Partial-leg support for amputees

Abstract

A partial-leg support and method for comfortable, adjustable, cleanable, and portable support for the leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated.

Claims

1. A partial-leg support for a leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs, while seated, comprising: a seat section having a top, a top-front edge, and a front edge in relation to a seated person; a left extension and a right extension, each separately rotatably attached through a hinge to the front edge of said seat section, and having an extension top, an extension back edge meeting the front edge of said seat section, an extension top-back edge, an extension top-front edge, and an extension front edge; a separate lock-release adapted to control rotation about said hinge for said left extension and said right extension; and a fillet-round void on the top-front edge of said seat section and on the extension top-front and the extension top-back edges of said left extension and said right extension; where each separate said lock-release prevents or permits rotation about each said hinge attaching said left extension and said right extension, putting top of each said extension into a position of angular relation with top of said section ranging between substantially co-planar with the top of said seat section and a substantially right angle downward; where said fillet-round voids prevent pinching during rotation about each said hinge and prevent sharp edges at front edges of said seat section and said left and right extensions; and where position of said left and right extensions can be independently adjusted to provide a desired amount of support for a leg stump or stumps while seated.

2. The partial-leg support of claim 1, where said partial-leg support is adapted to be portable and to be used with existing, industry-standard seating.

3. The partial-leg support of claim 1, where said partial-leg support is adapted to be easily cleanable.

4. The partial-leg support of claim 1, where said lock-release further comprises a lock-release button.

5. The partial-leg support of claim 1, where said lock-release further comprises a lock-release handle.

6. The partial-leg support of claim 1, where said lock-release further comprises a lock-release extension lever.

7. The partial-leg support of claim 1, where the axis of rotation of said lock-release is co-axial with axes of rotation of said hinges.

8. The partial-leg support of claim 1, further comprising top surfaces of said seat section and said left and right extensions made of a cushioned material adapted to comfort in sitting, and bottom surfaces of said seat section and said left and right extensions made of a rigid material adapted to stiffness and support.

9. The partial-leg support of claim 1, where said partial-leg support is made from a plastic material selected from the group consisting of high-density polyethylene and polypropylene.

10. The partial-leg support of claim 1, where said partial-leg support is adapted to be easily and thoroughly cleaned so that it can be used by more than one person in succession in a healthcare-facility environment.

11. A method for support for a leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated, comprising: providing a partial-leg support device, comprising: a seat section having a top and a seat top front edge in relation to a seated person; a left extension and a right extension, each separately rotatably attached through a hinge to the front edge of seat section, and having an extension front edge, an extension top, a top-front extension edge and a top-back extension edge meeting the front edge of said seat section; a separate lock-release adapted to control rotation about said hinge for said left extension and said right extension; and a fillet-round void on the top-front edge of the seat section, on the top-front extension edges, and the top-back extension edges of said left extension and said right extension; where each separate said lock-release prevents or permits rotation about each said hinge attaching said left extension and said right extension, putting the extension top of each said extension into a position of angular relation with the top of said seat section ranging between substantially co-planar with the top of said seat section and a substantially right angle downward; where said fillet-round voids prevent pinching during rotation about each said hinge and prevent sharp edges at the front edges of said seat section and said left and right extensions; and where position of said left and right extensions can be independently adjusted to provide a desired amount of support for a leg stump or stumps while seated; transporting said partial-leg support to a desired location provided with industry-standard seating; placing said partial-leg support device upon a seat of the industry-standard seating; raising or lowering said left extension and said right extension into positions providing desired amount of support; removing said partial leg support device from the industry-standard seating after use; and transporting said partial-leg support device to another location of industry-standard seating.

12. The method for support the leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated of claim 11, where said partial-leg support is adapted to be portable and to be used with existing, industry-standard seating.

13. The method for support for the leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated of claim 11, where said partial-leg support is adapted to be easily cleanable.

14. The method for support for the leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated of claim 11, where said lock-release further comprises a lock-release button.

15. The method for support for the leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated of claim 11, where said lock-release further comprises a lock-release handle.

16. The method for support for the leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated of claim 11, where said lock-release further comprises a lock-release extension lever.

17. The method for support for the leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated of claim 11, where an axis of rotation of said lock-release is co-axial with axes of rotation of said hinges.

18. The method for support for the leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated of claim 11, further comprising top surfaces of said seat section and said left and right extensions made of a cushioned material adapted to comfort in sitting, and bottom surfaces of said seat section and said left and right extensions made of a rigid material adapted to stiffness and support.

19. The method for support for the leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated of claim 11, where said partial-leg support is made from a plastic material selected from the group consisting of high-density polyethylene and polypropylene.

