US2522173A - Leg and foot rest - Google Patents

Description

Sept l2, 195@ L. HERBERT LEG AND Foo'r REST 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sep'l'.. 4, 1946 Sp. 12, 195@ L HERBERT 2,522,173 LEG AND FooTBEs'r Filed sept. 4, 194e v v 5 Shee'cs-SheetI 2 INVENTOR. Z/onel /fener HERBERT LEG ANDV Foo'l` REST mi. 12, 195o 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 4, 1946 1N VEN TOR. ZJzlonl Hel/ber L. HERBERT LEG AND FOOT REST Sept. 12, 195o 5 Sheets-Sheetl 4 Filed Sept. 4, 1946 INVENTOR. Z110/7e! Herbe/f sept. 12, 195o l.. 'HERBERT 2,522,173

LEG AND FOOT REST Filed Sept. 4, 1946 5 Shees-Sheet 5l IN VEN TOR. 2do/1e! Hem/2er? H1 from/fn Patented Sept. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE f LEGfAND Fio'reR'EsT f Lionel Herbert, charlotte, N. o. Appucstimseptember 4:1946; 'serial No'.694,7s4

This invention relates to improvements innleg and foot rests, particularly of the character adapted to support one orboth legs to form a'rest therefor, when a person is in a sitting or lying position.A It is an improvement on the character of leg and foot rest setforth in my prior patent, No. 2,375,225, granted'May 8i, 1945.

it is often desirable or necessary to support and rest one or vboth legs' of va personfwh'o may be lying in a bed or sitting in a chair' withv the leg r'legs in an elevated positionnot only fior comfort but also to improve' the healing eiect of treatments applied thereto," especia1ly'-when traction is imparted to th-limbs. Heretoiore,

suchleg restsand supports as havefbeen'fu'sed,iv "especially in hospitals, have' involved complicated supporting structures either permanently` attached to the bed or'formed as frames'that extend/over and about-fthe bed, which-'Were so bulky and cumbersome as to behighly objectiom'A able.` They have been ofpermanent erected structures that'were notcapable ofrem'oval or of movementl from bed to'bed asisl oftenidesired.

The" object of this invention is toimprove Athe construction of suchleg and foot rests; by sim` plifying them, rendering` the `device Aless expensive tomanufacture and at the same timemaking it possible to attach the rest removably to a bed or chair,v so that it: may be detached therefrom when not :required for movement. to othery :beds or for storage in an accessible place.

Afurther object of the inventionis toim'prove the construction `of `such legrests to adapt' them not only for supporting the legs and feet in' different positions but also for improvngfthe `comfort resulting from suchuse as Well as toappIytraction tothe feet when supportedY onlsuoh a rest.

' Thus improvedfaciiities are providedaccording vto this invention for treating leg and foot` injuries,

` in certain cases, without thenecessityiorfthe cumbersome and permanent frames'heretofore required in commercial practice.

The'leg and foot'rest has provision foranchoring it to the support for a patient,such as ja-,bed

or a chair, and may be used for either leg orb'oth at once and at the Asaine time it is ycapable off-being adjusted to different positions by the action of theA patient himself or attendant; 'inasmuch as such attachmentsare easily accesible tofhimf and are capable of ready variation as desired.-fTfhus it ispossibleforA the patient to obtain `themaximum comfort yfromesuch a-"rest Veitlflerl'ivvhen y applied to one orboth legs by adjustingfth'e angle andl length of-the:legcsupport, the bending off-the Lkneewhen desiredfthef'position of -thefootrest,

or? 'the like-and the latter is capable also of iifapplying'ftraction to the foot and leg when re- Vquired.

