Immobilization vest designed to be put on without assistance

Abstract

The invention relates to an immobilization vest (10) comprising a forearm support (20) in the form of a sleeve with two openings having a front part (21) and a rear part (22) intended to come against the ventral part of the user, a first band (31) and a second band (41), the bands being fixed by one of their ends on the upper edge of the forearm support and forming two straps, the bands being held in a position in which they cross by means of a holding device (50), the two bands comprising on the inner face of their free end a hook-type self-gripping area (33, 43) intended to hook onto a velvet-type self-gripping area located on the outer face of the front part of the forearm support.According to the main feature of the invention, the two free ends of the straps are connected to the forearm support by a retaining link (60, 61, 62) to facilitate donning the vest by the user without external assistance. Figure 1 for the abbreviation.

Description

Title of the invention: Immobilization vest adapted to be put on without external assistance

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of orthopedic devices for immobilizing the arm and / or shoulder in order to prevent any movement of the elbow and arm after surgery or trauma and relates in particular to an immobilization vest adapted to be put on without external assistance. State of the art

[0002] An orthosis of the immobilizing vest type is used to position and support a person's arm and / or shoulder in a relatively immobile posture during recovery following surgery or trauma. Immobilizing vests usually need to be worn every day for several weeks, and putting them on can be cumbersome when the person is alone. While there are vests with an easy-to-don design, such as the Dr. Berrehail vest, these are difficult to put on and have several layers of overlapping fabric, making them extremely sweaty and hindering proper treatment adherence.

[0003] For example, document WO2024105143 describes an orthopedic vest comprising a main body from which a wide rear portion and a wide front portion extend, over which a panel extends to form a sleeve for a forearm of the user's upper limb. The orthopedic vest also includes an additional strap, one end of which is intended to be reversibly attached to the front portion or panel, and the other end of which is intended to be reversibly attached to the rear portion such that the additional strap encircles the arm of the upper limb.

[0004] Another type of vest, known as the "Dujarier" type, has two straps that cross in the back and a sleeve into which the wearer slides their forearm. As in the previous example, an additional strap secures the elbow to the body. An immobilization vest with one strap on each shoulder is described, for example, in patent US2015265453, in which a two-strap support harness distributes the weight of the limb across both shoulders. The straps have fasteners and adjustment straps. However, when this vest needs to be put on without assistance, the wearer must grasp the straps in the back and pull them over their shoulders one by one, or fasten the straps beforehand, adjusting them to the maximum size, then pull the vest over their head and adjust the straps and fasteners individually. Description of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the aim of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by providing a breathable immobilization vest designed so that its application is facilitated for the person wearing it even without outside help.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore an immobilization vest comprising a forearm support in the form of a sleeve with two openings having a front part and a rear part intended to come against the ventral part of the user, a first band and a second band, the bands being fixed by one of their ends on the upper edge of the forearm support and forming two straps, the bands being held in a position in which they cross by means of a holding device, the two bands comprising on the inner face of their free end a hook-type self-gripping area intended to come and grip on a velvet-type self-gripping area located on the outer face of the front part of the forearm support.According to the main feature of the invention, the two free ends of the bands are connected to the forearm support by a retaining link to facilitate the user's donning of the vest without external assistance.

