US2581110A - Adjustable leg rest for invalids - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 1, 1952 A, E, KENWORTHY 2,581,110

ADJUSTABLE LEG REST FOR INVLIDS Filed Dec. 24. 1949 (Ittornegs Jan. 1, 1952 A, E. ,KENWORTHY 2,581,110 ADJUSTABLE LEG REST FOR INVALIDS v Filed Deo. 24, 1949 2 SHEETS-smi 2 LAz? i nventor L ILLJI. LA.

(Ittornegs Patented Jan. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,581,110 ADJUSTABLE LEG REST FOR INVALIDS Aurelia E. Kenworthy, Kansas City, Mo. Application December 24, 1949, Serial No. 134,995

Claims.

This invention relates to leg rests for invalids and the like and more particularly to such a device for supporting a leg of an invalid or other patient in a selectively elevated, bent, or other position for comfort cr treatment of the leg.

The objects of the invention are to provide a 1 leg rest which is adjustable to support a leg in diierent positions and in any desired relative angle when the person is sitting in a chair or lying in a bed; to provide a leg rest that is adjustable in height at each end and also at a point accommodating the knee joint for proper elevation and inclination of the various parts of the leg; to provide a leg rest which is substantiallycollapsible whereby when not in use it may be conveniently folded to occupy a minimum of space; to provide a leg rest that is adjustable in length from the knee to the foot portion for accommodating various sized persons; to provide a leg rest member with cushioned coverings to protect the leg from contact with metal or the like members of the structure; and to provide a leg rest of sturdy construction, neat in appearance, that is simple and easily adjusted to any desired elevation and inclination for the proper positioning of the leg member.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a leg rest constructed in accordance with the present invention Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the leg rest.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the leg rest taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the leg rest with the portions thereof at dilTerent elevations and inclinations from that shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the leg rest on the line 5 5, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a partial elevation of the knee portion of the leg rest with the telescoping brace members partially broken away to better illustrate the structure thereof.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

designates a leg rest embodying the features of the present invention consisting of a base 2 adapted to be supported on a bed or the like. The base is preferably formed of sheet metal and has substantially parallel sides 3 extending from an end 4 adapted to be located under the thigh portion of the leg, said parallel sides terminating in outwardly extending wings 5 adjacent the other end G of the base, said wings being on the 4portion adapted to be placed under the foot of the person and serving to prevent tipping of the structure.

Spaced parallel rails 'I and 8 are secured to the base intermediate its length and adjacent the side edges 3. The rails preferably are formed of angle-iron with inturned flanges 9 secured to the base and upwardly extending flanges Ill parallel with the side edges 3. The ilanges ||l are each preferably provided with a longitudinal slot I the lower edge of which is provided with a plurality of spaced notches 2. Parallel rails |3 and I4 are arranged in alignment with the rails 'I and 8 and extend from adjacent the foot end 6 of the base toward the intermediate rails 'I and 8. The rails I 3 and I4 are also of angle construction with the inturned anges I5 secured to the base and upturned flanges I6 having longitudinal slots I l, the lower edges of which are provided with a plurality of spaced notches |8. A bracket I9 is secured to the base adjacent the end 4 thereof and is provided with upwardly extending ilanges 2|) substantially in alignment with the flanges I0 and I6 of the rails 1, 8, I3 and I4, said flanges preferably being provided with substantially vertical slots 2|.

A leg support 22 is adjustably carried by the base and preferably consists of a thigh supporting section 23 and lower leg supporting member 24, the lower leg supporting member consisting of sections 25 and 26 arranged in longitudinal, overlapping relation and telescopically connected together whereby the sections are capable of sliding to different extended or collapsed positions as later described. The thigh supporting section 23 is preferably formed of sheet metal and is arcuate in transverse cross section, the width f'the section being wider at its free end 21 and having its edges curved as at 28 to eliminate any projecting corners or the like.