The -invention may be embodied in a structure i' thatis'capable of attachment to one or bothl sides ofV aibed and to form a stationary frame that will A supportthe-leg or legs of the patient thereon i vv'ith respect thereto;

"either flat on theibed or in an elevated position l It can be used for one or both legs as desired, and if only one leg is to be V supported, the trough for the'other leg is capable of removal,4 leaving the patient free to change his position to any extent 4desired While yet supportfing'theone leg in the trough either in an elevated position or flat on the bed, according to the chanj acter of-treatment being applied. The frame that 'supports the trough forms a secure attachment A""Lthereof to the-bed that makes it capable of hold- '"in'gthesupporting trough in different positions with the 'portions 'thereof either aligned or bent at an angle to accommodate the bent knee joint,

i fm. mprovedieiect and comfort.

` "fIhe'` invention is illustrated in diierent embodiment's in the accompanying drawings;A in

which: v

" *Figi 1 is a side elevation of the leg and foot rest shown in `position on a bed;

j Yrails in section; 30

Fig'Z is anend elevation thereof with the bed Fig is atop plan `View thereof;

=Fig.V 4 isa bottomplan View of a portion of one 'Y of the leg troughs;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section 'therethrough on "Fig 6 is an' end elevation of one of the troughs I showing .the foot 'support and traction device; Y Fi'g.'7 is a detail elevation of the opposite end "of the "trough vvith the supporting frame in secu QtionQtaken on the line l-l of Fig. 3;

Mform of leg rest structure; and

Fig. 13 is a side elevation showing a modified form ofA supporting frame. W

F The invention isadapted to support the leg or legsof a patient eitherwhen lying in bed or sitting lina chair, with theA legs stretched outward or inclined or bent attheknees when desired, land it isoapable ofsupporting one leg only as desired.

Itis-shown :as-applied to .a bed generally .designated at B in Fig. 1, and as clamped to side rails I of the bed, by detachable fastenings capable of being separated therefrom when not required.

`Separate leg supports are provided for the respective legs when both are to be supported therein, formed in the shape of troughs. Each of these troughs is mounted on a supporting frame at .each opposite side of the bed as designated generally at 2, as shown generally in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Each of the frames 2 is shown as bifurcated with depending arms 3, shown as formed of steel tubes and joined together at the top by a rigid connection 4 that extends therebetween. A guide" tube 5 is secured rigidly to the connection 4 to receive therein a supporting standard 6. This standard 6 is slidable vertically through the tube 5 and is adapted to be secured in a set position with respect thereto as by'means of a fastening bolt l, capable of manual adjustment 4and tighten-I ing on the side of the standard.

The bifurcated arms 3 are adapted to be secured rigidly to the bed rail I, by clamps which are shown more in detail in Figs. 10 and 11. Each of the clamps includes -a guide Il, slidably receiving the arm 3 and adapted to be secured rigidly thereon by a screw 9, capable of manual adjustment to lock the arm 3 securely in rigid relationship to the clamp. The clamp is formed by a clamping plate It and a clamping screw II that embraces opposite sides of the bed rail I,

to fasten the rail therebetween and secure the clamp thereon. A manually adjustable pin I2 is attached to the clamping screw II to facilitate turning thereof when it is desired to lock the clamp on the bed rail.

The standard G of each supporting frame is turned inward to form a journal rod designated I3 adapted to extend transversely of the bed and to be in axial alignment with the corresponding rod of the other frame when both of these are used at one time. Extending parallel with the journal rod I3 is a rod I4 which is turned downward at its outer end and telescoped into one of the tubular arms 3 by means of which the rod I4 is adapted to be secured in an adjusted position by means of an adjusting screw l5 threaded through a bushing in one side of the support 3. The rods I3 and Ili are connected together by a link I6 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and thereby form an adjustable portion of the supporting frame that may be adjusted vertically relative to the lower portion of the frame that is attached to the bed rail.

Sleeved over the journal rod I 3 is a tubular support I'I adapted for mounting of a leg trough thereon. This mounting is by means of bracket I3 permanently xed at one end to the journal support I'l and extending laterally therefrom. At its outer end, the bracket I3 has lan offset portion I9 provided with an arcuate slot 2U therein.

