Patent Publication Number: US-6221036-B1

Title: Support for a limb of a body

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a device for elevating a limb of a body, which elevation is primarily used as part of the curative process for a limb that has been sprained or fractured or which suffers from a disease such as gout, arthritis, varicose veins, edema, or the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The traditional means for accomplishing such suspension utilizes a cable attached to the limb and then running across an elevated pulley. This process is so cumbersome that it is difficult for the patient, himself or herself, to adjust the suspension cable. Furthermore, the pulley generally allows very little freedom of lateral (as opposed to vertical and longitudinal) movement, ie., movement is substantially restricted about the yaw axis. Similarly little longitudinal movement can be attained. 
     A number of inventions have, however, been patented for accomplishing the requisite suspension by supporting the limb on a sheet of material, preferably fabric. Other related patients apply to devices that are not intended for the support of a limb but could be so utilized. 
     These prior inventions, however, fall into three categories. 
     The first category includes patented devices where the sheet could become dislodged from the supporting base relatively easily. Composing this category are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,630,288; 2,722,692; 3,742,532; and 5,111,808. 
     Patents within the second category are those covering devices where the sheet cannot be removed from the supporting base. These patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,195,917 (One of two sheets utilized in the device of this patent can, however, be removed.); 2,244,440; 2,785,418; 2,834,032; 3,294,451; 3,430,956; and 4,544,203. 
     Devices within the third category of patents secure the sheet to the supporting base built do so in a manner which would require a substantially long time wither to remove or to install the sheet. This third category is composed of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,020,262; 2,735,480; 3,066,322; 3,086,225; and 3,472,224. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a sheet which has loops formed along the longitudinal sides of the sheet. On each longitudinal side of the sheet, a rod is inserted into the loop or loops. Each rod is then releasably, but securely and readily, attached to one longitudinal side of the supporting base. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts an isometric view of the preferred embodiment for the Support for a Limb of a Body. 
     FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment for the Support for a Limb of a Body from the side. 
     FIG. 3 provides a view from the higher end of the Support for a Limb of a Body. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of an adjustable version of the preferred embodiment of the Support for a Limb of a Body. 
     FIG. 5 gives a view from the higher end of the adjustable version of the preferred embodiment of the Support for a Limb of a Body. 
     FIG. 6 depicts an isometric view of an alternate embodiment for the Support for a Limb of a Body where the rods and bases are combined into a single tube. 
     FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 6 from the top, without the sheet. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 6, without the sheet. 
     FIG. 9 provides a view from the higher end of the embodiment of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 10 shows, from the top, the embodiment of FIG. 6 where the height of the base is adjustable. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 where the height of the base is adjustable. 
     FIG. 12 provides a view from the higher end of the embodiment of FIG. 6 where the height of the base is adjustable. 
     FIG. 13 is an end view of an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 1 except that an alternate means is employed to attach the sheet to the base. 
     FIG. 14 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 where the height of the alternate means for attaching the sheet to the base is adjustable. 
     FIG. 15 shows a side view of the base for the embodiment of FIG.  14 . 
     FIG. 16 illustrates, from the top, the base for the embodiment of FIG. 14, where the tops of the vertical columns are not shown. 
     FIG. 17 portrays an optional embodiment similar to that of FIG. 10 except that bracing is used across the ends rather than having the vertical portions of the base connected at the bottom of each end of the base. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As illustrated in FIG.  1  and FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of the Support for a Limb of a Body has a base  1  with a generally U-shaped cross section. 
     A sheet  2  of flexible material, preferably fabric, has loops  3  formed, preferably by stitching, along the longitudinal sides  4  of the sheet  2 . 
     At the open top  5  of the base  1 , each side  6  of the base  1  widens to contain a channel  7  having a slot  8  opening toward the center  9  of the base  1 . A rod  10 , which is preferably composed of a plastic material, is inserted into one of the loops  3  of the sheet  2 ; and a similar rod  10  is inserted into the other of the loops  3  of the sheet  2 . One rod  10  and the corresponding loop  3  of the sheet  2  are inserted into one channel  7 , with the sheet extending through the slot  8 . The other rod  10  and the corresponding loop  3  of the sheet  2  are inserted into the other channel  7 , with the sheet extending through the slot  8 . Thus, the loops  3  and rods  10  can readily be placed into the channels  7 ; and frictional forces releasably but securely retain the loops  3  and rods  10  within the channels  7  when a limb of a body is placed on and moves upon the sheet  2 . 
     Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the sides  6  of the base  1  rise as they move from a first end  11  toward a second end  12  of the base  1 . This increases the comfort for a user of the Support for a Limb of a Body when the distal end of the limb is placed beyond the first end  11  of the base  1  before approaching or passing the second end  12  of the base  1 . 
     Rather than simply widening each side  6  of the base  1 , a separate tube  13  containing the channel  7  and having a slot  8  can be attached to the top  5  of each side  6  of the base  1  and oriented so that the slot  8  opens toward the center  9  of the base  1 . 
     Optionally, the preferred embodiment can have the distance between the bottom  14  of the base  1  and the channel  7  be adjustable. An auxiliary side  17  is located adjacent to each side  6  and slidably but lockably attached to each side  6 , preferably as described below. 
     Preferably, as illustrated in FIG.  4  and FIG. 5, each side  6  of the base  1  will be of generally uniform width throughout its length and will contain one or more slots  15  to accommodate a releasable fastener  16 , such as a bolt and wing nut. Each auxiliary side  17  contains one or more apertures  18  to accommodate a releasable fastener  16 . At the top  19  of each auxiliary side  17 , either the auxiliary side  17  widens to accommodate the channel  7  having the slot  8  or, optionally, a separate tube  13  containing the channel  7  and having a slot  8  is attached to the auxiliary side  17 . The releasable fastener  16  is simply released to allow the auxiliary side  17  to be moved up or down with respect to the corresponding side  6 ; and when the desired distance has been reached, the releasable fastener  16  is again fastened. 
     An optional embodiment of the Support for a Limb of a Body is depicted in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG.  9 . 
     This first optional embodiment has a base  1  which consists of a first end  17  and a second end  18 . The bottom  14  of the base  1  is preferably a hollow tube, as the sides  6  also are. At the first end  17  of the base  1 , one side  6  is attached on a first side  19  of the base  1  and another side  6  is attached on a second side  20  of the base  1 ; at the second end  18  of the base  1 , one side  6  is attached on a first side  19  of the base  1  and another side  6  is attached on a second side  20  of the base  1 . A rod  10  is connected to the top  5  of a side  6  at the first end  17  of the base  1  on the first side  19  of the base  1 ; the rod  10  then runs to the second end  18  of the base  1  on the first side  19  of the base  1 , where the rod  10  is connected to the top  5  of a side  6 . Similarly, another rod  10  is connected to the top  5  of a side  6  at the first end  17  of the base  1  on the second side  20  of the base  1 ; the rod  10  then runs to the second end  18  of the base  1  on the second side  20  of the base  1 , where the rod  10  is connected to the top  5  of a side  6 . 
     The sides  6  at the second end  18  of the base  1  are preferably longer than are the sides  6  at the first end  17  of the base  1 . 
     The rods  10  are preferably hollow tubes. Between the first end  17  of the base  1  and the second end  18  of the base  1 , each rod  10  can be separated into a first portion  21  and a second portion  22 . First portion  21  is releasably connected to second portion  22  for each rod  10 . Preferably, a connecting bar  101  having an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the rod  10  is permanently attached to the inside of the first portion  21  of the rod  10  and extends from the first portion  21  of the rod  10 . Then the second portion  22  of the rod  10  simply slides over the exposed portion of the connecting bar to become removably attached to the first portion  21  of the rod  10 . The inner diameter of the rod  10  and the outer diameter of the connecting rod are chosen so that the frictional force between the rod  10  and the connecting rod will be sufficiently great to prevent inadvertent separation of the longitudinal bar from the connecting rod but sufficiently low that an average person can intentional separate and connect the longitudinal bar and the connecting rod, i.e., the first portion  21  of the rod  10  is readily, but releasably and securely, connected to the second portion  22  of the rod  10 . 
     Of course, to assemble this first optional embodiment, the first portion  21  of each rod  10  is separated from the second portion  22  of each rod  10 . Then the loops  3  of the sheet  2  are pushed onto either the first portion  21  or the second portion  22 , and the first portion  21  is readily, but releasably and securely, connected to the second portion  22  of the corresponding rod  10  so that the sheet  2  is readily, but releasably and securely, attached to the base  1 . 
