US2703082A - Structure for restricting the movement of the hand and forearm - Google Patents

Description

March 1955 L. M. EMERT STRUCTURE FOR RESTRICTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE HAND AND F OREARM Filed Feb. 10, 1954 INVENTOR Laur noe M Efizerb, deceased.

Chloe G. Elrrerb,adl11jlzs'brabrlkt BY A'I'TORNEYIS United States Patent C STRUCTURE FOR RESTRICTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE HAND AND FOREARM Laurence M. Emert, deceased, late of Knoxville, Tenn., by Chloe G. Emert, administratrix, Knoxville, Tenn.

Application February 10, 1954, Serial No. 409,432

8 Claims. (Cl. 128-133) This invention relates to an improved structure de signed to restrict the bending of the arms of infants or children to prevent and correct undesirable habits such as thumb and finger sucking, nail biting, and so forth. The structure is designed to so restrict the bending of the arm at the elbow that the wearer is unable to touch his person. The structure may thus be utilized to prevent scratching in the case of eruptive skin diseases or other skin irritations.

The invention embodies numerous improvements over prior structures. It eliminates the deficiencies in such structures and provides a comfortable and readily adjustable restraining device to which the wearer becomes rapidly accustomed.

The present invention comprises broadly a pair of spaced, aligned loops or rings, the upper of which is of enlarged diameter to fit over the upper arm and the lower of which is of more restricted diameter to fit the wrist. These two rings are joined by paired, longitudinal rods or bars which are adjustably united at their extremities by suitable clamping means. The smaller of the two rings may be opened and closed to vary its diameter by means of a rectangularly disposed catch structure extending between its two longitudinal support bars. With the catch in disengaged position the smaller ring is of enlarged diameter to permit ready passage of the hand therethrough. The larger ring is designed to be fitted over the center of the upper arm, the smaller ring being designed to fit closely the wrist of the wearer when the catch structure is closed. The longitudinal connecting bars between the rings act as a restrictor across the inner surface of the elbow joint to limit angular bending of the joint and prevent inward movement of the hand of the wearer.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is an inverted perspective view of the improved restricting structure showing the wristring in closed condition with the catch thereof engaged about the opposed longitudinal bar;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the restraining structure in proper position on the arm of a subject to limit angular movement of the forearm at the elbow;

Fig. 3 is an inverted, fragmentary perspective view of the small or wrist ring extremity of the structure with the wrist ring in full open position with its catch structure disengaged;

Fig. 4 is an inverted end view of the restraining structure taken from the small or wrist end thereof and with the wrist ring catch engaged;

Fig. 5 is an inverted side view of the restraining structure with the wrist ring catch engaged;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a clamp for adjustably uniting the bars of the structure, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 7, comprising two longitudinally grooved plates joined by a bolt and wing nut and Fig. 7 is an inverted fragmentary side view, partially in phantom, of the alternative clamp structure with the upper and lower plates fitted over the bars of the structure and held in clamped position by a .bolt and wing nut.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, 10 indicates the restraining structure broadly. The structure comprises enlarged upper ring 11 and smaller wrist ring 12 which are formed integral with longitudinal brace or bar members 13-14 and -16. The structure is preferably formed of heavy Monel wire and is appropriately bent 2,703,082 Patented Mar. 1, 1955 more detail.

As is shown in Fig. 5, wrist ring 12 preferably extends upwardly at right angles to its two longitudinally extending parallel bars 13 and 14 and enlarged upper arm ring 11 preferably lies at an obtuse angle to its parallel bars 15 and 16. The free extremities of parallel bars 13-14 and 15-16 are preferably adjustably united by means of a flattened clamp member 17 which consists of a plate 18 which carries at its lateral extremities rolledover cylindrical clamping sections 19 and 20. Cylindrical clamping sections 19 and 20 are preferably formed by turning over the lateral edges of plate 18 to provide continuous cylindrical recesses extending along the lateral edges of plate, 18 to receive the extremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16. The distance between wrist ring 12 and upper arm ring 11 may be adjusted by adjusting the positions of the extremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16 within cylindrical recesses 19 and 20 and then crimping the upper surfaces thereof downwardly against the bars. The structure is readily adapted to arms of varying lengths by thus adjusting the distance between wrist ring 12 and upper arm ring 11. The length of clamp 17 may be varied at will, as may the length of bars 13-14 and 15-16 to make the structure longitudinally adjustable within a wide range.

An alternative embodiment of this clamp structure is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In this embodiment two separable plates 30 and 31 are utilized, joined at their bored centers by a bolt 32 and wing nut 33 so as to be readily separable. Plates 30 and 31 are provided along their lateral edges with parallel, longitudinal grooves 34-35 and 36-37 which extend the length of the plates and are designed to receive the extremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16. By loosening wing nut 33 on bolt 32 plates 30 and 31 may be separated to adjust the positions of the extremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16 in the grooves to vary the length of the structure.

