Abstract:
A self-contained limb and cast support device that is incorporated into the limb cast upon application of said cast and the second being a self-contained limb and cast support device that is not incorporated into the limb cast for use in instances where the cast is pre-existing or the injured limb requires elevation for healing, but not a cast.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Registration filed under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37 C.F.R. §1.14, but not yet returned. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to medical accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stand used to elevate a broken or sprained limb, whether cast, bandaged or not. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, a person wearing a leg or an arm cast due to an operation, bone breakage or fracture, is required to keep his/her leg or arm in an elevated position. It is not always easy to find something to place one&#39;s injured leg or arm upon, however. Often in a restaurant situation, a person with a cast needs to ask for an extra chair that because of lack of space underneath the table, needs to be placed in an aisle way causing hassle to restaurant employees and embarrassment to the injured person. Accordingly, a need exists for a portable, space saving stand that can be strapped onto or incorporated with a person&#39;s cast. The present invention fulfills this need. 
     Several attempts have been made to devise a practical cast stand. U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,068 issued to Haugen, discloses a cast support device that can either be built into a crutch or incorporated with a person&#39;s cast. The problem with the device disclosed in the &#39;068 Patent, however, is that there is a manual turnstile that the user manipulates in order to raise his/her limb to the proper level. This can prove to be a huge inconvenience for the user and may require another person&#39;s help. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. Consequently, the need exists for a cast stand that automatically locks into place and does not require the user to reach the cast stand in order to lock it in place. The present invention fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved cast stand. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved stand used to elevate a broken or sprained limb, whether cast, bandaged or not. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, the self-contained limb and cast support device is a self-contained limb and cast support device that is incorporated into the limb cast upon application of said cast and the second being a self-contained limb and cast support device that is not incorporated into the limb cast for use in instances where the cast is preexisting or the injured limb requires elevation for healing, but not a cast. 
    
    
     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 side view of the self-contained limb and cast support device in its deployed state; 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the self-contained limb and cast support device in its deployed state; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the self-contained limb and cast support device in its retracted state; 
     FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of the first upper strut member, taken along a line  1 — 1 , as shown in FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the self-contained limb and cast support device in its deployed state. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention, the self-contained limb and cast support device  10 , is shown in FIG.  1 . The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used by anyone in a simple and effortless manner. The self-contained limb and cast support device  10  is generally used to elevate limbs that are broken, strained, sprained, etc. to promote faster healing. A human leg  15  with a cast  20  applied thereto, said cast  20  incorporating the self-contained limb and cast support device  10 , is shown in FIG. 1 in a horizontal position as one may find while in a sitting position in a chair. In the preferred embodiment the first strut  25  is pivotally connected at one end thereof to a first connection post  30  that is in turn connected to the internal connection band  35  as shown in FIG.  1 . Opposing the first connection post  30  is a second connection post  40  that is connected at one end thereof to the internal connection band  35  and at the opposite end thereof to the second strut  45 , a mirror image of the first strut  25 . The first and second strut members  25 ,  45  are pivotally coupled to the first and second connection posts  30 ,  40  such that the strut members  25 ,  45  can be turned up to lay against the cast  20  when not being used to elevate said cast  20 . It is preferred that both the first and second strut members  25 ,  45  are telescopic in nature such that the height (d shown in FIG. 1) of each is adjustable for the wearer&#39;s sitting position, type of seat, grade conditions, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that an alternative embodiment of the self-contained limb and cast support device  10  need not have telescoping strut members  25 ,  45 , but rather stationary strut members  25 ,  45  that are set at a finite height. In this manner, the wearer can utilize the functionality of the self-contained limb and cast support device  10  in multiple seats and seating conditions while following doctors&#39; orders for keeping their limb elevated at all times. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first and second strut members  25 ,  45  are constructed of stainless steel. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize, however, that high-strength plastic or other similar material can be used to construct the first and second strut members  25 ,  45 . 
     It is preferred that the internal connection band  35  and the connections posts  30 ,  40  are also constructed of stainless steel. One of ordinary skill the art would readily recognize that high-strength plastic or other similar material can be used to construct the internal connection band  35  and the connections posts  30 ,  40 . It is preferred that the material chosen for construction be slightly pliable so as to mold to the appropriate shape necessary to fit around the limb of the user. In the preferred embodiment, the internal connection band  35 , with the connection posts  30 ,  40  already attached thereto, preferably welded thereto or manufactured as one whole piece, is embedded in the outer layers of the cast  20  during the cast forming process. 
     After initial wrappings of the cast  20  are applied to the limb, using conventional materials and procedures, the internal connection band  35 , with the first and second connection posts  30 ,  40  coupled thereto on opposing sides thereof, is applied to the partially completed cast and secured in place. Next, the outer wrappings of the cast  20  are completed over the internal connection band  35  leaving only a portions of the first and second connection posts  30 ,  40  exposed. It is preferred that the remaining components of the self-contained limb and cast support device  10 , are applied after sufficient hardening of the cast  20 . The self-contained limb and cast support device  10  can be used with all types of casts  20 , including older plaster casts as well as newer fiberglass casts. 
