US3203416A

US3203416A - Leg aligner

Info

Publication number: US3203416A
Application number: US269102A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank E Arrigo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-03-29
Filing date: 1963-03-29
Publication date: 1965-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-31

Description

F. E. ARRIGO LEG ALIGNER Filed March 29, 1965 Im ll vih IIIIl..

United States Patent O 3,203,416 LEG ALIGNER Frank E. Arrigo, 141 Ayers Court, West Englewood, Nd. Filed Mar. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 269,192 6 Claims. (Cl. 12S-36) This invention relates to a device for holding in proper alignment a leg of a patient. More particularly it relates to a device to be used on a bed and which by restricting the movement of a patients leg and particularly the ankle and knee, maintains the leg in `a normal posture. The device is reversible in that by merely turning it over it may be adapted for use on either' the right or left leg of a patient.

In cases in which a patient has less than full muscular control over his leg, e.g. patients suffering from strokes, cerebral-vascular accidents, brain damage, hip fractures, ctc., it has long been a problem to prevent atrophy of the muscles of the patients leg. In such cases, the leg may sutfer permanent damage resulting from external rotation at the hip joint, knee tlexion contracture, knee rotation and/ or tightening of the Achilles tendon. Such damage may be prevented by artiicially supporting the leg in a normal posture. If such treatment is periodically provided, for example, a few hours daily, a condition 'of atrophy and contracture may be prevented.

In most cases articial support is needed for only one leg, the patient having normal muscular control over the other one.

In many cases, too, especially where the patient has partial muscular control, it is desirable to have a device which permits maximum freedom of movement con sistent with support for the leg when the muscles are relaxed.

It is also desirable to have a device which is so stable that random movements of the patient will not dislodge it from the position most beneficial for the patients leg.

It is further desirable that the aligning device be of such a nature that prolonged and repeated use will not bruise or otherwise be uncomfortable for the patient.

Occasionally a patient using the device may be incontinent. For this reason it is of advantage for the device to be cleanable so that contaminants, i.e. urine and the like, may be easily removed with antiseptic.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a reversible device adapted to rest on a patients bed for supporting with minimum constraint either leg of a patient.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a device or aligning the leg ot a patient by providing an outer supporting frame terminating above the knee of a patient, an inner supporting frame terminating above the ankle and a foot plate disposed between the inner and outer frames upon which the foot may rest.

It is a further object to provide a device in which the frames comprise heavy metal rods and in which means are provided for securing the device to the bed so that it has a high degree of stability.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device in which the parts of the device with which the patient is likely to come into Contact are lined with sott cleanable pads.

The foregoing objects are achieved in the device described herein, which is adapted to rest on a bed and which may be used to support either leg of a patient. The device has a base frame which, when in use, is generally parallel to and near the foot of the bed. An inner frame is attached at one end to the base frame and extends transversely thereorF toward the head of the bed and terminates at a point a few inches above the ankle of a patient. An outer frame is attached at one end to the base 3,2@3Alb Patented Aug". 3l, i965 ICC frame at a point farther from the middle of the base frame than the inner frame. The outer frame also extends transversely of the base frame toward the head of the bed and terminates at a point a few inches above the knee of a patient. Each of the frames includes top and bottom horizontal rods. The top horizontal rods are coplanar and the bottom horizontal rods are coplanar. Thus, regardless of which side of the device`is down, it rests flatly on a bed. Attached to the base frame and extending toward the foot of the bed there may be one or more extensions extending transversely of the base frame. Means are provided for securing these base frame extensions to the bed. Thus the extensions and the sesuring means as well as the weight provided by the relatively heavy metal rods of which the frames are comprised provide a high degree of stability of the device. Disposed between the inner and outer frames is a foot plate. The foot plate may be adjustably secured to the inner and outer fra .es at any of a series of predetermined locations along the inner and outer frames, the location selected depending upon the length of the patients leg. Each of the surfaces of the inner and outer frames and the foot plate with which a patient is likely to come into contact is lined with cleanable pads.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification and claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l shows a plan view of a leg aligner embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation of the aligner of FIG. l with a portion of the lining of the inner and outer frames cut away;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the outer frame taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the foot plate taken along line 4 4 of FIGURE l.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in the drawings the base frame is generally indicated at l. The base frame comprises a rnain portion 2, a first extension 3 and a second extension d. Main portion 2 extends generally parallel to the foot of a bed (not shown) and is shorter than the width of the bed. Base frame extension 3 is attached at one end to one end of main portion 2 and base frame extension 4 is attached at one end to the other end of main portion 2.

