RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims priority to provisional patent application, Ser. No. 60/785,061, filed 23 March 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to support assemblies, and more particularly, to a support assembly for prosthetic legs.
Many people who have had a leg amputated are able to move around more easily than previously with the use of a prosthetic or artificial leg, especially for an amputee that has had an above knee amputation. There have been improvements into the design of the legs to more closely resemble an actual leg, but there are still areas that can be removed with respect to the use and storage of artificial legs. Many new advancements related to prosthetic legs include electrical connections so that the prosthetic leg may more closely mimic the movement of an actual leg. However, one problem that still exists is short-term storage of the leg when not in use, so that the leg can be stored in a safe, secure manner, especially if a leg does have extra wiring and cords connected to the leg.
For instance, a person generally does not wear a prosthetic leg when sleeping, and the leg is removed prior to sleeping. Removal and reattachment of the leg requires proper, upright alignment of the leg, which may not always be convenient, especially after a person has awoken from sleeping and must locate the prosthetic leg. The medical and medical equipment industry severely lacks devices that assist the-user in quickly and efficiently removing and reattaching a prosthetic leg. Further, there is a need for a device that can store a prosthetic leg in a manner that will protect the leg from potential damage when being stored. The present invention addresses these issues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a support assembly that is designed to provide amputees with a safe, low cost limb storage system that is adjustable, collapsible and visually pleasing. The device can be used in hospitals, medical facilities, physical and occupational therapy clinics, assisted living, senior citizen homes, behavior facilities, independent living facilities, as well as use in residential homes and commercial buildings, such as hotels or resorts.
The invention consists of a flat base onto which the prosthetic device rests and an articulating upright section which securely holds the upper portion (socket) of the prosthetic leg. The stability of the support assembly allows the user to be confident that their artificial limb will be protected. Modern artificial limbs contain electronic circuitry that can sustain damage with subsequent high repair and replacement costs if the device falls or is knocked over. Flexibility in design allows the support assembly to be configured for above knee (AK) amputees, to be wider for holding two limbs (for bi-lateral amputees) or shortened for holding below-knee (BK) limbs. Another benefit of the upright design is for easy accessibility of prosthetic limbs for bi-lateral and below knee (BK) amputees.
When the unit is in a retracted and collapsed position it can be conveniently placed under a bed or other furniture. It can also be hung on the back of a door or on a wall with the use of a ring or hook at the top of the upright section. Both methods allow the invention to be stored away from view when not in use yet easily accessible when required. The invention will provide maximum safety for the user and the prosthetic leg with easy access and storage.
The invention described is a support assembly that provides a portable and safe device for securing a prosthetic device, preferably an artificial leg. The support assembly has numerous features to allow the user to adjust the height for different sized limbs. One of the major aspects of the invention is its storage capabilities. This includes a locking hinge for permitting the support assembly to be collapsed from the upright position into a flat position for convenient storage when device is not in use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an elevated side view of the support assembly of FIG. 1 in an upright position.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a device used to secure a prosthetic leg to a support assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a partially cut-away perspective view of an upright structure used with a support assembly in accordance with the present invention showing that the upright structure can have an adjustable height.
FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C provide partially cut-away perspective views an upright structure coupled to a hinge structure for pivoting the upright structure in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an elevated side view of the support assembly of FIG. 1 in a collapsed position so that the support assembly may be stored.
FIG. 6 is an elevated side view of the support assembly of FIG. 5 in an elevated storage arrangement.
FIG. 7 is an elevated side view of the support assembly of FIG. 6 in an alternate storage arrangement.
FIG. 8 is a rear view of an alternate embodiment of a support assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an elevated side vide of the embodiment of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a planar overhead view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.
FIG. 11 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 8 in a collapsed position.
FIG. 12 shows the support assembly in FIG. 11 in an elevated storage arrangement.
FIG. 13 is a front view of another embodiment of a support assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an elevated side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 shows the support assembly of FIG. 13 in a collapsed position.
