EP3181092B1 - Bandage device for knee joints on a pair of legs of a land vertebrate - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bandage device for knee joints on a pair of legs of a terrestrial vertebrate, in particular z. As a dog or a cat, wherein the bandage device has a provided for resting on the back of the animal in question back rest portion, and on both sides of the back rest portion each having an attachable thereto leg cuff for bandaging the knee joint on the respective leg.

A bandage device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from the publication DE 203 11 220 U1 known. This known bandage device is formed by a provided for support on the back of the animal part of a holding harness, and on both sides of the holding harness each an attachable thereto textile leg tube (leg cuff). The holding harness consists of several, each relatively narrow, preferably elastic tethers, by means of which when applied bandage device, a pair of leg tubes are braced against each other. The leg tubes are here connected via releasable clamp connections with the straps.

From the publication US 5,341,765 a bandage device for knee joints on a pair of legs (front legs) of a dog is known, wherein the bandage device has provided for resting on the back of the dog concerned Rückenauflageteil and on both sides of the Rückenauflageteils each have a firmly associated leg cuff for bandaging the knee joint on the respective leg ,

From the publication US 2011/0209673 A1 a bandage device for knee joints on a pair of legs of a dog is known, wherein the bandage device has provided for support on the back of the dog in question two-piece backrest and on both sides of the backrest each having a leg cuff for bandaging the knee joint on the respective leg. The leg cuffs are in each case firmly connected to a respective one of the two parts of the back rest.

The disadvantage is in the from the DE 203 11 220 U1 known bandage device, for example, a relatively complicated setting of the device for adaptation to the Body of the animal in question. Such adjustment requires actuation of various releasable clamp connections on the tethers to adjust the lengths of these straps accordingly. Furthermore, there is in the situation of use, ie when applied bandage device, the risk of slipping of the straps, so that no optimal tension of the two leg tubes concerned is guaranteed. Finally, z. B. disadvantageous that in particular with regard to a movement of the animal and the tension required for bracing the leg tubes tensile load of the holding under certain circumstances results in a very unpleasant pressure on the animal at those points of the back over which the straps for bracing the leg tubes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bandage device of the type mentioned, in which these disadvantages are avoided and which thus in particular easy to create or adapt and beyond comfortable to use.

The bandage device according to the invention is characterized in that the Rückenauflageteil is extensively formed extensively contiguous, wherein the Rückenauflageteil is elongated strip-shaped and a stripe width of the Rückenauflageteils at least 10% of a strip length of the Rückenauflageteils, and that for the respective attachment of the respective leg cuff on the Rückenauflageteil a Velcro connection is provided between at least one respective Velcro surface of the Rückenauflageteils and at least one corresponding Gegenklettfläche the leg cuff concerned.

The extensively connected contiguous design of the rear support part (be it one or more parts contiguous) minimizes and evened out advantageously exerted in the use situation on the back of the animal pressure load. In a synergistically advantageous manner, this arealwide expanded design moreover promotes the arrangement of one or more hook-and-loop surfaces on the backrest part, with which, if required, relatively large clamping forces to be transmitted over the backrest part between the leg cuffs can advantageously be accommodated. The larger the area of the Rückauflageteils, the more surface is available for the arrangement of (at least one) Velcro surface, the z. To (at least) one of The upper side and the lower side of the backrest part can be applied flatly and fixed (eg, sewn on and / or glued on). A certain "large area" of such Velcro surfaces here not only has the advantage of a transferability relatively high fastening or holding forces, but also the advantage of a simple adaptability of the bandage device, namely by appropriate choice of that point and that orientation with which the (at least one) Velcro surface of the relevant (left or right) leg cuff is fixed to the Velcro surface. The bandage device according to the invention is thus very easy to create and also to adapt (possibly subsequently), for. B. to another or larger or smaller animal, and also has a high level of comfort.

In one embodiment, the back support part and / or the leg cuff is elastically stretchable, in particular comprising at least one layer, in particular a blank of a resilient plastic material. This can advantageously be ensured even with movements of the animal a steady tension of the two leg cuffs with each other.

