GB2185716A - An orthopaedic trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

A foam filled cradle 14 is mounted on a support 18 provided with legs 20 bearing castors or wheels 24. A manoeuvring handle 22 is provided, and the support 18 may be height adjustable. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Orthopaedic trolley The present invention relates to an orthopaedic trolleyorscooterand in particularto atrolley for leg supportwhich can allow mobility in cases of injury or disablement of the foot or ankle. The trolley is particularly useful when no weight isto be applied to the lower leg and in particu larto the injured foot or ankle, and can be used for amputees.

Various devices are known for supporting injured or parapiegic persons. For example US 4111445 describes a frame means having standing or kneeling platform mounted on a trolley type device.

US 3596668 describes an ambulatory device having a removable bracket with a padded knee or leg support mounted on an open frame structure.

The present invention is directed to an orthopaedic trolley comprising a support structure having leg means, the support structure having mounted thereon a patient knee or leg support means, the leg means extending outwardly from the patient knee or leg support means, the leg means being mounted on rotatable wheels.

It is preferred that the orthopaedictrolley has a manoeuvring handle extending upwardly and outwardly from the knee support means.

In a preferred embodiment of the knee support means is adjustably mounted on the support structure such that the height of the knee support means may be adjusted upwardlyordownwardlyto accommodate different sizes of user.

The present invention will befurtherdescribedby way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of the orthopaedic trolley, Figure2 shows an end view of the orthopaedic trolley, Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the trolley of Figures 1 and 2 in use, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention which has an adjustable knee support; Figure 5is a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, an orthopaedic trolley generally designated 10 has a knee support means 12which comprises acradle 14which is preferablyfoamfilled 16. The cradle 14has longitudinally extending sides and open ends. The knee support means is generally mounted on a support structure 18 having four legs 20 extending therefrom. The support structure can be a rectangular frame which lays horizontally and which has legs 20 extending from the corners. Alternative support structures are shown in Figures 4 and 5. The rectangularframe 18 is generally attached to the cradle 1 4towards one end to ensure proper balance, as will be further explained below. Preferably extending uprightly from the same end as the rectangularframe 18 isa manoeuvring handle22.

The four legs 20 are generally splayed outwardly as they extend downwardly from the support structure such that the area encompassed by the base ofthe legs is greaterthan the area ofthe support cradle. This provides enhanced stability for the trolley 10. Atthe base of each ofthe legs are mounted rotatable wheels 24, preferably in the form of castors. The castors also preferably have a vertical bearing on the leg mounted where the castor is attached to the leg 20 and a horizontal bearing from which the wheel of the castor rotates. The castor preferably has a pliabletyre e.g. a rubbertyre and is of such size that when the wheels are rotated on flat ground or slightly uneven surfaces such as grass or gravel, no heavy resistance is encountered.

Turning nowto Figures4and5,afurther embodiment is described which shows an orthopaedictrolley 10 which is adjustable. As in Figures 1 and 2 like numerals are applied to like parts.

Therefore the cradle 1 4which is foam filled 16 has a support structure 18 having extending therefrom legs 20. A manoeuvring handle 22 extends upwardly and outwardly from the cradle 14. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 in thatthe support structure 18 is generally adjustable.

The support structure 18 comprises a box section sleeve 26 which receives mounting means 27 within the sleeve. The sleeve 26 is generally rectangular although it may be square or even tubular with the corresponding mounting means 27 forming a slidablefit within the sleeve 26. A pin 28 having a handle extendsthroughthe sieeve 26andthrough holes 30 in mounting means 18. As in Figures 1 and 2 the legs 20 splay outwardly from the cradle 14to provide stable support. The legs extend to castors 24. Alternative embodiments are envisaged whereby the mounting means 27 can extend downwardlyto form an upright supportforthe cradle 14 and the legs extend horizontally from the base of the support means 27. The legs 20 in this form would extend outwardly to provide sufficient support base for the cradle 14.The disadvantage ofthis embodiment is that the horizontal mounting ofthe legs can cause obstruction whereas the splayed legs allow small obstructions to pass between the legs 20.

In orderforthe cradle 14to be adjustable in height the pin 28 is removed, the support means is moved upwardly or downwardly as required by the patient and the pin 28 is replaced to pass through an aligned hole 30 to lock the support means 27 in the required position. A sliding lid 31 can be positioned on the cradle l4toconvertthetrolleyintoa mobileseatfor the user.

In general,the length of the cradle 14 is about twice the width of the cradle 14. The wheelbase of the trolley may generally be about twice the dimensions of the track although these dimensions may vary from 1.5to3in proportion of length to width of the cradle 14 and in proportion of wheel base to track of the trolley in order to provide a stable baseforthe trolley.