[0007] According to advantageous but optional features of the invention, taken individually or in any technically permissible combination: - a single retaining strap slides inside the forearm support and is attached by its first end, exiting through the first opening of the support, to the end of the first band located on the same side as the first opening when the bands are in a crossed position, and in which the single retaining strap is attached by its second end, exiting through the second opening of the support, to the end of the second band located on the same side as the second opening when the bands are in a crossed position, the two openings being located on opposite sides of the support, - a first retaining strap is attached by its first end to the free end of the second band and by its second end to the lower edge of the forearm support, and a second retaining strap is attached by its first end to the free end of the first band and by its second end to the lower edge of the forearm support. - an elbow-to-body immobilization band comprising on the inner face of its ends a hook-type self-gripping area intended to hook onto the velvet-type self-gripping area located on the front face of the forearm support, a retaining tie connecting the two ends of the elbow-to-body immobilization band, - the retaining device comprises a sheath in which one of the two bands slides and a loop sewn onto the outside of the sheath and mounted diagonally in which the other of the two bands slides, - the support device is positioned so that the passerby is facing outwards, - the bands and forearm support are made of fabric, - the front part of the forearm support is a fabric whose outer surface is entirely made up of a self-gripping area of ​​a velvet type, such as a brushed mesh, - The back of the forearm support is made of breathable mesh fabric, - the retaining straps are elastic. - the hook and loop areas are part of removable elements so that they can be adjusted to different heights on the bands. Brief description of the figures

[0008] The aims, objects and features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0009] [Fig-1] represents a schematic perspective view of the immobilization vest according to the invention,

[0010] [Fig.2] represents a schematic perspective view of the immobilizing strip from the elbow to the body,

[0011] [Fig.3] represents a schematic view of a user wearing the immobilization vest and the elbow-to-body immobilization band,

[0012] [Fig.4] represents a schematic front view of the immobilization vest according to a alternative implementation. Detailed description of the invention

[0013] As used in the following description, the terms "internal" and "external" refer to the orientation of the device's surfaces, with the internal faces or sides facing the user and the external faces or sides facing away from the user, i.e., outwards. The terms "front," "rear," "upper," and "lower" simply refer to the orientation of the view shown when the particular drawing figure is facing the reader. Conversely, the terms "left" and "right" refer to the sides of the immobilization vest when worn and therefore refer respectively to the parts located on the right and left in the figures.

[0014] According to [Fig. 1], the device according to the invention is an immobilization vest 10 comprising a forearm support 20, a first band 31 and a second band 41, the first ends of which are permanently fixed respectively to the right and left of the upper edge of the forearm support 20 of the vest symmetrical immobilization. The forearm support 20 is in the form of a sleeve extending transversely into which the user slides their forearm in a horizontal position. The forearm support has two openings located on each side and is centered so that the vest can be used to immobilize either the right or left arm. The forearm support comprises a front portion 21 and a rear portion 22, substantially rectangular or trapezoidal in shape with rounded corners, the two portions being joined at their upper and lower edges. The rear portion 22 of the forearm support is the part facing the user's body; it is preferably made of a flexible, thin material such as mesh fabric to facilitate ventilation and limit the risk of perspiration.The front part 21, located on the outer side of the forearm support, is made of a flexible material such as a single or multi-layered fabric, the outer layer of which includes the first part of the immobilization vest's fastening device. The outer layer is preferably made entirely of a self-gripping material of a velvet type, such as a brushed mesh.

[0015] The two bands 31 and 41, also made of a flexible material such as one- or multi-layered fabric, form two straps designed to rest on the user's shoulders so that the weight of the arm supported by the forearm support 20 is distributed evenly over each shoulder and not over the user's neck. The free ends 32 and 42 of the two bands 31 and 41 have, on their inner side respectively, a zone 33 and 43 made of a hook-and-loop fastener. This zone may be rectangular or another shape and may be attached to the band by a seam. This zone constitutes the second part of the immobilization vest's fastening device.

[0016] The two bands 31 and 41 are designed to cross behind the user and are held in this position by a retaining device 50 so that they can move relative to the retaining device. Thus, in the crossed position, the first end of band 31 is fixed to the right side of the forearm support 20 and its free end 32 is designed to be attached to the left side of the forearm support 20, and vice versa for band 41. The retaining device comprises a substantially flat sleeve 51 into which one of the bands is threaded and a loop mounted diagonally outside the sleeve under which the other band is threaded, the two bands being able to slide freely in the sleeve and under the loop. In [Fig. 1], the retaining device 50 is shown so that the loop is located on the inner side for better visibility.However, in practice it is preferable to orient the retaining device 50 so that the band threaded into the sheath is the one against the user's back and the other band under the loop is the one oriented outwards as shown in the diagram. [Fig. 4] where the loop located behind is shown in dotted lines. This positioning is more comfortable and facilitates the sliding of the straps, as the strap under the loop is not pinched between the user's back and the sheath. The sheath 51 can be made by joining two pieces of fabric with a roughly rectangular shape, and the loop 52 can be made from an elastic material.

