II. BACKGROUND ART The prior art device and jerry rigged devices used by the inventors provided less flexibility in terms of what the devices could attach to in terms of different beds and chairs. The prior art device offered only a limited range of adjustments. The prior art devices easily rusted because of their steel construction or broke during use because of poor design.

When the prior art device was unable to attach to a particular chair or bed frame, a jerry-rig setup was used. The usual design was to use IV poles with a sling hanging from it. The purpose of a sling is to keep a particular body part in a fixed position relative to the rest of the body, which becomes more critical when the patient is a burn patient. The sling used with the IV pole is similar to the type of sling that is utilized to hold a person's arm against their chest, but instead of the loop going around the neck, the loop hangs from the IV pole. This type of sling will apply pressure over a greater area of the slinged body part such that if the patient has a burn this may lead to further complications resulting from both the applied pressure and the increase likelihood of chafing between the body part and the sling.

An inherent problem with this design is the difficulty of fixing the IV poles relative to the bed/chair. The IV poles usually have wheels on their bottom and are easily tipped over if there is a quick movement by a patient who has an arm in a sling hanging from the IV pole. As is imaginable, it is difficult for one individual to move a patient in a chair while controlling the one or two accompanying IV poles. Thus, it becomes necessary for two people to move the patient to provide adequate control and relative positioning of the sling (s) to the chair and patient.

Notwithstanding the usefulness of the above-described devices, a need still exists for a more convenient device that provides added flexibility, sturdy support, and increase ease of use.

Ill. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION This invention solves the ongoing problems of using the prior art devices and arrangements by adding additional flexibility in attachment and positioning of the extremity support. The invention while addressing the problems of the prior art obtains advantages that were not previously achievable.

This invention preferably includes an extremity support, a cradle, a knee joint, a pole, and a bracket. The cradle and the knee joint together provide greater positionability than that achievable by the prior art. The bracket is capable of attaching to a greater variety of structures through its adjustment mechanism.

An object of this invention is to provide greater flexibility in what structures the support system is attached to during use.

Another object of this invention is to increase the range in which the extremity may be positioned relative to the body.

Another object of this invention is to simplify the method of attaching the bracket to different structures.

Another object of this invention is to increase the strength and the tightness of the connection between the bracket and the attached structure.

A further object of this invention is to simplify the movement of a patient between two locations.

An advantage of this invention is that it is simpler to use than the prior art devices in setting up the device for use with a patient.

Another advantage of this invention is the improvement in the quality of care resulting from the elimination of the need to jerry-rig a device.

Another advantage of this invention is the improvement obtained in having a more rigid support mechanism attached to the extremity support.

Another advantage of this invention is that the extremity support may be positioned in new positions relative to the patient that were not possible with the prior art devices.

Another advantage of the invention is that it is more ergonomical than the prior art devices.

Another advantage of the invention is the flexibility that will be allowed in future purchases of beds and chairs, because of the attachment range of the bracket.

A further advantage of the invention is the durability of the preferred construction of the invention.

A further advantage of the invention in the preferred embodiment is the ease in cleaning the device as necessitated by use of the device.

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the apparatus should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

Figure 1 (a) illustrates a view of an embodiment according to the invention attached to a chair. Figure 1 (b) illustrates the combination depicted in Figure 1 (a) being used by an individual.

Figure 2 depicts an embodiment according to the invention attached to a bed.

Figure 3 (a) illustrates a top view of a preferred embodiment of an extremity support according to the invention. Figure 3 (b) illustrates a cross-section taken at 3 (b)- 3 (b) of Figure 3 (a).

Figure 4 depicts a top view of a preferred embodiment of a combination of an extremity support and a cradle according to the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of the cradle according to the invention.

Figure 6 (a) illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a polar rotational mechanism according to the invention. Figure 6 (b) depicts an end view of the embodiment of Figure 6 (a) with the locking mechanism removed. Figure 6 (c) illustrates a side view of the removed locking mechanism. Figure 6 (d) illustrates another end view of the embodiment of Figure 6 (a) with the locking mechanisms not present.

Figure 6 (e) illustrates a side view of the embodiment of Figure 6 (a) with a second locking mechanism.