FIG. 16 shows the support assembly in FIG. 13 in an elevated storage arrangement.
FIG. 17 is a front view of yet another alternate embodiment of a support assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 18 is an elevated side view of the support assembly shown in FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a planar overhead view of the support assembly shown in FIG. 17.
FIG. 20 shows the support assembly of FIG. 17 in a collapsed position.
FIG. 21 provides an alternate embodiment of a support assembly according to the present invention capable of supporting a pair of prosthetic legs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. It should be understood that like parts will be referred to with like reference numerals.
As shown in FIG. 1, a transportable support assembly 10 comprises a relatively planar base 12 and an upright section 14. The base 12 can be manufactured from various substances and materials. It is preferable that the base 12 be made of a material that is sturdy and easily cleanable, such as metal, plastic or melamine-coated wood or other similar substrates. As shows, the base 12 has a generally rectangular shape, having a pair of opposing sides 12a, 12b and 12c, 12d. However, the base 12 can be designed at various lengths, widths, and shapes to provide a stable platform that safely supports an artificial leg 50 in an upright position. Due to the various sizes of prosthetic legs, the support assembly 10 can be adapted to be manufactured in different sizes. The bottom of the base has a plurality of footing members 16 covered with or made from a rubber or rubber-like material to provide skid resistance. The footing members 16 may be integrally formed with the base 12 or may be separate structures attached to the base 12. Further, the height of the individual footing members 16 could be adjustable to assist in the base 12 being level with respect to a floor or other surface.
Still referring to FIG. 1, the upright section has a proximal end 14a and a distal end 14b. The base 12 and the upright structure 14 preferably are connected to one another with a lockable hinge structure 18 located at the proximal end 14a of the upright structure and at the side 12a of the base 12, but other arrangements could fall within the scope of the present invention. As will be demonstrated more specifically with respect to FIGS. 4A-5, the hinge structure 18 allows the upright structure 14 to be pivoted with respect to the base 12. The hinge structure 18 allows the upright structure 14 to be positively locked in an upright position as shown in FIG. 3 and, also, angled 90 degree to a second collapsed, flat position as shown in FIG. 5 for storage when the assembly 10 is not in use. The hinge structure 18 can be of various configurations which are known to one skilled in the art. For the purpose of illustrating, FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show examples of hinges structures that could be incorporated into the scope of the present invention.
The upright structure 14 can have a fixed height, but as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is preferable that the structure is designed to have an adjustable height. This allows for the assembly 10 to accommodate above knee (AK) and below knee (BK) configurations, as well as people having differing sized prosthetic limbs. The upright structure 14 consists of two tubes 20, 22 in a mating arrangement that can be of any desired shape. The tubes 20, 22 have a series of holes 21 so that the tubes 20, 22 are in a securable telescoping arrangement. Depressing a pair of locking buttons 34 simultaneously will allow the tube 22 to be adjusted within the tube 20. This adjustment allows the upright structure 14 to be positioned at various heights for different sized limbs. Alternatively, the upright structure 14 can be constructed of square or round telescoping tubing 54, 56 with a single fastening means 58 as shown in FIG. 3B, and other height adjustment means, such as friction-type retaining means, could be incorporated into the present I invention. Any known arrangement that will allow adjustment of the height of the upright structure 14 would fall within the scope of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, a prosthetic leg 50 is situated upon the base 12. The leg 50 is held in place upon the base 12 with the use of securing means slidingly connected to the upright structure 14, with the securing means shown as a cradle 24 in FIG. 2. The cradle 24 has a generally circularly arranged shape that safely and securely restrains the socket of the artificial limb and is designed and shaped to be generally the shape or the contour of the leg 24. The cradle 24 can be adjusted to various heights along the upright structure 14 and locked at various height positions through the use of a thumb screw 38 or other similar fastener. The cradle 24 partially surrounds the upper portion of a socket portion 52 of the leg 50 by way of a semi-circular shaped rod 26. The rod 26 preferably is covered with foam or foam-like material 28 adding protection against abrasion or damage to the prosthetic leg 50. The securing means further comprises an adjustable elastic strap or tubing 30 that is fixedly secured to a first end 26a of the cradle 26 and releasable connected to a second end 26b of the rod 26. The use of the term tubing or strap is intended to be referred to broadly as any structure capable of encircling the leg 50 to secure the leg 50 to the support assembly 10. The tubing 30 wraps around the socket 52 to lock the limb 50 in an upright position. The tubing 30 attached to the second end 26b of the rod 26 by a hook 32 and eyelet 37 arrangement. However, it is understood that the arrangement of the cradle 24 is only exemplary and other arrangements could also be incorporated into the invention. For instance, the tubing 30 could be completely separable from the rod 26, and latches, buckles, or other devices could be used to adjust and secure the tubing 30 around the socket 52. Provided that an a device will allow for the leg 50 to be held in an upright position upon the base 12 and preferably allow for the device to be adjusted to accommodate legs of varying sizes, such securing means would fall within the scope of the present invention.
