TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a limb support. BACKGROUND ART

Supports are often required to elevate the user's leg/s when the user is either in a seated or prone position. The problem with existing supports is that they are either extremely complex in nature and thus expensive for the individual, or they do not support the limb at the right height and/or are uncomfortable when used for an extended period of time.

It is an object of this invention to provide a limb support which, at least partially, alleviates some of the abovementioned problems.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a support for a limb comprising a block, at least one side of which includes a contoured recess for receiving a limb.

The support block may comprise a variety of shapes depending on the particular limb it is required to support and / or the medical or injury to the patient in question.

In a first embodiment of the invention as applied to a leg or foot support, it is preferable for the block to be generally rectangular in shape and for at least two sides of the block to include recesses.

In a preferred embodiment of this form of the invention, one short side and one long side of the block include a recess for receiving a leg.

The limb support offers a number of benefits to the patient including:

Reduces lower extremity oedema

Reduces pain and swelling

Provides a stable and supportive resting position for leg/foot

Perfect supportive position for doing rehabilitative exercises

Can be used in sitting and laying down Fits comfortably on the footrest of a wheelchair.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the block comprises a triangular or wedge shape and includes a contoured recess for supporting an arm in an elevated condition. The support block is located with the thin edge of the wedge in proximal to the patient's elbow, the recess beginning at a point near the thin edge and extending to the thick end thereof such that the arm is supported at the desired angle and elevation. The wedge is dimensioned such that when the patient's elbow rests at the thin edge thereof, his or her hand, with the possible exception of the fingertips which may extend over the edge, is supported in the contoured recess.

The arm support and elevator serves not only to elevate the arm but may also act as a stable broad concave splint. This has the following benefits:

Reduces upper extremity oedema

Reduces pain and swelling

Provides a stable and supportive resting position for arm/hand/shoulder

Perfect supportive position for doing rehabilitative exercises

Can be used in sitting and laying down

Cushion can be placed in position prescribed by doctor to get right angle.

A third embodiment of the invention acts as a leg and/ or foot support as well as a contoured leg elevator, and comprises a combination of embodiments 1 and 2 described above. In this form, the leg of a patient in a prone position or sitting supported upright in a bed, is supportable by locating the thin edge of the wedge of embodiment 2 proximal to the buttock of the patient's let to be supported, the thick edge of the wedge being located in abutment to the short side end of the rectangular leg support of the first embodiment with the result that the foot is supported in an elevated position toward the remote end of the rectangular block. The blocks may be fastened together by VELCRO (TM) or other means to prevent them from shifting.

This combination embodiment offers the following advantages:

Reduces lower extremity oedema

Reduces pain and swelling

Provides a stable and supportive resting position for leg/foot/knee

Perfect supportive position for doing rehabilitative exercises

Used for laying down or sitting upright in bed

Cushion can be placed in position prescribed by doctor to get right angle A fourth embodiment of the invention comprises a block being generally trapezoidal in shape and including a pair of generally parallel recesses in the upper surface thereof. This embodiment serves as a back and / or leg support for both legs and offers a range of benefits to patients suffering from lower back and leg pain. The benefits include:

Relieves lower back strain

Reduces pain and swelling of lower extremities

Increases blood circulation

Provides a stable and supportive resting position for lower extremities and back

Perfect supportive position for doing rehabilitative exercises

Used for lying down or sitting upright in bed.

A further or fifth embodiment of the support block of the invention comprises a hip abduction and stabiliser for both legs. In this form, the block comprises flat top and bottom surfaces parallel to one another, the longitudinal edges of the block being arcuately recessed such that the top surface has a greater width dimension than the bottom surface - a generally anvil-shaped block results which is locatable between a patients legs between the ankles and knees to support the patient's hips in an abducted condition. Straps are provided to secure the block about the knees and ankles of the patient.

This embodiment offers a patient the following benefits:

Provides a stable and supportive resting position for hip joint

Used for laying down or sitting upright in bed

Cushion can be placed in position prescribed by doctor to get right angle.

A further or 6 ^th embodiment of the invention comprises a gradual incline leg or foot elevator. This form of the invention takes the form of a low, elongated wedge, the thin end of the wedge again being locatable proximal to the buttock of the leg of the patient requiring elevation. The wedge includes a contoured recess which begins close to the thin edge of the wedge and extends to the thick edge thereof resulting in a gradually deepening recess, the edge of the recess preferably supporting the patient's foot at or about the ankle. A second elongated wedge of lower elevation may be provided to be locatable below the first wedge to provide greater elevation. The wedges may include VELCRO (T ) or other fasteners to prevent relative movement. This embodiment of the invention may serve as a gradual straight inclination cushion with a concave splint and offers the following benefits:

Reduces lower extremity oedema

Reduces pain and swelling

Provides a stable and supportive resting position for leg/foot Perfect supportive position for doing rehabilitative exercises

Can be used in sitting and lying down

Can adjust height as injury allows

Helps with blood circulation to lower the risk of inflammation and expedite recovery period.

