranged a cross-folded or perforated contact surface  65  for the hollow of a knee, which can be bent around the transverse fold lines or perforations in order to follow a knee bending by a specified angle. 
       FIG. 11  shows a splint  61  from  FIG. 10  schematically from the side. A supporting member  68 , which can be configured as shown in  FIG. 5 , is joined at the side to the flat body  62 , especially to the side surfaces  66 ,  67 . The normal to the supporting member  68  is essentially parallel to the axis of the knee joint or has an angle of up to 45° or 60° to the axis of the knee joint. The angled outer contours of the supporting member  68  are given the reference numbers  68 ′,  68 ″. 
       FIG. 12  shows schematically from the side an alternative splint  71  according to the invention for a knee joint. A flat body  72  with contact surfaces  73 ,  74 ,  75  for a thigh, a shin, and a knee cap is configured to be applied to the outside of a knee joint. Side surfaces  77 ,  78  are folded around the adjoining limbs. On the outside of the flat body  72 , i.e., on the side facing away from the knee joint, there is placed a supporting member  78 , which has a concave inner surface as the outer contour  79 . By the concave inner surface, the supporting member  78  is joined to the outside of the flat body  72 . The outer contour  79  has a rounded edge  30 . 
     The imaginary extensions of the outer contour  79  make an angle which dictates the angle between the contact surfaces  73  and  74 . 
     The supporting member  78  is constructed from flat bodies joined together in parallel, as shown in  FIG. 5, 6 , while the normal to the flat bodies is oriented parallel to the axis of the knee joint. 
     Alternatively, the supporting members  68  from  FIG. 11  can also be used, in that they are adhesively bonded to each other roughly at the width of the hollow of a knee and inserted into the hollow of a knee. In particular, the supporting members  68  from  FIG. 11  and the supporting members  78  from  FIG. 12  can have the same shape and be used alternatively in the positions shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . Preferably the convex side is adapted to the shape of the hollow of a knee and the concave side to the shape of the outside of a knee with a knee cap. 
     In the exemplary embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4-8 and 12 , instead of a centrally arranged supporting member one can also use a pair or a plurality of supporting members arranged and/or oriented essentially in parallel. 
       FIG. 13  shows a schematic side view of another splint  71  according to the invention for a knee joint. Here, the contact surface  73  for a thigh and the contact surface  74  for a shin are configured so that the hollow of a knee can bear against these surfaces. For this, the reference number  70  is also provided as contact surface for the hollow of a knee. By means of the side surfaces  76  and  77  for the thigh and the shin respectively, the latter can be secured accordingly. In order to specify a corresponding angle between the contact surfaces  73  and  74 , two supporting members  78 ′ and  78 ″ are provided, being arranged adjacent to each other and joined to the flat body  72 . 
     The two supporting members  78 ′ and  78 ″ can also be called shaped bodies and they have a three-dimensional shape, which can have roughly the depth of the contact surfaces  73  and  74 . The mutually adjoining surfaces of the supporting members  78  and  78 ′ can also be adhesively bonded to each other or joined by another connection, such as a hook-and-eye connection. The outer contours  79  of the supporting members  78 ′ and  78 ″ have shaped body surfaces  25 ′ and  25 ″, which are joined to the flat body  72 . The supporting members  78 ′ and  78 ″ as well as the flat body  72  can be stored separate from each other and thus require little packing space. These can then be joined together when used. 
       FIG. 14  shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a splint  51  according to the invention for an elbow joint or ankle joint in another configuration. Two flat bodies  52  and  52 ′ are joined together. The flat body  52  has a contact surface for an upper arm. This is given the reference number  53  in  FIG. 15 . Furthermore, fold lines  80  are provided, enabling quick and easy adaptation to the corresponding roundness of the upper arm. Accordingly, the flat body  52 ′ has a contact surface  54  for a forearm, which can be seen in  FIG. 15 . The connection of the two flat bodies  52  and  52 ′ occurs by adhesive bonding or some other connection. Adhesive bonding, however, is preferred here. In this way, the flat bodies  52  and  52 ′ are already joined immovably to each other. In addition, additional stabilization on each side is provided by a supporting member  56  and  56 ′, which are also joined immovably to each other by the flat bodies  52  and  52 ′. In the embodiment of the invention according to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the contact surface  54  for a forearm also serves at the same time as a supporting member, namely in the region where the supporting members  56  and  56 ′ are each joined to the contact surface  54  for a forearm. This affords a double-wall structure and immovable joining-together according to the invention. This can be seen particularly well in  FIG. 15 , where the double-wall structure of the respective supporting member can be clearly seen. Overall, this gives a wall of threefold thickness in places with the flat body  52 . This is correspondingly stable. 
     The flat bodies  52  and  52 ′ can also be joined together accurately via the outer contours  57  and  57 ′ of the respective supporting member  56  and  56 ′, so that a predeterminable angle is produced between the imaginarily extended contact surfaces  53  and  54 . Furthermore, the supporting member  56  or  56 ′ projects slightly beyond this point or line of intersection, so that the elbow joint or the heel can be securely mounted accordingly. The outer contours  57  and  57 ′ lie in places flush above the outer contours of the flat bodies  52  and  52 ′. In this way, an accurate connection of the supporting members to the flat bodies is possible, so that a predeterminable angle can be produced between the contact surfaces. 
     All mentioned features, including those only found in the drawings, as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features, are deemed to be essential to the invention alone and in combination. Embodiments according to the invention can be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
     
         
           1  splint 
           2  flat body 
           3  contact surface for a forearm 
           4  contact surface for the palm of a hand 
           4 ′ contact surface for a thumb 
           5  contact surface for fingers 
           6  supporting member 
           7  outer contour 
           8 ,  8 ′ angle structure 
           9  bottom 
           10 ,  10 ′ side surface 
           11 ,  11 ′ top 
           12 ,  12 ′ bottom fold line 
           13 ,  13 ′ slit 
           14 ,  15 ,  16  transverse fold 
           17 ,  17 ′ strap 
           18 ,  18 ′ strap fold line in the contact surface 
           19 ,  19 ′ strap fold line in the strap 
           20 ,  20 ′ lengthwise fold line 
           21  recess for strap 
           22 ,  22 ′ strap insert piece 
           25 ,  25 ′,  25 ″ surface of shaped body 
           30 ,  30 ′,  30 ″ 
           30 ″′,  30 ″″ edge 
           31  splint 
           32  flat body 
           33  contact surface for a forearm 
           34  contact surface for the palm of a hand 
           34 ′ contact surface for thumb 
           35  contact surface for finger 
           36 - 36 ″′ supporting member 
           37  outer contour 
           38 ,  38 ′ angle structure 
           39 - 39 ″ flat body 
           40  rivet 
           41  strapping 
           42  round head clamps 
           51  splint 
           52 ,  52 ′ flat body 
           53  contact surface for an upper arm 
           54  contact surface for a forearm 
           56 ,  56 ′ supporting member 
           57 ,  57 ′ outer contour 
           61  splint 
           62  flat body 
           63  contact surface for a thigh 
           64  contact surface for a shin 
           65  contact surface for the hollow of a knee 
           66  side surface for thigh 
           67  side surface for shin 
           68  supporting member 
           68 ′, 68 ″ outer contour 
           70  contact surface for hollow of knee 
           71  splint 
           72  flat body 
           73  contact surface for a thigh 
           74  contact surface for a shin 
           75  contact surface for a knee cap 
           76  side surface for thigh 
           77  side surface for shin 
           78 ,  78 ′,  78 ″ supporting member 
           79  outer contour 
           80  fold line