U.S. patent application number 12/927811 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-24 for universally adjustable cervical collar.
Invention is credited to Thomas Haider.
Application Number | 20120130295 12/927811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46065010 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120130295 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haider; Thomas |
May 24, 2012 |
Universally adjustable cervical collar
Abstract
A universally adjustable cervical collar is in the form of a
U-shaped base with a front joined to a pair of rearwardly extending
wings. Left and right planar chin supports are pivotally connected
at their distal ends to the distal ends to of respective wings with
a chin piece connected between the upper proximal ends of the chin
supports. An adjustable latch is individually coupled between each
wing and the lower proximal end of the associated chin supports.
Preferably the latch is in the form of 1) an arcuate slot in each
wing arranged around the respective pivot axis with a track formed
on opposite sides of the slot having inwardly projecting ribs and
2) a retractable locking pin carried by each chin support and
moveable within the respective slot, the locking pins having
outwardly projecting ribs adapted to engage adjacent ribs in the
associated track to lock the chin support to the associated wing
when in the locked position and to allow the chin support to be
moved relative to the associated wing when in the retracted
position
Inventors: |
Haider; Thomas; (Riverside,
CA) |
Family ID: |
46065010 |
Appl. No.: |
12/927811 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/055 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/18 |
International
Class: |
A61F 5/00 20060101
A61F005/00 |
Claims
1. A universally adjustable cervical collar comprising: a) a
generally U-shaped base having a front, adapted to extend over a
patient's sternum, joined to left and right rearwardly extending
arms, adapted to extend over the patient's shoulders, b) left and
right chin supports pivotally connected along generally horizontal
axes to the distal ends of respective arms of the base and
extending forwardly to upper and lower front sections. c) a chin
piece disposed between the upper front sections of the chin
supports and, d) an adjustable latch mechanism coupled between each
of the arms and the lower front sections of the respective chin
supports, each latch mechanism being arranged along an arc arranged
about the respective pivot axis to allow each chin support to be
moved relative to the collar base.
2. The collar of claim 1 wherein the latch mechanism is arranged to
change the height of the chin piece.
3. The collar of claim 2 wherein the latch mechanism is arranged to
change the angle of the chin piece relative to the vertical.
4. The collar of claim 3 wherein the latch mechanism includes a
curved track positioned on each of the arms or the chin supports
and a releasable locking pin positioned on the other member, the
tracks having a plurality of spaced inwardly projecting ribs and
the pins having outwardly projecting ribs arranged to engage
adjacent ribs on the track in the locked position.
5. The collar of claim 4 wherein each track comprises a pair of
tracks located on each side of a curved slot.
6. The collar of claim 5 wherein the tracks are located on the arms
with each chin support is located inwardly of the respective
arm.
7. The collar of claim 6 wherein the pin is arranged to travel
within the respective slot and movable toward the respective arm to
lock the chin support to the arm and away from the arm to allow the
respective chin support to move relative to the arm, whereby the
chin piece may be positioned at a desired height and angle relative
to the base.
8. A universally adjustable cervical collar comprising: a) a
generally U-shaped base having a front adapted to extend over a
patient's sternum and clavicle joined to left and right rearwardly
extending wings, adapted to extend over the patient's shoulders,
each wing having a distal end, b) left and right chin supports,
each chin support having a distal section pivotally connected to
the distal ends of respective wings, and defining upper and lower
proximal sections, c) a chin piece connected between the upper
proximal sections of the chin supports, and d) an adjustable latch
mechanism located between the lower proximal section of each chin
support and the associated wing, each latch mechanism being
arranged along a sector of a circle having a center at the
respective pivot axis to allow the proximal sections of the chin
supports to be independently adjusted relative to its associated
wing.
9. The collar of claim 8 wherein the latch mechanism is in the form
of an arcuate slot formed in the respective wing or chin support
with a track section formed on at least one side of the slot and a
movable locking pin mounted on the other member for engaging the
track and independently locking each chin support to a selected
position on the associated wing.
10. The collar of claim 9 wherein the slot is formed in the wings
and the locking pin is carried by the chin supports.
11. The collar of claim 10 wherein the track is formed with
inwardly projecting ribs on each side of the slot and the locking
pin is formed with outwardly projecting ribs for selectively
engaging the track ribs.
