Patent Publication Number: US-2007106193-A1

Title: Framework for enabling traction to be applied to a patient

Description:
The present invention relates to a framework which permits traction to be applied to a patient.  
      Such frameworks are already well known and in particular a framework known as a Braun frame has been particularly popular.  
      The problem with the Braun frame is that it is a heavy fixed framework which mitigates against it being moved easily from patient to patient.  
      The present invention provides a collapsible framework which will carry out the same functions as the known Braun frame but in a more convenient fashion.  
      Preferably, the framework is not only collapsible but also adjustable so as to enable it to be utilised in different locations and with different sizes of patients. 
    
    
      In order that the present invention be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of a frame according to the present invention in an upright assembled position;  
       FIG. 2  shows an isometric review of the frame shown in  FIG. 1  but in a folded flat condition;  
       FIG. 3  shows a detail of the locking mechanism of the frame shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 4 ( a ) shows a detail of the attachment of a bed cover support member to the stand member, and  FIG. 4 ( b ) shows the same part but without the bed cover support attached.  
    
    
      The frame for permitting traction to be applied to a patient according to the present invention comprises a plurality of interlinked members. In this case there are basically two interlinked members so as to permit folding with one of the members being further adjustable to provide a considerable degree of adjustment as well as enabling the frame to be folded in a very compact fashion. The two members are a main stand member  10  which is of generally flattened U-shape with the free ends of the legs  11  of the member  10  being connected to a main elongate member  12  via an adjustable locking linkages  13  whereby the member  10  may be folded with respect to the member  12  to assume the position shown in  FIG. 2 .  
      The member  12  in this embodiment is made up of three sections, namely a middle section  121 , a pulley support section  122  and a bed engaging section  123 .  
      The middle section  121  in this embodiment is provided with the linkages  13  connecting the two members  10  and  12  together. One end  121   a  of the middle section  121  is connected to the pulley support section  122  which is generally U-shaped with a pulley  15  rotatably mounted in the bight  14  of the section  122 .  
      The U-shaped section  122  is slidably received within tubular members which form the section  121  and can be fixed any one of a number of different discrete extended positions by means of a locking adjustment arrangement cooperating with indentations spaced apart along the length of the legs of the member  122 . The adjustment arrangement is preferably a simple spring loaded plunger which is biased into engagement with an indentation to fix the section  122  in position. Any other simple, easily operable system could be used.  
      The other ends  121   b  of the middle section  121  are provided with hinge arrangements  16  which connect to the bed engaging section  123 .  
      As better shown in  FIG. 2 , the hinge arrangements  16  consists of a hinge part  16   a  and a locking tubular member  16   b  which can be moved from the position shown in  FIG. 2  to the position shown in  FIG. 1  in order to completely cover the hinge portion  16   a  and thus lock the bed engaging section  123  into position as shown in  FIG. 1 . In order to fold the section  123  to the position shown in  FIG. 2  all that is necessary is for the tubular member  16   b  to be slipped off the hinge portion  16   a  whereupon the section  123  can be folded against the tubular members forming the middle section  121 .  
      It will be noted that the tubular members forming the middle section  121  are slightly bent adjacent their ends  121   b  so as to permit the frame, when assembled as shown in  FIG. 1  to be supported on a flattened sections of a U-shaped members  18  which constitutes the bed engaging section  123  in this embodiment and the member  10 .  
      If necessary, a further U-shaped member  20  can be added which may fit into the free ends  11  of the flattened U-shaped member  10 . The member  20  can be used to support bed covers and aid comfort.  FIG. 4 ( a ) shows in more detail the attachment of the U-shaped bed cover or sheet support member  20  to the stand member  10 , and also shows a dust cap  26  which is preferably provided, and may be retained as shown by a portion surrounding the leg  11  of the stand member  10 . In the configuration of  FIG. 4 ( a ), the dust cap is not used, since the tubular legs  11  of the member  10  are occupied by the member  20 . However, when the bed cover support member  20  is not fitted, the dust cap  26  can be placed over the open end of each leg  11 , to prevent dust or other debris from entering the tubular frame. It will be appreciated that a dust cap is preferably provided on each side of the frame.  
      Turning now to  FIG. 3 , this shows in more detail the locking arrangement between the flattened U-shaped member  10  and the main elongate member  12 . This locking arrangement comprises a main part  21  which is fixed to a respective tubular member  12  and has a depending portion  22 , one major surface of which is provided with a boss  23  through the centre of which passes a locking screw  24 . Each free end of the legs  11  has a diametrically opposite pair of holes in register with the hole through the boss  23  so that the locking screw projects from the boss  23  through the holes in the walls of legs  11  so that a locking nut or handwheel  25  can be provided on the end of the locking screw  24 . Consequently, simply by slackening the locking nuts on the locking screws  24 , the U-shaped member  10  can be folded against the member  12  to adopt the position shown in  FIG. 2  and the member  20 , if provided, adopts the position shown in  FIG. 2  also. Preferably, the locking nut or handwheel is retained in position so that it cannot be fully removed, but can only be tightened or loosened.  
      It is also to be noted that the boss  23  is shaped to have two pairs of diametrically opposed scallops  1 ,  2  so that the member  10  and main member  12  can only adopt one of two specific orientations. This not only ensures accurate positioning of the respective members but also ensures that the integrity of the framework is assured.  
      It is also to be noted that the pulley  15  ( FIG. 2 ) is elongate in an axial direction so as to provide three quite distinct pulley surfaces  15   a ,  15   b  and  15   c . This permits traction to be applied down the centre line of the frame by using the pulley surface  15   b  or slightly off axis by using the pulley surface  15   a  or  15   c.    
      It will be appreciated that the above embodiment is fully adjustable to permit different sizes of patient. Further, because it is foldable it can be moved readily from patient to patient, and requires little storage space when not in use.