The leg supporting trough is shown as formed in three sections 2l, 22 and 23. The section 2I has a stiffener bracket 24 secured as by rivets to the under side thereof, as shown in Figs. 4 and '7, which stiffener bracket extends lengthwise over the bracket I8. The brackets I8 and 24 are pivotally connected together Iat 25 (Fig. 3), :capable of supporting the leg trough 2I--23 on the journal sleeve Il, not only for vertical swinging movement relative thereto, but also for lateral swinging movement. For limiting the lateral swinging movement, the bracket 24 is provided with a guide pin 26 that extends in the slot 2U in the arm I9, as will be evident from Fig. 3.

Each of the sections ill- 23 of the leg supporting trough is formed preferably of a light rigid 4 material, such `as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, having the necessary rigidity for supporting the leg and yet with the minimum weight capable of adjustment to different positions. It is preferred that the opposite edges thereof be turned over or rolled as indicated at 2l to avoid sharp edges thereon. At its inner corner, the section 2l preferably is cut away or rounded as indicated at 28 to provide for maximum comfort. The rolled edges 21 also facilitate the telescoping of the sections 22 and 23, as will be evident from Figs. 1 and 3 and form a secure support for the section 23 on the section 22, while yet permitting longitudinal adjustment of the section 23 relative to the section 22 to accommodate legs of different lengths. This may be merely a sliding adjustment, inasmuch as the friction therebetween will be suflicient to hold these parts in their adjusted positions.

The sections 2| and 22 are shown as in longitudinal alignment but preferably are hinged together at 29. This permits the sections 22--23 to be dropped down at an angle relative to the section 2| to accommodate the bending of the knee when desired. The angular disposition of the sections 2l and 22 may be locked in proper relation to each other by a thumb screw 30 which extends through an arcuate slotted clamp 3| on each side of the trough and shown as permanently secured to the section 22. Thus the sections 2| and '22 may be tilted to acute angles relative to each other or in direct longitudinal alignment, as shown in Fig. 1, and secured by the thumb screws 3D in either adjusted position. These thumb screws are within convenient reach of the patient and, therefore, capable of manual adj ustment thereby.

Each trough is also capable of being raised and lowered to different angular positions with respect to the bed by turning the journal sleeve I1 upon the journal rod I3 which will swing the bracket I8 and thereby the trough to different angular positions with respect to the bed. This adjustment is accomplished by an upright arm 32 permanently fixed to the sleeve Il and extending in an upright direction within a convenient reach of the patient, so the patient may make the adjustment when desired. Thus by pulling back on the arm 32, the patient Will rotate the journal sleeve I'I on the rod I3 to swing the trough to an upright position which may be adjusted as desired for maximum comfort. The arm 32 may be locked in its adjusted position by a locking catch 33 that engages a toothed segment 34 fixed to the journal rod I3. The catch 33 preferably is spring-pressed and is manipulated by a handle 35 of well-known construction.

Where supports are mounted on the bed for both legs, as shown in Fig. 2, these may be connected together by a yoke 36, The yoke 36 extends transversely over both of the troughs as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and has down-turned opposite ends telescopically engaging the upper ends of the arms 32 and detachably connected therewith. One or more pins 3l (Fig, 3) may be inserted through the connection, if desired, to insure a rigid connection therebetween, which pins may be withdrawn for separation of the yoke 36 when it is desired to use only one of the leg supports.

At its outer end, each leg trough is provided with a foot support 38 mounted on a transverse rod 39 by a bracket 4D. The foot support 38 may be secured in different angular positions with respect to the rod 39, if desired, by a locking screw sfacaarvs if 4 li that? eatendstthrougnvthe bracket dulandll-.en- @gages the rodi39.