Secured to the under face 29 of the section 23 in spaced relation to the end 21 is a bar 30 conforming to the transverse contour of the section 23 and terminating in downturned legs 3| having outwardly projecting threaded shanks 32 adjacent the ends thereof adapted to extend through the slots 2| in the flanges 20. Suitable nuts 33 are threaded on the shanks 32 for clamping the ange 20 between the nuts 33 and the legs 3| to rigidly secure the leg section 22 to the bracket I9.

This arrangement provides a mounting which permits the section 23 to be pivoted relative to the bracket I9 and also adjusted vertically thereiof due to the slot 2| in the flanges 20. The narrow end of the section 23 terminates as at 34. Arms 35 extend longitudinally along the section 23 and are secured thereto, said arms extend beyond the end 34 of said section and are provided with apertures 36 for pivotally mounting the end of the section 23 as later described.

The leg supporting section 2E is arcuate in transverse cross section and is preferably formed of metal or the like. The end 31 of section 26 is provided with a flange 38 suitably secured to arms 39 adjacent the side edges 40 of the section 26,

the arms 39 extending longitudinally alongside of the section 26 and in spaced relation thereto to permit section 25 to slide between the arms 39 in the section 2S. The arms 39 extend beyond the end'3'1 of the section=26 and have laterally extending threaded sha'nks 4I adapted to extend through the apertures 35 in the arms 35 for pivotally connecting said arms 35 and 39 with the adjacent ends 34 and 31 of the sections` 23and 26 in spaced relation. The Shanks 4I extend through apertures 42 of bar members 43-an`d threaded on said Shanks are .nuts 44 for drawing the arms 35, 39 and bar 43 in'to tight engagement whereby said respective members are selectively pivotal or may be rigidly secured together.

The bars 43 are slidably and telescopically mounted in sleeves45 adapted to extend downwardly along the outer side of the flanges I of the rails 1 and 9, the lower ends of the sleeves being vprovided with laterally and inwardly extending lugs 46V which extend through the slots I I and are adapted to engage the notches YI 2. The inner ends of the lugs are `preferably provided with heads 41 whereby the heads and sleeves cooperate to prevent lateral displacement of the sleeves relative to the flanges I9. With this arrangement the lugs may be selectively placed in any ofthe notches I2 to cooperate with the telescoping mounting of the bars 43 in the sleeves 45 rfor Vadjusting the height of the connection of the arms 35 and 39 above the base. The sleeves 45 are provided With threaded apertures 48 for receiving theshanirs of thesetscrews 49 adapted to be threaded' into engagement with the bars 43 to secure same in selected adjusted position.

Movement of the lug 45 into engagement with the various notches provides a quick adjustment of the-height of the central portion of the leg support and the adjustment of the position of the bar 43 relative to the sleeve 45 provides additional adjustment, but when the lugs 46 are engaged with the notch I2, the setscrevvs -tightened and the nuts 44 and 32 tightened to form a rigid structure the thigh supporting section 23 is secured in selected position.

The leg supporting section 25 is preferably formed of sheet metal and is arcuate in transverse cross section to `conform to the curvature ofthe section 25 to permit sliding engagement of the respective sections. The section 25 is preferablyprovided with laterally and outwardly extending threaded shanks 50 longitudinally spaced thereonY and adapted to extend through spaced slots I extending longitudinally of theYarms 39, nutsr52 Abeing threadedly .mounted on the Shanks 59 to rigidly secure the leg supporting sections and k'26 kagainst relative longitudinal movement whenadjusted` to the selected length of lthecombined sections. l

The free end of theleg section 25 is preferably provided with a bar member 53 extending transversely and secured to the under face thereof, said barmember terminating in legs 54.having ends .provided withlaterally extended threaded Shanks 55 Aadapted to extend through apertures 56 in the ends of bar members 51, nuts 58 being threadedly mounted on the Vthreaded shanks 55 to clamp the bar members to the legs 54 and form rigid connectionsl therebetween. When the nuts 58 are loosened, the bars 51 may be -pivoted relative /t/.i the leg 54.

