Abstract:
An articulating surgical armrest further includes two (2) elongated plates and a pivot hinge. A distal end of a first plate is pivotally attached to a distal end of a second plate. The plates are attached to form one (1) elongated structure in the same plane. A user rests their arm on the rest and articulates the first plate to provide range of motion for the user&#39;s arm while maintaining a muscular relaxed state in that arm.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/836,457, filed Jun. 18, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards an adjustable structure for supporting a patient&#39;s arm during recovery from a surgical procedure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Individuals incurring arm injuries, or who undergo arm surgery, tend to have limited range of motion in that arm. Even those who have full range of motion, experience difficulty and pain when attempting to articulate their arm in supine or pronate orientations. This inability to articulate the arm compounds problems associated with supine and pronate surgical procedures. It is not only important to remain still during surgery, but it is just as important to position a member of the body in a certain orientation in order to perform the surgery well. Additionally, physical therapy and occupational therapy require proper posture and form when performing range of motion exercises in order to prevent further injury. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which an articulating armrest can be utilized during surgery or therapy to support the arm in a salutary posture while still being able to motion the arm in a desired position. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a means to fixedly support a user&#39;s arm, particularly users who have a surgical procedure on their arm, in a selected fixed angle. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide such a means by providing a support device having a first planar member capable of being attached to a support structure and pivotally movable relative thereto. 
     A further object is to provide a means to fix a desired angle of the first planar member relative to the support structure. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide such a means by providing a second planar member capable of being attached to and pivotally movable relative to the first planar member. 
     A further object is to provide a means to fix a desired angle of the second planar member relative to the first planar member. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a first pivoting means having a first end attached to the support structure and the second end pivotally attached to the first planar member. 
     In at least one (1) embodiment, the means to fix the angle between the first planar member and the support structure involves moving a latch bar point, retained within a bracket affixed to the first planar member, against the gap between a pair of teeth located on the second end of the first pivoting means. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a second pivoting means having a first end attached to the first planar member and the second end pivotally attached to the second planar member. 
     In at least one (1) embodiment, the means to fix the angle between the first planar member and the second planar member involves moving a latch bar point, retained within a bracket affixed to the second planar member, against the gap between a pair of teeth located on the second end of the first pivoting means. The bracket further has a slot that limits travel of the latch bar due to a pin affixed to the latch bar travelling within the slot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an articulating arm rest  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the articulating arm rest  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an environmental view of the articulating arm rest  10 , with a patient&#39;s arm  102  supported thereon according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the first latching assembly  40  along the line A-A (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the second latching assembly  60  (along line B-B (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  articulating arm rest 
               20  first plate assembly 
               22  first plate 
               24  first pivot bracket 
               25  first pivot bracket tooth 
               26  first pivot pin 
               28  first pin retainer 
               32  second pivot bracket 
               34  second pivot bracket tooth 
               36  second pivot bracket fastener 
               40  first plate latch assembly 
               41  first latch bar 
               42  first latch bar handle 
               43  first latch bar shaft 
               44  first passageway 
               45  first latch bar point 
               47  first latch retainer plate 
               48  first plate latch aperture 
               49  fastener 
               50  second plate assembly 
               52  second plate 
               54  second pivot pin 
               56  second pin retainer 
               60  second plate latch assembly 
               61  second latch bar 
               62  second latch bar handle 
               63  second latch bar shaft 
               64  second latch bar pin 
               65  second latch bar point 
               66  second passageway 
               67  second latch retainer plate 
               68  second latch retainer plate slot 
               69  second plate latch aperture 
               90  attachment means 
               95  fastening means 
               100  external structure 
               102  patient&#39;s arm 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an articulating arm rest (herein referred to as the “device”)  10 , which can be attached to an external structure  100 , such as an operating table, or other service table, that provides a means for holding a forearm and the corresponding upper arm  102  of a patient, or client, immobile in a variety of relative angular positions in either the supine or pronate orientation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a top view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is comprised of a first plate assembly  20  and a second plate assembly  50 . The first plate  22  and the second plate  52  each preferably comprise an aluminum plate approximately six inches (6 in.) wide. Other materials, such as stainless steel, could also be used without changing the scope of the device  10 . The device  10  is intended to be attached to a pre-existing bracket on an existing external structure  100  at a proximal end. A proximal end of the first plate  22  is provided with a square end with rounded corners. A proximal end of the second plate  52  is provided with a semi-circular shape while an opposing distal end is squared with rounded corners. An opposing distal end of the first plate  22  is generally concave having a radius approximately equal to the rounded proximal end of the second plate  52 . This particular geometry allows both plates  22 ,  52  to be on the same plane. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a bottom view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. A first pivot bracket  24 , preferably comprised of cast aluminum, is pivotally attached to a proximal end of the first plate  22  by means of a first pivot pin  26  inserted through aligned apertures (not shown) in both of said first pivot bracket  24  and said first plate  22 . The first pivot pin  26  is provided with a head, larger in diameter than the shank of the pin  26 , in order to be retained in the first plate  22 . The first pivot pin  26  is retained in the first pivot bracket  24  by means of a first pin retainer  28 , which could be a snap ring inserted into a groove, or a lock nut, or some other means. In some embodiments, a thrust washer, envisioned to comprise a brass, oilite, or similar material, may be inserted on the first pivot pin  26  between the adjoining faces of the first pivot bracket  24  and the first plate  22  in order to prevent scoring. The first pivot bracket  24  is provided with a semi-circular profile on the distal side into which first pivot bracket teeth  25  have been formed. The first pivot bracket teeth  25  can be of a rudimentary form with tapered sides and rounded tips and roots. The purpose of the first pivot bracket teeth  25  is to be engaged by a latch bar point  45  of a latch bar  41  in the first plate latch assembly  40  affixed to the first plate  22  in order to lock the pivoting action of the first plate assembly  20 . 
     A second pivot bracket  32 , preferably comprises an aluminum or stainless steel plate, is attached to the distal end of the first plate  22  with a plurality of threaded second bracket fasteners  36 . The first plate  22  is of sufficient thickness to support the threads necessary to retain the second bracket fasteners  36 . The second pivot bracket  32  is provided with second pivot bracket teeth  34 , which are similar in profile to the first pivot bracket teeth  25  and disposed in a semi-circular pattern. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a first plate latch assembly  40  is disposed upon the underside of the first plate  22  between the proximal end and the distal end. As stated previously, the purpose of the first plate latch assembly  40  is to lock the pivoting action of the first plate assembly  20 . The first plate latch assembly comprises a first latch bar  41  and a first latch retainer plate  47  attached to the first plate  22  by means of a plurality of fasteners  49  inserted into threaded first plate latch apertures  48  (see  FIG. 1 ). The first latch retainer plate  47  preferably comprises a metal material, and is shaped in a series of ninety degree (90°) bends to form a passageway  44  to confine the first latch bar  41 , except in a longitudinal direction. The first latch bar  41  preferably comprises a metal bar and is further modified to have a portion of a first end symmetrically tapered to form a first latch bar point  45  and a portion of a second end bent ninety degrees (90°) to form a first latch bar handle  42  with a latch bar shaft  43  between these features. The first latch bar point  45  is fitted into a gap between two (2) of the first pivot bracket teeth  25  with the first latch bar handle  42  oriented away from the first plate  22 . The first latch retainer plate  47  is placed over the first latch bar  41  such that the first latch bar shaft  43  is located in the passageway formed into the first latch retainer plate  47  and secured with a plurality of fasteners  49 . The second pivot bracket  32  is located on the first plate  22  adjacent to said first plate latching assembly  40  to limit travel thereof. Specifically, the first latch bar  41  is limited to being retained within the passageway  44  of the latch bar retainer plate  47  when the first latch bar handle  42  abuts against the first end of the second pivot bracket  32 . 