Extensions

3 and 4 extend transversely of main portion 2 and toward the foot of the bed. Main portion 2 comprises a top horizontal rod 2a and a bott-om horizontal rod 2b. Base frame extension 3 comprises a top horizontal rod 3a and a bottom horizontal rod 3b. Base frame extension i similarly comprises top `and bottom horizontal rods. Base frame extensions 3 and i terminate respectively in vertical post I nembers 5 and e. Post member 5 has a iirst extension 5a which extends above the top horizontal rod 3a and a second extension 5b which extends below the bottom` horizontal rod 3b. Similarly post member 6 has extensions extending above and below the top and bottom horizontal rods of base frame extension d (not Shown). These extensions of post members 5 and 6 may be placed over the end of the mattress and thus inhibit longitudinal and rotational movement of the device. Vertical post members 5 and 6 may be provided with rubber tubing covers respectively indicated at 7 and 8. Such rubber tubing acts as a bumper to soften any accidental contact.

An inner trame generally indicated at 9 extends transversely of and is attached at one end lltl to main portion 2 of the base trame. Note that the end l@ is offset from the middle of the base frame. Inner frame 9 comprises a top horizontal rod Il and a bottom horizontal rod l2 and terminates in a vertical rod 9a a few inches above the ankle of a patient. Top horizontal rod 11 is provided with a series of `transverse horizontal holes generally indicated at 13. Bottom horizontal rod 12 is provided with similar horizontal holes 14. Each horizontal hole 13, e.g. 13a is in approximate vertical alignment with a corresponding horizontal hole 14, e.g. 14a. A rst frame strap 15 extends vertically from the top horizontal rod 11 to the bottom ho-rizontal rod 12 near the vertical rod 9a. Similarly a second frame strap 16 extends vertically between top horizontal rod 11 and bottom horizontal rod 12 closer to the main portion of the base frame. Attached to frame

straps

15 and 16 is a first wall member 45 (as seen in the cut away portion of FIG. 2). Wall member 45 may be attached to frame

straps

15 and 16 by any suitable means as for example by screws 19. Inner frame 9 is also lined on both sides with cleanable pads 17 and 1S.

Cleanable pads

17 and 18 may be secured to wall member 45 by any suitable bonding agent. The

pads

17 and 18 may be made of polyurethane foam, or alternatively may be made of other foam materials and covered with a cleanable sheet material, eg., a vinyl plastic.

An outer frame generally indicated at 20 is disposed transversely of and attached at one end 21 to the main portion 2 of the base frame 1. The point where end 21 of outer frame 20 is attached to main portion 2 is spaced farther from the middle 22 of main portion 2 than is the point where end 19 of inner frame 9 is attached to the main portion 2. Outer frame 20 comprises a top horizontal rod 23 and a bottom horizontal rod 24. Top horizontal rod 23 has a series of transverse horizontal holes 25. Bottom horizontal rod 24 similarly has a series of horizontal holes (not shown). Each of the horizontal holes 25 in the top horizontal rod 23 is in approximate vertical alignment with a hole in the bottom horizontal rod, just as

holes

13 and 14 of

horizontal rods

11 and 12 of inner frame 9 are in approximate vertical alignment. Each of the top horizontal holes 2S of outer frame 20 is in horizontal alignment with a corresponding top horizontal hole of inner frame 9, e.g. 25a and 13a. Correspondingly each ofthe horizontal holes ofthe bottom hori- .Y

zontal rod 24 of outer frame Ztl is horizontally aligned with a corresponding horizontal hole 14 of the bottom horizontal rod 12 of inner frame 9 (not shown).