Referring to wrist ring 12, which preferably extends upwardly at a right angle to its parallel bar extensions 13 and 14, it will be noted that ring 12 is provided at its lateral extremities with inwardly extending, U-shaped loops 21 and 22 which are provided therein, at opposite sides of its periphery to provide bracing for ring 12 on the wrist to maintain the entire restraining structure in proper position above the arm and elbow joint, as shown in Fig. 2. Loops 21 and 22 have the further function of permitting reduction or enlargement in circumference of ring 12 by closing or opening them. The functioning of these loops will be discussed in more detail further on in the specification.

Catch member 24 is disposed inwardly of wrist loop 12 in longitudinal bar 13 and is formed therein by appropriately bending a segment of bar 13 at right angles to itself in a horizontal plane to provide parallel, rectangularly disposed catch arms 25 and 26 which are appropriately bent inwardly at their extremity to provide U-shaped catch 27. The opposed section of bar 14 is preferably rectangularly bent upwardly into catch section 28, opposed to catch 24, and of the same width as catch 24, to receive turned down section 27 thereof. The function of catch section 28 in bar 14 will be discussed at more length later in this specification.

The improved restraining structure is preferably utilized as follows. With catch 24 of wrist ring 12 disengaged from catch section 28 of bar 14 and with wrist ring 12 in full open position, as shown in Fig. 3, the structure is turned into the position shown in Fig. 2, with rings 11 and 12 extending downwardly, and the hand is inserted through enlarged upper ring 11 and outwardly through wrist ring 12, upper ring 11 lying, as shown in Fig. 2, about the middle of the upper arm. With upper arm ring 11 in this position brace bars 13-14 and 15-16, joined by clamp 17, are disposed above the elbow joint in a position parallel to the arm. With wrist ring 12 in appropriate position about the wrist of the subject and with lateral loops 21 and 22 lying parallel to the inner and outer faces of the Wrist, bars 13 and 14 are brought together with the fingers, sliding catch 24 and its curved extremity 27 under raised catch section 28 of bar 14, where extremity 27 registers to hold the wrist ring 12 in close bearing contact about the wrist of the subject. Peripheral loops 21 and 22 bear against the inner and outer surfaces of the wrist and act to maintain the entire structure immovably in proper position at the wrist of the subject, as shown in Fig. 2. Wrist ring 12 is designed to fit the wrist closely yet has some freedom for longitudinal sliding thereon, projections 21 and 22 fitting the inner and outer surfaces of the wrist closely and maintaining wrist ring 12 in the proper upright position on the wrist of the subject. Enlarged ring 11, which fits over the middle of the upper arm, above the muscle, is of such diameter as to permit some sliding movement of this ring on the upper arm.

With the restraining structure thus clamped in the position, as shown in Fig. 2, over the elbow joint of the arm, angular movement of the forearm and wrist with respect to the upper arm above the elbow is drastically restricted, limiting the angular movement at the elbow to a relatively small angle and making it impossible for the subject to move his hand into proximity with his face or mouth. The restriction provided by the device also prevents the subject from scratching his body.

The proper position of catch 24 when in closed position is directly in line with the index finger of the hand. When the structure is in the prescribed position restraint on angular movement of the forearm at the elbow is gentle, yet extremely effective.

The diameter of wrist loop 12 may be regulated as desired by closing or opening lateral loops 21 and 22 thereof the desired amount. This adjustment may be made by means of pliers or in any other suitable fashion, bearing in mind that wrist loop 12 should fit the wrist of the subject closely enough to maintain its proper vertical position thereon, yet not so closely as to interfere with the circulation through the veins at the wrist.

The diameter of upper arm loop 11 may be adjusted by applying pressure inwardly or outwardly to bars 15 and 16 adjacent loop 12, above clamp 17.

The length of the structure, i. e., the distance between wrist ring 12 and upper arm ring 11 may be adjusted as desired by opening cylindrical housings 19 and 20 of clamp 17, adjusting the extremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16 therein until the desired distance between loops 12 and 11 is obtained and then crimping cylindrical housings 19 and 20 downwardly over the extremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16 to maintain them rigidly in desired position.

When the two-plate embodiment of the clamp shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is used, adjustment of the extremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16 in the clamp is made by loosening wing nut 33, separating plates 30 and 31 slightly and sliding the bars to desired position in the clamp. Wing nut 33 is then tightened until plates 30 and 31 bear tightly against the bars.

As will be seen 28 of bar 14- extends upwardly from bar 14 an appreciable distance and receives over its upper surface the curved outer extremity 27 of catch 24. This upward extension of clamping section 23 of bar 14 is provided to serve as a guide for catch 24 and to maintain the curved extremity 27 of catch 24 clear of the wrist tosprevent chafing or rubbing of the wrist. Further, by upwardly extending clamping section 28 above bar 14 the fastening and unfastening of catch 24 is greatly facilitated as catch 24 and its curved extremity 27 readily slide under clamping section 28 which is raised above the plane of catch 24.

