Quick-release limb holder apparatus

A quick-release limb holder apparatus for releasable affixation about a patient's limb to secure the patient, as desired, to an affixed object, such as a hospital bed, in order to immobilize the patient. An adjustable and independently separable series of straps encircles the patient's limb in a manner which permits the patient to be quickly freed from a restrained position within the apparatus without necessitating the complete disassembly of adjustment straps as well as obviates the need for readjustment of the straps upon reaffixation of the apparatus about the patient's limb. A cuff is interposed between the encircling straps and the patient's skin to cushion and insulate the patient's limb from forces exerted by the encircling straps to thereby minimize any potential for abrasion, irritation or other discomfort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to patient restraint devices and, 
in particular, to a quick-release limb holder apparatus for independent 
release, alternative adjusting and releasable affixation about a patient's 
limb in a manner which permits the patient to be freed from the apparatus 
without necessitating its complete disassembly. 
Over time, a number of apparata have been addressed to securing a patient 
in an immobile position or otherwise limit a patient's mobility by way of 
securing one or more of the patient's limbs to a fixed object such as a 
bedpost or other similar fixture. Such prior art devices typically 
comprise a single strap which encircled a patient's limb. A buckle or 
other fastening device would typically be provided for adjusting the 
encircling strap so that it fits snugly against the patient's limb. 
Interposed between the typically adjustable encircling strap and the 
patient's limb has been a foam pad designed to cushion the patient's limb 
from the abrasive effects of the surrounding strap and buckle. 
Unfortunately, however, many of such prior art limb holder apparatus have 
experienced drawbacks which complicate their usage and on occasion can 
result in injury to the patient sought to be restrained as well as 
substantial inconvenience to attending personnel seeking to position said 
limb holder apparatus upon the patient and in turn about the fixed object, 
such as a hospital bed, to which the patient is restrained. These prior 
art devices typically employ a single strap circling the patient's limb in 
an uninterrupted fashion, the free end of which would be secured to the 
fixed object. In order to release the patient from the limb holder, the 
attending personnel had to first detach the free end of the strap from the 
fixed object and completely separate the strap from the buckle to remove 
the apparatus. Such a complicated removal operation can be both time 
consuming and potentially dangerous as the patient, during this "removal" 
time period is held in only partial restraint while the buckle and strap 
have to be separated. A patient possessing violent tendencies could, under 
such circumstances, be provided with the opportunity to somehow injure 
himself or his attending personnel. These same dangers, both to the 
patient and attending personnel are present when such prior art limb 
holder apparatus are sought to be repositioned about the patient's limbs. 
An additional and potentially more dangerous condition may exist regarding 
the use of conventional prior art limb holder apparatus where a restrained 
patient who may need sudden and/or emergency care must first be freed from 
said limb holder apparatus, a relatively time-consuming, cumbersome 
process which can potentially delay the application of the needed 
emergency treatment thus unduly endangering the patient's health. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a 
quick-release limb holder for releasable affixation about a patient's limb 
to secure a patient, as desired, to a fixed object, such as a hospital bed 
frame or rail, in a manner which permits the patient to be freed from the 
apparatus in an efficient quick manner without necessitating the complete 
disassembly of the limb holder apparatus. 
It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide a 
quick-release limb holder which is easily adjustable to conform to 
different size limbs. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a 
quick-release limb holder which utilizes quick-release coupling elements 
which can alternatively provide for the complete encirclement of the 
patient's limb and provide for the efficient interruption of said 
encirclement, all without necessitating the complete disassembly of the 
limb holder apparatus. 
It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a limb holder 
apparatus constructed of washable and rustproof materials which are 
capable of effectively withstanding the repeated cleansing and 
sterilization of the quick-release limb holder apparatus. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a quick-release 
limb holder apparatus which utilizes a cuff interposed between the 
patient's skin and the encircling straps which serves to cushion and 
insulate the patient's limb from the abrasive effects of all the 
surrounding straps and fittings. This cuff is constructed of a quilted 
material having seamless edges which serve to improve the exposure of air 
to the patient's skin covered by the cuff and further prevent the risk of 
abrasion to the patient's limb. 
