Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CLAVICLE SPLINT
The present invention relates to a novel clavicle splint
of the type disclosed in applicant's prior Canadian Patent
Application Serial No. 131,319, filed December 29, 1971.
The clavicle splint disclosed in the above patent com-
` prises a pair of shoulder straps, with each strap extending
over one shoulder, under the axilla, and to a connector posi-
tioned in the middle of the wearer's back. Each of the straps
comprises a relatively porous core of foam material and has a
D-shaped cross-sectional configuration such that the longitudinal
edges along the side immediately adjacent the body of the wearer - -
. are contoured to present a rounded, non-biting, engaging surface.
While the above described clavicle splint serves well
-~ its intended function, it has been found that the straps of the
splint occasionally buckle in the region of the axilla, and ~
such buckling results in the formation of the relatively rigid ~--
fold line which may tend to bit into the body and produce --
discomfort to the wearer.
~-j It is accordingly an object of the present invention
to provide a clavicle splint having a configuration which sub- ~
stantially alleviates the tendency of the straps to buckle in ~ -
the region of the axilla. -
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a clavicle splint wherein the straps have a cross-sectional
configuration which closely conforms to the anatomy of the -
wearer to thereby further reduce any tendency of the straps to `-;
bite into the body and produce discomfort to the wearer. `
I~ is another object of the present invention to provide :
a alavicle ~plint which promotes circulation of air along the
~ ~ inner 8urace which is in ¢ontact with the body to thereby faci-
r~ 30 litate the esoape of body heat and perspiration from beneath the
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It is a more general object of the present invention to
provide a clavicle splint which may be worn for an extended
period of time without undue discomfort to the wearer, and which
is also capable of reducing clavicular fracture and providing
adequate body support.
These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are acheived in the e~lbodiment illustrated herein by
the provision of a clavicle splint which comprises a vertically
extending back strap, and a pair of shoulder straps connected
at the upper end of the back strap. Each of the shoulder straps
comprises a porous core of resilient foam material, the core
having a generally semi-circular cross-sectional configuration
along the portion thereof which is designed to pass through the
axilla so as to present a rounded surface in contact with the
body of the wearer. In addition, the core is formed with an
arcuate curvature along the longitudinal length thereof so as -
~ to tend to naturally encircle the shoulders and axilla and ,:~ thereby substantialiy alleviate the tendency of the core to
buckle in the region of the axilla. An outer porous fabric
cover surrounds the core, and a tape is secured at the outer
end of the core and extends for a distance sufficient to reach -~-
--~ the lower end of the back strap. Suitable attachment means
i ~ are carried by the back strap for securing the tapes thereto.
Some of the objects and advantages of the invention
having been stated, others will appear as the description pro-
ceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,
i~ in which --
Figure 1 is a rear elevation view of a clavicle splint
embodying the present invention and illustrating the same in a
relaxed condltion;
Figure 2 is a ~ide elevation view of the core of one of
the ~trap~ of the Rpli~t illustrated in Figure l;
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Figure 3 is a front elevation view illustrating the
manner in which the clavicle splint is positioned on the body
of the wearer;
Figure 4 is a rear elevation view illustrating the
clavicle splint positioned on the body of the wearer;
Figures 5 through 8 are sectional views taken substantially
along the lines 5-5, 6-6, 7~7 and 8-8, respectively, in Figure 2;
Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly
' sectioned, illustrating the components of one of the straps of
the clavicle splint; and
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of one of the straps
of the illustrated clavicle splint.
Referrlng more specifically to the drawings, a clavicle
splint embodying the present invention is illustrated generally -
at 12. The splint comprises a pair of shoulder straps 14 and
14a, and a relatively short back strap 16. When positioned on
the wearer, the back strap 16 extends in a generally vertical
;~ direction, and the two shoulder straps are attached, as by
stitching, at the upper end of the back strap to form a Y-shaped
~ 20 connection at 17. More particularly, the shoulder straps are ~
;~ upwardly disposed from the connection at 17 at an acute equal -
-angle to either side of the vertical. The lower end of the
back strap 16 carries attachment means 18 which includes a
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-~ conventional buckle 19 for adjustably attaching the same to the ~
strap, and a pair of similar buckles l9a and l9b for the pur- -- -
poses hereinafter set forth.
Each of the shoulder straps 14 and 14a comprises a porous
~- core 20 of re~lient foam material, the core including a rear
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' ~ portlon generally indi¢ated at 23 which is adapted to overlie
the back and shoulders of the wearer, a forward portion 24
adap~ed to pas~ through the axilla of the wearer, and an outer
end at 25, note Figure 2.
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The core 20 has a cross-sectional configuration which
varies along the length thereof as best seen in Figures 5-8.