20. The method for support for the leg stump or stumps remaining after partial amputation of the leg or legs while seated of claim 11, where said partial-leg support is adapted to be easily and thoroughly cleaned so that it can be used by more than one person in succession in a healthcare-facility environment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

(9) FIG. 8 is a top, side, and front view of an embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 9 is a top, side, and front view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

(11) FIG. 10 is a top, side, and front view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

(12) FIG. 11 is a partially exploded view of the hinges of an embodiment of the invention.

(13) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention made of different layers of material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) Referring to FIG. 1 & FIG. 2, an embodiment of the partial-leg support 10 comprises a seat section 1, a left extension 2, a right extension 3, hinges 4 joining the back edges of the left and right extensions to the front edge of the seat section, and a lock-release 5 for each extension preventing or permitting rotation about each hinge 4, and consequently placing the top surfaces of the extensions into positions where they are essentially co-planar with the top surface of the seat section, or at an essentially right angle downward, or at an intermediate position between fully raised and fully lowered.

(15) The partial-leg support also has fillet-round voids 9 at the top-front edge of the seat section and at the top-front and top-back edges of the left and right extensions. Those edges are rounded or bullnosed so that the edges will not pinch during rotation about the hinges, and will not present a sharp angle at the front edge of the seat section or the front edge of the left or right extensions. The other edges may optionally have such fillet-round voids for reasons of comfort, aesthetics, costs of materials, or weight.

(16) In a preferred embodiment, the lock-release 5 is a lockable quarter-turn rotating mechanism located co-axially with the hinges 4. Optionally, the lock-release can be ratcheted. Attached to each lock-release 5 are a lock-release extension lever 6 providing leveraged force for moving and holding the left or right extensions, a lock-release handle 7 providing control of raising and lowering the extensions, and a lock-release button 8 locking or unlocking the lock-release and preventing or permitting rotation about the hinge.

(17) Referring additionally to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7, the left extension 2 or right extension 3, independently, can be placed into a raised position where the top surface of the extension is essentially co-planar with the top surface of the seat section, into a lowered or dropped position where the top surface of the extension is at essentially a right angle downward, or at intermediate positions. This variable positioning allows for an optimum accommodation of different-sized and different-situated partial legs among potential users, and also allows for variation, over time, of the level of support chosen by any particular user.

(18) Referring additionally to FIGS. 8, 9 & 10, the dimensions of the partial-leg support are determined by the size of the average intended user, such as adults or children, the width and depth available in most standard seating, such as wheelchairs, office chairs, vehicle seats, etc., safety considerations, and weight and portability considerations. In a preferred embodiment, for average-sized adults, the seat section 1 is approximately 17 to 18 inches square. This size will fit in most wheelchairs and in most other standard seating, while providing a broad base of support. The left extension 2 and right extension 3 are each approximately 8 inches square. The approximate 8-inch width allows for a gap of at least one-half inch between the left and right extensions, to prevent pinching or binding even when the partial-leg support is used in a moving wheelchair or vehicle. The approximate 8-inch length allows for a substantial supporting surface without introducing the balance and stability problems that might result from weight from another source or another person, such as a child, being placed at the end of a longer lever. Also a significantly longer length of the left and right extensions might be cumbersome both when raised and when lowered or dropped toward the floor or toward the wheels and footrests of a wheelchair.

(19) Referring to FIG. 11, the hinges 4 can take a variety of forms having the necessary strength and no tendency to pinch. In an embodiment, the hinges are similar to a door hinge, with alternating cylindrical sections and spaces connected by a rod or pin.

(20) The partial-leg support can be made of any material having the appropriate shape-retaining, strength, durability, and tooling properties, or of a combination of such materials. If the partial-leg support is made exclusively of hard or stiff materials, then a separate cushion or pad, such as the washable, changeable ones routinely used by healthcare facilities, can be placed on top of it for the user's comfort. A partial-leg support made primarily of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), obtainable from recycled milk jugs, would be sufficiently durable and light-weight for portability, and could be washed frequently, but not autoclaved for full sterilization, and therefore might be most appropriate for use by one person at home, in the office, or carried around. A partial-leg support made primarily of polypropylene (PP) could be autoclaved, and therefore might be most appropriate for use by a succession of people in a healthcare facility.

(21) Referring to FIG. 12, alternatively the partial-leg support can be made with a cushioning material such as a closed-cell or open-cell foam forming the top surfaces of the seat section 1 and the left and right extensions 2,3, for comfort, and with a more rigid material forming the bottom portions or inner portions, for strength. Many changes and modifications can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.