Abstract:
A harness is provided for supporting an arm or an article against the front torso of a body. A fastener of the harness is fastened to clothing at the rear waistline and a strap extends upwardly from the fastener and over a shoulder of the body to the front torso. A support member or loop disposed at a free end of the strap adjacent to the front torso receives and supports an arm in a bent or flexed position against the front torso. A second strap, fastener, and support member provide enhanced support for the arm. Special application for the harness has been found for supporting an injured arm in a cast.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention generally relates to a support harness wearable by a human subject. More particularly, this invention relates to a harness for supporting or immobilizing an arm or shoulder of a human subject. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Shoulder and arm injuries are common occurrences that are generally treated by surgery and subsequent immobilization. If the arm is not properly supported, then there is the risk of discomfort, pain, and an improper or unnecessarily lengthy healing process. If a bone is broken, then it is particularly important to properly position the arm in order to facilitate proper healing. 
         [0003]    Typically, the patient will receive a splint or hard cast to prevent shifting of a broken bone or movement of the bones of the arm with respect to each other. Casts have two layers—a soft layer, usually comprised of cotton or a similar material, and a hard outer layer or shell. The outer layer is generally formed from either plaster of paris or fiberglass and can be relatively heavy, especially if the cast covers the entire arm. 
         [0004]    The cast must remain on the arm for weeks or even months, so casts are often provided with a sling for additional support. A sling is a bandage that is placed under the arm and wrapped around the back of the neck. Well-known neck-supported slings include triangle slings and Cravat slings. One problem with such slings is that the weight of the arm and cast are supported by the neck, which can cause chronic discomfort and considerable pain, especially if the patient is older or has a history of back and/or neck problems. 
         [0005]    Another problem with typical slings is that they include a continuous sleeve that surrounds the cast for supporting the arm. Such sleeves are uncomfortable, because they allow heat to build up in and around the cast. Furthermore, slings typically support the forearm in a relatively unadjustable horizontal position, which may allow for swelling in the hand and arm. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, a general aspect or object of the present invention is to provide a harness for supporting an arm or shoulder. 
         [0007]    Another aspect or object of this invention is to provide a harness for supporting an arm or shoulder without undue neck pain and discomfort. 
         [0008]    Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention, including the various features used in various combinations, will be understood from the following description according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which certain specific features are shown. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a harness is provided for engaging a rear waistline of a patient. A fastener of the harness is fastened to the clothing of the patient, typically to a pair of pants or belt, but the fastener can be connected to anything wearable on, near or around the waist, so the term “clothing” is used broadly herein and includes items and accessories such as “fanny packs” and the like. A strap extends upwardly from the fastener and over a shoulder of the patient to the chest or front torso. A support member or loop disposed at a free end of the strap is sized and configured to receive and support a portion of an arm of the patient in a bent or flexed position against the chest or front torso. Preferably, the harness is similar to a pair of suspenders, with a pair of straps extending from the rear waistline of the patient, wherein one strap passes over each shoulder. 
         [0010]    The free end of each strap includes a support member for receiving and supporting a portion of an arm in a bent or flexed position against the chest or front torso. The support member preferably takes the form of an extension of the strap shaped into a loop. Thus, it will be understood that the arm and a cast or splint, if provided, are effectively supported by the shoulders instead of the neck, thereby providing considerable relief for patients requiring long-term support or immobilization of an arm or shoulder. Furthermore, the harness prevents heat build-up, swelling, and other drawbacks associated with typical slings. 
         [0011]    Modifications to the above-described harness include the addition of a swath or bandage to immobilize the arm against the chest or front torso. The same function can instead be provided by fasteners associated with the support members for securing the support members to the clothing of the patient. The straps and support members may be comprised of an elastic material for added comfort and may also be adjustable for achieving the proper length or loop size. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the harness may be used to support an article typically supported by a neck strap, such as a camera or pair of binoculars. When used to support such an article, the harness is provided with two support members, each having a fastener suitable for engagement with the article or with a strap associated with the article. 
         [0013]    Special application for the present invention has been found for supporting an injured arm in a hard cast. However, the present invention is also applicable to supporting unwrapped arms for physical therapy and/or unwrapped arms that are healthy, objects normally supported by a neck strap, as well as any other object that would be advantageous to support against the chest or front torso. Therefore, it will be understood that the products described herein are not limited to particular medical, therapeutic, or rehabilitative devices or applications. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a harness according to an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view of a human body wearing the harness of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a human body wearing the harness of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of a human body wearing the harness of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a harness according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a human body wearing the harness of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a human body wearing a harness according to another embodiment; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of a harness according to another aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate manner. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  illustrates a harness  10  according to an aspect of the present invention. The harness  10  includes a fastener  12  for securing the harness  10  to a rear waistline W of a patient, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . When used herein, the term “fastener” refers to any means for securing the harness  10  to another structure, such clothing. The fastener  12  is to be secured to the clothing of a patient, so it can comprise a loop or hook for engaging a belt or a clamp for releasably gripping a pair of pants or a buttonhole for receiving a button or a strip of Velcro® or a buckle or a clasp or a clip or the like. Thus, it will be understood from the preceding non-exhaustive listing that the term “fastener” is not limiting, but is intended to cover any suitable fastener or joinder mechanism. Preferably, the fastener  12  is a compression fastener, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,482 to Hawie, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The illustrated harness  10  includes two identical fasteners  12 , which are configured for engagement with different portions of the rear waistline W, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . While it is possible to use a single fastener  12 , it is preferable to provide a pair of fasteners  12  for distributing the weight of a supported arm over two shoulders of the body, as will be described herein. 