     The proximal end of the second plate  52  is provided with an aperture (not shown) located at a center of the semi-circle, which will accommodate the second pivot pin  54 . The second pivot pin  54  is inserted through the aligned apertures (not shown) in the second plate  52  and the second pivot bracket  32  to pivotally attach the proximal end of said second plate  52  to the distal end of the first plate  22 . The second pivot pin  54  is retained in the second pivot bracket  32  means of a second pin retainer  56 , which could be a snap ring inserted into a groove, or a lock nut, or some other means. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , disposed on the underside of the second plate  52  in proximity to the second pivot bracket  32  is a second plate latch assembly  60 , which provides a means to lock the pivoting action of the second plate assembly  50  relative to the first plate assembly  20 . The second plate latch assembly  60  comprises a second latch bar  61  and a second latch retainer plate  67  attached to the second plate  52  by means of a plurality of fasteners  49  inserted into threaded second plate latch apertures  69  (see  FIG. 1 ). The second latch retainer plate  67  preferably comprises a metal material and is shaped in a series of ninety degree (90°) bends to form a passageway  66  to confine the second latch bar  61 , except in a longitudinal direction. The second latch retainer plate  67  is further provided with a second latch retainer plate slot  68 . The second latch bar  61  preferably comprises a metal bar and is further modified to have a portion of a first end symmetrically tapered to form a second latch bar point  65  and a portion of a second end bent ninety degrees (90°) to form a second latch bar handle  62 , having a latch bar shaft  63  between these features. 
     Disposed in the second latch bar shaft  63  is a second latch bar pin  64 , which is envisioned as a cylindrical piece, such as a roll pin, pressed into an aperture. The second latch bar point  65  is fitted into a gap between two (2) of the second pivot bracket teeth  34  with the second latch bar handle  62  oriented away from the second plate  52 . The second latch retainer plate  67  is placed over the second latch bar  61  such that the second latch bar shaft  63  is located in the passageway  66  formed into the second latch retainer plate  67  and the second latch bar pin  64  is inserted into the second latch retainer plate slot  68 . The second latch retainer plate  67  is secured with a plurality of fasteners  49 . The second latch bar pin  64  inserted into the second latch retainer plate slot  68  is thus able to further restrict the longitudinal positioning of the second latch bar  61  to be sure that it is not dislodged from the second latch retainer plate  67 . In other embodiments of the present device  10 , a spring could be incorporated into one (1) or both of the latch assemblies  40 ,  60  to keep the latch bar points  45 ,  65  positively engaged in the respective teeth  25 ,  34  when a user is not making pivotal adjustments. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an environmental view of the device  10  with a patient&#39;s arm  102  in a pronate orientation supported thereon according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. An attachment means  90  is capable of removably attaching the device  10  to an external structure  100 . It is envisioned that in some embodiments a fastening means  95 , such as a strap, or combination of straps, could be added to the device  10  in order to restrict the movement of a patient&#39;s arm  102 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by an enabled user in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no additional training by performing a series of steps. It can be appreciated that the operational steps can be performed in alternative order and as such any operational description of use should not be viewed as a limiting factor. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: attaching the device  10  to an existing bracket on an external structure  100 , such as an existing table, bench, or stand, via an attachment means  90 ; placing the patient&#39;s or client&#39;s arm  102  onto the device  10  with the forearm on the second plate assembly  50  and the upper arm on the first plate assembly  20 ; securing the patient&#39;s or client&#39;s arm  102  to the device  10  via a fastening means  95 , if desired or required; pushing the first latch bar handle  42  away from the first pivot bracket  24  thus sliding the first latch bar  41  and disengaging the first latch bar point  45  from the first pivot bracket teeth  25 ; adjusting the disposition angle of the device  10  relative to the table, bench, or stand, and thus the patient&#39;s or client&#39;s arm  102  at the shoulder joint, to the desired position; sliding the first latch bar  41  toward the first pivot bracket  24  and thus moving the first latch bar point  45  into engagement with the first pivot bracket teeth  25  and locking the pivot; pushing the second latch bar handle  62  away from the second pivot bracket  32  thus sliding the second latch bar  61  and disengaging the second latch bar point  65  from the second pivot bracket teeth  34 ; adjusting the disposition angle of the second plate assembly  50  relative to the first plate assembly  20 , and thus the patient&#39;s or client&#39;s arm  102  at the elbow joint, to the desired position; sliding the second latch bar  61  toward the second pivot bracket  24  and thus moving the second latch bar point  45  into engagement with the second pivot bracket teeth  25  and locking the pivot; and, carrying out the intended procedure. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.