An additional feature of the securing means 24 allows the rod 26 to be rotated or pivoted into a position parallel to the upright structure 14 to provide for easier storage when the assembly 10 is not in use. The fastener 38 is loosened, which allows rotation of the rod 26 downwardly and parallel to the upright structure 14. The fastener 38 is tightened to hold the securing means 24 in a stored position.
FIG. 3A demonstrates alternative securing means 124, which operates similarly to the securing means 24. The securing means comprises a cradle 26 having a semi-circular shaped inside surface 140 to support the back of the socket 52. A strap 142 is secured to the cradle 126 by way of a fastener such as a hook and loop material 144. The strap 142 can be completely removable from the cradle 126, or can be fixedly connected at one end of the cradles 126. It is also contemplated that other securing arrangements could be used as well. For instance, the securing means 124 could comprise a solid loop that would allow the leg 50 to be inserted through the loop, with the loop being adjusted after the leg has been properly positioned upon the assembly 10.
The assembly 10 comprises other features, as well. For example, a hook 36 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is located at the distal end 14b of the upright structure 14 that will allow the assembly to hung or stored in an elevated position when not in use. The hook 36 allows the assembly to hang by means of hook 36 on the back of a door 44 or on a wall, as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, other hanging means, such as a flat hook 46 (FIG. 7) will allow the support assembly 10 to be hung over the top of a door 44. The assembly 10 may also comprise a retaining hook 35 for holding possible electrical wires 51 that are attached to the prosthetic leg 50, which are common with many currently designed prosthetic legs.
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly 10 is also designed so that base 12 provides means for properly aligning the leg 50 on the base 12. A pair of spaced apart small rails 44 is formed on the base 12, which are situated on either side of the artificial limb 50 when the limb 50 is placed on the base 12, thereby preventing any side movement and aligning the limb 50 on the base 12. The rails 44 can be designed to slide inwardly and outwardly to accommodate prosthetic limbs of varying sizes and widths.
As stated earlier, FIGS. 4A-4C show various locking arrangements of the hinge structure 18, which allows the upright structure 14 to pivot with respect to the base 12. Normally, the upright structure 14 is in a locked position with respect to the base 12. When locking pins 34 are pressed inwardly, the upright structure 14 can pivot to the arrangement shown in FIG. 4C, with the upright section 14 being relatively parallel to the base 12 to ease in storing the assembly 10. Similarly a pin 134 as shown in FIG. 4B could be used in a similar fashion as the pin 34 to pivot the upright structure 14 from a locked upright position to a second storage position. Provided that an arrangement allows for such movement from a first upright position to a second stored position, it is understood to fall within the scope of the present invention.
Once the upright structure 14 is pivoted downwardly, the assembly 10 will be in the collapsed storage position shown in FIG. 5. If the upright section 14 is adjustable, as described in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sections 20, 22 will be telescoped inwardly to make the assembly 10 more compact for storage purposes. The support assembly 10 can be slide under a bed 48 or other furniture or as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the assembly 10 could be hung on a hook 43 (FIG. 6) or on a door 44 with the use of a hanger member 46 (FIG. 7).