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent in light of 
the present specification and drawings. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention comprises a quick-release limb holder apparatus for 
releasable and adjustable affixation about a patient's limb to secure the 
limb and, in turn, the patient, as desired, to a fixed object in order to 
immobilize or otherwise restrict the patient's movement. The apparatus 
functions in a manner which permits the patient to be freed from the 
apparatus without necessitating the complete disassembly of the apparatus 
and without requiring its readjustment upon reaffixation about the 
patient's limb. The quick-release limb holder apparatus itself comprises 
first strap means, second strap means, adjustment means, and quick-release 
coupling means all of which combine to encircle a patient's limb and 
anchor the encircled limb to a given fixed object. 
The first strap means has a first end and a second end where the first end 
is capable of being releasably secured to a fixed object, such as a 
bedpost or other anchoring means. A portion of the first strap means 
serves to partially encircle the patient's limb. An adjustment means is 
provided which is adjustably positionable along a portion of the length of 
the first strap means which serves to alternatively increase or decrease 
the length of that portion of the first strap means encircling the 
patient's limb. The adjustment means thus permits the limb holder 
apparatus to conform to varied size limbs in order to effectively secure 
said limb. A second strap means is provided which has a first end and a 
second end where the first end is operably attached to the adjustment 
means. The second strap means serves to further encircle the patient's 
limb. 
A quick-release coupling means is provided which includes a first 
attachment member operably attached to the second end of the first strap 
means, a second attachment member operably attached to the second end of 
the second strap means and a detachable coupling member operably 
interposed between the first and second attachment members. The detachable 
coupling member is capable of alternatively affixing and releasing the 
portion of the first and second attachment members relative to one another 
to alternatively connect and disconnect the first strap means to the 
second strap means, to, in turn, alternatively complete and release the 
entire encirclement of the patient's limb, to alternatively permit and 
release the restraint of said patient's limb. This serves to quickly affix 
and release the patient's limb from the apparatus in a facilitated manner 
without the need to release and readjust the adjustment means upon removal 
and reaffixation of the apparatus upon the patient's limb. 
A cuff means is operably interposed between the limb of the patient and the 
inner facing surfaces of the first strap means, second strap means, 
adjustment means and quick-release coupling means, and the surface of the 
patient's limb encircled thereby. The cuff means serves to cushion and 
insulate the patient's limb from the constrictive and abrasive forces 
which, due to the patient's movement, are exerted by the encircling first 
and second strap means, adjustment means and quick-release coupling means 
upon the patient's limb. Such forces are of particular concern should the 
patient struggle to free himself from the apparatus and yet are still 
present as the patient quietly moves about. The cushioning and insulation 
provided by the cuff means serves to minimize any abrasion, irritation or 
other discomfort which would otherwise be inflicted upon said patient's 
limb by the encircling strap means, adjustment means and quick-release 
coupling means. 
In the preferred embodiment, the cuff means is operably affixed to a 
portion of the inner facing surface of each of the first strap means and 
second strap means. This affixation serves to facilitate and maintain the 
alignment of the cuff means between the first and second strap means and 
the patient's limb. 
In one embodiment the adjustment means comprise a self-locking buckle 
member which is operably attached to the first end of the second strap 
means. This self-locking buckle member accepts the interwinding of at 
least a portion of the first strap means so as to restrainably yet 
adjustably lock the first strap means therewithin. The repositioning of 
the first end of the second strap means along the length of the first 
strap means serves to fix the length of the first strap means which 
encircles the patient's limb. Such adjustment permits the limb holder 
apparatus to effectively secure different size limbs under desired various 
restraint pressures. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the attachment means comprise a 
pair of substantially D-shaped rings which are operably attached to the 
first end of the second strap means. These D-shaped rings similarly accept 
the interwinding of at least a portion of the first strap means to 
restrainably and yet adjustably lock the first strap means therebetween. 
Such repositioning similarly serves to fix the length of the first strap 
means which encircles the patient's limb so as to permit the limb holder 
apparatus to effectively secure different size limbs. 