Thetrolley may be manufactured in demountable parts, particularly the version illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. In the case of Figure 4, the manoeuvring handle 22, the cradle 14the support structure 18 and legs 20 may be separate parts.

Figure 3 shows an orthopaedictrolley 10 in use by a patient. This use is equally applicable to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 as well as Figures 4 and 5 exceptthe adjustability of Figure 5 is not avaiiable on the embodiment shown in Figure 3.

A patient 32 having, for example, a foot in a plaster cast 34 places his knee 36 in the cradle 14 on the foam 16. As can be seen on Figure 3 the weight ofthe knee and the upper part of the body extend towards one end ofthe cradle 14 and for this reason the cradle 14 is mounted such that the support structure 1 8falls immediately belowthis weight bearing area ofthe knee. The spiayed legs 20 ciearly provide lateral support as well as forward and backward stability for the orthopaedictrolley. The patient 32 places his hands 38 on the manoeuvring handle 22 to provide steerageforthe orthopaedic troliey 10. In use the trolley 10 is scooted by the patient using his able limb 40.It should be understood that the trolley is equally useful for both injured left or right limbs providing the remaining limb is sufficientto support the weight of the body.

Thus the patient simply kneels the injured leg 36 into the foam rubberfilled cradle 14sothattheshin is horizontal and the foot orankle within a plaster cast 34, for example, are comfortably supported out of harms way.

It is possible for the patientto move around easily, steering the trolley with the knee or if preferred with a hand on the manoeuvring handle 22. The orthopaedictrolley 10 can easily be manoeuvred over doorthresholds or ridges by lifting the front pair of wheels 24 over the obstruction while still supporting the weight of the limb 36. The back wheels 24follow in the same way. The manoeuvring handle 22 is used for lifting the trolley by supporting the weight on the able limb 40 to ensure that obstructions can be overcome. The orthopaedic trolley 10 can be used on most reasonablyflat surfaces including moderate inclines. It can also be used on slightly uneven surfaces such as grass or gravel becausethe manoeuvring handle 22 can be usedto liftor pull the orthopaedictrolley 1 Oforward with each stride.

Because ofthe rotatable wheels 24, preferably in the form of castors, the orthopaedictrolley 10 can be turned in its own length. It has been found with practice that the trolley becomes a reasonably efficient substitute forthe lower leg.

The trolley was designed for patients with injured feet or ankles to enable them to supportthe injured parts while convalescing. However it can also be used by patients with long term foot or ankle problems.

It is believed that one of the advantages ofthe present invention isthatthe patientis much more mobile than with crutches or a wheelchair. Both hands are free for opening doors or carrying things whilst using the orthopaedic trolley 10. The rate of progress ofthe patient can be quicker than with crutches, travel is safer and much more comfortable.

In addition the orthopaedic trolley 10 is only a small fraction oftheweight and size of a wheelchair and is much easierto operate particularly in small spaces, through doors and the like.

In addition the trolley has distinct advantages over crutches because the weight ofthe body is appliedto the able limb as well as to the injured or disabled limb, ratherthan underthe arms which are not used to carrying such weight.

Other uses of the trolley allow itto be sat upon by the injured person where required.

Claims (8)

1. An orthopaedictrolley comprising a support structure having leg means, the support structure having mounted thereon a patient knee or leg support means, the leg means extending outwardly from the patient knee or leg support means, the leg means being mounted on rotatable wheels.

2. An orthopaedictrolley as claimed in claim 1 wherein the leg means comprisefourlegs splayed outwardly from the patient knee or leg support means to provide a stable base for the knee or leg support means.

3. An orthopaedictrolley as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rotatable wheels are of the castor type.

4. An orthopaedictrolley as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the orthopaedictrolley hasa manoeuvring handle extending upwardly and outwardly from the patient knee or leg support means.

5. An orthopaedictrolley as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the patient knee or leg support means is adjustably mounted on the support structure such thatthe height of the knee support means may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly to accomodate different sizes of user.

6. An orthopaedictrolley as claimed in claim 5 wherein the adjustable support structure comprises a box section slidabiy contained within a sleeve having a pin passing therethrough to locate the box structure within the sleeve.

7. An orthopaedictrolley as claimed in claim 6 wherein the adjustable support structure is of tubular construction within a tubular sleeve having a pin passing through the sleeve and the tube to locate the support structure in a particular position.

8. An orthopaedictrolley as claimed in claim 1 substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.