12. The collar of claim 11 wherein the locking pin is carried in a
sleeve which rides in the slot.
13. The collar of claim 12 wherein the slot if framed by an annular
shelf with the tract extending above and around the shelf and the
sleeve is in the form of a receptacle having a flange adapted to
ride on the shelf as the pin is moved relative to the wing to
adjust the height of the proximal sections of the associated chin
support.
14. A universally adjustable cervical collar comprising: a) a
generally U-shaped base having a front joined to left and right
rearwardly extending wings, b) an elongated chin piece having two
ends, c) a pair of generally planar chin supports, each chin
support being pivotally connected at a distal end to a respective
wing and at the other end to a respective end of the chin piece,
and d) a latch individually connected between each associated wing
and chin support and arranged to allow each chin support to be
selectively raised and lowered and inclined relative to the
vertical.
15. The collar of claim 14 in which the latch is arranged to lock
the chin piece in a selected position.
16. The collar of claim 15 wherein each chin support defines an
upper and lower proximal section with the associated chin support
being pivotally connected between the upper proximal sections of
the chin supports.
17. The collar of claim 16 wherein the latch comprises a curved
slot in each wing with the curve forming a sector of a circle
having a center at the respective pivot axis of the chin support, a
track adjacent the slot and a locking pin carried by each chin
support, the locking pin being moveable within the slot and
arranged to selectively engage the track to lock each chin support
in a selected position relative to the associated wing.
18. The collar of claim 17 wherein each chin support is located
inwardly of its associate wing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to portable neck braces and
more particularly to a cervical collar that is universally
adjustable to provide the quality of "one size fits all", easy to
install and provides a comfortable fit to enable a patient to wear
the collar in compliance with the physician's orders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Portable neck braces have been used for years to immobilize
the head and neck of a patient and put them in proper alignment
after an injury as a result of trauma or disease. Cervical collars
are generally of two types, either off-the-shelf-stock type which
comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate a population of patients
or collars which have certain adjustable features to reduce or
hopefully eliminate the need for a variety of sizes.
[0003] The art relating to portable neck braces and cervical
collars is crowded, particularly in the patent literature. The
various prior art braces have certain shortcomings, leaving a need
to be filled. For example, the portion of the brace which supports
the chin needs to be adjustable in a vertical direction to
accommodate different anatomies. In addition the chin support needs
to be adjustable to allow the head to be canted to one side or tile
other; i.e. tilted relative to the vertical. In addition to those
needs the brace or collar must be economical to manufacture,
sturdy, easy to install, comfortable to wear and easy to
adjust.
[0004] With respect to the prior art noted in certain patents see
U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,234, ("234 patent") which discloses a cervical
collar that uses a somewhat complicated rack and pinion arrangement
to raise and lower a chin strap; however, there is no ability to
adjust the chin strap supports independently so the patient's head
can be canted to one side (tilted relative the vertical) to
accommodate a required anatomical constraint. U.S. Pat. No.
6,254,560 discloses another somewhat complicated cervical collar in
which only vertical adjustment appears to be possible. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,005,563 discloses a cervical collar in which vertical
adjustment is accomplished by means of a threaded groove and a worm
screw. US Pub. No. 2004/0204666 A1, discloses a complicated
cervical spine brace and traction device in which a rear portion
abutting the patient's occipital region of the skull can be
adjusted vertically by means of two lead screws and gear boxes. It
would not appear to be user friendly or economical to manufacture.
Also see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,726,643, 6,036,664, Re Nos. 34,714, and
36,745 and US Patent Appln. 2005/0113728 A1.
[0005] The universally adjustable cervical collar of the present
invention addresses the short comings of the prior art and has
achieved significant commercial acceptance in a short period since
it was introduced into the market earlier this year. As an example,
the present invention is fairing quite well against a competitive
cervical collar generally following the teachings of the '234
patent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A cervical collar in accordance with this invention
comprises a generally U-shaped base with a front, adapted to extend
over the sternum of a patient, joined to a pair of rearwardly
extending left and right wings or arms, adapted to extend over
respective shoulders of the patient. Left and right generally
planar chin or jaw supports are pivotally connected to the
approximate distal ends of the associated wings and extend
forwardly to a proximal end defining upper and lower proximal
sections.
