Motion limiting device

• US 6,357,444 B1
• Filed: 02/18/1998
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jonathan A. Parker
• Original Assignee: Jonathan A. Parker
• Inventors: Parker, Jonathan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): POTHIER, DENISE M
• Application Number:
  US09/025,302
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• Field of Search: 128/845, 128/869, 128/871, 128/873, 128/874, 128/848, 245/5, 246/5, 246/3, 246/7, 2 6/9, 224/31, 563/3, 563/2, 563/0, 602/5, 602/19, 602/902
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 13/065 with sleep positioning feature
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 602/902 Antisnoring or mouth closing devices

Abstract

An apparatus for limiting body motion as a patient lies down includes a pad shaped to prevent the patient from rolling over the pad. The pad is shaped so that it projects outwardly 3 inches or more from the patient when attached to the human body. The base of the pad contacts the patient'"'"'s skin or sleep clothes. The pad has sidewalls which make an angle of greater than approximately 35° degrees with respect to the base. A removable, washable covering is placed on the pad. An attachment mechanism associated with the pad and the covering attach the pad and cover to the human body. The attachment mechanism can be a hook-and-loop fastener, a sports bra type device, a series of straps, a series of snaps, or a series of hooks. In each instance, the pad can be positioned at several positions on the body, including positions to the right or left of the patient'"'"'s medial plane. More than one pad can also be used to limit the body motion of a patient. One can be positioned on the posterior side of a patient and another can be positioned on an anterior side of a patient. In this way, the patient motion may be limited to lying on one side rather than discouraging rest while in the supine position.

Claims

1. A snoring prevention apparatus comprising:

an exterior cover;

a first over the shoulder strap attached to the exterior cover;

a second over the shoulder strap attached to the exterior cover;

a third waist strap attached to the exterior cover of sufficient length to pass around the patient at approximately the waist attached to the exterior cover; and

an inflatable air bladder contained within the exterior cover, the air bladder and exterior cover forming a pad, the pad having a base and first and second sidewalls extending from the base, the air bladder including a mechanism so that the firmness of the air bladder may be adjusted by inflating or deflating the air bladder, the first, second, and third straps being configured to attach to a patient'"'"'s body such that the base of the pad is affixed to the patient'"'"'s back at a location which prevents the patient from lying on the patient'"'"'s back, the first sidewall of the pad being angled with respect to the base in the direction of the second sidewall at an angle in the range between approximately 35° and

less than 110°

, the exterior cover and air bladder having a height of at least three inches and sized such that the pad extends from the patient'"'"'s body at least three inches when the base of the pad is affixed to the patient'"'"'s back during use.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shoulder strap is adjustable, and the second shoulder strap is adjustable, and the third waist strap is adjustable.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exterior cover includes a portion of a hook and loop fastener.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pad has a substantially trapezoidal cross section.