The elastic plastic material may be z. B. be an elastic polymer. In one embodiment, it is a foamed elastic plastic material. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic plastic material of a synthetic rubber, in particular z. As a chloroprene rubber. Such, preferably closed cell foamed in the context of the invention rubber is z. B. under the trade name "Neoprene" available.

The elastic plastic material of the backrest part or the leg cuff can, for. B. have a thickness in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

In one embodiment, the back rest part and / or the leg cuff is multi-layered.

For such a multi-layered training z. B. be provided that said elastic plastic material at least on one side, preferably on both sides (ie on the inside and outside), is laminated with at least one further material layer, preferably each with a textile material, in particular a fabric.

On the inside (underside) of the backrest part and / or the inside of the leg cuff z. For example, a textile used for heat and / or sweat regulation can be laminated (eg glued and / or sewn). In this textile, it may be z. Example, be a fabric of synthetic fibers, natural fibers or a mixture of both. In a preferred embodiment, the lamination consists at least on the inside of purely synthetic fibers with a relatively low water-absorbing capacity, in particular in comparison to a lamination of cotton fibers. The fabric of the inside can z. B. be formed as loops, in which by eliminating a portion of the loops on the skin or the fur side facing pattern with channels arise between skin or fur and the inside of the backrest part or the inside of the leg cuff in one movement produce an advantageous pumping effect that allows air circulation and is important for improved heat and perspiration removal.

In a preferred embodiment, the backrest part and / or the leg cuff, or the elastic plastic material preferably included by these components, is laminated on the outside with a textile made of polyester fibers.

In one embodiment, the stripe width of the back support member is at least 20% of the stripe length of the back support member.

The concrete shape of a strip-shaped backrest part is expediently provided in adaptation to the anatomy of the animal in question. In particular, for the bandaging of knee joints on a pair of hind legs of a dog or cat or the like, it has been found to be particularly advantageous if the strip formed by the Rückenauflageteil is not rectilinear (corresponding to the transverse direction of the animal) but is curved and / or angled in that lateral end portions of the strip (viewed in the longitudinal direction of the animal) are arranged somewhat further backwards (as a central portion of the backrest part).

It is understood that the strip (corresponding to a symmetry of the animal's physique) has a symmetrical shape configuration with respect to a longitudinal vertical midplane of the animal Should own animal. In this regard, a manufacturing technology advantageous embodiment provides that at least one material layer, in particular z. B. a mentioned, one or both sides laminated central layer (eg., Elastic plastic material), is formed divided along a longitudinal center line of the backrest part. In particular, z. For example, a "left" and a "right" blank of said elastic plastic material (e.g., neoprene) may be joined together (and optionally joined together) along that centerline, and e.g. B. on both sides, each with a further layer (eg., Textile mentioned) be laminated.

As regards the design of the Velcro connection, by means of which the fastening of the leg cuffs on the back rest part takes place, this can be done for. B. related to the relevant state of the art of Velcro (closure) connections recourse. Such releasable closure means are well known and therefore need not be explained in detail here. It should be noted, however, that the terms "Velcro surface" (of the backseat part) and "backslap surface" (of the leg cuff) used herein are not meant to indicate which of these surfaces are the "barbs" provided with hook and loop fasteners and which of these surfaces are the "loops" provided with hook and loop fasteners "owns. Rather, the terms "Velcro" and "Gegenklettfläche" in the sense of the invention are to be understood that one (any) of these surfaces has the Widerhäkchen and the other of these surfaces accordingly has the loops. In the terminology of the invention is for the sake of simplicity, but purely arbitrary, always spoken in a belonging to the Velcro connection surface on Rückenauflageteil "Velcro", whereas such a surface on the leg cuff is referred to as "Gegenklettfläche".