The bars V-51 -is .slidably and telescopically mounted in sleeves V59 which extend downwardly along the outside 'of flanges IQ of the rails I3 and I4 The Vends 'of the sleeves 59 are provided with Vbars 51 for securing the lugs 69 which extend inwardly through the slots I1 and are adapted to be selectively positioned in the notches I8, the inner ends of the lugs 60 preferably being provided with heads 60 to prevent disengagement of the sleeves 59 'from the flanges IS. The'sleeves 59 are provided with setscrews 6i threaded therein and adapted to engage the bars and sleeves in selected adjusted position. With this arrangement, the selective placing of the lugs 69 in the notches 59 Yarid the selective extension of the bars 51 relative to the sleeves 59 will provide selective adjustment of the height of the end of the leg member'25 above the base 2.

A cushion of spongerubber or other suitable material 62 is preferably cutto conform tothe curvature of the leg sections 23, 25 and 2G whereby the side edges 93 of said cushion extend-slightly beyond the side edges of the respective supporting members to `protect the person vfrom contact with said side edges. Itis preferredfthat the cushion member be of onepiece and-extend beyyond Ythe free end of the leg supporting section 25 as at 94 whereby the heel of the person does .not have a rigid support. I I

The leg rest may be used with or withouta foot support. In'cases where a foot support Yis Vdeemed desirable, an arm 515 having a longitudinal slot 56 therein is secured to the underside ofthe leg support section 25 by a screw and nutarran-gement 66', whereby said arm may be selectively adjusted longitudinally of the leg supporting member 25. The arm is turneddownwardly and upwardly as 61 and has its ends secured `as at 68 to a plate member S9 which extends substantially perpendicular to the leg supporting member 25. The plate 69-is Vpreferably provided with a cushion member 19, such as sponge rubber or the like, to engage the bottom of the foot of :a person whose leg is supported onthe leg rest. The foot support, being adjustable longitudinally of the leg rsupporting member 25 and only the end 64 of the'cushion t2 being under `the heel of the foot., provides the proper pressure onthe ball ofthe foot to holdsame-in position. l

In using a device constructed as described, the nuts 33, 44. 52 and 58 are allloosened and -the lugs 46 and El) disengaged from the notches i2 and I8 respectively whereby the leg supporting members may be collapsed substantially onto the upper surface of the base to occupy a minimum space, as for storage. This Ycollapsed condition is als-o desirable when placing the rest under the leg of an invalid or other patient, then by locating the Shanks 4I which form the pivotalconnection of the arms 35 and 39 substantially in alignment with the knee joint, the leg supporting sections 25 and 26-may be extended orcollapsed as desired to adjust same to the proper length for the lower leg of the patient. The nuts 52 may then be tightened to secure the leg supporting sections 25 and 29 in adjusted position. r-Ihe telescscping'V braces 'formed -by the bars 43 andl sleeves 45 are then moved by disengaging the lugs lrorn the notches i2 land moving samei'n the slots II to raise the pivotal connection oi the- arms 35 and 39. `When the desired angularity of the telescoping brace member is obtained, the lugs 46 are engaged with an adjacent notch I2 and the setscrews 49 may be loosened to further adjust therbars 43 relative to the sleeves 45 te provide the proper adjustment of vtheheight ol' the knee of the patient. The setscrew 49. is then tightened. The end 21 of the leg sectio'n23is raised until said section 4provides the proper 'support under the thigh portion of the leg. The nut 33 is then tightened to retain the section 23 in adjusted position.

The telescoping braces formed by the bars 51 and sleeves 58 are then moved to disengage the lugs 60 from the notches I8 whereby said lugs are moved along the slots I7 to raise the free end of the leg supporting portion formed by the sections 25 and 2t. The lugs 60 may be engaged with suitable notches i8 to provide approximately the desired angularity of the telescopic braces and then by loosening the setscrews 6| and adjusting the relative position of the bars 51 in the sleeves 53 the proper adjustment of the free end of the leg supporting sections 25 and 26 may be obtained. The setscrew l is then tightened. The nut 56 is loosened whereby the arm 65 may be moved relative to the leg section 25 until the cushion 70 on the plate S9 engages the ball portion of the foot to support same in 'proper position.

