GB2137489A - Foot support for use in bed - Google Patents

Abstract

A foot support 3 for use in bed comprises a structural member 1 which extends across the mattress of the bed and a further structural member 9, which may be the frame of the bed itself, below the mattress, together with clamping means e.g. straps 7, between the two members to exert a squeezing force on the depth of the mattress so as to grip it and locate the support in relation thereto. The support can also relieve the pressure of bed clothes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Foot support for use in bed This invention relates to a foot support device for use in bed. Where a person in bed requires to adopt a sitting position, some kind of support for the feet is necessary, and even in hospitals where the problem arises most frequently, the usual solution isto place a number of pillows in the bed for the feet to rest on.

With this kind of support, however, the patient is constantly slipping down into an uncomfortable position as the pillows become more and more compressed. The provision of a more positive support is therefore highly desirable not only from this point of view, but to help certain remedial exercises to ne carried out in bed. Thes are known to the physiotherapy profession as quadriceps exercises (for strengthening of front thigh muscles), dorsiflex exercises (for strengthening ankle movemenu to prevent foot drop) and bridging exercises (for strengthening of a weakened side following a stroke). Moreover in the case of divan beds which are very frequently used in domestic situations, the pillow solution is even less effective.

According to the invention a foot support comprises a bar or frame extending across the bed above the mattress and carrying a foot-supporting board or pad, and means for clamping the bar or frame to a further frame or to the bed so as to exert a squeezing grip on the mattress in a downward direction. The frame or frames may be elongated rectangles of small bore metal tube and may be clamped together or to the bed frame as the case may be to grip the mattress by means such as straps extending from the upper frame at the sides of the mattress. The device can be used on any thickness of mattress, on any type of bed, and can also be used if a bed board is necessary for the user.

The device can also act as a cradle to relieve the pressure of bed clothes on the feet, and in hospitals this is particularly useful as it releases othe cradles for other use.

The invention will be further explained by reference to one exemplary form thereof shown in the accompanying drawing in which: Figure lisa plan view of one part of a device according to the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of a complementary part, and Figure 3 is an end elevation of a complete assembly of the parts of Figures 1 and 2.

In the drawing the device of Figure 1 comprises a rectangular frame 1 which has rounded corners and is made up of a pair of tubes la and 1 b having ends bent round to but against those of the opposing tube. Before being bentthetubes haveT-shaped swivels 2 slid over them to provide hinged supports for two further tubular frames 3 and 4, each comprising a straight tube with its ends bent around at right angles to be secured in the socket portion of the corresponding swivel. Each pair of swivels is spaced along the tube 1 a or 1 b by interposing a length of shrunk-on plastic tubing, and the ends of the tubes are likewise covered with shrunk-on or slide-on plastic tubing.

The butted ends of the tubes 1a and 1 bare secured together by being rivetted to a straight bar 5 at each end and the ends of which project somewhat beyond the sides of the frame 1. The ends of the bars 5 are protected by rubber end caps 6, and between each cap and the frame a strap 7 is rivetted to the bar and is provided with a quick-release buckle 8.

A complementary frame 9 is composed of two tubes 9a and 9b, coated by a shrunk-on plastic sleeve and bent round at right angles at each end, as in the case of the tubes 1 a and 1 b, and butted together to form the frame 9. The frame is completed as before, by rivetting across the ends a pair of straight bars 10 the ends of which are protected by rubber end caps 11.

The frame 3 which forms a footrest is provided with a melamine covered board 12 secured by screws or bolts at suitable points around the frame, and, if desired, this board may be padded. Alternatively, The frame 3 may be provided with straps for securing a pillow or other pad to the surface of the board. The frames 3 and 4 can freely swivel on the tubes 1a and 1 b so far as to fold flat against the frame 1, but are shown in Figure 1 in the operative position where the top of the frame 4 is inserted behind the top edge of the frame 3 to form a strut whereby the latter is supported.

Figure 3 shows the complete assembly in operative relation to mattress 13, the frame 1 being located above the mattress and the frame 9 located below it. The straps 7 are passed round the ends of the bar 10 and through the buckles 8 and are drawn tight. The same operation is carried out on the other end and the whole frame assembly is then clamped firmly to the mattress 13 so thatther is no slipping when foot pressure is applied to the footboard 12.

The device may be conveniently constructed of aluminium alloy tube and, provided this is plastic coated as described, it will not soil the bed linen, and makes a very convenient, light-weight and hygeinic structure.

The length of the two frames is such as to extend about one inch beyond the mattress width so that the straight bars 5 and 10 hold the sides of the mattress to prevent bulging. This also means that there is no substantial protrusion of the device beyond the sides of the mattress, so there is no interference with ancillary apparatus such as cot sides.

It will be appreciated that various structural forms of the invention are possible. For example, the top and bottom frames may be replaced by wooden boards, to one of which a foot board is hinged and supported by suitable, possibly adjustable, struts in its operative position. However, boards tend to be less effective in securing a grip on the mattress and some additional means such as one or more ribs may be desirable in this case. Toggle operating clamps may be used to secure the device to a mattress, if desired. However, the straps described above have the advantage of cheapness and provide a wide range of adjustment.

Moreover, a single frame may be used carrying the foot board above the mattress and clamped to the bed frame where the latter is accessible, and so arranged that pressure on the foot board is translated into a downward pressure on the mattress, but this is only fully effective where the mattresssupporting part of the bed is more or less rigid, as in the case of modern hospital beds.

Claims (10)

1. Afoot or back support comprising a structural member arranged to extend across a bed above the mattress and carrying a supporting board or pad, and means for clamping the member two further member or to the bed frame in such away as to exert a squeezing grip on the mattress in the direction of its thickness.

2. A support according to claim 1 wherein the structural member is in the form of a board which is provided with one or more ribs running in a direction which will be transverse to the length of a mattress to which the support is applied.

3. A support according to claim 1 wherein the structural member is in the form of a frame made of tubular metal components.

4. A support according to claim 3 wherein the metal parts are coated with plastics material.

5. A support according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the or each structural member comprises a narrow rectangular frame composed of two wide U sections of tubular material joined together by abutting relationship of their short limbs, said limbs being rivetted or otherwise secured to a further straight tubular member lying in an adjacent plane so as to embrace the side of a mattress while the frame is in contact with the surface of the mattress.

6. A support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the structural member is secured to the bed frame orto a further structural member below the mattress by an adjustable tensioning member at each side.

7. A support according to claim 5 wherein each tensioning member comprises a strap which embraces a top frame member and a lower frame member or the bed frame.

8. A support according to claim 6 wherein a strap is provided at two spaced apart locations on each side of the bed.

9. A support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the supporting board or pad is adjustable at least between two positions appropriate to a foot or back support respectively.

10. Asupport as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.