3"1 The rod 3.9 isrshown as mounted at: itsso-pposite ends4 in' opposite sides offay-ole 42 which isused Y Jrfortl're@pur-'poseM ofapplying #traction tolthe foot f'lf and'4 Vflegf: when` Sfdesiredgf E' although any suitable srolmou'nting for: tnefiootfsuppormmay beh-provided f .whenlsuch traction isnot requiredfsi In this lform,

the yoke 42 is ljournaled on rods 43li1slidably flmounted `in. .lblfoclzsu 'Mi atppposite'ilsides of the l roughtsectionZSandCapabIe on. eingtlo'cked in setfpositionsf` by set screws` 45 whichane threaded il througn .the blocks 44 :into 'lfriotional engagement iththe rod`s-=435if achA of. the-lolocks Mhas a downwardlyinclinedr:arms 45 aconnected-'Jthrough l well.as'lthehfactthat itflma'ybezapplied-.readily f '.`='for"either on bothlegs and to be'usedl asfdesired son a body-'chair orA otherJ supportton which apa- #tient.lrnay1v bei? disposed$When the, standards 2 are secured` to thelbed, it: will be .evident-that the ..-.fleg`r`ests or troughslm'ay be mounted in the proper adjusted positions with -respectl-thereto-l not only lr-abecause* ofi: the -slidingiadjustinent of-theparts 6 nd I4 witht-respectftotheiarms but alsol by `-the separate adj'ustment ofathe 4arms relative to 4M-theclair1ps.-vlll'-I|. VJLhus it incapable of being *adapted to=rnanyr differentapplications'and -condi- Iotion's creuse as may loe-founddesirable fflhelsleg and1footfr`est is also.I adapted tovbe 'detached from thesupport-'whendesired onwhenvnotirequired, fior-use -on othenloedsV without it` beingnecessary tolereotl such a support as aperrnanentixture on aparticular bed. y t

When inliuse, it will' be evidentthat the` patient rmay make the-necessary adjustment ihimself' Lfor maximum.- comfort leither by swinging the arm l 3l! oriV by 'adjustingithel-position of the trough to whatever` he may f-flndnmostl comfortable? --The parts -thenrnay besecured by thep'atient in their A 4relativepositions.

L A modification otthesupportngstandard is shown in Figj 13; in which Kthe{istandai'fd isfdesigl"`nated generally at' 5If,an'd is adapted tofbe se- "cure'd by clamps 52*totheibeolrail;v4 An"-upright *fsupport- 53 extends upwardly l fronti` the standard Yand is' verticallyi adjustable*relative` thereto; Ucorresponding@witlithe'parts 6," I3', describedabove. 'l Alate'ral bracket 54 is' carriedY by the 'support 53 tocreplace the-rod I4' described'ab'ovel,thusaliowing the 'entire 'leg andioot rest t0 'swivel 1oit the vbed irail. When the bracket 54 is used; the vnurse or attendant may swing the rest awayfrom" the -mand anefpivotallyconnected at: 641 withzbrackets f v. 651-Pperrnanentlyl secured', as by .welding a" journal fwsleev'e: (ly that is journaledon' the ro'd lil-.capable 1 ofsswingingnmovement relative theretof A 'yoke 515 6l is fixed to theijour'nalsleeve` andiextends -Ytransverselyover the troughs foradjusting the troughs todifferent angular: positions merely by "llpullinglbackontherod 61.

Theftroughs may be held in ltheir.- adjustedposition. by :ayohef isLthat `extendsa.transversely between the troughs@ 63ianddownwa'rdly Itherefrom luf to `pivotal:connections at==the outer` ends of `arms l talthat. extend 'laterally from thefyoke' 6l; :The yoke E 81 may be turned downward atonk1 thebed to lower the troughs to pronev positions or turned wupwardi .on f its i A.pivotal supports to :support the l troughs in` upwardly inclinedA positions.

"".Th'e troughs in this 'form' areshown as conilstructedgenerally1 of the character described above'and ar'ewalso Ecapable ciy laterallswinging movement withtrespect to each other about/the pivotr 63. fThese `troughs may be-conne'cted-to- "gether' intermediate `their'.lengths i'by. armsl` lil wiwhichare lpivoted -together. and pivotally contnected with'v the .respective troughsL at 'i'i,`where by thef. raising fandlfloweringv rnovernents-` ofthe troughslwill: be=uniform andfat the same time the troughs may be hfeldalocked in their' proper l 'spacedrelation according to the comfort of the 3() lpatl'ent.