For most subjects it will be necessary to apply one of the restraining structures to each arm to prevent access of either hand to the face or mouth or to irritated portions of the body.

The restraining structure may be made in any desired size, depending upon the size of the arm of the subject. For most normal infant or child subjects sufficient longitudinal adjustment is provided by clamp 17.

The same is true of the diameters of wrist ring 12 and upper arm ring 11, the diameter of wrist ring 12 being adjustable by peripheral loops 21 and 22 and that of upper ring 11 being adjustable at bars 15 and 16. If desired, the length of clamp 17 may be increased and the length of bars 13-14 and 15-16 correspondingly increased.

The structure may be made readily adjustable in length by substituting for clamp 17 the two parallel, grooved clamping plates 30 and 31, joined by bolt 32 and wing nut 33.

from the drawings, clamping section The invention is susceptible of numerous analagous embodiments without departing from the spirit thereof.

Attention is directed to the appended claims for a limitation of the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a restraining structure for an arm, a wrist ring rectangularly disposed to and integral with paired longitudinal bars, an enlarged upper arm ring disposed at an obtuse angle to and integral with a corresponding pair of longitudinal bars, clamping means adjustably joining the extremities of said bars to maintain said rings in desired opposed position whereby the angular movement of the forearm with respect to the upper arm may be restricted by applying said structure over the arm.

2. In a restraining structure for an arm, a wrist ring rectangularly disposed to and integral with paired longitudinal bars, catch means extending inwardly from one of said bars and removably engaging the other of said bars, an enlarged upper arm ring disposed at an obtuse angle to and integral with a corresponding pair of longi-. tudinal bars, clamping means adjustably joining the extremities of said bars to maintain said rings in desierd opposed position whereby the angular movement of the forearm with respect to the upper arm may be restricted by applying said structure over the arm.

3. In a restraining structure for an arm, a wrist ring rectangularly disposed to and integral with paired longitudinal bars, a rectangularly disposed catch extending inwardly from one of said bars, a raised clamping section on the other of said bars aligned with said catch and engaged thereby, an enlarged upper arm ring angularly disposed to and integral with a corresponding pair of longitudinal bars, clamping means adjustably joining the extremities of said bars to maintain said rings in desired position whereby the angular movement of the forearm with respect to the upper arm may be restricted by applying said structure over the arm.

4. In a restraining structure for an arm, a wrist ring rectangularly disposed to and integral with paired longitudinal bars, a catch extending inwardly from one of said bars, a raised clamping section on the other of said bars aligned with said catch and engaged thereby, loops at the opposite peripheral edges of said wrist ring lying in parallel vertical planes, an enlarged upper arm ring disposed at an angle to and integral with a corresponding pair of longitudinal bars, clamping means adjustably joining the extremities of said bars to maintain said rings in desired opposed position whereby the angular movement of the forearm with respect to the upper arm may be restricted by applying said structure over the arm.

5. In a restraining structure for an arm, a wrist ring made integral with and extending outwardly from parallel, paired bars, an upper arm ring made integral with and extending outwardly from a corresponding pair of parallel bars, clamp means adjustably uniting the inner extremities of said bars to maintain said rings in desired position whereby the angular movement of the forearm is restricted when said structure is applied to the arm.

6. In a restraining structure for an arm, an adjustable wrist ring made integral with and extending outwardly from parallel, paired bars, a catch extending inwardly from one of said bars and engaging the other of said bars, an upper arm ring made integral with and extending outwardly from a corresponding pair of parallel bars, separable clamp means adjustably uniting the inner extremities of said bars to maintain said rings in desired position whereby the angular movement of the forearm is restricted when said structure is applied to the arm.

7. In a restraining structure for an arm, a restricted wrist ring made integral with and extending outwardly from parallel, paired bars, an enlarged upper arm ring made integral with and extending outwardly from a corresponding pair of parallel bars, a clamp adjustably uniting the inner extremities of said bars to maintain said rings in desired opposed position whereby the angular movement of the forearm is restricted when said structure is applied to the arm.

8. In a restraining structure for an arm, a restricted wrist ring made integral with-and extending at a right angle from parallel, paired bars, an enlarged upper arm ring made integral with and extending at an obtuse angle 5 6 from)? correspontdhing pair of parallel bars, a glaglp ad- References Cited in the file of this patent justa y uniting e inner extremities of sai ars to maintain said rings in desired opposed position whereby UNITED STATES PATENTS the angular movement of the forearm is restricted when 853,410 Huebner May 14, 1907 said structure is applied to the arm. 5 1,926,690 Stewart Sept. 12, 1933 OTHER REFERENCES De Puy Manufacturing Co. Catalog No. 16, October 1937, page 21. Copy in Div. 55.

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