Protective sleeve

• US 5,063,919 A
• Filed: 09/05/1989
• Issued: 11/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Doris C. Silverberg
• Original Assignee: Doris C. Silverberg
• Inventors: Silverberg, Doris C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schroeder, Werner H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette E.
• Application Number:
  US07/403,087
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 2/16, 2/59, 2/76, 2/22, 2/240, 2/311, 2/312, 36/110, 128/82, 128/157, 128/158, 24/72.7, 24/102 A, 24/131 R, 24/573.1
• US Class Current: 602/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/041 Accessories for stiffening bandages, e.g. cast liners, heel-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/004 Bandage protectors

Abstract

A water proof member protects casts, splints, or other appliances or surgical dressings from water damage. A combination of a securing member and straps secure the member and provide a water proof seal between the water proof member and the wearer.

Claims

1. A wearable member for protecting an extremity of a user enclosed or otherwise associated with a cast, splint, a surgical dressing, or other bandage treatment, comprising:

means for protecting an extremity, the extremity protecting means defining an extremity receiving cavity;

means for securing the protecting means about the extremity, the securing means adjustable about the extremity of the user, and a securing means receiving means extending generally around the circumference of the protecting means;

means for receiving the securing means, the receiving means associated with the extremity protecting means, the receiving means further defining access means for accessing the securing means in order to secure the extremity protecting means to the extremity of the user; and

means for fastening securing means, the fastening means including a generally dumb bell shaped member having opposing protuberances connected by an intermediate shaft member, wherein the securing means wrap around the intermediate shaft and below the protuberances so as to fasten the securing means in place with a desired and adjustable tension.

2. A wearable member as set forth in claim 1 wherein means for protecting an extremity include a generally tubular member having an open end and a closed end, the tubular member defining a cavity for receiving an extremity of an individual with a plaster cast, a splint, or a surgical dressing.

3. A wearable member as set forth in claim 1 wherein adjustable securing means and fastening means comprise:

at least one channel located proximate extremity receiving means for receiving a securing means for securing the tubular member about the extremity;

securing means for securing the tubular member about the extremity; and

fastening means for fastening the securing means received in the channel and providing a desired and adjustable tightness of the securing means about the extremity, the securing means and the fastening means cooperating so as to provide a substantially water proof seal between the extremity receiving means of the tubular member and the extremity.

4. A sleeve for protecting an extremity of a user when the extremity requires a plaster cast, a splint, or a surgical dressing, comprising:

a tubular member with one closed end and having means therefore receiving an extremity to which has been applied a cast, splint, dressing or other treatment not generally intended to become wet while the associated injury or wound heals;

one or more channels located proximate extremity receiving means for receiving a securing means for securing the tubular member about the extremity;

securing means for securing the tubular member about the extremity; and

fastening means for fastening the securing means received in one of the associated channel and providing a desired and adjustable tightness of the securing means about the extremity, the fastening means including a generally dumb bell shaped member having opposing protuberances connected by an intermediate shaft member, wherein the securing means wrap around the intermediate shaft and below the protuberances so as to fasten the securing means in place with a desired and adjustable tension.

5. A sleeve as set forth in claim 4 wherein the tubular member further includes at least two channels, one channel located proximate to the open end of the sleeve, the one channel having at least one pair of opposing openings for receiving the securing means;

and

another channel located intermediate the one channel and the closed end of the tubular member, the other channel having at least one pair of opposing openings for receiving the securing means.

6. A sleeve as set forth in claim 5 wherein the tubular member further includes an intermediate channel located intermediate the one channel and the other channel, the intermediate channel having at least one pair of opposing openings for receiving the securing means.

7. A sleeve as set forth in claim 4 wherein the securing means includes a continuous elastic securing band doubled up and inserted in one channel such that opposing end loops formed by the doubling up of the band protrude from one pair of opposing channel openings of the channel receiving the elastic securing band.

8. A sleeve as set forth in claim 4 wherein the combination of fastening means and securing means comprise:

a tightening and securing member having a first knob, a second knob spaced apart from and connected to the first knob by a flexible intermediate shaft; and

the securing means includes a continuous elastic securing band doubled up and inserted in one channel such that opposing end loops formed by the doubling up of the band protrude from opposing channel opening pairs of the channel receiving the elastic securing band, such that the first knob inserts into one loop of the elastic band and the second knob inserts into the opposing loop of the elastic band for tightening the elastic band by successively wrapping the elastic band around the flexible intermediate shaft and over the knobs.

9. A protective sleeve as set forth in claim 4 wherein the closed end forms a generally foot-shaped portion.

10. A protective sleeve as set forth in claim 9 wherein the generally foot-shaped portion includes at least one non-skid rubber strip.

11. A protective sleeve as set forth in claim 9 wherein the sleeve includes an elastic strap tied about an ankle portion of the individual and on the outside of the sleeve, thereby securing the sleeve in order to impede the sleeve from creeping down over the heel and foot of the individual while walking with the sleeve in place over a lower extremity and foot portion.

12. A protective sleeve as set forth in claim 4 wherein the closed end forms a glove-shaped portion.

13. A protective sleeve as set forth in claim 9 wherein the generally glove-shaped portion includes at least one non-skid rubber strip.

14. A protective sleeve for protecting an extremity of a user when the extremity requires a plaster cast, a splint, or a surgical dressing, comprising:

a generally tubular member having an open end and a closed end, the tubular member defining a sleeve-like cavity for receiving an extremity of an individual with a plaster cast, a splint, or a surgical dressing;

an upper channel located proximate to the open end of the sleeve, the upper channel having a first anterior opening and a second anterior opening, the upper channel further including a first posterior opening and a second posterior opening;

a lower channel located intermediate the upper channel and the closed end of the sleeve, the lower channel having a first anterior opening and a second anterior opening, the lower channel further including a first posterior opening and a second posterior opening;

an intermediate channel located intermediate the upper channel and the lower channel, the intermediate channel having a first anterior opening and a second anterior opening, the intermediate channel further including a first posterior opening and a second posterior opening;

a continuous elastic securing band doubled up and inserted in one channel such that opposing end loops protrude form either first and second anterior openings or first and second posterior openings of the associated elastic securing band receiving channel; and

a tightening and securing member having a first knob, a second knob spaced apart from and connected to the first knob by a flexible intermediate shaft, whereby the first knob is inserted into one loop of the elastic band and the second knob is inserted into the opposing loop of the elastic band and the elastic band is tightened by successively wrapping the elastic band over the flexible intermediate shaft and between and around the knobs to tighten the elastic band and provide a substantially water proof closure about the individual'"'"'s extremity without excessively tightening the elastic band.

15. A protective sleeve as set forth in claim 14 wherein the closed end forms a generally foot-shaped portion.

16. A protective sleeve as set forth in claim 15 wherein the generally foot-shaped portion includes at least one non-skid rubber strip.

17. A protective sleeve as set forth in claim 16 wherein the sleeve includes an elastic strap tied about an ankle portion of the individual and on the outside of the sleeve, thereby securing the sleeve in order to impede the sleeve from creeping down over the heel and foot of the individual while walking with the sleeve in place over a lower extremity and foot portion.

18. A protective sleeve as set forth in claim 14 wherein the closed end forms a glove-shaped portion.

19. A protective sleeve as set forth in claim 18 wherein the generally glove-shaped portion includes at least one non-skid rubber strip.