[0017] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the two bands 31 and 41 are connected at their free ends to the forearm support 20 by a single retaining strap 60 to facilitate donning the vest by the user without external assistance. The retaining strap 60, which is longer than the forearm support, slides inside the forearm support and its ends protrude from each side of the forearm support. The strap 60 is attached at its first end to the end 32 of the first band 31 and at its second end to the end 42 of the second band 41. The end of the strap protruding from the right side of the forearm support 20 is attached to the end 42 of the band 41, while the end of the strap protruding from the left side of the forearm support is attached to the end 32 of the band 31.The length of the restraint 60 is such that when its center is aligned with the center of the forearm support 20, it protrudes by about ten centimeters on each side.

[0018] The link 60 is attached to the end of the bands but can also be attached before the end, up to a distance of about 10 cm, before the area bearing the hook-type self-gripping material, in order to prevent the link 60 from catching on it and in order to be able to cut the end of the bands 31 and 41 without cutting the link 60.

[0019] The immobilization vest also includes an elbow-to-body immobilization band 70, illustrated in [Fig. 2], made of a flexible material such as fabric, and whose two ends 71 ​​and 72 have, on their inner sides respectively, a zone 73 and 74 shown in dotted lines, made of a hook-and-loop fastener. A retaining strap 63 connects the two ends 71 ​​and 72 of the elbow-to-body immobilization band 70. The function of this strap is to facilitate the user's donning of the vest without assistance.

[0020] In [Fig.3], a user 5 is shown wearing the immobilization vest 10 for his right forearm 6 and wearing the elbow-to-body immobilization band 70 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0021] To put it on, the user grasps the immobilization vest 10 with the hand of their good arm and places their head between the bands 31 and 41 in the neck opening of the immobilization vest so that the forearm support is positioned on the ventral side and the crossing point of the bands 31 and 41 is on the back. The neck opening of the immobilization vest is defined by the area located on one side between the bands 31 and 41 and on the other side between the forearm support 20 and the crossing point marked by the support device 50. The user then grasps the end of the band located from the The user places the strap on the side of their immobilized arm and passes it under the immobilized arm. The user can easily grasp the end of this strap because, thanks to the tie 60 that secures it to the forearm support 20, this end is not located at the back of the body, but close to the arm and on the front of the body. Furthermore, by grasping the end of the strap located on the side of their immobilized arm, the user can, by pulling on it and using the tie 60 which slides inside the support, enlarge the opening created by the strap to more easily pass the immobilized arm through. The user then passes their forearm inside the forearm support 20 and then attaches the ends 32 and 42 of the straps 31 and 41 one after the other by pressing them onto the front part of the forearm support 20, where they grip. In [Fig.3], the part of link 60 located inside the support is represented by dotted lines.

[0022] With the bands crossing in the back, the band whose first end is attached to one side of the forearm support passes along the body and under the arm on the opposite side before attaching to the forearm support on the same opposite side. For example, band 31, whose first end is attached to the right side of the forearm support 20, passes along the body under the left arm before attaching to the left side of the forearm support, and vice versa for band 4L. The bands are thus held relatively tightly against the body, and the user can easily readjust them by peeling the ends of the bands off and repositioning them by pressing them onto the forearm support in the desired location.

[0023] The large velvet-type attachment area that completely covers the front of the forearm support 20 allows the straps to be adjusted to each user, regardless of their height. A shorter user will attach the straps towards the top of the front of the forearm support 20, while a taller or broad-shouldered user will attach them towards the bottom. Furthermore, since the straps are not fixed at the crossing point, the user can adjust each strap individually, tightening or loosening them depending on the position of the attachment area on the forearm support, without having to move the restraint device. The straps can slide freely within it, even when the immobilization vest is being worn.