[0007] A chin piece, generally in the form of a semi-rigid strap,
is pivotally mounted at each end to the upper proximal sections of
the chin supports. An adjustable latching system in the form of a
retractable latch mechanism is individually coupled between each of
the arms and the lower proximal section of the associated chin
supports. Each latch is arranged along an arc or sector of a circle
centered on the associated axis about which the respective chin
support is pivotally mounted on its associated wing.
[0008] In the preferred embodiment the latch mechanism includes a
curved track positioned on each of the arms or the chin supports
with a releasable locking pin positioned on the other member. Most
preferably an arcuate slot is formed in the wings with a track
having ribs or teeth extending inwardly from each side of the slot.
A retractable locking pin is carried by the chin supports and
provided with outwardly projecting ribs or teeth for engaging
adjacent teeth on the track when in the locked position. When the
pin is retracted from its locked position the proximal end of the
chin supports are free to move relative to the wings and
independently of each other. This allows the chin piece to not only
be raised or lowered but canted at an angle to the base, i.e. to
the vertical as is illustrated in FIG. 7.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the cervical collar
together with the back piece forming a completed neck brace with
foam lining in place for the comfort of a patient;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a slightly altered side view of the cervical
collar alone with the foam lining in place and the locking pin
portion of the retractable latch mechanism (visible on the left
side of the collar) shown in the locked position;
[0011] FIG. 3 is the same side view of the collar without the foam
showing the chin piece in its lowest position;
[0012] FIG. 4 is the side view of the collar with the chin piece in
its highest position and the locking pins in their retracted or
unlocked positions;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the collar with the
chin piece in its lowest position and the locking pins in their
retracted positions;
[0014] FIG. 6 is the same view as FIG. 5 with the chin piece in its
highest position;
[0015] FIG. 7 is the same view as FIG. 5 with the chin piece in a
canted position causing the patient's chin and head to assume an
angle to vertical;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the foam padding for the cervical
collar;
[0017] FIGS. 9a and 9b are top plan views of the back piece without
the foam and of the foam, respectively;
[0018] FIG. 9c is a plan view of the strap;
[0019] FIGS. 10a, and 10b, are a top plan view and a side view of
the locking pin portion of the latch mechanism showing the
anti-rotation stubs that fit into the receptacle (shown in FIGS. 11
and 12);
[0020] FIG. 10c is another side view of the locking pin, FIG. 10d
is a top plan view of a metal retaining washer for securing the
bottom of the locking pin in place in the receptacle to be
described;
[0021] FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c are a side view, a top plan view and
another side view of the upper component of the receptacle,
respectively; FIG. 11b shows the slots for receiving the
anti-rotation stubs of the locking pin;
[0022] FIGS. 12a, 12b and 12c are a bottom plan view, a side view
and a top plan view of the lower component, respectively;
[0023] FIG. 13a is an isolated view of the assembled locking pin
(without the retaining washer) and receptacle in place in a the
associate opening in a wing, looking toward the wing, showing in
phantom lines the keyway stubs in the lower component with the
anti-rotation ribs of the upper component seated in the slots
formed in the stubs;
[0024] FIG. 13b is an exterior side view a chin support, showing
the keyway slots for receiving the cooperating keyway stubs of the
lower component of the receptacle;
[0025] FIG. 13c is an inside view (broken away) of the lower
proximal section of one of the chin supports assembled to one of
the wings showing the assembled locking pin and receptacle in place
and the raised raceway on the inside of the wing.
[0026] FIG. 14a is a broken away side view of the receptacle in
place in the slot of one of the wings.
[0027] FIG. 14b is the same view of the receptacle and wing of FIG.
14a with a phantom view of the locking pin in a locked position
showing the manner in which the ribs on the locking pin engage
adjacent ribs on the track formed in the associated collar wing to
freeze the rotational movement of the chin support relative to the
associated collar wing; and
[0028] FIGS. 15a-15f are simplified perspective views of the collar
illustrating one method of securing the invention in place.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
General Discussion of the Cervical Collar and Back Piece
[0029] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG.
