U.S. patent number 3,895,451 [Application Number 05/404,330] was granted by the patent office on 1975-07-22 for breakable leg.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Alderson Research Laboratories, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph G. Smrcka.
United States Patent |
3,895,451 |
Smrcka |
July 22, 1975 |
Breakable leg
Abstract
A leg for a medical training dummy comprising a metallic
simulated leg bone around which is molded an integral skin foam.
The leg bone member includes a hinge for simulating a broken leg.
Skinning of the foam against the hinge surface is prevented by
wrapping the hinge with a relatively soft foam prior to casting.
The hinge includes detents for holding the leg in either its broken
or unbroken state.
Inventors: |
Smrcka; Joseph G. (Norwalk,
CT) |
Assignee: |
Alderson Research Laboratories,
Inc. (Stamford, CT)
|
Family
ID: |
27018604 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/404,330 |
Filed: |
October 9, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/274;
264/DIG.14; 446/296; 446/390 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H
3/003 (20130101); G09B 23/32 (20130101); Y10S
264/14 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
3/00 (20060101); G09B 23/00 (20060101); G09B
23/32 (20060101); G09b 023/32 () |
Field of
Search: |
;35/17 ;46/163,173
;264/DIG.14 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Skogquist; Harland S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Buckles & Bramblett
Claims
I claim:
1. A limb for a training dummy which comprises: first and second
structural members simulating a bone in said limb; a hinge joining
said structural members at a location where a joint normally does
not exist; a non-skinning foam wrapped around said hinge; and
integral skin foam simulated flesh enveloping said structural
members, hinge, and non-skinning foam and having exterior contours
resembling a human limb.
2. The limb of claim 1 wherein said simulated flesh defines an
external recess adjacent said hinge for permitting flexure of said
limb at said hinge.
3. The limb of claim 1 wherein said hinge comprises means for
holding said hinge in a broken position and in an unbroken
position.
4. The limb of claim 3 wherein said holding means comprises a
detent.
5. The limb of claim 3 wherein said detent comprises: a ball in
said first structural member; and a recess defined by said second
structural member positioned to receive said ball when said hinge
is in an unbroken position.
6. The limb of claim 5 wherein said hinge includes means for
resiliently retaining said first and second structural members in
hinged relationship.
7. The limb of claim 6 wherein said hinge comprises: a hinge pin
passing through said first and second structural members; and a
resilient member compressively held against one of said structural
members by said hinge pin.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to that class of dummies that are utilized
for providing medical or first aid training. Dummies of this type
are widely used for first aid training of personnel such as police,
firemen, utility workers, and others. Prior art dummies are
relatively complex because each requires at least three separate
elements, namely a skeleton, simulated flesh, and simulated skin.
It would also be desirable to incorporate into such dummies means
for simulating a broken arm or leg. The problem of complexity can
be partially overcome by use of a relatively new integral skin
flexible foam for the simulated flesh. These foams have a tough
urethane polymer skin with a medium to low density foam core
obtained from a single pouring operation. The metal mold provides
the heat sink required for skin formation. One such foam,
"FLEXIPOL" FSF-106 is available from Flexible Products Company,
Marietta, Georgia. However, if such a foam is used in combination
with a metal hinge to simulate a broken limb, problems arise
because of the formation of the tough urethane skin on the metal
surface of the hinge.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to
provide a breakable limb for a training dummy.
Another object is to provide such a limb which also utilizes an
integral skin foam.
Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent from
the following description and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is provided a limb for a training dummy which comprises first
and second structural members simulating a bone in the limb. The
structural members are joined by a hinge located at a point removed
from a normal joint location. Simulated flesh envelops the
structural members and has exterior contours resembling a human
limb.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings,
FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the lower portion of a training
dummy with a portion broken away to illustrate the internal
construction;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 with a portion broken
away to illustrate the internal construction;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section taken substantially along the
lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the leg in its broken
position; and
FIG. 5 is a cross section taken substantially along the line 5--5
of FIG. 3 .
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated
the lower portion of a training dummy incorporating the present
invention. A basic metal framework 10 forms the skeletal portion
and is covered with an integral skin foam 12 forming both flesh and
skin. The framework 10 includes an upright attachment post 14 which
may be secured to a mating torso, a transverse hip member 16 which
may be welded thereto, and upper 18 and lower 20 right leg members.
The upper leg member 18 may be connected to the hip member 16 by
means of rubber bands and the upper and lower leg members may be
connected together at the knee by means of masking tape 22. No more
permanent construction is required because it is only necessary to
hold the members together while in the mold. After molding, the
flesh itself serves to support them.
The lower left leg member 24 is similar to that of the right but
the upper leg bone differs in order to simulate a break. It
includes a flat bar upper member 26 and a flat bar lower member 28.
These members are connected together by means of a hinge H which is
illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 3-5. It comprises a hinge pin
formed from a bolt 30 and nut 32. Compressively held between the
head of bolt 30 and the member 26 is a rubber spring 34. Drilled
into the member 26 is a pair of holes 36, 38 equally spaced on
opposite sides of the bolt 30. Into each hole is inserted a ball
bearing 40, 42 which is large enough to protrude slightly above the
inner surface of the upper member 26. Each ball is retained in its
respective hole by means of a peen 44, 46. The lower member 28 is
drilled so as to define a pair of conical depressions 48, 50 which
normally receive the protruding surfaces of the respective balls,
as illustrated in FIG. 5. This construction serves as a latch or
detent mechanism for normally retaining the leg in its straight
position as illustrated in FIG. 3. However, upon supplying the
necessary force to the hinge, the rubber spring 34 compresses,
permitting the member 28 with its depressions 48, 50 to be moved
out of engagement with the balls. When moved to the position
illustrated in FIG. 4, the balls are positioned against the edges
of the lower member 28 and retain it in such position against the
normal resilience of the foam 12. The foam 12 is molded with a slot
52 adjacent the hinge which opens as illustrated in FIG. 4 to
overcome any impediment to the hinge action by the tough urethane
skin.
As previously mentioned, the integral skin foam would also tend to
form a skin against the surface of the hinge. This is prevented in
the present invention by wrapping the hinge prior to molding with a
softer encasing foam 54. This may also be a urethane foam but
preferably one of lighter density. It may be held in place by
rubber bands 56, or any other suitable means for retaining it in
position during the molding process.
It will be noted that the present invention provides a breakable
limb for a training dummy and that the break is detented so that
the limb remains in either the straight or broken position against
the natural resiliency of the foam. Furthermore this construction
is achieved utilizing an integral skin foam with its advantage of
simpler construction and reduced number of parts.
It will be understood that a number of variations and modifications
may be made in this invention without departing from its spirit and
scope. It will be further apparent that this invention may be
applicable for simulation of breaks in any limb or body member.
Accordingly, the word "limb" as used in the following claims shall
be construed to include not only arms and legs, but such other
members as fingers and toes. The foregoing description is to be
construed as illustrative only, rather than limiting. The invention
is limited only by the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *