Leg lifter

Abstract

The present invention provides a leg lifter for those having lower extremity injuries or limited lower extremity strength to facilitate movement. The leg lifter includes a wrapping portion configured to encircle a user's ankle via a fastener. The wrapping portion further includes an adjustable strap that extends outwardly and orthogonally from substantially a midpoint of the wrapping portion. The adjustable strap includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is affixed to the wrapping portion. The distal end is adapted to be held by a user for lifting the adjustable strap, thus causing the user's lower extremity to be lifted. The distal end further includes a fastener that allows a user to removably attach the distal end to his or her clothing. The adjustable strap is configured to be lengthened or shortened to improve a user's movement and achieve independence from caretakers.

Claims

1. A leg lifter, comprising: a wrapping portion configured to form a closed loop around a user's lower extremity and be removably secured to said user's lower extremity via a fastener, said wrapping portion comprising a central portion and a perimeter portion extending from the central portion, wherein a fastener is disposed entirely on the central portion; the perimeter portion entirely encompassing the central portion, and extending inward from an edge a uniform distance from the central portion on a first side; an adjustable strap attached to said wrapping portion having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end attached to a midpoint of said wrapping portion and disposed orthogonally to said wrapping portion, said adjustable strap including a slider and a clip slidably disposed on the wrapping portion, having opposing jaws disposed on said distal end, said adjustable strap forming a closed loop disposed between said slider and said clip, said slider configured to adjust a diameter of the closed loop, said closed loop including an opening disposed in a plane transverse to a plane in which said wrapping portion is disposed; each said opposing jaws of said clip having a plurality of interlocking teeth thereon; said closed loop on the adjustable strap configured to receive a user's wrist forming the closed loop around the wrist and facilitating lifting of said user's lower extremity encircled by said wrapping portion.

2. The leg lifter of claim 1, wherein said slider is configured to allow said adjustable strap to be lengthened or shortened.

3. The leg lifter of claim 2, wherein: said slider includes a frame with a central bar and a pair of parallel slots; wherein said pair of parallel slots are disposed on either side of said bar.

4. The leg lifter of claim 1, wherein said wrapping portion includes a first end and a second end removably attached to one another in an overlapping configuration via said fastener so as to form the closed loop.

5. The leg lifter of claim 1, wherein said fastener of said wrapping portion includes a hook and loop fastener.

6. The leg lifter of claim 1, wherein said wrapping portion is rectangular in shape.

7. The leg lifter of claim 1, wherein said wrapping portion is composed from elastic fabric.

8. The leg lifter of claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a U - shape having a rigid material and configured to removably attach to a user's clothing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an overhead perspective view of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the leg lifting device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for removably attaching to a user's leg to increase mobility without the assistance from others. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

(5) Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown an overhead perspective view and a side perspective of the leg lifter 20. The leg lifter 20 is configured to wrap around a user's leg to increase independent maneuverability and mobility when injured, disabled, or elderly. In this way, a user does not have to be dependent on a caretaker for mobility. The leg lifter 20 includes a wrapping portion 21 that is configured to wrap around a user's ankle. It is also contemplated that the wrapping portion 21 is configured to encircle other areas along the length of a user's leg.

(6) The wrapping portion 21 is configured to be substantially rectangular in shape, however, other suitable shapes and sizes are likewise contemplated. The wrapping portion 21 includes a first end 22 and the second 23, wherein the first end 22 and the second end 23 are removably attached to one another in an overlapping configuration via a fastener 24 so as to form a loop. Preferably, the fastener 24 is a hook and loop fastener, however, other fasteners such as snap fasteners are suitable and alternatively used in other embodiments. These variations and alterations are deemed within the scope and spirit of the present invention and likewise contemplated. Furthermore, the wrapping portion 21 is composed from an elastic fabric, like cotton, polyester or a combination thereof, however, other suitable materials are alternatively used in other embodiments.

(7) An adjustable strap 25 is permanently affixed to a midpoint of the wrapping portion 21. Preferably, the adjustable strap 25 extends outwardly and orthogonally in relation to the wrapping portion 21. The adjustable strap 25 includes a proximal end 26 and a distal end 27, wherein the proximal end 26 is affixed to the wrapping portion 21. Preferably, the proximal end 26 is sewn onto the wrapping portion 21, however, in other embodiments, the proximal end 26 is affixed to the wrapping portion by other means, such as an adhesive.

(8) The adjustable strap 25 includes a slider 28 that allows for the adjustable strap 25 to be lengthened or shortened. The slider 28, as illustrated as an exemplar, includes a frame with a central bar and a pair of parallel slots, wherein the pair of parallel slots are on either side of the bar. One end of the adjustable strap 25 may be fixed onto the central bar, while the adjustable portion of the adjustable strap 25 passes through one slot over the central bar, and then through the other slot. Movement of the slider 28 along the adjustable strap 25 allows the adjustable strap 25 to alter the effective length of the adjustable strap 25.

(9) The distal end 27 of the adjustable strap 25 is configured to loop around a user's wrist so as to use the adjustable strap 25 to lift his lower extremity encircled by said wrapping portion 21. The distal end 27 includes a fastener, preferably a clip 30, which is configured to removably attach to a user's clothing. Preferably, the clip is removably attached to a wrist cuff of a user's shirt to prevent the distal end 27 from being easily unfastened while in use. In this way, the distal end 27 is adapted to be held in a user's hand or wrapped around his or her wrist in a loop such that the user can raise the adjustable strap in order to move his or her lower extremity.

(10) Thereafter, the adjustable strap 25 can be lengthened or shortened to allow a user to raise or lower his leg without requiring assistance from others by manually lifting the adjustable strap 25 by the use of his hands. It is contemplated that the user can improve his own mobility and maneuverability, thereby achieving independence. Preferably, the clip 30 is a clip fastener, such as a clip used with suspenders, however, other suitable clip fasteners or clamp fasteners are likewise contemplated. Furthermore, the clip 30 is also configured to be removably attached to an upper end of a user's leg cast or brace. In this way, the adjustable strap 25 can be generally stored when unneeded.

(11) It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(12) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, 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, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.