1, a cervical collar 10 and back piece 12 form a complete neck
brace with foam lining segments 14 and 16 in place. The back piece
is releasably secured to the collar via conventional hook and loop
fasteners attached to the collar at 17a and to the underside of the
strap 17b. The foam padding 14 for the collar, before installation,
is shown in FIG. 8. The back piece 12 is shown in FIG. 9a with the
slots 12 arranged to receive the strap 17b. The openings 12c serve
to reduce the weight and increase the flexibility of the back
piece. The foam padding 16 is illustrated in FIG. 9b. The foam
padding may be secured to the collar and the back piece, by means
of hook and loop fasteners, not shown. The strap, 17b, is shown in
FIG. 9c.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 2-7, the cervical collar 10 comprises
a generally U-shaped base having a front section 10a, adapted to
extend over a patient's sternum, joined to left (10b) and right
(10c) rearwardly extending wings or arms, adapted to extend over a
patient's shoulders. The wings terminate in distal sections 10d,
(only the left one is shown). The base and back pieces are formed
of a suitable polymeric material capable of retaining their shape
while allowing some bending to allow the wings to conform to a
patient's neck when secured thereto via the back piece. The collar
base includes a more flexible extension 10e connected to the lower
portion of the front section 10a by a pair of plastic rivets, 10f.
The extension is arranged, with its underlying foam, to rest
against the patient's upper chest.
[0031] Left and right generally planar chin supports 18a and 18b,
respectfully, are pivotally connected at their distal ends 18c (see
FIG. 13), via plastic rivets 19a, along generally horizontally axes
19b and 19c to the distal sections 10d of the wings of the base.
The chin supports, which are located inwardly of the wings, define
upper and lower proximal sections 18d and 18e, respectively, which
collectively are sometimes referred to as the proximal end of the
chin supports. A chin piece 20, generally shaped to accommodate a
patient's chin, is pivotally connected at each end to the upper
proximal sections 18d of the chin supports, via plastic fasteners
19d, as shown.
Discussion of the Adjustable Latching System
[0032] The adjustable latching system comprises an adjustable latch
mechanism 22 (herein after "an adjustable latch" or "latch")
individually coupled between each arm or wing (10b,10c) and the
associated chin support (18a,18b). Each adjustable latch is
arranged along an arc about the respective pivot axis (19b,19c) to
allow the proximal end of each chin support to be moved
independently along the associated wing. The arc may be considered
as a sector of a circle with its center at the respective pivot
axis as shown. More specifically, the preferred adjustable latch
comprises a curved track 21 formed on upstanding wall 21b
surrounding an elliptical slot 21c, following the arc in each wing
(FIG. 3) and a retractable locking pin 26 slidably mounted in a
receptacle 28/30 carried by the associated chin support, the
locking pin being arranged to releasably engage the track, as will
be explained in more detail.
[0033] The range of the movement, or the chin supports, is
illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, in which FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 show the chin
supports and the chin piece in their lowest position, while FIGS. 4
and 6 show the chin supports in their upper most position. FIG. 7
shows the chin supports in intermediate positions with the right
support disposed at a lower elevation than the left support leaving
the chin piece canted or inclined at an angle to the vertical (vs.
perpendicular thereto).
[0034] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the locking pins 26 (to be described)
of the adjustable latches in their locked or deployed position,
while FIGS. 4-7 show the latches in their retracted position.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 10, the locking pin, 26, includes a
rounded head 26a cut off on one side at 26b with an undercut
portion 26c on the other side to accommodate a person's fingers in
retracting the pin. The pin includes a depending spindle or shaft
26d with a slot 26e formed at its distal end to accommodate a
retaining washer 26f to maintain the pin in the receptacle while
allowing limited axial movement to accommodate the locking and
unlocking motion.
[0036] The pin further includes anti-rotation stubs 26g to prevent
the pin from rotating within the upper component 28 of the
receptacle. Downwardly extending locking ribs 26h are arranged to
engage adjacent radially extending ribs on the track formed in the
wing to lock the associated chin support to the wing when the pin
is in its locked position, as will become apparent.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, an upper component 28 of the
receptacle is in the form of a sleeve with an intermediate annular
flange 28a bisecting a top cup portion 28b from a lower portion
28h. This sleeve surrounds a through hole 28c and defines
diametrically opposed posts 28d extending upwardly from the flange
and defining slots 28e for receiving the anti rotation stubs 26g on
the pin. The lower portion 28h surrounds the through hole and
includes radially extending anti-rotation ribs 28f for engaging
opposing slots 30c formed in the lower receptacle component 30, as
will be explained. The lower surface 28g of the flange is arranged
to engage an annular elliptical shelf 21d of the associated collar
wing surrounding the arcuate slot 21c. See FIG. 4.