FIGS. 8-12 show an alternate embodiment of a support assembly 110 according to the present invention. The support assembly 110 provides a similar function as that of the support assembly 10 to assist the user in removing and storing the prosthetic leg 50. The assembly 110 comprises a base and an upright section 114, with the upright section being capable of having an adjustable height, as discussed with the assembly 10 and FIGS. 1-7. The upright section 114 preferably comprises a first section 120 and a second section 122, which are telescopingly arranged with one another. An adjustable screw 123 allows adjustment of the height of the upright section 114. It is noted that either arrangement for adjusting the height of the upright sections 14, 114 could be incorporated into either assembly 10, 110, or other possible embodiments. The base 112 is supported by footing members 116 and 117, and the base inclines downwardly from a first end 112a to a second end 112b, which allows the prosthetic leg 50 to be held in place at a slight incline. The footing member 116 is preferably at a lower elevation than the footing member 117. The arrangement may be preferable to some users, as it may be easier to remove or position the prosthetic leg 50 with such a slope.
Securing means 124 positions the leg 50 on the base 112, similarly to the previously described securing means 24. The securing means 124 comprises a belt 126 with a latching mechanism 128 that can be adjusted to firmly secure the leg 50 in place. The leg 50 can be properly aligned and positioned by way of a pair of railings 144 located on the base 112. As noted previously with the railings 44 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the railings 144 are capable of being adjusted so that they may accommodate variously sized legs 50.
Referring to FIG. 10, the support assembly 110 and the base 112 are stabilized by cross-supports 118 and 120. The cross-supports 118, 120 preferably form a “T-shaped” arrangement, thereby providing stability for the support assembly 110. The cross-supports 118, 120 may be hingedly connected to one another, connected in a secure fashion, or be arranged as separate pieces that could be interlocked together when used. However, a support arrangement similar to that described in FIGS. 1-7 could be incorporated into the assembly, as well. Provided that the assembly 110 provides a solid base 112 for supporting the leg 50 when the leg 50 is not being worn by an amputee, the assembly 110 will fall within the scope of the present invention.
FIGS. 11 and 12 show the support assembly 110 being arranged for storage as previously described. The upright section 114 will be pivoted downwardly towards the base 112. The cross-support 120 is connected to the cross-support 118 by way of a hinge 132, and is pivoted inwardly towards the cross-support, which allows for the assembly 110 to be more compact for storage. The assembly may then be stored as previously described, such as by hanging the assembly 110 on a door 44 with the hanger member 46.
FIGS. 13-16 provide yet another support assembly 210 for supporting a prosthetic leg. The assembly generally comprises a base 212, an upright section 214, and securing means 240. The base 212 and the securing means 240 are generally arranged as the previously described bases 12, 112 and securing means 24, 124, respectively, while the upright section 214 generally comprises a tripod arrangement. The upright section comprises a first section 220 and a second section 222 that are connected by a hinge 221 or similar structure. The first section 220 can be connected to the base 212 by a second hinge structure 228. The first section 220 comprises a first leg member 218 and the second section 222 comprises a pair of spaced apart leg members 215 and 216, thereby providing a tripod arrangement and support for the base 212. A cross bar member 224 extends across the width of the base 212 from the leg member 214 to the leg member 216 to provide further support and stability for the base 212. A latching area 226 located on the base 212 can be use to secure the cross member to the base 212 when in the support position, as shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 15 shows the support assembly 210 folded inwardly into a stored position. The base 212 is moved upwardly so that the cross-member is released from the cross bar member 224, and the base 212 and the first upright section 220 are pivoted towards one another. The first upright section 220 and the second upright section 222 are also pivoted towards one another, thereby providing a compact storage position, as shown in FIG. 16. The support assembly 210 may then be stored with the use of a latch 246 and hung on a the door 44 (shown in phantom).