A further or 7 ^th embodiment of the invention may be used as a post-surgical arm or hand support. In this embodiment, the block is generally L-shaped with the inner surfaces of the L including a contoured recess extending contiguously along the length of the base of the L and up the length of the upright portion thereof. This form of the invention is designed to support the arm from the tricep region to the elbow in a generally horizontal condition, with the forearm and wrist being supported in a substantially vertical condition. The upper portion of the recess may be arcuate such that the hand and figures curl gently over the top of the support. The support may be used by a patient lying down in a bed or sitting upright in a chair and offers the following benefits to post-surgical recovery:

Reduces upper extremity oedema

Provides a stable and supportive resting position for arm/hand

Perfect supportive position for doing rehabilitative exercises

Can be used sitting or lying down

Helps with blood circulation to lower the risk of inflammation and expedite recovery period

The block may be constructed of any material, including but not limited to wood, plastic or foam and is preferably constructed of dense solid foam (high density foam) and covered by a waterproof cover.

The cover is preferably removable.

The support may additionally include a handle attached to one side of the block to aid in the carrying thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figures 1a, b and c are representations of the limb support of the first embodiment of the invention as applied to a leg or foot support; Figures 2 a and b are representations of the limb support of the second embodiment being an arm support or elevator;

Figures 3 a and b are representations of the limb support of the third embodiment being a leg/ foot support and elevator;

Figures 4 a and b are representations of the limb support of the fourth embodiment being a back / leg support or elevator for both legs;

Figures 5 a and b are representations of the limb support of the fifth embodiment being a hip abduction support and stabiliser;

Figures 6 a and b are representations of the limb support of the sixth embodiment being a gradual incline leg/ foot elevator;

And

Figures 7 a and b are representations of the limb support of the seventh embodiment being a postsurgical arm and hand support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to figures 1 a to c in which like features of the invention are indicated by like numerals.

The leg support comprises a generally rectangular block 10, constructed of high density foam. Two sides of the block 10, one long 12 and one short 14, each include a contoured or arcuate recess 16, 18. The other sides may be flat 19.

The block 10 is covered by a removable, washable cover 20. The cover 20 is manufactured out of a durable fabric and is removably secured over the block with a zipper (not shown).

In this embodiment of the invention, the cover 20 is manufactured from a waterproof fabric to aid in the easy cleaning thereof.

The support includes a handle (not shown) attached to one side of the block 10 to aid in the carrying thereof.

In use, a person requiring support of a leg while sitting (figure 1a) or lying, would position the block in front of them and rest the lower part of the leg in one of the recesses 16, 18.

Should the person be lying down, the block 10 will be placed so that the short sides 14 of the block are in the vertical position, with the longer sides 12 of the block horizontal to the ground, so that the leg may be rested in the longer recess 16. Should the person be sitting in a chair (figure 1 a), or require their leg to be more elevated, the block 10 may be placed in the taller position, with the short sides horizontal to the ground, and the leg may be rested in the shorter recess 18.

Numerous modifications to this embodiment are possible, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the block may be constructed of any material, including but not limited to wood, plastic or foam. All four sides of the block may include recesses in which a leg may rest.

In figures 2 a and b, an arm support or elevator is shown to comprise a wedge shape 22 having a contoured recess 24 for supporting an arm in an elevated condition as shown in Figure 2a. The thin edge 26 of the wedge is located near the patient's elbow and the arm and hand rests within the recess 24 with at most the fingertips extending beyond the end thereof.

In figures 3 a and b, a leg and/or foot support is shown to comprise a combination of supports 10 and 22 in figures 1 and 2 respectively. The supports are located in abutment and may be secured to each other by Velcro (trade mark) (not shown) with the recesses 16 and 24 in register to enable the support 30 to provide a stable and supportive resting position for a patient's leg, foot or knee as shown in figure 3 a.

In figures 4 a and b, a trapezoidal support 40 is shown to include a pair of parallel recesses 42 and 44. The support is positioned as shown in figure 4 a with the inclined or wedge surface 46 proximal to the patient's buttocks and thighs to relieve lower back strain.

Turning now to figures 5 a and b, a hip abduction support 50 is shown. This support 50 supports and stabilises the hip joints by being located between the patient's legs and strapped in position between the ankles and knees.

The support or block 50 comprises flat top and bottom surfaces 52 and 54 with recesses 56 a and b along the longitudinal edges thereof. The recesses are curved downwardly and inwardly so that the bottom surface 5 is narrower in width than the top surface 52. Straps 58 are used to secure the support in position as shown in figure 5 (a).

A gradual incline leg or foot elevator 60 is shown in figures 6 a and b. In its simplest form, the support comprises an elongated wedge having a shallow recess 62. When located as shown in figure 6a proximal to the buttock of the patient's leg requiring elevation and support, it provides a stable and supportive resting position for the leg / foot. Additional elevation may be provided by inserting more gradually inclined wedge 64 below support 60.

Turning finally to figures 7 a and b, a post-surgical hand or arm support 70 is shown. L- shaped block 70 includes contiguous recesses 72 and 74 for supporting the arm above and below the patient's elbow respectively. A strap 76 retains the forearm in place with the hand and wrist resting on gently curved surface 78.