Outer frame 2t) additionally comprises a frame strap 26 vertically disposed and extending from the upper horizontal rod 23 to the lower horizontal rod 24. Similarly other vertically disposed frame straps may be provided for the outer frame 20 with the actual number provided varying according to the length of the frame and the strength of structure desired. Attached to the frame strap 26 is a wall member 27 (as seen in the cut away portion of FIG. 2). Wall member 27 may be attached to frame strap 26 by suitable means such as screws 28 (see FIG. 3). Outer frame 2t) is provided on its inner side (i.e., the side toward the patient) with a lining of cleanable pad 29. Cleanable pad 29 may be attached to wall member 27 by any suitable bonding agent.

A foot plate generally indicated at 30 is vertically disposed between the inner frame 9 and outer frame 20. The foot plate comprises an aluminum plate portion 31 having rearwardly extending

transverse extensions

32 and 33. Plate extension 32 is provided with horizontal

transverse holes

34 and 35 near the top and bottom, respectively, of the plate. Plate extension 33 is similarly provided with horizontal transverse holes (not shown) in horizontal alignment with

holes

34 and 35. A cleanable pad 39 is attached to the side of the plate nearest the patient by any suitable bonding agent.

The foot plate is held in a selected position by a top pin and a bottom pin d1. Top pin 4t) passes through hole 13b of top horizontal rod 11 of inner frame 9, hole 34, the hole in extension 33 in horizontal alignment with hole 34 and hole 251') of top horizontal rod 23 of outer frame 2t). Similarly bottom pin all passes through a hole 14 of 'bottom horizontal rod 12 of inner frame 9, hole 35,

l and holes in extensions 33 and bottom horizontal rod 2d in horizontal alignment with hole 35. When pins itl and 41 are so disposed, foot plate 39 is securely held in vertical disposition.

As may readily be appreciated, foot plate 30 may be placed at any of a series of locations corresponding to the locations of the horizontal holes in

rods

11, 12, 23 and 24. Merely by withdrawing and reinserting pin 4t) and 41 the foot plate may `be easily and securely repositioned.

Top

horizontal rods

2a, 3a, 12 and 24 are coplanar. Bottom

horizontal rods

2b, 3b, 11 and 23 are coplanar. Thus regardless of which side of the device is down, the device rests flatly on the bed.

According Ito the preferred embodiment of the invention, the

rods

23, 24, 11, 12, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b are of steel and the lplate 31 is of aluminum.

Wall members

27 and 45 are preferably of plywood.

ylt has -been found that when the cleanable pads are made of properly treated polyurethane foam, a comfortable cushion is provided and at the same time is readily cleaned with an antiseptic or solution of alcohol.

In operation, the leg aligner as described above is placed on a patients bed with extension of vertical posts 5 and 6 placed over the end of a mattress. Suitable means such as a strap 42 may be used to secure the frame extensions to the mattress. The patients left leg (as the device is disposed in the drawings), may be placed within the aligner so that the patients foot is resting on the foot plate 3i?. Since the foot plate is vertically disposed at approximately a angle with the bed the heel cord is stretched. The knee is kept from rotating externally by outer frame 20. At the same time the foot is prevented from turning inward by inner frame 9. In this manner the leg is conned to an area in which it may be comfortably disposed and properly aligned. The cleanable pads provide a cushion to prevent bruising of the leg.

Any suitable means may be used to secure the leg aligner to the mattress and while a strap is shown in the drawings other means may be employed. For example, clamps may be attached to posts 5 and 6, each such clamp comprising means for extending under and gripping the mattress. Such clamps may be adjustable so that the leg aligner may be clamped to mattresses of different thicknesses.

Should it be desirable to use the leg aligner on the right leg it is merely necessary to turn the device over and, in as much as the pocket for the leg is olic center, the device may be used on the right leg with the same convenience as on the left leg.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, other modiications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, and I therefore intend my invention to be limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A reversible leg aligner comprising (a) a base frame adapted to rest on a patients bed adjacent and parallel to the foot thereof;

(b) an inner frame having one end attached to the base frame, said inner frame disposed transversely of the base frame;

(c) an outer frame having one end attached to the base frame, said outer frame disposed transversely of the base frame and spaced from the inner frame;

(d) said outer frame being farther from the middle of the base frame than said inner frame;

(e) each of said frames having iirst and second parallel,

vertically spaced horizontally extending surfaces;

(f) said rst horizontally extending surfaces being coplanar and said second horizontally extending surfaces being coplanar, whereby said inner and outer frames may rest flatly on the bed on either said first or second horizontally extending surfaces;

(g) a foot plate disposed between and generally transversely ofthe inner and outer frames, and

(h) means for selectively securing the foot plate to the inner and outer frames at predetermined locations along the frames,

(i) said inner frame, outer frame and foot plate deiining a confined space within which either leg of a patient may be placed.

