Patent Application
20220062021
The present invention relates to orthopedic collars. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an orthopedic collar having a non-compressible member on a front side thereof, wherein a plurality of reinforcement members extends longitudinally along an interior surface of the collar.
Many individuals suffer from neck injuries which require the stabilization and support of the head and neck for treatment. Typically, such stabilization is provided by a neck brace worn about the neck that restricts the wearer's mobility, such that the wearer cannot easily tilt their head vertically or to one side. Frequently, these existing neck braces can be particularly bulky and uncomfortable, which can lead to difficulty sleeping or relaxing as the neck brace causes significant discomfort when worn. Often, typical neck braces include rigid plastic circumscribing the user's neck. Alternatively, resilient foam neck braces can be used in an effort to increase comfort at the cost of overall stability. While it is important to stabilize the head and neck of an individual with a neck injury, doing so while minimizing discomfort to the user is paramount, as treatments must typically be maintained over a long recovery period to be effective. Therefore, there is a need for a device that can provide a user with increased comfort while still restricting the vertical and lateral movement of the user's head.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing orthopedic collars. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of orthopedic collars now present in the known art, the present invention provides an orthopedic collar wherein the same can be utilized for providing comfort to the user while restricting neck movement in a manner consistent with treatment of head and neck injuries.
The present device comprises a flexible tubular body having an upper edge, a lower edge, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a central opening therethrough. A plurality of reinforcement strips is disposed about an interior surface of the tubular body. A non-compressible member is affixed to a front side of the tubular body along an exterior surface thereof between the upper edge and the lower edge, wherein the non-compressible member is disposed along a longitudinal axis of the tubular body and is configured to restrict vertical compression of the tubular body. In this manner, a user wearing the orthopedic collar is prevented from significantly maneuvering their neck while providing a comfortable neck brace.
In some embodiments, a flexible flange extends from the lower edge and is configured to support the tubular body on the shoulders of the user. In some such embodiments, the flange is removably securable to the tubular body via complementary fastener disposed along each of an exterior of the tubular body at the lower edge thereof and an interior surface of the flange. In this way, the user can selectively decide whether the additional support of the flange is necessary. In another such embodiment, the flange is arcuate such that a linear distance between each of a front end of the flange and a rear end of the flange and the upper edge of the tubular body is greater than a linear distance between a central portion of the flange and the upper edge. In this manner, the flange better conforms to the shape of a user's shoulders to provide additional support to the tubular body.
In some embodiments, the sidewall comprises an arcuate form, such that a diameter of the tubular body at each of the upper edge and the lower edge is greater than at a midline thereof. In other embodiments, the tubular body is selectively moveable between an expanded position and a retracted position, wherein an inner diameter of the tubular body is greater when in the expanded position. In this way, the tubular body can expand to allow a user to insert their head through the central opening. In other embodiments, the tubular body is biased towards the retracted position, such that the tubular body secures comfortably about the user's neck.
In some embodiments, the plurality of reinforcement strips is disposed along a longitudinal axis of the tubular body, such that vertical compression of the tubular body is minimized. In another embodiment, the plurality of reinforcement strips is disposed at regular intervals about the interior surface, such that the entirety of the tubular body resists vertical compression consistently.
In another embodiment, the non-compressible member comprises a rigid structure, such that a user's ability to maneuver vertically along the front side of the tubular body is prevented. In other embodiments, a plurality of ridges is disposed along the non-compressible member between opposing lateral sides thereof, such that the non-compressible member is configured to flex slightly about the plurality of ridges. In this manner, the user is not able to substantially move their head vertically along the front side of the tubular body, however minimal common head movements are not uncomfortably restricted by the non-compressible member.
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.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the orthopedic collar. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiments of
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of reinforcement strips 17 are disposed along an interior surface 18 of the tubular body 12. The plurality of reinforcement strips 17 are configured to provide increased structural integrity to the tubular body 12, such that the tubular body 12 retains a desired shape. In this manner, the plurality of reinforcement strips 17 serve to further restrict the user's range of motion as compression of the tubular body 12 is restricted thereby, further aiding the healing process of a neck injury. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of reinforcement strips 17 are disposed along a longitudinal axis of the tubular body 12. In the shown embodiment, the plurality of reinforcement strips 17 are disposed along the interior surface 18 at regular intervals, such that the plurality of reinforcement strips 17 are evenly distributed therealong. Such an arrangement ensures that the structural support added to the tubular body 12 by the plurality of reinforcement strips 17 is consistent across an entirety of the tubular body 12. In some embodiments, the plurality of reinforcement strips 17 are spring biased along the arcuate shape of the sidewall 15, such that the upper and lower edges of the tubular body 12 return to the retracted position after being placed in the expanded position.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In one use, the tubular body 12 is moved to the expanded position as shown in the illustrated embodiment of
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various 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.
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.