FIGS. 17-20 show a further embodiment 310 according to the present invention. The support assembly 310 has a flexible base 312 that is supported by an upright section 313 comprising a plurality of upright members 314, 316, and 318, which are preferably arranged in a tripod arrangement (see FIG. 19). The base 312 can be made of a durable, flexible material, such as a denim or canvas material that can be pulled taut to provide a flat sturdy base 312 when the assembly 310 is in an upright position (FIGS. 17 and 18) and pulled inwardly to a compact storage position (FIG. 20). It is understood that more legs may comprises the upright section 313 and to support the base 312. A durable, flexible material 320, which can be of the same material as the base 312, surrounds the upright members 314, 316, and 318, and the prosthetic leg 50 is held in place with a strap 322 or other securing means, similar to the previously described securing means, thereby providing adequate support for the prosthetic leg 50.
As with the previously described support assemblies, the support assembly 310 may be compacted into a storage position, as shown in FIG. 20. The upright members 314, 316, and 318 are folded inwardly and the base 312 is folded inwardly, generally in an accordion style. The assembly 310 can further comprise a strap or similar device 350 for releasably securing the assembly in the stored position of FIG. 20. The assembly 310 may comprise a hook 324 or other hanging or storage means to further store the assembly, as discussed with the previous assemblies.
FIG. 21 further demonstrates the adaptability of the present invention. A support assembly 410 generally comprising a base 412 and an upright section 414. Securing means 416 are attached to the upright section 414 by way of an adjustable screw 430. The securing means 416 comprise a first cradle 418 and a second cradle 420 that are each designed and arranged to receive an individual prosthetic leg 50 (not shown). Straps 422 and 424 are releasably connectable to the respective cradles 418 and 420 to hold an individual prosthetic leg in place. As with the previously discussed arrangements and embodiments, the straps 422 and 424 can be connected with hooks, eyelets, hook and loop arrangements, buckles, belts, or any similar arrangements. The upright section 414 further comprises a first section 426 and a second section 428 that allow the height of the upright section 414 to be adjusted. The support assembly 410 is advantageous for use by a double amputee, as it provides a single support structure for supporting both prosthetic legs 50. A hinge structure 432 allows for the upright section 414 to be pivotably connected to the base 412 and locked in an upright position or a storage position, as discussed with the other assemblies.
The assembly 410 may further comprise footing members 434 that provide stability and support the assembly 410. The base 412 may also support a plurality of railing members 436 that provide alignment means for the legs 50. The railing members 436 may be at a fixed position or adjustable in width, as previously described.
The present invention provides greatly assists an amputee with removing and storing the prosthetic leg 50 in a manner and fashion that will minimize potential damage to the leg 50 and, also, situate the leg for quick and efficient attachment when necessary. For example, when a person is ready to sleep, the person can sit down on the bed 48 shown in FIG. 5, pull out the assembly 10, and move the assembly 10 to the upright position shown in FIG. 1. The person would disconnect any electrical connections 51 and secure them in the retaining hook 35, shown in FIG. 2. The prosthetic leg 50 would then be removed from the person's leg. The person would then move the prosthetic leg 50 onto the base 12, as shown in FIG. 2, and secure the leg 50 into place with the securing means 24. The person would be able to lie down and sleep. When the person awakes, the leg 50 would be in a proper position for the person to easily reattach the leg 50.
Thus, the present invention provides a storage and support device for a prosthetic leg that can take various shapes and may be used in a variety of settings. Further, any of the various features of the described embodiments can be incorporated into other embodiments of the present invention. For example, the upwardly sloped base 112 shown in FIG. 8 could be incorporated into one of the other embodiments. The capability of the assembly to be compacted for storage purposes also allows the assembly to be easily transportable from one place to another. Provided that a support assembly can secure a prosthetic limb in place and be easily stored by collapsing or folding the support assembly, the support assembly would fall within the scope of the present invention.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