2, A reversible leg aligner as defined in claim 1 in which the base frame comprises (a) a main portion of predetermined length;

(b) at least one base frame extension extending transversely of the main portion and away from the inner and outer frames;

(c) said base, inner and outer frames comprising rods of relatively heavy metal, and

(d) means for securing the frame extension to a bed.

3. A reversible leg aligner as defined in claim 1 in which (a) the inner frame is adapted to extend only a short distance above the ankle of a patient when his foot rests against the foot plat-e in the coniined space, and

(b) the outer frame is adapted to extend only a short distance above the knee of a patient when his foot rests against the foot plate.

4. A reversible leg aligner as defined in claim 1 which additionally comprises:

(a) cleanable pads lining the inner and outer frame.

5. A reversible leg aligner comprising:

(a) a base frame adapted to rest on a patients bed adjacent and parallel to the foot thereof, comprising;

(b) a main portion of predetermined length;

(c) at least one base frame extension extending transversely of the main portion, and

(d) means for securing the frame to a bed;

(e) an inner frame having one end attached to the main portion of the base frame, said inner frame being disposed tranversely of the main portion of the base frame,

(f) an outer frame having one end attached to the main portion of the base frame, said outer frame being disposed transversely of the base frame and spaced from the inner frame,

(g) said outer frame being farther from the middle of the base frame than said inner frame;

(h) each of said frames having first and second parallel, vertically spaced horizontally extending surfaces;

(i) said first horizontally extending surfaces being coplanar and said second horizontally extending surfaces being coplanar whereby said frames may rest flatly on the bed on either of said horizontally extending surfaces;

(j) said base inner and outer frames comprising rods yof relatively heavy metal;

(k) a foot plate disposed between and generally transversely of the inner and outer frames;

(l) means for selectively securing the foot plate to the inner and outer frames of predetermined locations along the frame;

(m) said inner and outer frames and foot plate deiining a conned space within which either leg of a patient may be placed;

(n) said inner frame being adapted to extend only a short distance above the ankle of the patient when his foot rests against the foot plate in the conlined space;

(o) said outer frame being adapted to extend only a short distance above the knee of the patient when his foot rests against the foot plate, and

(p) cleanable pads lining the inner and outer frames and foot plate.

6. A leg aligner comprising:

(b) a main portion of predetermined length;

(d) means for securing the frame to a bed;

(e) a vertically disposed inner frame having one end attached to the main portion of the base frame, said inner frame extending transversely of the main portion of the base frame and away from the base frame extension, and

(f) a vertically disposed outer frame having one end attached to the main portion of the base frame, said outer frame extending transversely of the main portion of the base frame and spaced from the inner frame and away from the base frame extension,

(g) said outer frame being farther from the middle of the base frame than said inner frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 739,200 9/03 Moore 128-85 2,492,920 12/ 49 Koster 12S-80 FOREIGN PATENTS 282,203 12/ 27 Great Britain. 475,589 11/ 3 7 Great Britain. 669,540 4/ 52 Great Britain.

87,461 4/ 5 4 Denmark. 525,358 9/21 France. 206,145 10/00 Germany. 77,3 3 1 8/50 Norway.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner,

Claims

6. A LEG ALIGNER COMPRISING: (A) A BASE FRAME ADAPTED TO REST ON A PATIENT''S BED ADJACENT AND PARALLEL TO THE FOOT THEREOF, COMPRISING; (B) A MAIN PORTION OF PREDETERMINED LENGTH; (C) AT LEAST ONE BASE FRAME EXTENSION EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE MAIN PORTION, AND (D) MEANS FOR SECURING THE FRAME TO A BED;