WO 00/74625 PCT/NZOO/00090 -1 IMPROVEMENTS TO LEG SUPPORTS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to improvements in supports used to support the body. More particularly, the present invention relates to supporting a leg while it is recovering 5 from injury or medical treatment. BACKGROUND ART Legs can be injured in such a way that recovery necessitates the leg being immobilised in a particular orientation, and/or that minimal body weight be borne by the leg. 10 For example the leg may be required to be kept in a bent position. Often a person with their leg immobilised or supported would like to have a certain degree of mobility and upright support in order to carry out everyday functions while the leg is recovering. Devices such as crutches and walking frames necessitate the use of a person's 15 arms and hands in order to achieve the desired support. If the activity in which the patient is engaging requires the use of their hands or arms, they may be restricted if they are using a walking frame or crutches. Prosthetic limbs are known that are intended to duplicate various parts of the body including the leg or other limbs. The present invention is not concerned with a 20 replacement limb, but a temporary measure whereby support is given to a leg and to the rest of a person's body in a temporary fashion. In some instances, it is the lower half of the leg that has been injured and that must be immobilised. In such situations, the top half of the leg may be free to bear the weight of the person's body. Presently, there are no known devices that effectively 25 enable a person to bear weight on the top half of the leg, while keeping weight from the lower half of the leg, while the lower half is in the position required for the leg injury to recover. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at 30 least to provide the public with a useful choice.
WO 00/74625 PCT/NZOO/00090 -2 Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for supporting a leg, the apparatus comprising, a receptacle adapted to accommodate a 5 portion of a person's leg, and a support adapted to support the receptacle, characterised in that the receptacle is configured so that in use the portion of a leg is supported in a non-vertical orientation. Herein reference to a receptacle is made with reference to a device that is shaped to accommodate the shape of a person's leg. 10 Moreover reference to a support is made with reference to a member that provides a support between the receptacle and the ground. Furthermore, reference to a non-vertical orientation is made with reference to an orientation whereby a portion of the leg is supported in a position different from a normal standing position. Preferably the orientation may be substantially 900 from 15 vertical, however, reference to 900 should not be seen to be limiting in any way, as other orientations may be chosen. With such an apparatus a person's leg can be supported in the receptacle so that in the standing position, their body weight is at least partially supported by the apparatus. Hence a patient can bear weight on the top half of the leg, while keeping 20 weight from the lower half of the leg, with the lower half in a desired orientation for a leg injury to recover. Moreover, the person's hands are free for general activities, which is not always possible in the case of using a walking frame or crutches. In some embodiments, the receptacle may be in the form of an open channel. Moreover, the interior of the receptacle may be contoured to fit against the shape 25 of a person's leg. This may be achieved by moulding, or providing a foam that may yield to accommodate the shape of the person's leg. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the receptacle perpendicular to the axis of a person's leg may be triangular, rectangular, octagonal, or some other 30 polygonal shape. The length and dimensions of the receptacle may vary according to the kind of support required and according to the size of the leg. For example, if support is WO 00/74625 PCT/NZOO/00090 -3 required along a substantial part of a leg, the receptacle may be configured to accommodate the length required which may be greater than the length required to merely provide support during standing. Preferably, the present invention may be configured so that in use a lower half of 5 a person's leg (that is from knee to foot) is supported in a non-vertical orientation. This should not be seen to be limiting the scope of the present invention, as other portions of the leg may be accommodated by the present invention. For example the invention may be configured so that in use an upper half of a person's leg is supported in a non vertical orientation. In this case the patient may have the upper half of their leg 10 supported forward of their body, so that the posterior of the leg is supported in a non vertical orientation by the receptacle. In some embodiments, the receptacle may be adjustable in length to suit the length of leg it accommodates. This may be achieved for example by having the receptacle formed in two parts which can slide over each other, and providing a locking 15 device for locking the two parts relative to each other. Preferably, the support may be configured so that a distance between the receptacle and the ground is adjustable. In this way, patients of various heights and leg dimensions may be accommodated. Moreover, suitable means may be provided so that this adjustment 20 enables the apparatus to be used for supporting either of the upper half or the lower half of the leg, thus improving versatility. In some embodiments, the connection between the receptacle and the support may be hinged so that an angle between the two may be varied. In this way, in use, the receptacle can be inclined at optional angles relative to 25 the ground, thus providing for various positions required for optimum recovery of a particular injury or medical treatment, and improving general comfort in use. Moreover, the connection may incorporate a self centering mechanism so as to allow a predetermined amount of resilient movement of the support relative to the receptacle. The self centering mechanism may comprise any suitable device whereby 30 the support can be inclined relative to the receptacle under a resilient self centering force. For example this may comprise a spring device. Preferably a centre for the self centering mechanism is adjustable so as accommodate the various positions required for optimum recovery of a particular injury or medical treatment and improving general comfort in use.
