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.

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.

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.