In view of the fact that in the invention for a respective attachment, ie the "left" or "right" attachment of the relevant (left or right) leg cuff on the Rückenauflageteil (laterally left or right side) also optionally "several" Velcro surfaces on Rückenauflageteil It should also be noted that although it is a preferred embodiment, but by no means mandatory that all "Velcro" of the same type, ie either with barbs or with loops , are provided. Rather, it is conceivable that of a plurality of Velcro surfaces of the back support member is formed at least one with Widerhäkchen and at least one other with loops (the respective corresponding Gegenklettflächen are then of the corresponding inverted type).

In one embodiment, it is provided that the backrest part has the at least one respective Velcro surface arranged on the upper side (outer side) and / or on the lower side (inner side) of the backrest part, in particular sewn on (and / or adhesively bonded).

Each Velcro surface, as well as each Gegenklettfläche, in a conventional manner z. B. as a woven fiber strip (preferably chemical fiber) with projecting on a flat side Widerhäkchen or loops. In a preferred embodiment, the Velcro surface is elongate strip-shaped (preferably rectangular) formed, wherein the longitudinal direction of such a Velcro strip preferably extends in a direction that corresponds in use situation that direction (typically substantially vertical), in which the relevant leg of the animal of the trunk protrudes downwards. This orientation of the Velcro strip has the particular advantage that a good adaptability of the bandage device to the specific body size of the animal (in fact, distance between the trunk and knee joint) can be achieved. For the same reason, it is also preferred that the (at least one) counter Velcro surface of the leg cuff is also elongated strip-shaped, wherein the longitudinal direction of this strip is also oriented so that this direction in use situation substantially corresponds to that direction in which the leg from the trunk projects.

When using the bandage device, it is sometimes useful if the back rest part on a z. B. conventional dishes of the animal, ie z. B. dog harness is fastened. In this regard, according to one embodiment, it is provided that the backrest part has at least one fastening means suitable for this purpose. As a fastener z. B. be provided: Additional Velcro, ring (made of metal or plastic), loop of z. B. textile material, for. B. sewn on. Preferably, the fastening means is arranged on the upper side of the backrest part. Instead of some such fastener (preferably viewed in the transverse direction in the middle of the back rest part) can also z. B. be provided symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center line arranged fastening means. In an advantageous development, two fastening means arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center line are designed as Velcro surfaces in such a way that they "effectively enlarge" the hook-and-loop surfaces already present on both sides of the backrest part, ie, if appropriate, they can be used to fasten the corresponding counter velcro surfaces.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the leg cuff is extensively formed in a contiguous manner and has a lower bandage portion provided for wrapping around the respective leg (in use situation) and a fastening portion projecting therefrom for attachment to the backrest portion. In order to hold the leg cuff in use situation, ie, the leg in question, it is preferred to provide at least one Velcro connection to the leg cuff, which adjoins adjacent (and possibly overlapping one another) edges of the leg cuff after wrapping the leg together. Preferably, at least one such Velcro connection is provided on the leg cuff above the area surrounding the knee joint in the situation of use, and at least one such Velcro connection is provided underneath the region wrapping around the knee joint in the use situation.

With regard to the attachment of the leg cuff to the back support part, the leg cuff has the at least one respective counter Velcro surface on the top (outside) and / or on the bottom (inside) of said attachment portion arranged, in particular z. B. sewn and / or glued on.

The bandaging section of the leg cuff provided for wrapping around the respective leg may have an at least approximately rectangular shape or-in adaptation to the typically downwardly decreasing cross-sectional area of the leg-an at least approximately trapezoidal shape.

In addition, it may be provided that a bulge of the bandage portion is provided by the bandage portion (viewed in the usage situation) on the one hand above the location of the knee joint and on the other hand below the location of the knee joint. This can be z. B. achieve that the knee joint is not complete but in a popliteal area, one of the freedom of movement conducive not covered by the leg cuff remains.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the backrest part has at least two respective Velcro surfaces, on the one hand on an upper side (outside) and on the other side on a lower side (inside) of the backrest part, and that formed on the leg sleeve, the two respective corresponding Gegenklettflächen as surface portions of a Gegenklettmaterialstreifens are arranged only over part of its strip length on a flat side of a provided for attachment to the Rückenauflageteil mounting portion of the leg cuff, in particular z. B. sewn and / or glued. The counter-Velcro material strip is in this case preferably arranged on an upper side (outer side), and less preferably on a lower side (inner side) of the fastening section of the leg cuff.