In this form. foot .supports areishown atl 12, each offwhich is mountedion a-rod is extending :transversely of Vanend`- ofl the .troughsfhe rod f: FIZ iszsupportedtby. means oflrods Mllextending longitudinally of the troughlan'd telescopedwith f; thev rolled `edges thereof `for `slida'bly mounting -r'zthe',iootrsupport T2 von the .outer end ofuthe trough While the invention hasbeen described for use n .las a leg `and foot. rest, it .maybe used. not only i forthispurpose butalso as an arm orlhand rest *by sliding.. the assembly alongthebed 'rail to the `shoulder sector. `ZEiurthermore, .the device isluse- .fful'also .rior resting: under `normal conditions 'where elevation off the leg .and foot is desired. iMoreover, it lwasA practical` toA use in thev treat'- Ament of Varc'oseveinsfhigh blood pressure; and i otlier conditionsiwhere `rest is desired.

While the invention has been illustrated" and 5'0" described in certain embodiments', -itis recognized "..that these are illustrative` ofi the invention yand l that-.Variations andi` changes maybe made-there- ^1in, without departing-from the invention, eX

.ceptinsoiar as specied in the claims. 'lclairnz l". Allimb restlvcornprising a` supporting frame structurel-includingaligned portions adapted to i extend transversely of abed, a plurality of'elonq gated leg supports extending transversely of said 60' portions, a bracket vpivotally connected to each of -said supports'rneans rotatablyjournaling each f ofsaidbrackets independently on the' respective portions for vertical swinging movementrelative i theretoI to`- different" angular positionsv with respect to the bed, and a yoke extending' trans- `versely overtlie vlegV supports and having opposite "ends lthereof connected' with the journalingfmeans in position' for manual Vertical movement to lift .the leg `supports to 'elevated positions, said' vyoke 'IW-being'positioned so as to be operatedby'an occupant lying in' said bed'beneath said yoke. 2. A .limb rest comprising a frame structure in- 'cluding 'axially "aligned spacedH portions and Madapted to' extend vtransversely across a' patient '(5 supporting'devic'e; means 'for securing" saidframe ,amarre structure in rigid relation to said device, a, plurality of elongated leg supports extending transversely of said portions, a bracket pivotally connected to each of said supports, means rotatably journaling said brackets on the spaced portions for vertical swinging movement thereof relative to the patient supporting device, and a rod carried by the journaling means extending over the leg supports, said rod extending transversely over and substantially parallel to said supporting device in position to be grasped by a patient lying on said supporting device and beneath said rod and connected with the journaling means for tilting the leg supports relative to the supporting device.

3. A limb rest comprising a frame structure including axially aligned portions and adapted to extend transversely across a patient supporting device, means for securing said frame structure in rigid relation to said device, a plurality of elongated leg supports extending transversely of said portions, journal sleeve means mounted on said axially aligned portions and connected with the leg supports, a yoke extending tranversely over the leg supports and having opposite ends thereof iixed to said journal sleeve means for turning said sleeve means relative to the supporting lportions for moving the leg supports to an elevated position with respect to the patient supporting device and pivot means for horizontal adjustment of the leg supports.

4. A limb rest comprising a supporting device including axially aligned sections adapted to extend transversely of a patient supporting device, means for securing said sections to said device, sleeves rotatably journaled on said sections, brackets ainxed to said sleeves, elongated leg supporting members extending transversely of said sections and means for pivotally connecting the leg supporting members independently t the brackets, manually operable means secured at each end to one of the sleeves for swinging said supporting members to elevated positions relative to the supporting device, said means extending transversely across the supporting members and above and within convenient reach of a patient lying beneath said operable means, and means for locking said supporting members in iixed elevated positions.

5. A leg rest comprising a supporting frame including a journal rod, a journal sleeve telescoped over said journal rod, a bracket fixed to said sleeve and extending laterally therefrom, a leg support extending over the bracket and pivotally connected therewith for laterally swinging movement relative to the sleeve and for upward swinging movement therewith relative to the journal rod, and stopping means for limiting the vertical swinging movement of the leg support, said stopping means being positioned in longitudinal alignment with said journal rod and spaced apart therefrom intermediate the rod and the ends of said support to limit the downward movement of the leg support when mounted upon a bed.

