Surgical splint assembly

Abstract

A surgical splint assembly includes a plurality of substantially identical rigid splint units, each of which is formed from a metal strip that is narrower at one end than the other and provided with integral side flanges turned inwardly toward each other. The portions of the flanges at the wide end of the strip are spaced from the strip a distance about equal to twice the thickness of the strip, while the portions of the flanges at the opposite end are substantially flat against the strip. The narrower end of each unit is insertable in a like splint unit between the wide end of its strip and the flanges spaced therefrom to telescopically connect the two units together. Means can also be provided for detachably connecting a pair of these splint units edge to edge to double the width of the splint.

Description

There is need for a splint that can be adjusted in length for use on either arms or legs, and yet which can be broken down into short sections that can be stored in a typical first-aid kit until needed. U.S. Pat. No. 2,269,065 shows a surgical splint that is adjustable in length, but which has some shortcomings. One of these is that one of the splint sections consists of only a flat metal strip, which lacks the strength and resistance to bending that the other strip possesses by reason of its side flanges. Another disadvantage is that the length of the splint is limited because no provision is made for connecting more than two sections together. There also is no provision for connecting like splints side by side to provide a wider splint.

It is among the object of this invention to provide a surgical splint assembly in which there can be any desired number of relatively short splint units of substantially identical construction, in which each splint unit is as strong as every other splint unit, in which a splint of any desired length can be formed, in which separate fastening members are not required for holding the splint units together end to end, and in which provision is made for connecting splint units side by side to increase the width of a splint.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a front view of a splint unit;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line II--II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front view of two splint units telescoped together;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a different arrangement of two splint units; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line V--V of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, any desired number of substantially identical splint units 1 like the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided, which can be connected end to end to form a splint of any desired length. Each of these units is relatively short; for example, about eight inches long, so that it can fit inside a typical first aid kit. Each unit is formed from a metal strip 2 that is slightly narrower at one end than at the opposite end and that is provided with integral side flanges 3 that are turned inwardly toward each other so that they overlie the strip to some extent. Preferably, the strip is tapered uniformly from end to end. Extending inwardly from the narrower end of the strip for at least about an inch, the side flanges are pressed down against the strip. For the rest of the way the flanges are spaced from the strip a distance equal to substantially twice the thickness of the strip. The width and thickness of the narrower end of the splint unit are such that it can be inserted a short distance into another of the splint units between the wide end of the latter's strip and its flanges, as shown in FIG. 3, whereby the adjoining ends of the two units are telescoped together. They fit snugly together to provide a rigid splint. The spacing of the major portions of the flanges from the strip strengthens the splint against bending.

In order to hold the two splint units together and against accidental separation, each of them has a hole 5 in one end of its strip and a detent 6 pressed out of the opposite end. In the areas where the two units are telescoped together, the detent on one unit projects into the hole in the other unit. This prevents separation of the two splint units unless considerable force is applied to them in opposite directions to pull them apart lengthwise. Preferably, the hole is in the narrower end of the unit and the detent is at the opposite end so that there will be no projection from the back side of the strip opposite the side flanges. As many splint units as desired can be connected together end to end in the manner just described and all of them will have the same resistance to bending because they are all made alike, which also is an economical way to make splints. There are no separate fastening members to hold the units together, the registering detents and holes being sufficient for that purpose. This also reduces the cost of the splints.

Another feature of this invention is that two or more of the units can be connected edge to edge to at least double the width of the splint. For this purpose, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a clip is provided that can clamp onto two splint units disposed edge to edge. Such a clip is formed from a pair of laterally spaced rigid plates 8, to the central portion of which the opposite ends of a stiff bar 9 is secured, such as by welding. The width of each plate is such that it can be inserted in the wide end of a splint unit between its strip 2 and its adjoining side flanges. When the clip plates are thus inserted in two side-by-side splint units, the connecting bar 9 extends across the flanges 3 at the inner or adjacent edges of the units. The clip will hold the two splint units edge-to-edge. To enable the clip plates to be slid across the detents 6, the plates can be bowed outwardly away from the strips as shown in FIG. 5. A third splint section could be added by using a second clip, which would connect the third unit to one of the other units. Of course, the length of this multiple-width splint can be increased by adding splint units to its ends in the manner first described herein.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, we have explained the principle of our invention and have illustrated and described what we now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, we desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

Claims

We claim:

1. A surgical splint assembly comprising a plurality of substantially identical rigid splint units, each of said units being in the form of a single metal strip tapered in width from end to end and provided with integral side flanges turned inwardly toward each other, the free edges of the flanges being opposed to each other and spaced apart, the portions of said flanges at the wide end of the strip being spaced from the strip a distance equal to substantially twice the thickness of the strip, and the portions of said flanges at the opposite end of the strip being disposed substantially flat against the strip, the narrower end of each unit being removably inserted in a like splint unit between the wide end of its strip and the flanges spaced therefrom to telescopically wedge the two units together.

2. A surgical splint according to claim 1, including rigid means for detachably connecting two of said splint units edge to edge to hold them in the same plane, said means having end portions for insertion between said strips and flanges.

3. A surgical splint according to claim 2, in which said connecting means is a clip comprising a pair of laterally spaced rigid plates, each plate being insertable in the wide end of a splint between its strip and its adjoining flanges, and a rigid bar extending across the flanges at the inner edges of the two splint units, the ends of the bar being rigidly secured to the central portions of said plates.

4. A surgical splint according to claim 3, in which the narrower end of each of said strips is provided with a hole, and the opposite end of the strip has a detent for projecting into the hole in a like splint unit to hold the telescoped units together, said plates being bowed outwardly away from the adjoining strips to permit the plates to be moved across said detents.