Oxygen Tube Retainer

Abstract

An oxygen tube retainer urges an oxygen tube toward the user whenever movement of the oxygen tube away from the user commences. There is a means for connecting, preferably removably, the urging means to the user and also a means for attaching, preferably removably and slidably, the urging means to the oxygen tube. Optionally, the retainer can be connected to the source of supplemental oxygen, rather than to the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device for retaining an oxygen tube away from objects that the person using the device in conjunction with an oxygen tube, hereinafter termed the “user,” passes and for doing so without either winding the tube or drawing it into a housing.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to provide oxygen to an even slightly mobile patient, a flexible tube must connect a source of supplemental oxygen (which herein is defined to mean either pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air)—either a storage tank or a machine that generates oxygen—to the user, through a mask or cannula. Herein the mask and cannula are designated a “distal delivery device.”

Sometimes the source is stationary where the user moves about the device or moves somewhat in bed. Other times the source is wheeled so that the user can have the source move with the user.

In order to permit some degree of freedom of movement with respect to the source, slack is created by having the tube generally somewhat longer than is absolutely necessary to span the distance from the source to the distal delivery device. Often, however, it is either inconvenient or, because of a debilitating physical condition, impossible for the user to hold the oxygen tube so that the slack tube does not catch on objects.

A variety of devices have been created to assist with this problem of tubes. They all, however, appear either to wind the tube or to retract the tube into a housing.

Examples of patents granted for devices which wind the tube are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,392,808; 5,518,023; 5,975,120; 6,591,858; 6,889,688; 7,093,783; and 7,104,491. The device of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0103348 is similar to that of Pat. No. 6,889,688. And the tube in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,456 has a central section 26 with “. . . a multiplicity of helical coils 28 permanently formed or defined in the tubing . . . ”

Similarly, examples of patents issued for devices which draw the tube into a housing are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,392,808; 5,975,120; 6,889,688; 7,093,783; and 7,104,491. And U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0000528 discloses an apparatus that draws a portion of a gasoline hose into a housing.

All the devices which either wind a tube or draw the tube into a housing create a substantially longitudinal pulling force on the tube. Such a force tends either to dislodge the distal delivery device, to jerk the head of the user uncomfortably, or to do both.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0169372 discloses a bag having two openings into which a tube is manually pushed, ostensibly to form coils within the bag, and from which it is manually withdrawn. Of course, the disadvantage with this device is that the user may not be healthy enough manually to control the tube or quick enough to spot an obstacle and push a sufficient length of the tube into the bag so that the tube will avoid the obstacle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Recognizing the need for a product that will automatically facilitate having the tube avoid obstacles without the winding or drawing that produces the substantially longitudinal pulling force on the tube which is created by winding the tube or drawing the tube into a housing, the inventor of the Oxygen Tube Retainer has determined that it is desirable to have a retainer to maintain the oxygen tube near the body of the user.

Furthermore, the inventor has recognized that if such retainer were to allow no displacement of the oxygen tube from the body of the user, the distal delivery device would be dislodged, the user's head would be abruptly jerked, or both the dislodging and jerking would occur were the oxygen tube to catch on something in spite of the precaution of keeping the tube near to the body of the user.

The inventor has, thus, designed the retainer to comprise a means for urging the oxygen tube toward the user whenever movement of the oxygen tube away from the user commences; a means for connecting, preferably removably, the urging means to the user; and a means for attaching, preferably removably and slidably, the urging means to the oxygen tube. Also preferably, the means for attaching the urging means to the oxygen tube creates a frictional force which tends to retard movement of the oxygen tube with respect to the means for attaching the urging means to the oxygen tube. Optionally, the retainer can be connected to the source of supplemental oxygen, rather than to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 portrays the Oxygen Tube Retainer using a resilient band attached to a user.

FIG. 2 shows the Oxygen Tube Retainer having a resilient band connected to the source of supplemental oxygen.

FIG. 3 illustrates the Oxygen Tube retainer utilizing, attached to a user, a spring-biased roller having a retractable cord.

FIG. 4 depicts a belt with a loop formed in the first end of the resilient band through which the belt can be slid.

FIG. 5 presents a belt connected to the resilient band by a closable hook permanently connected to a first end of the resilient band and adapted for attachment to the belt.

FIG. 6 portrays a resilient band fastened to a belt with stitching.

FIG. 7 shows a belt loop connected to the resilient band by a closable hook permanently attached to a first end of the resilient band and adapted for attachment to a loop, such as a belt loop, on the user's clothing.