Figure 7 (a) depicts a side view of a top portion of a preferred embodiment of the bracket according to the invention. Figures 7 (b)- (c) depict a perspective view of an embodiment of a clamp adjustor according to the invention.

Figure 8 (a) illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of a bracket according to the invention. Figure 8 (b) illustrates a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 8 (a).

Figure 9 (a) depicts a top view of. an alternative embodiment of a bar connected to a cradle according to the invention. Figure 9 (b) illustrates a perspective view of the bracket depicted in the embodiment of Figure 9 (a).

V. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS Figures 1 (a)-2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention installed on typical hospital patient care equipment. Figures 2-7 (c) illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus preferably includes a bracket 20 (or clamp means), a pole 30, a knee joint 40, a cradle 50, and an extremity support 60.

The support 60 preferably includes a U-shape bar 62 with a member 64 running along its length and between the two legs of the bar 62 as illustrated in Figure 3 (a).

The member 64 preferably has a concave surface along its length such that a channel is formed along its length as illustrated in Figure 3 (b). The member 64 preferably is covered with padding 66 so that an individual's arm rests on the padding as illustrated in Figure 3 (b). Also, preferably the member is meshed or includes an array of punched holes. Additionally, the member 64 preferably will include a rounded edge to prevent the edges of the member 64 from contacting the individual.

The bar 62 preferably has one leg shorter than the other as illustrated, for example, in Figure 3 (a) to better conform to the patient's body, which becomes more important when the patient is in a chair than when a patient is in a bed. The bar 62 preferably has either a round or a square (or other polygon) cross-section, and the bar 62 preferably is either rounded or squared corners at its closed end when viewed from the top. The support 60 preferably attaches to the cradle 50 as illustrated, for example, in Figure 4.

The cradle 50 in one aspect of the invention preferably can be positioned at an angle to the pole 30 via the knee joint 40. The cradle 50 preferably includes bar retainers 52,53 and a base 54.

Te base 54 preferably includes a bottom member 542 with two walls 544,544 extending upwardly from the bottom member 542 as illustrated, for example, in Figure 5. A variety of shapes for the cross-section of the cradle will work as long as the shape allows an extremity to reside in the space formed by the bottom member 542 and the walls 544.

Both bar retainers 52,53 preferably are wide enough to hold one leg of the bar 62 and reside respectively on a wall 544. The bar retainer 52 preferably is a guide sleeve that wraps around bar 62 as illustrated in Figure 5. The bar retainer 53 preferably includes a ledge 532, at least one pressure mechanism 534, and a latch 536. The pressure mechanism 534 preferably passes through the latch 536, wall 544, and/or ledge 532 such that as the pressure mechanism 534 is tightened, so the latch 536 is pulled outward and applies pressure against the bar 62 and wall 544. The pressure mechanism 534 preferably is a screw or a pair of screws.

The knee joint preferably includes two columns 41 and a polar rotational mechanism 42 as illustrated, for example, in Figures 6 (a)- (d). The columns 41 may be attached to the bottom member 542 of the cradle 50 (the surface opposite of where the walls 544 project away from it) in a variety of ways including, for example, rivets, screws, bolts, adhesives, welding, or other similar attachment means. The columns 41 preferably are placed on either side of a central axis that cuts across the narrow width of cradle 50. In the specific embodiment illustrated, for example, in Figures 6 (a)- (b), the two columns 41 are square and extend sufficiently below the cradle 50 to allow the cradle 50 to rotate through a variety of angles relative to the polar rotational mechanism 42. The columns 41 may be any shape that allows the polar rotational mechanism 42 to operate through its range of motion.

The polar rotational mechanism 42, for example, may include a cylindrical post 422, two locking mechanisms 424a, 424b, a connection coupler 426, a toothed cylinder 428, and a housing 429 as illustrated in Figure 6 (e). Preferably, the post 422 attaches to the pole 30 and extends into the housing 429. The post 422 may be held more securely in place relative to the housing 429 by topping it with a bolt or other similar restraining piece and placing a washer or similar item below the housing 429. The locking mechanism 424a preferably engages the coupling 426 within the housing 429.

