CA2869258C

CA2869258C - Extremity alignment strap

Info

Publication number: CA2869258C
Application number: CA2869258A
Authority: CA
Inventors: James Sidney Watts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-27
Filing date: 2014-11-27
Publication date: 2017-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-27
Also published as: CA2869258A1

Abstract

An Orthopedic aid that consists of a fabric strap with hook and loop type fastening material at each end for fastening said strap into a continuous loop. The purpose of the above mentioned strap is to direct extremities where damage has occurred to said extremities base joint or knuckle. By improving the alignment of an affected extremity it reduces and in many cases eliminates cramps occurring in the muscles of the arms or legs of the affected extremities. The Extremity Alignment Strap will improve strength in the hands of those patients with Rheumatoid arthritis or other disease or injury by assisting the fingers in moving as a unit as opposed to moving independently.

Description

Extremity Alignment Strap Technical Field of the Invention The invention is directed to devices to alleviate muscle cramping caused by misalignment of proximal phalanx to due disease or joint damage.
Background of the Invention Prior art relating to the Extremity Alignment Strap are 3-Point Products, 3pp "Toe Loops", "Yoga Toes"
and "ToeSox".
"3pp Toe Loops " binds a single toe being treated to the next toe directly beside the said toe. By binding one toe to another alleviates a condition referred to as "Hammer Toe"
in which one toe strays from the natural lay of the toes of an affected foot. "3pp Toe Loops " is based on a known form of treatment for Hammer Toe whereby the subject would use tape to bind one toe to another. "3pp Toe Loops " is restricted to binding two toes together possibly causing irritation or discomfort if used over a prolonged period.
''Yoga Toes" Are used to assist in helping the muscles of the feet and legs relax during treatment. This is done by capturing all the toes of one foot and directing them into a more natural alignment. By placing the toes in a more natural alignment the muscles of the feet and legs are not being strained or pulled by conditions caused by misalignment of the proximal phalanx, thus allowing these above mentioned muscle groups to relax. The drawback of "Yoga Toes" is they can only be worn at rest and not in any type of footwear thus drastically limiting their usefulness.
"ToeSox" These socks spread toes to prevent blisters and improve alignment for yoga, Pilates, dance and martial arts but do not treat leg and foot cramps.
Summary of the Invention The Extremity Alignment Strap does not only bind two toes together like "3pp Toe Loops ", The Extremity Alignment Strap can isolate and stop movement of one toe in one direction or limit movement of two to a maximum of four toes.
The Extremity Alignment Strap does not restrict use only to rest periods like "Yoga Toes" this said product claims to separate and exercise by toes spreading them apart from each other, away from the balls of your feet. The Extremity Alignment Strap can be used at all times during rest period or activities.
1.

The Extremity Alignment Strap doesn't separate toes to prevent blisters and improve alignment as the ToeSox do. The Extremity Alignment Strap can isolate and stop movement in an upward or downward direction of one toe or limit movement of two to a maximum of four toes by making the movement of two to four toes influence other toes.
Brief Description of the Drawings:
Figure 1: Figure 1 illustrates the two sides of the Extremity Alignment Strap drawn out to length and breadth exposing both of the two sides comprising the said strap.
Figure 2: Figure 2 illustrates a front profile view at ground level of three toes woven together with the Extremity Alignment Strap.
Figure 3: Figure 3 illustrates a front profile view at ground level of four toes woven together with the Extremity Alignment Strap.
Figure 4: Figure 4 illustrates a front profile view at ground level of three toes with the Extremity Alignment Strap looped around the big and third toe and strung over the second toe.
Figure 5: Figure 5 illustrates a front profile view at ground level of four toes with the Extremity Alignment Strap looped around the big, third and fourth toe and strung over the second toe.
Detailed Description:
The Extremity Alignment Strap directs and aligns upper and lower extremities in a passive yet aggressive manner. For the lower extremities the above mentioned device can be worn with any type of footwear unless an obstruction such as straps, ties or material does not impact the use of the Extremity Alignment Strap. Use of the Extremity Alignment Strap is to direct movement of the problem toe or toes by the neighbouring toes of that foot.

2.

The benefit of the above mentioned device is that it assists toes as in the case of a condition called Hammer toe from rubbing against footwear which creates irritation and or infection.
The Extremity Alignment Strap directs the toes when in motion or at rest to a more natural state which in turn removes the problems caused by Hammer toe and places less stress on the muscle groups of the feet and legs. Our test subject has a condition called Rheumatoid arthritis which has damaged his Metatarsophalangeal joints and has caused the toe next to the big toe to cross over top of the big toe.
By using The Extremity Alignment Strap this problem of toes crossing over one another has been relieved also preventing the said toe from rubbing footwear. Misaligned toes can cause stress on muscle groups and can cause cramps as was the case of our test subject who suffers from Rheumatoid arthritis.
Our test subject also experienced severe cramps in his feet and legs prior to using the Extremity Alignment Strap that would happen suddenly for no apparent reason while at rest, causing great and immediate distress. This condition of severe cramping was relieved and is still being relieved in our test subject for the last three years, our test subject wears the Extremity Alignment Strap at all times and only takes them off to bath or replace with clean ones.
The Extremity Alignment Strap can be used with the upper extremities when in motion to increase grip strength and when at rest to prevent muscle cramps much like the above statement in regards to use with the lower extremities. Because the strap aligns the first finger bone (proximal phalanges) with the joint (Metacarpal joint) there is a greater chance of aligning the bone groups together thus preventing pain at the Metacarpal joint when gripping. When resting, the muscle groups of the hands and arms will at times cramp causing great pain and discomfort for the individual, the above mentioned device can help to relieve that problem.
The device mentioned can be machine washable in most cases, insuring the option to have spares on hand at all times. An advantage for the user of the above mentioned device is it can be inexpensive to buy due to the simplicity and availability of the components of The Extremity Alignment Strap, this applies to the manufacturer of the above mentioned device too because of costs savings which can be passed on to the consumer.
The Extremity Alignment Strap, Figures 1,2,3,4 and 5 consist of a slotted strap with Velcro hook and loop material numbers 2 and 3 to fasten the ends of said strap to make a continuous band or strap.
Slots number 4 illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 are the means by which the said strap interlocks or joins medial between the toes, where the Extremity Alignment Strap meets or crosses itself when woven on and around the lower extremities. The said strap will weave and or encompass two to a maximum of four toes.

3.

The purpose of the Extremity Alignment Strap is to help alleviate leg and foot cramps by influencing the toes or extremities to move in concert with those extremities encompassed within said strap as Illustrated in Figures 2, 3,4, and 5. By influencing the movement of said extremities or toes to move in unison as opposed to independent movement of each said extremity or toe may assist in lessoning the strain on the Flexor Digitorum Brevis.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the Extremity Alignment Strap intersecting at point "A" at which the slots #4 unite medial between the toes. By joining the said strap at slots #4 medial between the toes creates a separation of those toes plus tethers said toes. By tethering said toes causes each of the said toes to influence the movement of the neighbouring toe which in turn will influence the said toes to move as a unit.
Figures #4 and #5 illustrate how the Extremity Alignment Strap can be worn to separate a single toe from the other toes.

4.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1 An aid or device worn on a body extremity comprising means to alleviate foot and leg muscle cramps, the device comprising: a strap consisting of an elongated flat strap of fabric contoured to span half or less the length of the lower extremities at the superior and or inferior surfaces of the extremities, the strap sized to be woven between and or around three or four of the extremities; wherein a first end of the strap includes a hook type removable fastening material component, and at a second or the opposite end of the strap includes a cooperating loop-type removable fastening material component, such that the strap ends may be fixed together so as to form a continuous loop.

2 The device of claim 1, further including one or more slots at measured sections to allow the strap to intersect and join together medially of the extremities, or group of extremities, that the strap is woven around.

3. The aid or device of any one of claims 1 and 2 that is slotted within the longitudinal plane to allow said sections to intersect and join together medial of the extremities or group of extremities said flat strap is woven around.

4. The aid or device of claim 3 with six interconnecting slots that join in a fashion that will not alter the longitudinal plane of said flat strap.

5. The aid or device of claim 4 with six interconnecting slots that join to attach at three locations or intersection of said elongated flat strap.

6. The aid or device of claims 4 and 5 with six interconnecting slots that joins together at each longitudinal end by means of hook type material at one longitudinal end and hook receivable material at the opposite longitudinal end of said flat strap.

7 The aid or device of claim 3 with four interconnecting slots that join in a fashion that will not alter the longitudinal plane of said strap

8. The aid or device claim 7 with four interconnecting slots that join to attach at two locations or intersection of said strap of fabric.
5.

9. The aid or device of claims of 7 or 8 with four interconnecting slots that join together at each longitudinal end by means of hook type material at one longitudinal end and hook receivable material at the opposite longitudinal end of the strap.

10. The aid or device in any one of claims 1, 2 and 3 with two interconnecting slots that join in a fashion that will not alter the longitudinal plane of said strap.

11. The aid or device of claim 10 with two interconnecting slots that join to attach at one location or intersection of said strap of fabric.

12. The aid or device in any one of claims 10 and 11 with two interconnecting slots that joins together at each longitudinal end by means of hook type material at one longitudinal end and hook receivable material at the opposite longitudinal end of the strap.
6.