     The preferred embodiment of the self-contained limb and cast support device  10  is adjustable and readily adapts to the various sized legs of human beings from small child through large adult. 
     In the preferred embodiment, a pair of protective caps  50  are applied to the free ends (the ends thereof that are not connected to the first and second connection posts  30 ,  40 ) of both the first and second strut members  25 ,  45 . The protective caps  50  serve two purposes: they protect the floor or ground surface  55  from any possible damage that the strut members  25 ,  45  may inflict on it, in the case of finished wood floors, sheet vinyl, carpeting or the like and they prevent slippage of the strut members  25 ,  45  and subsequently the self-contained limb and cast support device  10  along with the human leg  15 , in the case of surfaces with a low coefficient of friction such as tile, sheet vinyl, wood floors and the like. 
     Referring next to FIG. 2, a bottom view of the self-contained limb and cast support device  10 , in its deployed state is depicted in which both the first and second strut members  25 ,  45  and connection posts  30 ,  40  can be viewed. Having the first strut  25  directly opposite that of the second strut  45  forms a stable platform such that the wearer&#39;s leg will not wobble from side to side. Back and forth motion of the wearer&#39;s leg is not hindered by this arrangement, nor should it be, to allow the wearer to move up and down while in a seated position. 
     As seen in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, the first strut  25  and the second strut  45  are joined together via a cross member  80 . The cross member  80  allows the support leg formed by the first strut  25  and the second strut  45  to form a closed stable loop that will not only be more stable for the wearer but remove stress and strain from the first and second connection posts  30 ,  40 . 
     The shape of the cross-member  80  can vary. It is preferred that the cross-member  80  is straight in shape for superior strength and support. In an alternative embodiment, the cross-member  80  is slightly “U”-shaped such that when the strut members  25 ,  45  are turned up, when not in use, the cross-member  80  hugs the shape of the cast  20 , see FIG.  3 . FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the self-contained limb and cast support device  10  in its retracted state with the cross-member  80  straight in shape. Both the first and second strut members  25 ,  45  are retracted and then pivoted up towards the cast  20 . This allows the protective caps  50 , as well as the cross member  80  to fold up against the cast  20  as shown. This position will not interfere with normal walking, sleeping or lying down. This action is accomplished by releasing the first and second connection posts  30 ,  40  and rotating the strut members  25 ,  45  in the direction as defined by a first motion direction arrow  90 . This action allows the wearer of the self-contained limb and cast support device  10  to walk about on a walking cast, or to move about with crutches or a wheel chair in a conventional manner, without the self-contained limb and cast support device  10  interfering with mobility. The self-contained limb and cast support device  10  is secured in this retracted position by use of the first and second connection posts  30 ,  40  that can be tightened and loosened. 
     Now referring to FIG. 4, a cutaway view of the first strut  25 , taken along a line  1 — 1  as shown in FIG. 2 is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the first strut  25  is composed of three telescoping sections: an upper strut member  26 , a middle strut member  27  that slides inside of the upper strut member  26  when retracted and a lower strut member  28  that slides inside of the middle strut member  27  when retracted. A pair of relief slots  95  are provided in the interior portion of each upper and middle strut members  26 ,  27  at a 180 degree angle to one another. The pair of relief slots  95  provide for the tightening of the lower strut member  28  within the middle strut member  27  and the middle strut member  27  withing the upper strut member  26 . To facilitate tightening of said members  26 ,  27 ,  28 , both the lower member  28  and the middle member  27 , have a pair of wings  96  stemming therefrom at a one hundred eighty degree angle from one another, that travel through a pair of channels cut into the interior of each the upper  26  and the middle  27  strut members. To shorten the first strut  25 , the lower strut member  28  is twisted until the pair of wings  96  match the pair of channels within the middle strut member  27 . The lower strut member  28  is then pushed up into the middle strut member  27  until the wings  96  reach the relief slots  95 . At this point, the lower strut member  28  is twisted again, and is thereby locked into place. To lengthen, the same process is repeated until the pair of relief slots  95  at the lower end of the middle strut member  27  are reached and the lower member  28  is again locked into place. The middle strut member  27  adjusts in relation to the upper strut member  26  in the same way as the lower strut member  28  adjusts in relation to the middle strut member  27  as described above. The assembly of the second strut  45  is preferably identical to that of the first strut  25 . 
     An alternate embodiment of the self-contained limb and cast support device  10 , is shown in FIG.  5 . This embodiment is used in instances where a cast was already applied and the user wants the features of the self-contained limb and cast support device  10  or in instances where the limb injury is a sprain or the like and a cast is not required, but elevation of the affected limb is. In this alternative embodiment, the connection band  35  is external and preferably removable. 
     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 to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, 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 intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.