The locking mechanism 424a preferably includes a spindle 4242 that locks in place the coupler 426 and also causes the coupler 426 to engage some of the ridges that run longitudinally the surface of the toothed cylinder 428. The coupler 426 and the toothed cylinder 428 preferably are predominantly within the housing 429. The toothed cylinder 428 preferably connects the polar rotational mechanism 42 to the columns 41.

Preferably, the toothed cylinder 428 is perpendicular to the coupler 426. The coupler 426 may be made up of multiple couplers, for example, a first coupler engaging the toothed cylinder 428 and a second coupler engaging the post 422 where the two couplers work together and are connected to be a third coupler.

To increase the strength of the locked position, a second locking mechanism 424b may be added to the opposite end of the housing 429 from the first locking mechanism 424a as illustrated in Figure 6 (e). The second locking mechanism 424b preferably will provide an additional locking force on the cylinder 428.

The polar rotational mechanism 42 preferably allows at least three types of rotation. The first rotation preferably is around the post 422. The second rotation preferably is around the coupler 426. The third rotation preferably is around the toothed cylinder 428.

The pole 30 serves as the height adjustment for the support 60 relative to the bracket 20 and thus the furniture the device is attached to during use. The pole 30 may be of any cross-section that allows it to engage the bracket 20 and be attached to the cylindrical post 422. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pole 30 has a square cross-section as illustrated, for example in Figures 1 (a)- (b) and 6 (a)- (b). The pole 30 preferably has a corresponding cross-section shaped to fit into the bracket 20.

The bracket 20 preferably includes a backbone channel (or column) 21, a tightener 22, two clamp pieces 24,26, and a clamp adjuster 28 as illustrated in Figures 1 (a)- (b) and 7 (a)- (c). The backbone channel 21 preferably fits around the pole 30 and works in conjunction with the tightener 22 such that the tightener 22 engages the pole 30 and preferably holds it in place with frictional pressure. The tightener 22 may be a faucet handle instead of the knob handle shown, for example, in Figures 7 (a)- (c). The backbone channel 21 preferably includes two gross adjustment slots 212 with notches 214 vertically spaced and extending from the slots 212 to interact with the clamp adjuster 28 as shown, for example, in Figure 7 (a). The slots 212 and notches 214 preferably run along opposing sides of the backbone channel 21 and preferably are identical to each other such that the clamp piece 26 and the clamp adjustor 28 together may freely move throughout slot 212.

The clamp adjuster 28 preferably is attached to one of the clamp pieces 26 with two pins 282 such that the clamp piece 26 may be moved along the height of the backbone channel 21 to adjust and better clamp about another object such as that illustrated in Figures 1 (a)-2. The clamp adjuster 28 preferably includes a frame 284 with a U or C-shape fit partially around the backbone channel 21, a tightening mechanism 286, and a base 288 as shown, for example, in Figures 7 (b)- (c).

The tightening mechanism 286 may be anything known to one of ordinary skill in the art to apply pressure through the frame 284 against the base 288 to hold the adjuster 28 in a fixed position relative to the backbone channel 21. Preferably, the tightening mechanism 286 is a round knob, but may be instead a faucet handle as shown in Figures 8 (a)- (b), with a threaded bolt that either abuts or engages the base 288, which in turn pushes the frame 284 away from the backbone channel 21 while pulling the attached clamping piece 26 and the two pins 282 into a respective notch 214. Preferably, the base 288 is rectangular as shown in Figures 7 (b)- (c). The base 288 may include end ridges that further engage backbone channel 21 as illustrated in Figures 7 (b)- (c). Alternatively, the base 288 may be circular as shown in Figure 8 (b).

An alternative embodiment of the base 288 includes a pair of aligners 289 extending away from the backbone channel 21 into the frame 284. An example of the aligners 289 is shown in Figure 7 (b). The aligners 289 may be any type of structure that maintains the longitudinal length of the base 288 perpendicular to the backbone channel 21 and aligned with the frame 284.