6. A leg rest comprising a supporting frame adapted to be mounted on a, patient supporting device, a leg support connected with the frame, a foot rest connected with one end of the leg support, and a yoke over said foot rest pivotally connected thereto for applying traction to said foot.

7. A leg rest comprising a supporting frame adapted to be mounted on a, patient supporting' device, a leg support connected with the frame and adapted to receive sitions.

8. A limb rest comprising a limb supporting device, a supporting frame, means mounting the limb supporting device on the frame for swinging movement about an axis extending transversely of said limb supporting device, said mounting means including a bracket extending lengthwise of the limb supporting device, and pivot means fastening said limb supporting device to the bracket about an upright axis.

9. A limb rest comprising a supporting frame having a transverse journal rod, a sleeve journalled on the rod for turning movement relative thereto and having a bracket extending transversely from the sleeve and axed thereto, a limb supporting device supported on the bracket, and an upright pin pivotally connecting the bracket to the limb supporting device.

10. A limb restv comprising a supporting frame structure including aligned portions adapted to extend transversely of a, bed, asleeve rotatably mounted upon each of said aligned portions, a bracket rigidly mounted upon each of said sleeves, andan elongated leg support extending transversely of each of said portions and pivotally connected to each of said brackets.

11. A limb rest comprising a supporting frame structure including portions adapted to extend transversely of a bed, a sleeve rotatably mounted upon each of said aligned portions, a plate rigidly mounted upon each of said sleeves, an elongated leg support extending transversely of each of said portions and pivotally mounted on each of said plates, and a yoke rigidly mounted at each end to each of said sleeves, said yoke extending .transversely over the leg supports and positioned for manual swinging movement to lift the leg supports to elevated positions, said yoke being positioned so as to be operated by an occupant lying in said bed beneath said yoke.

l2. A limb rest comprising a supporting frame structure including aligned portions adapted to extend transversely of a bed, a sleeve rotatably mounted upon each of said aligned portions, a plate rigidly mounted upon each of said sleeves, an elongated leg support extending transversely of each of said portions and pivotally mounted on each of said plates, and manually operable means secured to each of the sleeves for turning said sleeves relative to the aligned portions for elevating and lowering the leg supports with respect to the bed, said manually operable means being' positioned above said leg supporting devices to permit operation thereof by an occupant lying on said bed beneath said manually operable means.

13. A limb rest comprising a supporting frame structure including aligned portions adapted to extend transverselyof a, bed, a pair of elongated leg supports extending transversely of said portions, means rotatably journaling each of said leg supports on the aligned portions for both vertical and lateral swinging and horizontal sliding movement relative thereto to different angular positions with respect tothe bed, and stopping means carried by the supporting frame structure for limiting the downward swinging movement of the 10 leg supports in respect to the bed, said stopping REFERENCES CITED means extending transversely of the leg Supports The following references are of record in the and intermediate the frame structure and the me of this patent. ends of said leg supports.

14. A limb rest comprising a supporting frame 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS including a transverse journal rod and depend- Number Name Date ing arms spaced apart from each other and from 167,700 shiels Sept. 14, 1875 the journal rod, said depending arms being c011- 385,507 De Camp July 3, 1888 nected to the rod and located side by side at one 1,134,720 Bradley Apr. 6, 1915 end of said rod, a clamp secured to each of said 10 2,119,325 Goedhart May 31, 1938 arms for attaching said frame to a side 0f a 2,375,225 Herbert May 8, 1945 patient supporting device with the journal rod projecting inwardly thereover, a journal sleeve FOREIGN PATENTS mounted on the rod for turning movement rela- Number Country Date tive thereto, a, bracket rigidly allxed to the jour- 15 432,906 France Feb- 10, 1917 nal sleeve, and a leg supporting device pivotally mounted on said bracket.

LIONEL HERBERT.

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