This embodiment is simple in terms of production and has the advantage of a considerable increase (for example about doubling) of the force to be transmitted via the hook-and-loop fastener (without requiring a larger surface on the back rest part or on the leg cuff attachment section for hook and loop velcro surfaces on these components is required).

In this embodiment, z. B. advantageous that the Rückenauflageteil in use situation the attachment portion of the leg cuff (more or less, depending on the setting) overlaps, be it on the inside (less preferred) or on the outside (preferred) of the attachment portion, and that the back rest part with the both sides applied Velcro surfaces is held on the leg cuff. The two Velcro surfaces are in this case held by a respective part of said Gegenklettmaterialstreifens (on the one hand arranged on the attachment portion and part on the other hand the "folded by 180 °" not fixed to the attachment portion).

In this embodiment, the backseam material strip is provided on the leg cuff. However, it is also a reverse arrangement, ie possible with a hook and loop strip on the back rest part, so an embodiment in which the leg cuff at least two respective corresponding Gegenklettflächen has, on the one hand on an upper side (outer side) and on the other hand on an underside (inside) of a provided for attachment to the Rückenauflageteil attachment portion of the leg cuff, and wherein the two respective Velcro surfaces are formed as surface portions of a Velcro material strip on the Rückenauflageteil, the only one Part of its strip length is arranged on an upper side (preferred) or on a lower side (less preferably) of the backrest part.

The above-mentioned Gegenklettmaterialstreifen or Velcro strip is preferably over a length in the range of 40% to 60%, in particular about 50%, fixed its strip length of the component in question (back rest part or leg cuff).

In an advantageous development of the invention, the leg cuff comprises at least one stabilization element extending in the direction of the bandaged leg, which is flexible and preferably also has a certain elasticity with respect to a tensile load (and is preferably relatively inelastic with regard to a compressive load in the longitudinal direction). ,

The stabilizing element can in particular z. B. be formed by a so-called "corset spring". Alternatively comes z. For example, a so-called "double-jointed rail" (eg made of plastic) is considered, ie a rail composed of three rail sections connected to one another via two joint connections (eg swivel joints). It is essential that the stabilizing element in question does not prevent the anatomically intended movement of the relevant knee joint. It is understood that in the case of using a double-jointed rail, the two articulated joints and therefore also the arrangement of the individual rail sections of the joint movement or the arrangement of the knee joint are to be provided correspondingly adapted. In an advantageous development, each leg cuff comprises two such stabilizing elements, one on the inside and one on the outside of the respective leg. Each stabilizing element can, for. B. be held on the outside (top) of the leg cuff, z. B. in a trained bag for receiving the stabilizing element, the bag can, for. B. be formed in a simple manner by a sewn material, in particular textile strips.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Bandagevorrichtung gemäß eines Ausführungsbeispiels, die aus einem Rückenauflageteil und zwei daran befestigten Beinmanschetten gebildet ist,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht (Ober- bzw. Außenseite) des bei der Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 verwendeten Rückenauflageteils,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht (Unter- bzw. Innenseite) des Rückenauflageteils von Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht (Ober- bzw. Außenseite) einer der beiden bei der Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 verwendeten Beinmanschetten, und

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht (Unter- bzw. Innenseite) der Beinmanschette von Fig. 4.

The invention will be further described by means of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a bandage device according to an embodiment, which is formed from a Rückenauflageteil and two attached leg cuffs,

Fig. 2

a plan view (top or outside) of the device of Fig. 1 used backrest part,

Fig. 3

a plan view (bottom or inside) of the backrest part of Fig. 2 .

Fig. 4

a plan view (top or outside) of one of the two in the device of Fig. 1 used leg cuffs, and

Fig. 5

a top view (bottom or inside) of the leg cuff of Fig. 4 ,

Fig. 1 1 shows a knee joint bandage device 10 on a pair of legs of a dog (not shown), comprising a back rest part 12 and an attachable one on both sides of the back rest part 12 (in the illustration of FIG Fig. 1 actually attached) leg cuff 14-1 and 14-2, respectively.

The backrest portion 12 is intended to rest on a back of the dog, whereas the two leg cuffs 14-1, 14-2 each serve to bandage the respective knee joint of the dog.

The backrest portion 12 is extensively formed extensively contiguous, with a respective Velcro 16-1 or 16-2 is provided for the respective attachment of the respective leg cuff 14-1 or 14-2 on the back support member 12.

The back support member 12 has in the illustrated example, approximately the shape of a "bent" extending strip, the formed strip shape has a length of about 30 cm and a width of about 9 cm, these dimensions, of course, in adaptation to the anatomy or the Body size of the animal in question can be modified.

Advantageously, both the back support member 12 and the two leg cuffs 14-1 and 14-2 are each elastically stretchable, in the illustrated embodiment each comprising three layers, namely an outer water-repellent polyester fabric layer, a middle layer of a foamed elastomer such. As "neoprene", and an inner, a certain heat and perspiration dissipation ensuring synthetic fabric layer with inwardly protruding loops.

The bandage device 10 is formed in a situation of use corresponding to the symmetrical anatomy of a dog symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal mean vertical plane (of the dog) and approximately as in Fig. 1 shown assembled from the three device components 12, 14-1 and 14-2 for bandaging the knee joints on the hind legs of the dog and configured.

Due to this symmetrical design of the bandage device 10, in the following, for the sake of simplicity, only the in Fig. 1 "left part" of the bandage device 10 (for the left hind leg of the dog) further described and dispensed with a detailed description of the (symmetrically trained) "right side".

With the Velcro connection 16-1, the left leg cuff 14-1 can be fastened in an advantageously simple manner in a position adapted to the relevant animal, here dog, with respect to the backrest part 12.

As better understood from the isolated representations of components 12 and 14-1 according to the Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 it can be seen, the back support member 12 in the illustrated embodiment on the left side two Velcro surfaces 18a-1 and 18b-1, and has the left leg cuff 14-1 two corresponding Gegenklettflächen 20a-1 and 20b-1.

An advantageous feature is that the Velcro surfaces 18a-1, 18b-1 congruent to each other on the one hand at the top ( Fig. 2 , 18a-1) and on the other side at the bottom ( Fig. 3 , 18b-1) are arranged, so that a fastening interaction with the Gegenklettflächen 20a-1 and 20b-1 is made possible, each of which is formed by a half of a Gegenklettmaterialstreifen 22-1, the only one part (here: half) his stripe length on one side (here: top) of the leg cuff 14-1 arranged (here: sewn) is.

It is also advantageous that the Velcro surfaces 18a-1, 18b-1 and the corresponding Gegenklettflächen 20a-1, 20b-1 are each arranged as elongated strips with an orientation of the strip longitudinal direction such that this strip longitudinal direction in the use situation of the bandage device 10 substantially that direction corresponds, in which the relevant (here: left) leg of the dog protrudes from the hull.

The leg cuff 14-1 comprises extensively contiguous an approximately trapezoidal bandage portion 24-1 for wrapping around the respective (left) leg and one of them in use situation upwardly projecting, provided for attachment to the Rückenauflageteil 12 mounting portion 26-1, on which the Gegenklettmaterialstreifen 22nd -1 is arranged (here: sewed on) is.

In the situation of use in the lateral direction or circumferential direction of the bandage portion 24-1, two bulges 28-1 projecting from the bandage portion 24-1 are provided, which in use are located above and below the knee joint to be bandaged and to which velcro strips 30-1 are sewn. which after wrapping the leg are engageable with corresponding Velcro strips 32-1 to hold the leg cuff 14-1 around the leg.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a further advantageous feature of the leg cuff 14-1 is that two so-called "corset springs" are integrated into the bandage section 24-1 in the direction of the relevant leg when viewed in a situation of use. In the illustrated embodiment, the corset springs are placed on the outside of the outer fabric layer and by respective fabric strips 36-1 held in their position. The fabric strips 36-1 are sewn to the outside of the bandage portion 24-1 and thus form pockets for fixing the corset springs.

Claims (9)

1. A bandage appliance (10) for the knee joints of a pair of legs of a terrestrial vertebrate, for example a dog, comprising:

   - a back support portion (12) for application to the animal's back, and

   - a respective leg holster (14-1, 14-2) on both sides of the back support portion (12), which can be fastened thereto in order to bandage the knee joint of the relevant leg,

   characterized in that the back support portion (12) is formed as an extensive continuous sheet, wherein the back support portion (12) is formed as an elongated strip and a strip width of the back support portion (12) is at least 10% of a strip length of the back support portion (12), and in that in order to fasten each relevant leg holster (14-1, 14-2) to the back support portion (12), a hook-and-loop fastening (16-1, 16-2) is provided between at least one respective touch-and-close fastener surface (18a-1, 18b-1) of the back support portion (12) and at least one corresponding mating touch-and-close fastener surface (20a-1, 20b-1) of the relevant leg holster (14-1, 14-2).
2. The bandage appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the back support portion (12) and/or the leg holster (14-1, 14-2) is elastically extensible in form, in particular comprising at least one section of an elastic synthetic material.
3. The bandage appliance (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elastic synthetic material is formed from a synthetic rubber, in particular from a chloroprene rubber.
4. The bandage appliance (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the back support portion (12) and/or the leg holster (14-1, 14-2) is multi-layered in form.
5. The bandage appliance (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the strip width of the back support portion (12) is at least 20% of the strip length of the back support portion (12).
6. The bandage appliance (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the back support portion (12) comprises the at least one respective touch-and-close fastener surface (18a-1, 18b-1) which is disposed, in particular stitched, on an upper surface and/or on a lower surface of the back support portion (12).
7. The bandage appliance (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the leg holster (14-1, 14-2) is formed as an extensive continuous sheet and comprises a lower bandage section (24-1) for wrapping around the relevant leg and a fastening section (26-1) which protrudes therefrom for fastening to the back support portion (12),
   and wherein the leg holster (14-1, 14-2) comprises the at least one respective mating touch-and-close fastener surface (20a-1, 20b-1) on the upper surface and/or on the lower surface of the fastening section (26-1).
8. The bandage appliance (10) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7,
   wherein the back support portion (12) comprises at least two respective touch-and-close fastener surfaces (18a-1, 18b-1), namely on the one hand on an upper surface and on the other hand on a lower surface of the back support portion (12),
   and wherein on the leg holster (14-1, 14-2), the two respective corresponding mating touch-and-close fastener surfaces (20a-1, 20b-1) are formed as a flat section of a strip of mating touch-and-close fastener material (22-1) which is disposed, in particular stitched, over only a portion of its strip length on an upper surface or on a lower surface of a fastening section (26-1) of the leg holster (14-1, 14-2) provided for fastening to the back support portion (12).
9. The bandage appliance (10) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7,
   wherein the leg holster (14-1, 14-2) comprises at least two respective corresponding mating touch-and-close fastener surfaces (20a-1, 20b-1), namely on the one hand on an upper surface and on the other hand on a lower surface of a fastening section (26-1) of the leg holster (14-1, 14-2) provided for fastening to the back support portion (12),
   and wherein on the back support portion (12), the two respective touch-and-close fastener surfaces (18a-1, 18b-1) are formed as a flat section of a strip of touch-and-close fastener material (22-1) which is disposed, in particular stitched, over only a portion of its strip length on an upper surface or on a lower surface of the back support portion (12).

Images