The clamp piece 26 connected to the clamp adjuster 28 preferably is a member with a clamping surface 262 facing the other clamp piece 24 and two fingers 264 extending to partially frame the backbone channel 21. Each finger 264 preferably includes a hole to communicate with a respective pin 282. As the tightening mechanism 286 is tightened against the backbone channel 21, the clamp piece 26, if allowed, preferably will freely and slotingly pivot relative to the tightening mechanism 286 about the pins 282. An alternative embodiment replaces the hole with a vertical slot on each finger 264. The first clamping piece 26 together with the clamp adjuster 28 allows for a fine adjustment.

The second clamping piece 24 preferably is attached to the top of the backbone channel 21 or spaced from the top of the backbone channel 21. More preferably, the top of the second clamping piece 24 is flush with the top of the backbone channel 21.

Preferably, the second clamping piece 24 is permanently attached to the backbone channel 21. The attachment may be accomplished in a variety of ways including for example, but not limited to, welding, bolts, rivets, screws, and adhesives. Preferably, the second clamping piece 24 completely encircles the perimeter of the backbone channel 21 as illustrated, for example, in Figures 2,7 (a), and 8 (a). The second clamping piece 24 may instead only partially extend around the perimeter of the backbone channel 21. Another alternative is for the second clamping piece 24 to be integrally formed with the backbone channel 21 as a unitary piece.

Both clamping pieces 24,26 preferably include terraced levels providing a variety of widths of potential items to attach the clamp 20 to during use. The terraced levels are illustrated, for example, in Figures 7 (a) and 8 (a).

Preferably, a screw or similar tightening instrument 22 passes through the backbone channel 21 to hold the pole 30 in place respective to the backbone channel 21. The screw 22 preferably is near the top of the backbone channel 21, and may also pass through the second clamping piece 24. The screw 22 may be tipped with material capable of gripping the pole 30 without damaging it such as rubber or a similar material.

An alternative embodiment for holding the support 60 is a pair of bar supports 56 preferably is a U-shape or partial square cross-section with an open top as illustrated, for example, in Figures 9 (a)- (b). Each of the bar supports 56 preferably is similar to open ended troughs, more preferably one or both side walls will have cutouts 562 of the bar support 56 to reduce the amount of material needed for manufacture. Holding elements 564 preferably pass through the wall 544 and an outside wall to engage or abut the bar 62 when placed in the sling support thus securing the bar 62 in place.

In this alternative embodiment, the holding elements 564 number at least two and preferably number four total to hold the U-shape bar 62 in the pair of bar support 56 as shown, for example, in Figures 9 (a)- (b). The holding elements 564 each preferably pass through respective holes in the bar support 56. Preferably, the holding elements 564 in conjunction with their respective holes are able to be secured and thus hold the bar 60 in place relative to the cradle 50. The holding elements 564 may be, for example, screws, bolts, bracketing mechanism, or similar items to be able to bracket the bar 60 against the other side of the sling supports opposite the wall the holding elements pass through.

A further modification to the bar supports 56 (or bar retainer 53) allows them to be placed at a variety of longitudinal positions with respect to the support element 54.

To accomplish this, the bar supports 56 (or bar retainer 53) each have a slot or groove along one upright surface to be engaged by the holding elements 564 (or pressure mechanism 534). The holding element 564 (or pressure mechanism 534) are able to then pass through this slot or groove to hold the bar 62 in place.

Another alternative embodiment replaces the member 64 with netting as illustrated in Figures 1 (b) and 2. Preferably, the replacement material includes some sort of meshing to allow for air to reach the extremity placed in the sling.

Another alternative embodiment of the polar rotational mechanism is to have the locking mechanism engages a plug with a crescent shaped face abutting the pole and through coupling is able to move a corresponding plug on the other side of the pole.

This structure may also be used about the toothed cylinder.

Vl. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The preferred construction material for the device components for the invention is metal, more preferably aluminum or stainless steel, and most preferably stainless steel to decrease the likelihood of rusting of components. A resulting benefit is that the overall device will be more durable and sturdy. The end result is that it will be less likely that the various screw heads included as part of the bracket will break (or shear) off if bumped and/or collided into by another object or dropped. The slots and notches provide a gross adjustment while the first clamping piece and clamp adjuster provide a fine adjustment.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.