FIG. 8 illustrates a belt having a spring-biased roller attached to the belt through the use of a clip connected to the housing of the spring-biased roller.

FIG. 9 presents a resilient band connected to a source of supplemental oxygen by a closable hook permanently attached to the first end of the resilient band and adapted for attachment to a bar having both ends attached to such source.

FIG. 10 portrays a spring-biased roller connected to a source of supplemental oxygen by a closable hook permanently attached to the spring-biased roller and adapted for attachment to a bar having both ends attached to such source.

FIG. 11 shows a resilient band connected to a source of supplemental oxygen by a closable hook permanently attached to the first end of the resilient band and adapted for attachment to a ring attached to such source.

FIG. 12 illustrates a spring-biased roller connected to a source of supplemental oxygen by a closable hook permanently attached to the spring-biased roller and adapted for attachment to a ring attached to such source.

FIG. 13 portrays a closable hook permanently attached to a second end of a resilient band and adapted for attachment around an oxygen tube, with such hook having an oxygen tube passing through it.

FIG. 14 shows a closable hook permanently attached to a first end of a cord and adapted for attachment around an oxygen tube, with such hook having an oxygen tube passing through it.

FIG. 15 depicts a loop formed in the second end of a resilient band with an oxygen tube passing through such loop.

FIG. 16 presents a loop formed in the first end of a retractable cord with an oxygen tube passing through such loop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Oxygen Tube Retainer 1 of the present invention is illustrated connected to an oxygen tube 2 as well as attached to a user 3 in FIG. 1 and connected to an oxygen tube 2 as well as attached to the source of supplemental oxygen 4 in FIG. 2.

As described above, the retainer 1 comprises a means for urging the oxygen tube toward the user 3 (or, optionally, when the retainer 1 is attached to the source of supplemental oxygen 4, rather than to the user 3, the source of supplemental oxygen 4), without producing a substantially longitudinal pulling force on the oxygen tube, whenever movement of the oxygen tube 2 away from the user 3 (or, optionally, the source of supplemental oxygen 4, when the retainer 1 is attached to the source of supplemental oxygen 4, rather than to the user 3) commences; a means for connecting, preferably removably, the urging means to the user 3 (or, optionally, the source of supplemental oxygen 4); and a means for attaching, preferably removably, the urging means to the oxygen tube 2.

The urging means preferably comprises a resilient band 5, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 through 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15, although a housing 6 for a spring-biased roller 7 with a retractable cord 8 attached to such roller 7, as portrayed in FIGS. 3, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16, is acceptable option.

The means for connecting the urging means to a user 3 is, preferably, as depicted in FIG. 4, a belt 9 with a loop 10 formed by the resilient band 5 near a first end 11 of the resilient band 5 through which the belt 9 can be slid. (As used herein the term “belt” shall mean a traditional belt having a means for fastening and closing the belt, such as a buckle, but shall also include both (a) an elongate member which can be wrapped around a user 3 or a source of supplemental oxygen 4 and tied to close or fasten the belt and (b) a continuous, circular elongate member being sufficiently resilient that it can be expanded to be pulled onto the body of a user 3 either from above or from below or similarly pushed or pulled onto a source of supplemental oxygen 4 and then remain there as the result of the resilient force.) A first exemplary option for connecting the urging means to a user 3 is, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a belt 9 connected to the resilient band 5 by a fastener 12, preferably a releasable fastener, (Herein the unmodified term “fastener” shall mean both (a) a device that remains permanently closed after been once closed around an object and (b) a device which, after having been closed around an object, can subsequently be opened again, preferably repeatedly.) attached, preferably permanently, to the resilient band 5 near a first end 11 of the resilient band 5 and adapted for attachment to the belt 9, such fastener 12 preferably comprising a closable hook 13, having a body 14 permanently connected to a first end 11 of the resilient band 5 and also having, connected to such body 14, a closable curved segment 15 adapted for attachment to the belt 9. A second exemplary option for connecting the urging means to a user 3 is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a belt 9 and stitching 16 fastening the belt 9 to the resilient band 5 near a first end 11 of the resilient band 5. A third exemplary option for connecting the urging means to a user 3 is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a loop, such as the belt loop 17, on the user's clothing 18 connected to the resilient band 5 by a fastener 12, preferably a releasable fastener, attached, preferably permanently, to the resilient band 5 near a first end 11 of the resilient band 5 and adapted for attachment to the belt loop 17, such fastener 12 preferably comprising a closable hook 13, having a body 14 permanently attached to a first end 11 of the resilient band 5 and also having, connected to such body 14, a closable curved segment 15 adapted for attachment to a loop, such as the belt loop 17, on the user's clothing 18. And a fourth exemplary option for connecting the urging means to a user 3 is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a belt 9 having a spring-biased roller 7 attached to the belt 9 through the use of a clip 19 connected to the housing 6 of the spring-biased roller 7. And, as mentioned above, a retractable cord 8 is attached to the spring-biased roller 7.

