AU2013100590A4 - Leg support - Google Patents

Leg support Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2013100590A4
AU2013100590A4 AU2013100590A AU2013100590A AU2013100590A4 AU 2013100590 A4 AU2013100590 A4 AU 2013100590A4 AU 2013100590 A AU2013100590 A AU 2013100590A AU 2013100590 A AU2013100590 A AU 2013100590A AU 2013100590 A4 AU2013100590 A4 AU 2013100590A4
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AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
support
flap
secured
chair
leg
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Ceased
Application number
AU2013100590A
Inventor
Jennifer Cayzer
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to AU2013100590A priority Critical patent/AU2013100590A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2013100590A4 publication Critical patent/AU2013100590A4/en
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Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

LEG SUPPORT 5 According to the present invention, a leg support comprises a body of flexible material having a first and second end, the first end being adapted to attach to a support in front of a chair, the second end being adapted to be placed on the chair and secured by a person sitting thereon wherein once secured the passenger can then place their legs on the body of the support. The leg 10 support is adapted to be used primarily in an airplane wherein the first end of the body is adapted to attach to a fold down tray table of an airplane passenger chair when the tray is in the upright position. cni Or1 eel4 tLo ..............

Description

1 LEG SUPPORT FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to supports and in particular to leg supports. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It should be noted that reference to the prior art herein is not to be taken as an 10 acknowledgement that such prior art constitutes common general knowledge in the art. Travelling has become a very common part of life, whether it is for work, visiting friends or family or for a vacation. People often travel for long periods 15 during which time they are seated in a chair and are generally sedentary. In particular, travelling in airplanes requires a passenger to be seated in a cramped position for many hours. Travelling in trains, buses and the like can also see a passenger seated for long periods of time in awkward and uncomfortable positions. 20 Sitting for long periods can become very uncomfortable and can lead to tired and aching muscles, swollen legs, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and even the life threatening condition of pulmonary emboli. Furthermore, it can be difficult to sleep in an upright seated position and travelers can often become sleep 25 deprived. All of these factors make travelling uncomfortable and also passengers often require significant recovery time which is detrimental to work commitments or enjoyment of vacation time. Several devices have been developed in order to make travelling more 30 comfortable and/or to prevent DVTs. Some such devices include padded or inflatable neck supports, which facilitate sleeping in a chair, and back supports that prevent an aching back. These neck and back supports are useful to 2 provide an alternative position however for many people do not provide enough comfort to be able to sleep. Some passenger chairs in airplanes, trains and buses have the ability to 5 recline partially and/or have an extendible foot rest built into the chair. More commonly, a passenger chair can have a fold down foot rest at the back such that the person sitting in the chair behind can rest their feet on the foot rest. Personal inflatable foot rests have also been developed which allow a person to take the foot rest with them in different vehicles. It is desirable to be able to 10 raise one's feet and legs to reduce fatigue and pain, to increase blood flow in the venous system and therefore to help prevent DVTs. It is also advantageous to be able to sleep comfortably on your side with legs supported. However, these foot rests only raise the legs by a small distance and for many people do not provide the support required for comfort, 15 improved blood flow or sleeping. Other devices often used to prevent DVTs include pressure stockings or socks which apply pressure to the ankles and calves to discourage pooling of blood in the veins of the legs. Inflatable leg compression devices have also 20 been used to apply pressure to the legs to prevent pooling of blood in the legs. These compression devices can be uncomfortable and can be cumbersome or inconvenient if a passenger needs to get up and move around. 25 Accordingly, it would be advantageous of the present invention to provide a contrivance which ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages set forth above or at least provides an alternative to the prior art. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION 30 According to the present invention a leg support comprises a body of flexible material having a first and second end, the first end being adapted to attach to a support in front of a chair, the second end being adapted to be placed on 3 the chair and secured by a person sitting thereon, wherein once secured the passenger can then place their legs on the body of the support. Preferably, the first end of the body comprises a flap of material and securing 5 means wherein the flap of material can be folded over the support and secured to the support by the securing means. Alternatively, the first end of the body comprises a hood of material and securing means wherein the hood can receive a top of a support and securing means used to secure the hood to the support. In one embodiment, the securing means comprises straps of 10 hook and loop fasteners which can secure the first end to the support. In a second embodiment, the securing means comprises straps of material which can be tied to secure the first end to the support. In a third embodiment, the securing means comprises straps of material and buckles which can be used to secure the first end to the support. 15 Preferably, the body comprises a rectangular length of material having two long side edges and two short end edges. Even more preferably, the body further comprises a generally triangular piece of material secured, on two edges, to each long side edge of the rectangular length of material to form the 20 rectangular body into a generally V-shaped configuration. Preferably, the first end of the body can attach to a support such that one arm of the V hangs generally vertically from the support and the second end can be secured on a chair such that the second arm of the V is supported at an inclined angle to provide a support for a person's legs. 25 In a preferred embodiment, a padded section is located along the fold of the V shaped body such that the padded section provides comfort for a user's feet and legs within the support. Even more preferably, the padded section includes a centrally located protrusion which can fit between a person's feet 30 and ankles to provide improved comfort. In an alternative embodiment, the support comprises a padded insert that can be placed between a user's knees, ankles or legs to improve the comfort of the support. In another embodiment, the body of the support has a pouch which can receive the insert 4 for storage when not in use. In yet another embodiment, the support comprises a removable pillow which can be used to cushion other parts of the person's body such as their head, back or neck. 5 Preferably, the support can be folded up for storage. Even more preferably, the support comprises straps which can secure the support in a folded configuration. In one embodiment, the straps are located on an underside of the body and wrap around the support when in a folded configuration. Preferably the straps comprise hook and loop fasteners to secure the straps 10 around the support. In yet a further embodiment, the support can wrap around a pillow and the straps used to secure the support and pillow together when not in use. Preferably, the support includes a hook, clip or carabineer which enables the 15 support to be connected to a backpack, luggage or belt when in the folded configuration. In one embodiment, the hook, clip or carabineer is secured to an underside of the support. Preferably the support is adapted to be used in an airplane. In the preferred 20 embodiment, the first end of the body is adapted to attach to a fold down tray table of an airplane passenger chair when the tray is in the upright position. Specifically, the first end of the body comprises a flap of material and securing means wherein the flap of material can be folded over a front edge of the tray table and secured to the tray table by the securing means. Preferably, the 25 flap of material is thin enough that the tray table can be secured in the upright position by a latch which can move over the flap of material. In an alternative embodiment, the flap of material has a hole in the centre through which the tray table can be secured in the upright position by a latch or similar means used in that airplane chair. 