Support for a limb of a body

Details Support for a limb of a body Support for a limb of a body

1998-03-19

2001-04-24

Yu, Mickey (Department: 3733)

Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage

Orthopedic bandage

Splint or brace

C602S005000, C128S845000, C005S648000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06221036

ABSTRACT:

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.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2630288 (1953-03-01), Eubanks, Sr.
patent: 2722692 (1955-11-01), Dempster
patent: 3066322 (1962-12-01), Derby
patent: 5027799 (1991-07-01), Laico et al.
patent: 5111808 (1992-05-01), Meals
patent: 5716101 (1998-02-01), Frinier et al.
patent: 14195 (1916-07-01), None

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