The first attachment member of the quick-release coupling means comprises 
an attachment ring which is operably attached to the second end of the 
first strap means. The second attachment member of the quick-release 
coupling means comprises a locking ring operably attached to the second 
end of the second strap means and the detachable coupling member having a 
first and second end comprises a spring clip member operably and fixedly 
attached at its first end to the attachment ring and releasably affixed at 
its second end to the locking ring. The spring clip member is capable of 
alternatively affixing and releasing the position of the attachment ring 
relative to the locking ring to alternatively connect and disconnect the 
first and second strap means, to, in turn, alternatively form and release 
the entire encirclement of the patient's limb by the first and second 
strap means, adjustment means and quick-release coupling means. This 
serves to alternatively permit and release the restraint about the 
patient's limb. In operation, the apparatus is placed about the patient's 
limb and the quick-release coupling means is engaged so as to completely 
encircle the patient's limb. Once done, the apparatus is adjusted via the 
adjustment means to form an effective and secure fitment about the 
patient's limb. Finally, the free end of the first strap means is fastened 
to the fixed object, such as the bedpost, to thus secure the patient. The 
interruption in the encirclement of the patient's limb as provided by the 
coupling means thus permits the removal of the limb holder apparatus from 
the patient's limb without necessitating the removal of the first end of 
the first strap means from its anchored position and further permits the 
limb holder apparatus to be repositioned about the patient's limb in a 
prompt and efficient manner and without necessitating reposition of the 
adjustment means along the first strap means. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the first attachment member of the 
quick-release coupling means comprises one or more female snap fasteners 
operably attached to the second end of the first strap means, the second 
attachment member of the quick-release coupling means comprises one or 
more male snap fasteners operably attached to the second end of the second 
strap means. The detachable coupling member of the quick-release coupling 
means comprises alignable telescopically mated fastening elements on both 
of said male and female snap fasteners for restrained yet releasable 
affixation therebetween. The fastening elements are capable of 
alternatively affixing and releasing the portion of the female snap 
fasteners relative to the male snap fasteners to, alternatively, connect 
and disconnect the first and second strap means, to, in turn, 
alternatively form and release the entire encirclement of the patient's 
limb by the first and second strap means, adjustment means and 
quick-release coupling means. This arrangement serves to alternatively 
permit and release the restraint of the apparatus about the patient's 
limb. 
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cuff means is of a 
substantially rectangular shape having a first and second end and is of 
such a length so as to cause the first and second ends of the cuff means 
to overlap one another when the cuff means is positioned so as to encircle 
the patient's limb. Furthermore, the overlapped portion of the cuff means 
is preferably positioned proximate to the quick-release coupling means in 
order to provide additional cushioning and insulation for the patient's 
limb in the area directly beneath the quick-release coupling means. The 
cuff means further comprises a cuff attachment means which is capable of 
retaining the cuff means in the substantially overlapped orientation about 
the patient's limb. This cuff attachment means permits the cuff means to 
effectively conform to different size limbs and, further, temporarily 
restrain the patient's limb to accordingly facilitate the operation of the 
quick-release coupling means. In preferred embodiment of the invention, 
the cuff attachment means comprises a hook and loop fastener where the 
hook portion of the fastener is attached to at least a portion of the 
exterior facing surface of the first end of the cuff means and the loop 
portion is attached to at least a portion of the inner facing surface of 
the second end of the cuff means, each preferably being sewn to the cuff 
means. The hook and loop portions of said fastener thus engage one another 
when the cuff means is in a substantially overlapped position about the 
patient's limb. 
The strap means of the present invention are preferably fabricated of a 
washable, woven, cotton material in order to minimize abrasion and other 
discomfort should the straps ever contact the patient's skin. This 
construction further permits the cleansing and sterilization of the 
quick-release limb holder apparatus without risk of its deterioration due 
to cleansing and sterilization process. The cuff means is preferably 
fabricated of a washable polyurethane core which is laminated with a 
washable triacetate fabric which serves to cushion and insulate the limb 
from the encircling strap means, adjustment means and coupling means. This 
particular fabrication permits the cleansing and sterilization of the 
quick-release limb holder apparatus, all without risk of its 
deterioration. In order to further facilitate effective cleansing and 
sterilization, the adjustment means and quick-release coupling means are 
preferably fabricated of a substantially rustproof material capable of 
withstanding the cleansing and sterilization process. 