         [0024]    Each fastener  12  includes a strap  14  extending generally upward in the configuration of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Each strap  14  extends from a first anchored end  16  associated with a fastener  12  to a free end  18  associated with a loop or support member  20 . The straps  14  are preferably formed of a relatively elastic or flexible material for improved comfort and adjustability. The straps  14  are also preferably between approximately 1.50 inches and 2.00 inches wide for improved weight distribution, comfort, and support. 
         [0025]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each strap  14  extends from the rear waistline W of a patient, over a shoulder S, and to a front torso or chest region F.  FIG. 2  shows a preferred embodiment in which the straps  14  cross each other, such that a strap fastened to a left portion of the rear waistline extends upwardly and over a right shoulder and a strap fastened to a right portion of the rear waistline extends upwardly and over a left shoulder. This configuration allows the straps  14  to be joined together at junction  22  and eliminates the risk of the straps  14  falling off of the shoulders S. Of course, the harness  10  may be practiced using two separate crossing or parallel straps  14 , but it is preferable for straps  14  to be joined to form a unitary structure. 
         [0026]    Each strap  14  preferably includes a clasp or buckle system or the like, not illustrated, for adjusting the length of the strap  14 , which effectively varies the height of the associated support member  20  and, if two support members  20  are provided, the angle therebetween. This allows the harness to be used for people of different heights and differing arm orientation needs. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show that the free end  18  of each strap  14  includes a loop or support member  20  disposed at a front torso or chest region F. Each support member  20  is preferably an integral extension of the associated strap  14  and comprises a loop formed at the free end  18  of a strap  14  from the same elastic material, but each support member  20  could also be a separate structure which is connected to the free end  18  of the associated strap  14 . For example, a loop or cuff may be sewed, adhered, or otherwise attached to the free end  18  of the strap  14  without departing from the scope of the present invention. If a separate support member is provided, then it preferably has a width approximately equal to the width of the strap  14  in order to provide optimal comfort and maneuverability. As illustrated, each support member  20  is sized and configured to receive and support a portion of an arm A in a bent or flexed position against the front torso F. The straps  14  may be adjusted to have different lengths, which may be practiced to prevent swelling or to make the patient more comfortable. It will be appreciated that more arm support angles are possible with a harness according to the present invention than a typical sling with a continuous sleeve. 
         [0028]    Each support member  20  is preferably provided with an adjustable clasp  24  or the like, for selectively adjusting the size of the support member  20 . Additionally, each support member  20  may include a fastener  26  for securing the arm A to the clothing and front torso F of the patient, which prevents excessive movement and swinging of the arm A. Further immobilization of the arm A and shoulder S may be achieved by providing an elongated bandage or swath  28  connected to a strap  14  or the junction  22 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , for being wrapped around the arm A and front torso F to secure the arm A against the front torso F. Alternatively, the swath  28  may be passed between the arm A and the front torso F to pin the straps  14  against the front torso F for an effect similar to the fasteners  26  of  FIG. 4 . The swath  28  is preferably removably attached to the harness  10 , so that it may be removed if not needed. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  shows yet another embodiment of a harness  10   a  according to the present invention. The harness  10   a  differs from the harness  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  because both ends  16   a  of the strap  14   a  are anchored, one at the rear waistline W and the other at a front waistline W′, similar to a typical suspender strap. The strap  14   a  includes a supporting member or loop  20   a  that is permanently or removably attached to the strap  14   a  for receiving an arm A. Preferably, the supporting member  20   a  is comprised of the same elastic material as the strap  14   a.    
         [0030]    In addition to supporting an arm A or an arm A in a cast C, a harness according to the present invention can also be modified to support an article usually supported by a neck strap. For example,  FIG. 8  illustrates a harness  10   b  supporting a camera C′. The camera C′ includes mounting fixtures or clips M adapted to receive a neck strap, not illustrated, to be wrapped behind the neck for support. A fastener  30  connected to each support member  20   b  effectively engages each mounting fixture M for supporting the camera C′. The harness  10   b  may be used alone or in combination with a neck strap, in order to provide additional security for heavy or expensive equipment. The strap  14  may be provided with a pocket or pouch, not illustrated, for holding a roll of film or the like. 
         [0031]    It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention which have been described are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, including those combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein.