US2703405A

US2703405A - Toe covering for use with surgical casts

Info

Publication number: US2703405A
Application number: US422030A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sr William A Smallberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-04-09
Filing date: 1954-04-09
Publication date: 1955-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 1972-03-08

Description

March 1955 w. A. SMALLBERG, SR 2,703,405

TOE COVERING FOR USE WITH SURGICAL CASTS Filed April 9, 1954 INVENTOR WILLBA A. SMALLBERG,SR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent O TOE COVERING FOR USE WITH SURGICAL CASTS William A. Smallberg, Sr., El Paso, Tex.

Application April 9, 1954, Serial No. 422,030

4 Claims. (Cl. 2-239) This invention consists in new and useful improvements in a toe covering or semi-sock for use in connection with a surgical cast when applied to a human foot and leg. More specifically, the invention consists in a toe covering comprising an open ended semi-sock portion of knitted textile fabric, adapted to receive the forward portion of a human foot substantially from toes to instep and formed to accommodate and enclose the open end of a surgical cast which normally exposes the toes of a human foot, means being provided to adjustably secure the semi-sock over the toes and open end of the cast.

I am aware of previous efforts to develop a cast sock for use in this general manner but they have all fallen short of the aims of the present invention. One of the main objections to the devices heretofore contemplated has been the difiiculty of application as well as difficulty in maintaining the device in place after once applied. Another objection has been the lack of adaptability and adjustability to meet varying requirements as to size and shape. Furthermore, the previous designs within my knowledge have been cumbersome and awkward in construction and presented an undesirably conspicuous appearance when worn.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages and to provide a toe covering or semi-sock which may be very simply and easily manufactured and one which may be readily applied and removed for purposes of cleanliness and sanitation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable means for securing the device in place under varying size and contour requirements so that the device may be firmly retained over the exposed toes and open end of a cast, yet at the same time afford a maximum of comfort to the wearer.

A still further object is to provide a device of this character which is neat in appearance and relatively inconspicuous, presenting an over-all effect, substantially similar to a conventional sock.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features herein set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which numerals of like character designate similar parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the toe covering applied to a human foot in a surgical cast, equipped with a walking iron,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the semi-sock body showing the retaining strap broken away, and

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the semi-sock with the retaining strap removed.

In the drawings, 4 generally represents a semi-sock body of conventional knitted fabric which may be composed of wool, cotton, nylon or any other suitable material. The general shape of the semi-sock is substantially the same as that of the forward portion of an ordinary sock, closed at its toe end and open at its opposite end, the longitudinal extent of the sock being substantially from the tip of the toe to and over the instep of a human oot.

In order to adapt the open end of the semi-sock 4 to readily accommodate the instep of the human foot and the overlying open end of a surgical cast applied thereto,

Patented Mar. 8, 1955 ice the under side of the sock adjacent the medial portion of its open end, is provided with a gusset 5 (Fig. 3) also of knitted material, which may be formed when the sock is being knit so as to-originally form an integral structure, or separately formed and applied to a V-shaped opening cut in the under side of the sock.

As shown in Figure 2, the top side of the semi-sock 4 is slit longitudinally at its open end to provide a placket 6 which may be of the fly type illustrated, with snap fasteners 7 for securing the overlapping edges. The invention also contemplates an alternative placket structure embodying the conventional zipper fastener. In any event, the top side of the semi-sock is provided with an opening equipped with a suitable separable fastener to facilitate the application of the sock over the instep end of a surgical cast.

The bounding edge of the open end of the semi-sock is provided with binding tape 8, stitched to the fabric in the usual manner and terminating at the respective edges of the opening for the placket 6. This tape 8 is composed of a material having sutficient elasticity to permit the open end of the semi-sock to be readily stretched when the device is applied.

On opposite sides of the semi-sock, adjacent its open.

end, I secure snap fastener elements 9 adapted to coact with complementary snap fastener elements 10 secured to the free ends of an ankle strap 11. The snap fastener elements 9 are preferably located at substantially diametrically opposed points on the sides of the semi-sock, so as to afford a uniform retaining action at the open end of the sock. The strap 11 is formed of suitable elastic material and is provided adjacent either one or both of its free ends with slide gripper, adjustable buckles 12 of known type by means of which the length of the retaining strap may be adjusted to accommodate ankles and casts of varying size. The buckles 12 may be integral with the snap fastener elements 10 as shown.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, my improved toe covering is shown applied to a conventional surgical cast C, equipped with a walking iron. The semisock portion 4 has been slipped over the exposed toes of v the wearer and after being adjusted over the instep and open end of the cast C, the placket 6 has been closed and fastened by the snap fasteners 7. The elastic strap 11 has been adjusted to the proper length by manipulation of the slide buckles 12 and looped around the ankle of the cast as at 13 so that its free ends cross over above the instep as at 14. The free ends are then drawn downwardly over the upper portion of the semi-sock and the fastener elements 10 are secured to the corresponding fastener elements 9, fixed on the sides of the semi-sock.

I thus provided an inexpensive and easily applied toe covering which when in place, presents substantially the appearance of an ordinary sock, completely covering the toes and closing the open end of the surgical cast to provide both warmth and cleanliness. By means of the normal elasticity of the semi-sock itself and the adjustable retainingstrap, the device is adjustable to meet varying size requirements.

Of course, these devices may be made in several basic sizes, for children, ladies and men, but within these basic ranges, individual devices are adjustable as required, by means of the features just referred to.

The placket opening in the upper portion of the semisock and the gusset in the lower portion thereof, not only facilitate the application of the device to a patients foot, but permit it to conform substantially to the cross sectional profile of the foot and cast after the placket has been closed and fastened. Furthermore, this particular arrangement of securing strap, encircling the ankle and crossing over to opposite sides of the semi-sock, provides an easily applied and effective securing means which prevents the iemi-sock from shifting either forwardly or around the oot.

From the foregoing it is believed my invention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art without further description, it being borne in mind that numerous changes may be made in the details disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims. For example, the semi-sock may be made with a cushion toe and sole which will help prevent the bruising of the toes and the specific fastening means for the placket and for the ends of the retaining strap may be varied as desired.

I claim:

1. A toe covering for use with a surgical cast, comprising an open ended semi-sock body of knitted textile fabric, adapted to receive the forward portion of a human foot substantially from toes to instep, a placket extending longitudinally on the top side of said body, from the open end thereof, separable fastening means for said placket, a gusset on the bottom side of said body at its open end, to accommodate the cast adjacent the instep of the wearer, a single ankle encircling securing strap, and means detachably connecting the ends of said strap on opposite sides of said body adjacent its open end.

2. A toe covering for use with a surgical cast, comprising an open ended semi-sock body of knitted textile fabric, adapted to receive the forward portion of a human foot substantially from toes to instep, an overlapping placket opening extending longitudinally on the top side of said body from the open end thereof, snap fasteners for said placket, a gusset on the bottom side of said body at its open end, to accommodate the cast, adjacent the instep of the wearer, and a detachable ankle encircling strap, connectible on opposite sides of said body, adjacent its open end. 7

3. A toe covering as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ankle engaging strap is of suflicient length to form a loop around the ankle with its free ends crossing over on opposite sides of said semi-sock body, and snap fasteners for securing the free ends of said strap to said body.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the snap fastening means for securing said strap, are diametrically opposed on the sides of said body portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,542,331 Brockway June 16, 1925 2,008,936 Tait July 23, 1935 2,193,056 Burn Mar. 12, 1940 2,391,064 McCandless Dec. 18, 1945 2,596,211 Comfort May 13, 1952