The cuff means of the preferred invention is preferably quilted to provide 
ventilation permitting oxygen to reach the patient's skin covered by the 
cuff means and prevent the build up of heat or other discomfort associated 
with the covering of the patient's skin. This cuff means is additionally 
preferably configured so as to have seamless edges, so as to further 
minimize any abrasive effect upon the patient's limb.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, 
there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, 
several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present 
disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of 
the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment 
illustrated. 
FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 set forth the prior art that has been used in 
association with limb holder apparata, specifically the manner in which a 
patient's limb is encircled by a single uninterrupted strap and 
adjustments which may be made thereto. FIG. 1 shows one prior art limb 
holder 20 positioned about a patient's arm 27. A single strap 22 is used 
to secure arm 27 to a fixed object 21 with a portion of strap 22, 
designated 25, encircling limb 27. The free end of strap 22 is shown 
secured to fixed object 21, such as a bedpost, by way of knot 23. 
Positioned between the encircling strap 25 and patient's limb 27 is a 
cushion 24 designed to minimize any abrasion to limb 27 as a result of 
encircling strap 25. The encircling portion 25 of strap 22 can be adjusted 
by way of buckle 26 such that strap portion 25 fits snugly and securely 
around patient limb 27. 
FIG. 2 shows an elevated front view of the prior art device shown in FIG. 
1. While not illustrating the free end of strap 22 being secured to a 
fixed object, strap 22 is shown passing through adjustment buckle 26 after 
completely encircling in an uninterrupted manner the space provided for 
patient's limb. Encircling strap 25 is shown attached to cushion end 29 of 
cushion 24 by way of stitching 33. The remaining portion of cushion 24 
remains free and unattached to encircling strap 25. Cushion end 30 is 
shown being overlapped by cushion end 29 and held in such position by way 
of hook and loop fasteners 31 and 32 respectively. 
A similar prior art limb holder is shown in FIG. 3 wherein strap 45 passes 
through adjustment buckles 44 and 46 encircling patient limb 47 in a 
similar uninterrupted fashion. 
FIG. 4 shows an elevated front view of the prior art device 40 shown in 
FIG. 3. Strap 45 is shown making a complete uninterrupted encirclement as 
does the prior art device shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 which similarly 
requires that the free end of strap 45 be detached from its anchored 
object and completely separated from buckles 44 and 46 to free the 
apparatus from the patient's limb. 
The present invention, quick-release limb holder apparatus 60 is shown in 
FIG. 5 in its open unassembled position. The first end of first strap 
means 67 is typically secured to a fixed object by tying the first strap 
means thereto (not shown). The first end of second strap means 74 is shown 
operably attached to adjustment means 76 and 77. Quick-release coupling 
means 70 is shown attached to the second end of first strap means 67. In a 
preferred embodiment illustrated, coupling means 70 comprises attachment 
ring 69, spring clip 71 and locking ring 78. The engagement of spring clip 
71 with locking ring 78 serves to attach the second end of first strap 
means 67 to the second strap means 74. Spring clip 71 is shown further 
comprising fittings 72 and 73 which permit spring clip 71 to better 
conform to the shape of the patient's limb. In this preferred embodiment, 
the adjustment means are shown comprising D-shaped buckles 76 and 77 which 
are attached to the first end of second strap means 74. 
Cuff means 61 is shown comprising a substantially rectangular shaped piece 
of cushioning material which is interposed between first strap means 67, 
second strap means 74, adjustment means 76 and 77 and quick-release 
coupling means 70, and the patient's skin so as to insulate and cushion 
the patient's limb. Cuff means 61 is attached to first strap means 67 and 
second strap means 74 by way of stitching 68 and 75, respectively. Cuff 
attachment means 64 and 79 are shown attached to portions of opposing 
surfaces of cuff means 61. These cuff attachments means are held in place 
by way of stitching 65, 66 and 80. In the preferred embodiment 
illustrated, cuff means 61 is shown including quilting represented by 
designations 62 and 63, and further includes a centrally positioned seam 
81 to provide smooth seamless edges. 
FIG. 6 shows quick-release limb holder apparatus 60 in a partially 
assembled position. First strap means 67 is shown interwound through 
attachment means 76 and 77 which are in turn attached to second strap 
means 74. Locking ring 78 and spring clip 71 of quick-release coupling 
means 70 are shown detached from one another such that the encirclement 
about the patient's limb is broken permitting quick-release limb holder 
apparatus 60 to be quickly and easily removed from about the patient's 
limb, not shown. 