     A version of this first optional embodiment which has the distance between the bottom  14  of the base  1  and the rod  10  adjustable is portrayed in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG.  12 . This is preferably accomplished by having the outer diameter of the bottom  14  smaller than the inner diameter of the sides  6  and having the sides  19 ,  20  of the bottom  14  curve so that they are essentially parallel to one another and can each slide into one of the hollow sides  6 . One or more narrow slits  23  are cut longitudinally along the sides  6  at the end of the sides  6  which attaches to the bottom  14  and running sufficiently far toward the other end of the sides  6  that the end of the sides  6  to which the bottom  14  is attached can be squeezed with sufficient force that the side  6  is precluded from sliding along the bottom  14 . The means for squeezing the vertical column is preferably an adjustable clamp  24 . 
     A second optional embodiment of the Support for a Limb of a Body is illustrated in FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG.  16 . 
     As does the preferred embodiment, this second optional embodiment has a base  1  with a generally U-shaped cross section. To each side  6 , two or more pins  25  are slidably but lockably attached, preferably as described below. 
     In each side  6 , two or more generally vertical slots  15  exist to accommodate a releasable fastener  16 , such as a bolt and wing nut. Preferably, on the outer side of each slot  15 , i.e., the side away from the horizontal portion of the U-shaped base  1 , a vertical groove  26  runs along the slot  15  from the top  5  of the side  6  of the U-shaped base  1  to a location below the slot  15 . 
     A pin  25  is placed in each groove  26 . Near the top of each pin  25  is a first aperture  27 , preferably formed by shaping the upper portion of the pin  25  into a circle. Near the bottom of each pin  25  is a second aperture  28 , which is oriented at approximately a ninety-degree angle with respect to the first aperture  28 . This second aperture  28  is designed to accommodate a releasable fastener  16 , such as a bolt and wing nut. The releasable fastener  16  is simply released to allow the pin  25  to be moved up or down with respect to the side  6 ; and when the desired distance has been reached, the releasable fastener  16  is again fastened. 
     The length of the sheet  2  is preferably selected to be less than the distance between the vertical slots  15  on a given side  6 , although more than two slots  15  and associated pins  25  could be utilized if the sheet  2  were to contain intermediate apertures (not illustrated) in the longitudinal loops  3  wherever a pin  25  is desired to be located. 
     In any of the embodiments of the Support for a Limb of a Body, additional loops  3  can be formed intermediate the longitudinal sides  4  of the sheet  2  in order to provide a means for adjusting the amount of sag in the sheet  2 . 
     To install the sheet  2 , a rod  10  is removably placed into the first aperture  27  of a pin  25  near the first end  17  or the second end  18  of a side  6 . The rod  10  is then removably inserted into one longitudinal loop  3  of the sheet  2 . When the rod  10  reaches the other end  18  or  17  of the sheet  2  (or any of the intermediate apertures in the longitudinal loop  3 ), the rod  10  is removably placed through the first aperture  27  of another pin  25 . (Of course, if an intermediate aperture has been employed, the rod  10  is then removably inserted into a more distant portion of the longitudinal loop  3  in the sheet  2 ; and the process is repeated.) 
     The preceding process is subsequently conducted for the other side  6  of the base  1  in order to attach the sheet  2  readily, but releasably and securely, to the base  1 . 
     A less elaborate version of the second optional embodiment (not illustrated) eliminates the slots  15 , the grooves  26 , and the second apertures  28 . The pins  25  are simply permanently attached to the sides  6 , preferably with tops  5  of the pins  25  at the second end  18  of the sides  6  farther from the bottom  14  of the base  1  than the tops  5  of the pins  25  at the first end  17  of the sides  6 . 
     The dimensions for all embodiments of the Support for a Limb of a Body can be varied to create models that are suitable for individuals of different sizes, such as adults and children. 
     A third optional embodiment of the Support for a Limb of a Body is portrayed in FIG.  17 . 
     This embodiment is the same as adjustable version of the first optional embodiment with exception that the portion of the bottom  14  of the base  1  running between the first side  19  and the second side  20  has been eliminated and replaced with one or more hinged braces  29 . At the first end  17  of the base  1 , one or more hinged braces  29  are connected between the side  6  on the first side  19  of the base  1  and the second side  20  of the base  1 . Similarly, at the second end  18  of the base  1 , one or more hinged braces  29  are rotatably connected between the side  6  on the first side  19  of the base  1  and the second side  20  of the base  1 . 
     This embodiment would generally be placed on a floor when a user is sitting in a chair. The other embodiments are generally placed upon the same surface on which the user is reclining.