GB2511719A

GB2511719A - Adjustable anatomical arm sling with optional bag

Info

Publication number: GB2511719A
Application number: GB1206622.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Michael John Finch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-16
Filing date: 2012-04-16
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: GB201206622D0

Abstract

An adjustable arm sling designed to work with the bodys anatomy to correctly support the arm and place the support on the opposing uninjured shoulder. The sling has a main arm support portion A supporting the forearm, elbow and upper arm, a front support portion D comprising a shoulder strap extending from the forearm portion through a D-ring H at the wrist portion and fastening onto itself using a hook and loop closure I, J, which also allows the strap to have an adjustable length, a rear support portion C extending between the forearm portion and the upper arm portion, and a wrist portion B having a single button releasable clip G for opening the front of the sling. This allows the wearer to insert and remove the arm without changing the sling position or adjusting the shoulder strap. The frame can be covered by a useful bag designed to fit the frame, containing closable pockets. The frame has optional stud fasteners in specific places to accommodate the bag the bag is not required for the sling to support the arm correctly and promote proper healing of the injury.

Description

Adjustable Anatomical Arm sling with optional Bag

Background of Invention.

An Adjustable Anatomically Correct Arm Sling.

Do to an injury that left me disabled, my left arm and shoulder are unable to carry there own weight for extended periods and therefore I have to wear an arm sling when I go anywhere.

In my specific case I have complications do to spinal surgery and cannot take weight on my neck muscles. I have bought many slings to find one that is comfortable to wear and actually supports my arm, however none of them do.

The rroblem: The basic problem with all arm slings is that they have actually changed very little since we folded a square in to a triangle and made a sling from it.

Lots of devises have been included and clips and closures added but it is still the basic put the arm in a bag approach.

Our arm is not shaped like a folded piece of material and therefore all the weight of the injured arm goes across the neck of the wearer, pulling on the spine, this causes the wearer to feel a cutting sensation at the neck. The bag has no actual support and allows the arm to act as a dead weight hanging from a pendulum.

The problem is a sling that actually supports the arm and puts the weight across the same muscle group as a backpack and not the neck and is able to be worn with or without clothing or a Jacket.

The Solution: This arm sling goes away from traditional thinking.

First looking at how our arm is shaped and then looking at what material would give the most support while still being light weight.

Using design software to create a supporting frame work that would follow the bodies natural design and allow for the arm to be frilly supported, while being comfortable to wear for extended periods and thereby creating the correct support for the arm to promote proper healing of any injury or in the case of long term wearers a comfortable and practical solution.

Summary of the Invention.

The sling in accordance with the present invention is ofa simple and light weight construction using heavy grade webbing to create a supported enclosure for the arm that not only supports the arm but limits it's mobility in almost all directions so as to promote proper healing of the injury.

The sling is attached to the wearer by a single shoulder strap over the opposing shoulder, this strap goes over the trapezius muscle like a single shoulder rucksack. The shoulder strap follows the natural shape of the body and brings the front support under the injured shoulder and across the back. The arm is then inserted into the sling by seating the elbow into the elbow seat and laying the arm on the main support and closing the front wrist support by way of a single button release mechanism.

Brief Description of Drawings.

Fig 1 = View of side and rear of sling from a rear facing angle.

Fig 2 = View of front and side from a front facing angle.

Fig 3 = View of rear or body side, of sling.

Fig 4 = View from Rear while on Wearer.

Fig S = View from Front while on wearer.

Fig 6 = View with Front single button release mechanism in the open position to show how the sling opens at the front to allow the wearer to insert and remove the injured arm without removing the sling.

Fig 7 = Optional Detachable Bag.

Detailed Description.

Referring first to FIG 1 the sling in accordance with the present invention consists of five Straps of Heavy Grade webbing. A the main arm support, B the Wrist Support, C the body side arm support, D the outer arm support and shoulder strap and E the secondary arm support.

The main arm support A is two layers of heavy grade webbing with a Loop of approximately five point two centimetres at F, the wrist support B is attached by way of stitching 1 to the front section of A. The body side arm support C is attached at 2 and 3 by way of stitching. The outer arm strap D is attached at 2 and 3 by way of stitching and contains a hook and loop closer system similar to a Velcro Style closure I and J at the open end.

The main arm support A runs along the base of the arm and follows the curve of the arm at the elbow to approximately halfway up the upper arm, an elbow seat is created at K by turning the webbing back on itself for approximately two centimetres and held in place by way of stitching.

