US3145397A - Leg support - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 25, 1964 D. LIFTMAN use SUPPORT Filed May 21, 1962 INVENTOR. DAV/D LIFTMAN AT ORNEX United States Patent 3,145,397 LEG SUPPORT David liiitman, 15 Reade Ave, Lynn, Mass. Filed May 21, B62, er. No. 196,216 Claims. (Cl. 5--327) This invention relates to a device for providing greater comfort for individuals who have an immobilized limb. In particular, it relates to a supporting device which permits an individual who has an immobilized leg, as for example, a leg which is paralyzed or is in a cast, to be able to shift his other leg to an adjustable, comfortable, supported position crosswise of the immobilized leg.

Where an individual has been so unfortunate as to receive an injury to the foot or leg, it is common that the therapy involved include long rest in bed, wherein the injured leg must be immobile and cannot withstand any jarring or pressure. During a long period of such convalescence, the injured person becomes very uncomfortable, not only because of the immobilization of the injured leg, but because of the restriction of normal motion that he can make with the (otherwise healthy) other leg. Thus, for example, he could not cross his legs, although if such crossing were possible, he would feel a great deal more comfortable because he is exercising the other (healthy) leg.

()ne object of this invention is to provide a device which will permit a person who has an injured limb requiring immobilization to maintain the injured limb immobilized, but to permit him to freely exercise the other healthy limb, including crossing over the immobilized limb and resting it in cross position without any damage to the immobilized limb.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the specification and claims which follow and from the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of this invention with an immobilized limb shown in phantom.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial top View of the device showing several other positions in phantom.

The invention comprises generally an arcuate frame member on top of which is mounted a movable support member adapted to support a portion of a leg. In its preferred form, the band is telescopic and has several locking positions so as to be able to span the immobilized leg and the movable support member is connected by a ball joint to the frame member so as to provide a maximum of flexibility as to position.

Referring now to drawings, the arcuate frame member 11 has lateral flanges 11a and 11b and is supported on its ends by arcuate receiving pockets 12 and 13 whose lateral flanges 12a and 12b, and 13a and 13b, cooperate with the band flanges lla and 11b. The receiving pockets 12 and 13 are each provided with two series of spaced holes 18, which register with corresponding holes 19 in the frame member 11. Attached legs 14, 15', 16 and 17 are provided for locking the frame member 11. into a esired position in the receiving members 12. and 13.

The leg support member 23 is in the form of an open half cylindrical shell with a resilient inner lining 24. On the base of the support member 213 is an extension protrading through a central hole 22 in the middle of the frame member 11 and terminating in a ball 25 which is supported by a registering socket 21 afiixed to the under surface or" the frame member 11.

I claim:

1. A device for supporting a leg of a person in a position across but not bearing on the other leg, comprising an arcuate member adapted to span one foot and a leg support member which is positioned above and attached to said arcuate member with attaching means permitting movement of said support member with respect to said arcuate member.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said arcuate member is adjustable in length.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said arcuate member comprises adjustable telescoping elements and means for locking said elements into a selected position.

The device of claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises ball and socket means.

5. A device for supporting one leg of a person in a position across but not hearing on the other leg, comprising an arcuate member adapted to span one leg and a leg support member; said leg support member being positioned' above and movably attached to said arcuate member by ball and socket means; said arcuate member comprising adjustable telescoping elements and means for locking said elements into a selected position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 307,024 Drake Oct. 21, 1884 1,008,456 Etter Nov. 14, 1911 2,722,692 Dempster Nov. 8, 1955

Claims (1)

1. A DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A LEG OF A PERSON IN A POSITION ACROSS BUT NOT BEARING ON THE OTHER LEG, COMPRISING AN ARCUATE MEMBER ADAPTED TO SPAN ONE FOOT AND A LEG SUPPORT MEMBER WHICH IS POSITIONED ABOVE AND ATTACHED TO SAID ARCUATE MEMBER WITH ATTACHING MEANS PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO SAID ARCUATE MEMBER.

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