More particularly, the core has a generally rectangular cross-
sectional configuration along the rear portion 23, and a
generally semi-circular cross-sectional configuration (i.e.,
in the form of a segment of a circle) along the forward portion
24. In addition, the core defines an outer surface 26 which
faces away from the body of the wearer and which is substantially
flat throughout the length thereof, and an inner surface 28 - ;
which is generally flat along the rear portion 23 but is
generally semi-cylindrical along the forward portion. By this
arrangement, the core 20 presents a flat, broad area of contact
along the region of the wearer's back and shoulders, and presents
a rounded surface in contact with the axilla which substantially -:
~s reduces the tendency of the strap to bite into the body and
-~ impinge the brachial artery and the radial, ulna, and median
nerves. Also, the described cross-sectional configuration of
the-core closely conforms to the anatomy of the wearer through ~ -
the axilla and thereby permits the splint to be worn for sub-
' 20 stantial periods of time without undue discomfort.
As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the forward portion 24
of the core is arcuately curved along the longitudinal length --
thereof so as to tend to naturally encircle the shoulders and
axilla of the wearer. Typically, for an adult size splint,
, such curvature of the forward portion extends between about
, 60-80 along the arc of a circle as illustrated by the angle
A in Figure 2, and the radius R of the arc is between about
10-11 inches. By this arrangement, little additional bending
is required in order to position the straps on the wearer, and
the tendency of the core to buckle during use and form a rela-
tively rigld old line is thereby substantially alleviated.
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Each of the straps 14 and 14a further comprises an outer
porous fabric cover 30 surrounding the core 20 and extending
along the longitudinal length thereof. Preferably, the fabric
cover 30 comprises a resilient and conformable knit fabric
material, such as a knit cotton sleeve, and is positioned to
smoothly overlie the core without substantial puckering when
the strap is in the relaxed condition as shown in Figures 1 and
2. In order to maintain this smooth non-puckered relationship
when the splint is worn, the cover 30 may be initially assembled
on the core under tension so as to be slightly stretched in the
longitudinal direction. Thus when the strap is applied on the
wearer, any shortening of the longltudinal length of thesarface
28 resulting from the slight bending of the strap may be accommo-
dated by the cover without resulting in its puckering. This
absence of puckering further enhances the ~mfort of the ~lint
by insuring that a non interrupted, smooths~arface will be in
contact with the wearer.
; A~ best seen in Figures 9 and 10, the inner surface 28
of each core includes myriad-discrete, closely spaced, pro-
truding dimples 31 on substantially the entire area thereof.
A8 will be apparent fxom Figure 10, these dimples serve to hold
the porous fabric cover 30 in spaced relation with respect to
the core, and they thereby permit air circulation along the
inner surface 28. By this arrangement, the escape of body
heat and perspiration from beneath the straps of the splint is
facilitated to thereby further reduoe any discomfort tothe --
wearer.
. A tape 32 i8 8ecured to the outer end 25 of the core 20
and fabric cover 30 by a suitable arrangement suah as stitching-
' 30 through the core and cover a8 illustrated at 34. The tape 32
Qxtend~ or a distance sufficient to reach the lower end of
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the back strap 16 and attachmen~ means l8 when the associated
shoulder strap is positioned over the shouider and through the
axilla. As seen in Figure 4, the tape 32 is adapted to be
ad~ustably connected to one of the buckles l9a and l9b to
maintain the positioning of the splint on the wearer. As will
; be apparent, conventional Velcro fasteners, or any other suitable
connector, could be substituted for the buckles l9a and l9b, if
desired~
Each o~ the straps 14 and 14a further comprises a sub-
stantially non-stretchable fabric webbing 36 overlying the
outer surface 26 and positioned within the fabric cover 30,
note Figure 9. The webbing 36 is interconnected to the vertical
back strap 16 by the stitching at 17, and is also interconnected
to the tape 32 by the stitching at 34 to thereby substantially
preclude the longitudinal stretching of the strap. -
The back strap 16, and the tape 32 and webbing 36 of
~ each strap may consist of any conventional non-resilient fabric,
3~ 8uch as woven cotton tape. Also, the core 20 is preferablySormed from discrete particles of resilient polyurethane foam
~, 20 material bonded together with a suitable binder. More parti-~
cularly~ the particles and binder are placed in a suitable mold
to produce the above described arcuate curvature, and cured as
by 8ubjecting to steam. The resulting foam material has a ;
density of between about four to six pounds per cubic foot
- ana i8 ~ufficiently rigid or stiff to provide a firm support.
In addition, the foam materiai is sufficiently porous to permit
ventilation therethrough to the surface of the skin. A foam
material of thi~ type is further described in applicant's prior
U. ~. Patent No. 3,374~785. If desired, the density may vary
along the length o the core 80 as to have a higher density
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(e.g., about six pounds per cubic foot) at the ends thereof to
provide a strong base of support for the stitching passing there~
through, while having a lower density ~e.g., about four pounds
per cubic foot) along the medial portion.
In the drawings and specification, there has been set
forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although
specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
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