The means for connecting the urging means to a source of supplemental oxygen 4 can be any of those discussed for connecting the urging means to the user 3, with the first structure disclosed above also being preferred for connecting the urging means to the source of supplemental oxygen 4 and with the realization that the third exemplary option discussed above although being possible would also be somewhat wasteful of material since essentially a belt 9 would most likely have to be placed around the source of supplemental oxygen 4 in order to have a place to locate a belt loop 17.

Additional exemplary options for connecting the urging means to a source of supplemental oxygen 4 are as follows: A fifth exemplary option for connecting the urging means to a source of supplemental oxygen 4 is, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a fastener 12, preferably a releasable fastener, attached, preferably permanently, to the resilient band 5 near a first end 11 of the resilient band 5 and adapted for attachment to a bar 20 having both ends (first end 21 and second end 22) attached to such source 4, such fastener 12 preferably comprising a closable hook 13, having a body 14 permanently attached to a first end 11 of the resilient band 5 and also having, connected to such body 14, a closable curved segment 15 adapted for attachment to a bar 20 having both ends (first end 21 and second end 22) attached to such source 4. A sixth exemplary option for connecting the urging means to a source of supplemental oxygen 4 is, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a fastener 12, preferably a releasable fastener, attached, preferably permanently, to the housing 6 of the spring-biased roller 7 and adapted for attachment to a bar 20 having both ends (first end 21 and second end 22) attached to such source 4, such fastener 12 preferably comprising a closable hook 13, having a body 14 permanently attached to the housing 6 of the spring-biased roller 7 and also having, connected to such body 14, a closable curved segment 15 adapted for attachment to the bar 20 having both ends (first end 21 and second end 22) attached to such source 4. Again a retractable cord 8 is attached to the roller 7. A seventh exemplary option for connecting the urging means to a source of supplemental oxygen 4 is, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a fastener 12, preferably a releasable fastener, attached, preferably permanently, to the resilient band 5 near a first end 11 of the resilient band 5 and adapted for attachment to a ring 23 attached to such source 4, such fastener 12 preferably comprising a closable hook 13, having a body 14 permanently attached to a first end 11 of the resilient band 5 and also having, connected to such body 14, a closable curved segment 15 adapted for attachment to the ring 23 attached to such source 4. And an eighth exemplary option for connecting the urging means to a source of supplemental oxygen 4 is, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a fastener 12, preferably a releasable fastener, attached, preferably permanently, to the housing 6 of the spring-biased roller 7 and adapted for attachment to a ring 23 attached to such source 4, such fastener 12 preferably comprising a closable hook 13, having a body 14 permanently attached to the housing 6 of the spring-biased roller 7 and also having, connected to such body 14, a closable curved segment 15 adapted for attachment to a ring 23 attached to such source 4. And a retractable cord 8 is connected to the roller 7.

The means for attaching, preferably removably, the urging means to the oxygen tube 2 is, preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a fastener 12, preferably a releasable fastener, attached, preferably permanently, to the resilient band 5 near a second end 24 of the resilient band 5 and adapted for attachment, preferably slidably, to the oxygen tube 2, such fastener 12 preferably comprising a closable hook 13, having a body 14 permanently attached to a second end 24 of the resilient band 5 and also having, connected to such body 14, a closable curved segment 15 adapted for attachment, preferably slidably, to an oxygen tube 2. The preceding is the preferred embodiment of a device having a portion that is attachable to a resilient band 5 and also having another portion which contains an aperture 25 to accommodate an oxygen tube 2, but any such device is satisfactory. Also preferably such device would be openable to the aperture 25, e.g., a portion of the structure could be slid or rotated so that a portion of the aperture 25 has the boundary 26 of the aperture 25 removed from the aperture 25. And also preferably, the dimensions of the aperture 25 (for any such device, including the aperture 25 created by the closable curved segment 15 of the preferred embodiment) are such that a frictional force is generated between the oxygen tube 2 and at least a portion of the boundary 26 of the aperture 25 which frictional force tends to retard movement of the oxygen tube 2 through the aperture.