30 In the preferred embodiment, the securing means comprises straps of loop fasteners on a distal edge of the flap which, when the flap is folded over the 5 tray table, can wrap around the tray table and attach to a section of hook fasteners on the flap to secure the flap over the tray table. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Fig 1 is an isometric view of the leg support of the present invention in use in an airplane; Fig 2 is a side view of the leg support of Fig 1 showing the position of a leg in the support; Fig 3 is an isometric detailed view of the leg support of Fig 1 attaching to a 15 fold-down tray table support; Fig 4 is an isometric view from below the leg support of Fig 1; Fig 5 is an isometric view of the leg support of Fig 1 in a folded configuration; and Fig 6 is an isometric view of the leg support of Fig 1 in a folded configuration 20 attached to a person's belt using a clip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Leg support 1 shown in Figs 1 to 6 comprises body of flexible material 2 25 having a first end 21 and second end 22, first end 21 being adapted to attach to a support in front of a chair, second end 22 being adapted to be placed on the chair and secured by a person sitting thereon wherein once secured the passenger can then place their legs on body 2 of support 1 as shown in Fig 1. 30 Referring to Fig 4, body 2 comprises a rectangular length of material having two long side edges and two short end edges. Body 2 further comprises a generally triangular piece of material 5 secured, on two edges, to each long side edge of the rectangular length of material to form a generally V-shaped 6 support configuration. Two triangular sections of material 5 thereby form sides of body 2 to keep legs within support 1. As shown in Fig 2, first end 21 of body 2 can attach to a support such that one arm of the V hangs generally vertically from the support and second end 22 can be secured on a chair such 5 that the second arm of the V is supported at an inclined angle to provide a support for a person's legs. First end 21 of body 2 comprises flap of material 3 and securing means 4. Flap 3 can be folded over the support and secured to the support by securing 10 means 4. Securing means 4 comprises straps 41 of loop fasteners on a distal edge of flap 3 which, when flap 3 is folded over the support, can wrap around the support and attach to section of hook fasteners 42 on flap 3 to secure flap 3 over the support. Specifically, straps 41 extend from a side edge of the distal end of flap 3 such that they can attach to sections 42 located proximally 15 on the same side edge of flap 3 as shown in Fig 3. Support 1 is adapted to be used primarily in an airplane. First end 21 of body 2 is adapted to attach to a fold down tray table of an airplane passenger chair when the tray is in the upright position, as can be seen in Figs 1 and 3. 20 Specifically, flap 3 can be folded over a front edge of the tray table and secured to the tray table by wrapping straps of loop fasteners 41 around the tray table and securing them to sections 42 of hook fasteners on the proximal section of flap 3. Flap 3 is construction of durable and strong material which is thin enough that the tray table can be secured in the upright position by a 25 latch which can move over the flap of material. Alternatively, flap 3 may comprise a centrally located hole (not shown) through which the tray table can be secured in the upright position by a latch or similar means used in that airplane chair. 30 Support 1 may also be used in trains, buses, cars or the like by folding flap 3 over the headrest, handles or another suitable feature of the passenger chair in front of the chair occupied by the user of support 1 and securing flap 3 over the chair with straps 41 and sections 42.
7 Padded section 6 is located along the fold of the V shaped body 2 such that padded section 6 provides comfort for a user's feet within support 1. Padded section 6 includes a centrally located protrusion (not shown) which can fit between a person's feet and ankles to provide improved comfort. Support 1 5 may optionally comprise a padded insert (not shown) that can be placed between a user's knees, ankles or legs to improve the comfort of the support. Body 2 may also include a pouch (not shown) which can receive the insert for storage when not in use. Support 1 may optionally include a removable pillow (not shown) which can be used to cushion other parts of a person's body such 10 as a person's head, back or neck. Support 1 can be folded up for storage and comprises straps 7 which can secure support 1 in a folded configuration. Straps 7 are located on an underside of body 2 and wrap around support 1 when in a folded 15 configuration. One of straps 7 comprises hook fasteners and the other comprises loop fasteners such that the straps can be secured to each other around support 1. Support 1 can optionally wrap around a removable pillow and straps 7 may be used to secure support 1 and the pillow together when not in use. 20 Support 1 includes clip 8 secured to an underside of body 2 which enables support 1 to be connected to a backpack, luggage, belt or the like when in the folded configuration. A person skilled in the art would understand that clip 8 could be substituted with a hook, carabineer or any other suitable attachment 25 means. Support 1 is constructed of a double layer of durable fabric material. Support 1 may consist of a tough and colourful outer layer of fabric and a soft cotton material inside the support. This makes the outside of the support 30 hardwearing and more durable under travelling conditions whilst providing a soft and comfortable layer inside for the comfort of the user. Additional layers of material and stitching are used to reinforce the edges and the joins to 8 increase the strength of support 1. All straps are constructed of a strong canvas material, but nylon or any other suitable material may also be used. The present invention provides a leg support for use during travelling which 5 supports a person's legs when seated in a chair to increase comfort, increase venous blood flow and help prevent leg swelling and DVTs. Specifically, the leg support allows decompression of the popliteal vein thus increasing venous return. In addition, the leg support allows some movement of the legs within the support which further increases venous blood flow. 10 Many people cannot sleep on their back or sitting up but favour sleeping in the foetal position on their side and the leg support of the present invention allows a person to do so. The leg support therefore reduces the aches and pains of travelling, helps to prevent DVTs and facilitates good quality sleep. The leg 15 support is portable and can be used in airplanes, trains, cars or buses and does not damage the tray table, headrest or chair to which it attaches. It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example only and that all other modifications and variations as would be 20 apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. It would be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the leg support may also be used for more than just travelling and may have other applications such as 25 supporting a person's legs if injured or providing a leg support during everyday life. Furthermore, it would be obvious that the support could be constructed from any suitable flexible material and that the securing means may comprise any 30 other suitable form other than straps. Alternative securing means may include straps of material which can be tied to secure the first end to the support or a combination of straps and buckles. Furthermore, first end 21 of body 2 may comprise a hood of material and securing means wherein the hood can 9 receive a top of a support and securing means used to secure the hood to the support. The drawings herein do not display definitive specifications as they are for 5 explanatory and demonstration purposes only. The dimensions, appearance or materials used in this support may be varied to suit different uses or different sized people. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the words 10 "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising" are not intended to exclude other additives components integers or steps.