It willv be evident that the sectional character of this leg and foot rest is adapted for use in a variety of conditions and any place where it may be desired to support a leg in an elevated or bent position and may be adjusted to provide desired inclination and support according to the needs of the patient. Also the leg rest may be used with' traction devices for the treatment of fractures and the like. By being constructed of sheet metal or other light weight material it may be inexpensively manufactured but When in use forms an effective and secure support for the leg throughout the length thereof as desired.

What claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A leg rest comprising, an elongated base, an elongated leg support including a plurality of sections, one of said sections being spaced longitudinally from the next adjacent section, means pivotally connecting the spaced sections, means adjacent each end of the leg support and having adjustable connection with the base for adjustably supporting the respective ends of the leg support in selected spaced relation to the base, brace means adjustable in length and connected to the leg support intermediate its ends and adapted to be clamped thereto, and means on said brace means for adjustably connecting same to the base for supporting the intermediate portions of the leg supporting sections in selected spaced relation with the base whereby the sections are inclined relative to the base.

2. A leg rest comprising, an elongated base, an elongated leg support including a plurality of sections, one of said sections being spaced 1ongitudinally from the next adjacent section. means pivotally connecting the spaced sections. means adjacent each end of the leg support and having adjustable connection with the base for adjustably supporting the respective ends of the leg support in selected spaced relation to the base, brace means adjustable in length and connected to the means for pivotally connecting the sections and adapted to be clamped thereto, and means on said brace means for adjustably connecting same to `the base at points spaced longitudinally of said base for supporting the intermediate portions of the leg supporting sections in selected spaced relation with the base whereby the sections are inclined relative to the base.

3. A leg rest comprising, an elongated base, an elongated leg support including a plurality of sections, means adjustably connecting one of the sections to the base for adjustment of Number the spacing of one end thereof from the base and adapted to be clamped thereto, brace means for adjustably connecting same to the base at points spaced longitudinally thereof for supporting said section at selected inclined positions, means connecting the other leg support sections for adjustment longitudinally relative to each other, one of said other sections being connected to the adjustable brace means, and means adjustably connected to the base for adjustabiy supporting said other sections in inclined positions relative to the base.

4. A leg rest comprising, an elongated base, an elongated leg support including a plurality of sections, means adjustably connecting one of the sections to the baseV for adjustment of the spacing of one end thereof from the base and adapted to be clamped thereto, brace means adjustable in length pivotally connected adjacent to the other end of said section and adapted to be clamped thereto, rails extending longitudinally of the base and having a plurality of spaced notches, means on the bracemeans for selectively engaging said notches for supporting said section at selected inclined positions, means connecting the other leg support sections for adjustment longitudinally relative to each other, one of said other sections being pivotally connected to the adjustable brace means, and means adjustably connected to the base for adjustably supporting said other sections in inclined positions relative to the base.

5. A leg rest comprising, an elongated base, an elongated leg support including a plurality of sections, means adjustably connecting one of the sections to the base Yfor adjustment of the spacing of one end thereof from the base and adapted to be clamped thereto, brace means adjustable in length pivotally connected -adjacent to the other end of said section and adapted to be clamped thereto, rails extendingA longitudinally of the base and having a plurality of spaced notches, means on the brace means for selectively engaging said notches for supporting said section at selected inclinedpositions, means connecting the other leg support sections for adjustment longitudinally relative to each other, one of said other sections being pivotally connected to the rst section by the pivotal connection of the adjustable brace means therewith, brace means adjustable in length pivvotally connected to the end of said other sections and adapted to be clamped thereto and means on the second named brace means for adjustably connecting same to the base at points spaced longitudinally thereof for supporting said other sections at inclined positions relative to the base.

AURELIA E. KENWORTI-IY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Barber June 20, 1905 Flagg Sept. 11, 1906 Miller July 23, 1940 Herbert May 8, 1945

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