Referring to FIG 2 of the sling in accordance with the present invention contains a wrist strap B incorporating a D-Ring H which is free moving and a Single Button Release mechanism G attached by Stitching to enable the wearer to open the front of the sling and remove the arm without removing or adjusting the sling. (also see Fig 6) A secondary support E is attached to Aby way of stitching leaving the inside end towards the elbow open so a further metal or plastic support can be inserted under the arm if additional support was required. This additional support runs from B for approximately 30 centimetres.

Referring to FIG 3 strap D continues from the stitching at 3 to become the shoulder strap containing a Hook and Loop closure system similar to a Velcro Style closure, I and J. Continuing with FIG 3 optional Stud Fasteners can be attached at 0 to allow for the fitting of an optional cover (also see FIG 7) Continuing with FIG 3 in accordance with the present invention strap D then passes through a D-Ring H and loops back on itself to create the only adjustment by way of a hook and loop closure system I and J similar to a Velcro Style closure. This allows for infinite adjustments, of course, if desired, the sling may be produced in different sizes for use by adults or children.

The sling in accordance with the present invention may have a bag type cover that can be attached to the frame by way of Stud Fasteners 0 (sec Fig 3).

Referring to FIG 7 in accordance with the present invention the said bag type cover consists of a rectangle of material closed at one end and open at the other containing a support band L on the bottom centre. Examples of material include, but are not limited to, fabrics, padded fabrics, plastics, rubbcr and mcshcs.

The closed end is attached by way of a set of Stud Fasteners 0 (also see Fig 3), the open end wraps around the front support B (also see FIG 2) and is attached by way of a pair of Hook and Loop closure system similar to a Velcro Style closure NI and N and Single Stud fasteners on the front and back of thc wrist support B at mark 0 (scc Fig 3).

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. An arm sling comprising: a. A body portion comprising: i) a forearm portion, ii) an elbow portion, and iii) a rear arm support portion.b. A front support section comprising a shoulder strap portion with first and second ends, the first end of the support strap being coupled to the forearm portion at the base and the second end containing a fastening means wherein the end can be joined to itself c. A wrist support portion, the wrist support comprising a D-Ring and a single button release clip for permitting a user's hand, wrist and forearm to enter the sling from the front of the arm sling.d. A rear support strap comprising first and second ends, the first end of the support strap being coupled to the forearm portion at the base and the second end near the elbow portion.c. A single button style attachment comprising stud fasteners attached in the first place to the elbow section and in thc second place to the wrist support scction.f A pouch style coyer attached to the sling by way of single button stud fasteners.
2. The arm sling of claim I wherein the body portion is made of Heavy Grade Webbing.
3. The arm sling of claim I wherein the front support portion is made of Heavy Grade Webbing.
4. The arm sling of claim 1 wherein the wrist support portion is made of Heavy Grade Webbing.
5. The arm sling of claim I whcrcin the shoulder support strap further includes adjusting means for varying the length of the support strap.
6. The arm sling of claims wherein the adjustment is fold-able on itself and includes fastening means for joining the folded ends together.
7. The arm sling of claim 5 wherein the adjustment is by way ofa D-Ring.
8. The arm sling of claims wherein the adjustment is by way of a cohesive type fastener, the pile type portion of the fastener comprising one end of the connector and the coacting portion attached to the end portion.
9. The arm sling of claim I wherein the single button release connecting device comprising complementary connecting sections that couple to secure the arm in the sling.
10. The arm sling of claim 9 wherein the single button release connecting device comprise male and female portions, respectively, of a release style clip.
11. The arm sling of claim 1 wherein the stud fasteners connect a pouch style cover to the sling.
12. The arm sling of claimi 1 wherein the stud fasteners comprise male and female portions, respectively, of a stud fastener style clip.
13. The arm sling of claim I wherein the pouch style bag may be constructed from material.
14. The arm sling of claim 13 the pouch style bag contains pockets.
15. The arm sling of claim 14 the pockets are closed by way of: a. A zippcr typc closurc.b. A cohesive type closure.c. An elastic type closure.d. A stud fastener style closure.
16. The aim sling of claim 1, fbrther comprising a pad surrounding the shoulder support strap along its length.
17. The arm sling of claim 16 wherein the pad is removable fium the shoulder support strap.