A first exemplary option for attaching, preferably removably, the urging means to the oxygen tube 2 is, as illustrated in FIG. 14, a fastener 12, preferably a releasable fastener, attached, preferably permanently, to a retractable cord 8 near the first end 27 of the retractable cord 8 (the second end 28 of such cord being connected to a spring-biased roller 7 within a housing 6) and adapted for attachment, preferably slidably, to an oxygen tube 2, such fastener 12 preferably comprising a closable hook 13, having a body 14 permanently attached to the first end 27 of the retractable cord 8 (the second end 28 of such cord being connected to a spring-biased roller 7 within a housing 6) and also having, connected to such body 14, a closable curved segment 15 adapted for attachment, preferably slidably, to an oxygen tube 2. The preceding is the preferred embodiment of a device having a portion that is attachable to a retractable cord 8 and also having another portion which contains an aperture 29 to accommodate an oxygen tube 2, but any such device is satisfactory. Also preferably such device would be openable to the aperture 29, e.g., a portion of the structure could be slid or rotated so that a portion of the aperture 29 has the boundary 30 of the aperture 29 removed from the aperture 29. Preferably, though, the dimensions of the aperture 29 (for any such device, including the aperture 29 created by the closable curved segment 15 of the preferred embodiment) are such that a frictional force is generated between the oxygen tube 2 and at least a portion of the boundary 30 of the aperture 29 which frictional forces tend to retard movement of the oxygen tube 2 through the aperture.

A second exemplary option for attaching, preferably removably, the urging means to the oxygen tube 2 is, as illustrated in FIG. 15, a loop 31 formed by the resilient band 5 near the second end 24 of the resilient band 5. The oxygen tube 2 passes through the loop 31 formed in the second end 24 of the resilient band 5. Preferably, the dimensions of the loop 31 are selected such that, when the oxygen tube 2 is inside the loop 31, a frictional force is created which tned to retard sliding of the oxygen tube 2 through the loop 31.

And a third exemplary option for attaching, preferably removably, the urging means to the oxygen tube 2 is, as illustrated in FIG. 16, a loop 32 formed by a retractable cord 8 near the first end 27 of a retractable cord 8 (the second end 28 of such cord being connected to a spring-biased roller 7 within a housing 6). The oxygen tube 2 passes through the loop 32 formed in the first end 27 of the retractable cord 8. Preferably, the dimensions of the loop 32 are selected such that, when the oxygen tube 2 is inside the loop 32, a frictional force is created which tend to retard sliding of the oxygen tube 2 through the loop 32.

As used herein, the term “substantially” indicates that one skilled in the art would consider the value modified by such terms to be within acceptable limits for the stated value. Also as used herein the term “preferable” or “preferably” means that a specified element or technique is more acceptable than another but not that such specified element or technique is a necessity.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. An oxygen tube retainer, which comprises:

a resilient band;

a means for connecting said resilient band to the user; and

a means for attaching said resilient band to the oxygen tube.

3. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the user comprises: a belt; and a loop formed by said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band, through which loop said belt can be slid.

4. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the user comprises: a belt; and a fastener connected to said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band and adapted for attachment to said belt.

5. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the user comprises: a belt; and stitching fastening said belt to said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band.

6. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the user comprises: a loop on clothing of the user; and a fastener connected to said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band and adapted for attachment to said belt.

7. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the means for attaching said resilient band to an oxygen tube comprises: a fastener connected to said resilient band near a second end of said resilient band and adapted for attachment to the oxygen tube.

8. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the means for attaching the urging means to an oxygen tube comprises: a loop through which the oxygen tube can pass, said loop being formed by said resilient band near a second end of said resilient band.

9. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the urging means comprises a housing having a spring-biased roller with a retractable cord having a first end and a second end wherein the second end of said retractable cord is attached to said roller.

10. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 9, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the user comprises: a belt; and a clip connected to said housing for attaching said housing to said belt.

11. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 9, wherein:

the means for attaching the urging means to an oxygen tube comprises: a fastener connected to said retractable cord near the first end of said retractable cord and adapted for attachment to the oxygen tube.

12. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 9, wherein:

the means for attaching the urging means to an oxygen tube comprises: a loop through which the oxygen tube can pass, said loop being formed by said retractable cord near the first end of said retractable cord.