WO 00/74625 PCT/NZOO/00090 -4 In preferred embodiments, the support may comprise a metal pipe arrangement attached to a base. The base may preferably be in direct contact with the ground. Moreover, the base may be a four leg arrangement. However, the base may take other forms such as lesser or more legs, a flat or conical base, and so forth. 5 It is envisaged that in use, a patient may have the lower half of the leg supported in the receptacle, and be able to adjust the length and inclination of the support so that the weight of the person's body that would normally be born by the entire leg, is born by the upper half of the leg and the present invention. In this way, the person is kneeling on the receptacle, while in a standing 10 position. Moreover, in the case where the upper half of the leg is supported with the leg forward of the body, the person is semi-sitting on the receptacle. In either case, the leg is maintained in a recovery position while the person is able to support themselves in an upright position without the use of their arms or hands. The increased mobility is of a great benefit to those with leg injuries, which can be 15 otherwise highly immobilising. The present invention may also aid in the healing or recovery process, by allowing the weight of the body to the taken away from the affected area, to a larger degree than without the use of the present invention. With increased mobility, patients are less likely to risk further injury, or 20 increased recovery time, by attempting to bear weight on a recovering or injured leg, out of frustration at being restricted in movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the 25 accompanying drawings in which: FIG. I shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention in use supporting a lower half of a person's leg; FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 viewed facing the user; FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention in use supporting an upper half of a 30 person's leg; and WO 00/74625 PCT/NZOO/00090 -5 FIG. 4 shows details of a self centering mechanism applicable to the embodiments. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is shown the present invention in the form of a leg support apparatus generally indicated by arrow 1. The apparatus 1 5 includes a receptacle 2 in the form of an open channel, and a support generally indicated by arrow 3 which includes a base 4 and a strut member 5. With this embodiment an angle between the receptacle 2 and the support 3 is adjustable by an angle adjusting device generally indicated by arrow 6. However a rigid connection is also suitable, depending on the application. Here the angle adjusting device 6 10 comprises a slotted arcuate plate 7, a hinge 8 and a clamp screw 9. Once the angle has been set, the clamp screw 9 is tightened to give a rigid connection. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lower half of a person's leg 10 is supported in a non-vertical orientation substantially 90 from vertical. Moreover, the person's hands are free for general activities. 15 The receptacle 2 in this embodiment is adjustable in length to suit the length of the leg it accommodates. This is achieved by having the receptacle 2 formed in two parts, a main part 11 and an extension part 12 which can slide over each other. A locking screw 13 is provided for locking the two parts 11 and 12 relative to each other. In FIG. 1, the person's leg 10 is shown positioned in the receptacle 2 in a bent 20 position. The leg 10 in this example has a cast 15, which may be used for setting a bone fracture or some other injury. The receptacle 2 also has straps 16 and 17 which are used for attaching the leg 10 to the receptacle 2 of the apparatus 1. In use, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a person positions the lower half of their leg 10 including the knee 18, in the receptacle 2, so that the downward force of the 25 weight of the person can be born on the person's knee 18. Then with the lower half of the leg 10 including the knee 18, supported in the receptacle 2, the person tightens the straps 16 and 17 so that the leg 10 is securely fastened in the receptacle 2. The person may then adjust the height of the support 3 using a height adjusting device generally indicated by arrow 20, so that in the standing 30 position, their body is supported by the device 1. Here the height adjusting device 20 comprises an inner tube member 21 which is an extension of the strut member 5, and which slides inside an outer tube member 22 which is formed integral with the base 4. The two members 21 and 22 are secured in position by a clamp screw 23 which engages in dimples or holes formed in the inner tube member 21.
WO 00/74625 PCT/NZOO/00090 -6 The person may also adjust the angle of the receptacle 2 with respect to the support 3 using the angle adjusting device 6 as described above, according to comfort or recovery requirements. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the base 4 is shown as a four leg base, which provides a 5 stable support for the patient. However, this may take other forms such as lesser or more legs, a flat or conical base, and so forth. FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention in use. In FIG. 3, similar parts or parts having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. With the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3 the receptacle 2 10 is configured so that in use an upper half 30 of a person's leg is supported in a non vertical orientation. Here the orientation of the upper half 30 of the leg, as with the orientation in FIG. I and FIG. 2, is substantially 900 from vertical. However, there is no particular restriction on this orientation. In the case of supporting the upper half 30 of the person's leg, the length of the 15 support 3 is considerably longer than in the case of FIG. 1 for supporting the lower half of the leg. If required to use the apparatus 1 for both applications, this additional length may be achieved for example by having a telescoping strut member, or by providing an extension. In FIG. 3 the strut member 5 is in two pieces joined with an end screw at joint 31. 20 FIG. 4 shows details of a possible configuration for a self centering mechanism generally indicated by arrow 40 applicable to the embodiments. The self centering mechanism 40 is provided so as to allow a predetermined amount of resilient movement of the support 3 relative to the receptacle 2. The self centering mechanism 40 in FIG. 4 comprises two springs 41 and 42 tensioned to either side of the strut member 5 by 25 adjustable anchors 43 and 44 which are clamped to the arcuate member 7. Here the arcuate member 7 is of a double construction on either side of the strut member 5. Moreover, the clamp screw 9 is provided with a self locking thread so as to secure the clamp screw in a slack condition to allow movement of the strut member 5 relative to the arcuate member 7, while holding the two members 5 and 7 together. 30 With this arrangement, the support 3 can be inclined relative to the receptacle 2 under a resilient self centering force. Moreover, the tension applied by the centering mechanism 40, and the centre point for the self centering mechanism 40 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the anchors 43 and 44. In this way, the various positions required for optimum recovery of a particular injury or medical treatment can be 35 accommodated, and general comfort may be improved.
WO 00/74625 PCT/NZOO/00090 -7 A simpler arrangement for a self centering mechanism may be achieved by merely providing a flexible knuckle joint at the hinge 8. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention provides for a practical and comfortable support for a 5 person while recovering from a lower leg injury. The patient may have full use of their arms and hands to carry out normal activities while still maintaining the leg in the optimum position required for recovery and comfort. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto 10 without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.