FIG. 7 shows an elevated front view of limb holder apparatus 60. It can be 
clearly seen that the encirclement of the patient's limb formed by first 
strap means 67, second strap means 74, attachment means 76 and 77 and 
quick-release coupling means 70 can be alternatively completed by the 
engagement of spring clip 71 and locking ring 78 and interrupted by the 
disengagement of spring clip 71 and locking ring 78. First strap means 67 
is shown interwound through adjustment buckles 76 and 77 which serve to 
determine the length of first strap means 67 which is capable of 
encircling the patient's limb. By repositioning and fixing buckles 76 and 
77 along the length of first strap means 67, limb holder apparatus 60 may 
be adjusted snugly about the patient's limb. The alternative engagement 
and disengagement of quick-release coupling means 70 permits limb holder 
apparatus 60 to be removed or reinstalled upon the patient's limb without 
necessitating the complete disassembly of limb holder apparatus 60 as the 
free end of first strap means 67 can remain fixed at all times, unlike the 
prior art devices shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4. 
FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of an assembled quick-release limb holder 
apparatus 60 wherein spring clip 71 is engaged with locking ring 78 so as 
to form the complete encirclement of the patient's limb. The attachment of 
cuff means 60 to second strap means 74 by way of stitching 75 and said 
cuff means 60 to first strap means 67 by way of stitching 68, not shown, 
serves to automatically align cuff means 60 with the encirclement achieved 
in part by way of strap means 67 and 74. 
FIG. 9 illustrates an assembled quick-release limb holder apparatus 60 
wherein spring clip 71 is engaged with locking ring 78. FIG. 9 clearly 
depicts the complete encirclement achieved by the cooperation of first 
strap means 67, second strap means 74, adjustment means 76 and 77 and 
quick-release coupling means 70. Cuff means 60 is shown in an overlap 
orientation wherein the overlap portion is positioned proximate to 
quick-release coupling means 70 so as to further cushion and insulate the 
patient's limb from said quick-release coupling means 70. Cuff attachment 
means 64 and 79 retain cuff means 60 in its overlap position about a 
patient's limb. In operation, cuff means 60 is placed about the patient's 
wrist in an overlapped orientation temporarily held in place by cuff 
attachment means 64 and 79. This temporary attachment serves to facilitate 
the cooperation and operation of spring clip 71 and locking ring 78. The 
adjustment capability of quick-release limb holder 60 is clearly shown to 
be achieved by the repositioning of adjustment buckles 76 and 77 along a 
portion of the length of first strap means 67 to effectively fit the 
apparatus to different size limbs. 
FIG. 10 further illustrates the operation of limb holder apparatus 60 
wherein the encirclement about the patient's limb may be broken by the 
detachment of spring clip 71 from locking ring 78 such that limb holder 
apparatus 60 may be readily removed from the patient's limb without 
necessitating the complete disassembly of limb holder apparatus 60, e.g., 
the detachment of first strap means 67 and knot 84 from the fixed 
anchoring object 83. In addition, upon reinstallation of limb holder 
apparatus 60 upon the patient's limb it is shown that first strap means 67 
and adjustment buckles 76 and 77 need not be repositioned in order to 
reaffix quick-release limb holder apparatus 60 about said patient's limb. 
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present 
invention wherein the coupling means comprise a pair of snap fasteners 
having female snap fastener portions 93 and 94 and male snap fastener 
portions 103 and 104. Said respective portions of each snap fastener 
alternately engage and disengage with one another to, in turn, serve to 
connect the first strap means 98 to the second strap means 95. As can be 
seen in FIG. 12, the forces required to be exerted upon said snap 
fasteners 93 and 94 to disengage same are in an upward direction such that 
any sheer forces exerted upon said fasteners by first strap means 98 and 
second strap means 95 are insufficient to disengage said snap fasteners. 
The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the 
invention and the invention is not limited thereto, except in so far as 
the amended claims are so limited as those skilled in the art who have the 
disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations 
therein without departing from the scope of the invention.