Claims (5)

1. A leg support comprising a body of flexible material having a first and second end, the first end being adapted to attach to a support in front 5 of a chair, the second end being adapted to be placed on the chair and secured by a person sitting thereon wherein once secured the passenger can then place their legs on the body of the support.
2. The leg support of claim 1 wherein the first end of the body comprises 10 a flap of material and securing means wherein the flap of material can be folded over the support and secured to the support by the securing means.
3. The leg support of claim 2 wherein the securing means comprises 15 straps of hook and loop fasteners which can secure the flap to the support.
4. The leg support of any of the preceding claims wherein the body comprises a rectangular length of material having two long side edges 20 and two short end edges.
5. The leg support of claim 4 wherein the body further comprises at least one generally triangular piece of material secured on two edges to a long side edge of the rectangular length of material to form a generally 25 V-shaped configuration. 30
AU2013100590A 2013-04-26 2013-04-26 Leg support Ceased AU2013100590A4 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2013100590A AU2013100590A4 (en) 2013-04-26 2013-04-26 Leg support

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2013100590A AU2013100590A4 (en) 2013-04-26 2013-04-26 Leg support

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2013100590A4 true AU2013100590A4 (en) 2013-05-30

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2013100590A Ceased AU2013100590A4 (en) 2013-04-26 2013-04-26 Leg support

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AU (1) AU2013100590A4 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015176097A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 Jennifer Cayzer Leg and foot support
WO2015176130A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 Jennifer Cayzer Travel support device

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015176097A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 Jennifer Cayzer Leg and foot support
WO2015176130A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 Jennifer Cayzer Travel support device
CN105828669A (en) * 2014-05-21 2016-08-03 詹尼弗·凯泽 Travel Support Device
US10166902B2 (en) 2014-05-21 2019-01-01 Jennifer CAYZER Travel support device

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MK22 Patent ceased section 143a(d), or expired - non payment of renewal fee or expiry