[0038] The lower component 30 is in form of a cup defining a
continuation of the through hole 28c with an annular flange 30b
interrupted by opposing keyway ribs 30a for engaging keyway slots
18h in the lower proximal section of an associated chin support.
See FIG. 13a. The ribs 30a define internal slots 30c for receiving
the ribs 28f of the upper component. An upper ring 30d is also
interrupted by the ribs 30a. Four flexible retention flaps 30e
extend inwardly and downwardly from the bottom, maintaining the
upper component in place once assembled. The outer annular surface
is labeled 30f.
[0039] FIG. 13b shows the outer surface of one of the wings and
more specifically a raised annular surface 18f surrounding an
opening 18g through which the ring 30c and ribs 30a extend in the
assembled condition. The surface 18f includes two keyway slots 18h
for receiving the cooperating ribs 30a to prevent, with the
receptacle, the locking pin from rotating as it is moved along the
slot and track as the respective proximal end of the chin support
is raised or lowered.
[0040] During assembly the lower component 30 (except for the
flange) is inserted into the opening 18g after the distal end of
the chin support has been mounted to its respective wing. The lower
portion 28h of the upper component 28 is then inserted through the
slot and into the lower component and secured thereto by forcing
the lip 28l through the opening 28c in the lower component until
the retaining flaps 30e engage the lip 28i. The pin is then
inserted through hole 28c and the retaining washer is forced into
the groove 26e to retain the pin in place while allowing the pin
limited axial movement to accommodate the locking and unlocking
motion. (See FIG. 4)
[0041] FIG. 13c is an inside view of an assembled chin support and
wing showing a raised surface 10g on the wing, surrounding the slot
21c, in the form of a raceway against which the raised surface 18f
of the chin support slides during relative movement between the two
members.
[0042] Each of the wings has indicia, 18i, on the outside thereof
labeled 1-6 showing the extent of movement of each chin support
relative the base. See FIGS. 4 and 13.
[0043] The curved track portion of the adjustable latch will now be
described in reference to FIGS. 14a and 14b. An arcuate slot 21c,
following a sector of a circle, having its center at the respective
pivot axis, is formed in each wing with an annular shelf 21d along
which the lower surface 28g of the flange 28a of the upper
component 28 of the receptacle rides when the chin support is
raised or lowered. Extending above and surrounding the slot on
opposed sides is the track, 21, with alternating ribs 21e and
grooves 21f. FIG. 14a shows the receptacle in place with out the
locking pin. FIG. 14b, shows, in phantom lines, the locking pin in
place with the ribs 26h engaging two adjacent ribs in the track.
This view also shows the anti-locking stubs 26g in place in the
corresponding slots in the upper receptacle component.
Securing the Cervical Collar and Back Piece to a Patient
[0044] One method of using the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 15a-15f. First, place the patient's head in neutral alignment
as illustrated, then place the back piece behind the patient's head
and carefully slide it towards the center to minimize the patient's
pain as is shown in FIG. 15a.
[0045] Next place the collar under the patient's chin and chest, as
is illustrated in FIG. 15b. The locking pins 26 may be used to
adjust the collar to the appropriate level. For example, the heads
26c of the locking pins may be pulled outwardly and upwardly to
adjust the collar's position.
[0046] Once positioned, place one hand on the collar and gently
attach the strap 17b on the back piece 12 to the hooks 17a on the
collar as is shown in FIGS. 15c and d.
[0047] For final adjustment pull the head 26a of the locking pin
outward and upward to adjust the position of the collar. Last push
the head 26a inward to lock the collar in place. See FIGS. 15e and
f.
[0048] There has been described and illustrated a novel cervical
collar and back piece which represents a significant improvement
over the prior art. The collar is adjustable vertically to
accommodate a wide range of patients; i.e., one size fits all. The
collar also allows the chin piece to be inclined to accommodate a
patient's anatomical constraints. Modifications and perhaps
improvements of the invention will occur to those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined
in the appended claims.
* * * * *