13. An oxygen tube retainer, which comprises:

a means for urging an oxygen tube toward a source of supplemental oxygen tube, without producing a substantially longitudinal pulling force on the oxygen tube, when movement of the oxygen tube away from the source of supplemental oxygen commences;

a means for connecting said urging means to the source of supplemental oxygen; and

a means for attaching the urging means to the oxygen tube.

14. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the urging means comprises a resilient band.

15. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 14, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the source of supplemental oxygen comprises: a belt; and a loop formed by said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band, through which loop said belt can be slid.

16. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 14, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the source of supplemental oxygen comprises: a belt; and a fastener connected to said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band and adapted for attachment to said belt.

17. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 14, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the source of supplemental oxygen comprises: a belt; and stitching fastening said belt to said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band.

18. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 14, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the source of supplemental oxygen comprises: a bar having a first end and a second end attached to the source of supplemental oxygen; and a fastener connected to said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band and adapted for attachment to said bar.

19. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 14, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the source of supplemental oxygen comprises: a ring attached to the source of supplemental oxygen; and a fastener connected to said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band and adapted for attachment to said ring.

20. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 14, wherein:

the means for attaching the urging means to an oxygen tube comprises: a fastener connected to said resilient band near a second end of said resilient band and adapted for attachment to the oxygen tube.

21. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 14, wherein:

the means for attaching the urging means to an oxygen tube comprises: a loop through which the oxygen tube can pass, said loop being formed by said resilient band near a second end of said resilient band.

22. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the urging means comprises a housing having a spring-biased roller with a retractable cord having a first end and a second end wherein the second end of said retractable cord is attached to said roller.

23. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 22, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the source of supplemental oxygen comprises: a belt; and a clip connected to said housing for attaching said housing to said belt.

24. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 22, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the source of supplemental oxygen comprises: a bar having a first end and a second end attached to the source of supplemental oxygen; and a fastener attached to said housing and adapted for attachment to said bar.

25. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 22, wherein:

the means for connecting said urging means to the source of supplemental oxygen comprises: a ring attached to the source of supplemental oxygen; and a fastener attached to said housing and adapted for attachment to said ring.

26. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 22, wherein:

the means for attaching the urging means to an oxygen tube comprises: a fastener connected to said retractable cord near the first end of said retractable cord and adapted for attachment to the oxygen tube.

27. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 22, wherein:

the means for attaching the urging means to an oxygen tube comprises: a loop through which the oxygen tube can pass, said loop being formed by said retractable cord near the first end of said retractable cord.

28. An oxygen tube retainer, which comprises:

a resilient band;

a belt;

a loop formed by said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band, through which loop said belt can be slid; and

a closable hook, having a body permanently attached to a second end of said resilient band and also having, connected to such body, a closable curved segment adapted for slidable attachment to the oxygen tube.

29. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the means for attaching said resilient band to an oxygen tube comprises: a closable hook, having a body permanently attached to a second end of said resilient band and also having, connected to such body, a closable curved segment adapted for slidable attachment to the oxygen tube by having the dimensions of an aperture created between the closable curved segment and the body, for slidable attachment of said closable hook to the oxygen tube, are such that a frictional force is generated between the oxygen tube and at least a portion of the body and the closable curved segment, which frictional force tends to retard movement of the oxygen tube through the aperture.

30. The oxygen tube retainer as recited in claim 3, wherein:

the means for attaching said resilient band to an oxygen tube comprises: a closable hook, having a body permanently attached to a second end of said resilient band and also having, connected to such body, a closable curved segment adapted for slidable attachment to the oxygen tube by having the dimensions of an aperture created between the closable curved segment and the body, for slidable attachment of said closable hook to the oxygen tube, are such that a frictional force is generated between the oxygen tube and at least a portion of the body and the closable curved segment, which frictional force tends to retard movement of the oxygen tube through the aperture.

31. An oxygen tube retainer, which comprises:

a resilient band;

a belt;

a loop formed by said resilient band near a first end of said resilient band, through which loop said belt can be slid; and

a closable hook, having a body permanently attached to a second end of said resilient band and also having, connected to such body, a closable curved segment adapted for slidable attachment to the oxygen tube by having the dimensions of an aperture created between the closable curved segment and the body, for slidable attachment of said closable hook to the oxygen tube, are such that a frictional force is generated between the oxygen tube and at least a portion of the body and the closable curved segment, which frictional force tends to retard movement of the oxygen tube through the aperture.