[0024] Once the immobilization vest is positioned, the user grasps the elbow-to-body immobilization strap 70, passes it around their head, then loops their good arm over it and lowers the strap 70 to the height of the forearm support 20 in a substantially horizontal position. The user, having taken care to position the two ends 71 ​​and 73 of the strap 70 on the ventral side, grasps the first end of the strap 70 and then the second end, positioning them by pressing them onto the front part of the forearm support so that they grip it. The user easily grasps the ends 71 ​​and 72 of the strap 70 because, thanks to the link 63 which holds them relatively close to each other, band 70 remaining held around the body without falling.

[0025] According to [Fig. 4], the immobilization vest is shown from the front in an alternative embodiment. In this alternative embodiment, the restraint 60 is replaced by two restraints 61 and 62. The first restraint 61 is attached at its first end to the free end 42 of the band 41 and at its second end to the lower edge of the forearm support 20 on the same side as the free end 42 of the band 41 when it is in its crossed position. Similarly, the second restraint 62 is attached at its first end to the free end 32 of the band 31 and at its second end to the lower edge of the forearm support 20 on the same side as the free end 32 of the band 31 when it is in its crossed position.The retaining ties 61 and 62 can be attached by their first end at a distance of up to 10 cm from the free end 32 and the free end 42 respectively of the bands 31 and 41, so that the end of the bands 31 and / or 41 can be cut without cutting the retaining ties 61 and 62.

[0026] Zones 33, 43, 73 and 74 made of a hook-type self-gripping material can be rectangular or of another shape and can be attached to the band by a seam.

[0027] According to a first embodiment of the vest according to the invention, the hook-and-loop fasteners 33 and 43 are part of removable elements so that the user can detach them from the bands 31 and 42 and reposition them. In this embodiment, the first removable element has a hook-and-loop fastener 33 on its first face, and the second removable element has a hook-and-loop fastener 43 on its first face. On the opposite face, each removable element has another hook-and-loop fastener designed to attach to the bands 31 and 41 respectively, either at their ends or at different heights. The bands are covered with a brushed mesh that serves as a velour-type hook-and-loop fastener. Adjusting the removable elements allows the user to choose the best location on the band to suit their needs and size.The user can then cut the ends of strips 31 and 41 as needed.

[0028] According to another embodiment that can be combined with the first embodiment, the ties 60, 61, and 62 are attached to the free ends of the bands 31 and 41 by a sliding knot so that they can be moved along the band to the size desired by the user. Once the knots are adjusted to the correct height on the bands, the user can then cut the portion of the bands located between the knots and the free ends. This makes it possible to obtain an immobilization vest according to the invention. one size fits all and is universal. Links 60, 61, 62 and 63 can be made of a material such as cord and are preferably elastic.

[0029] The immobilization vest according to the invention has the advantage of not having metal hooks or buckles and is entirely made from a soft and comfortable material.

Claims

Demands

1. Immobilization vest (10) comprising a forearm support (20) in the form of a sleeve with two openings having a front part (21) and a rear part (22) intended to come against the ventral part of the user, a first band (31) and a second band (41), said bands being fixed by one of their ends to the upper edge of the forearm support and forming two straps, said bands being held in a position in which they cross by means of a retaining device (50), said bands comprising on the inner face of their free end a hook-and-loop fastener area (33, 43) of the hook type intended to hook onto a velvet-type hook-and-loop fastener area located on the outer face of the front part of said forearm support, characterized in that the two free ends of said bands are connected to the forearm support by a retaining strap (60, 61,62) to facilitate the donning of the vest by the user without external assistance.

2. Immobilization vest (10) according to claim 1, wherein the single restraint strap (60) slides inside the forearm support (20) and is attached by its first end exiting through the first opening of said support to the end (32) of the first band (31) located on the same side as said first opening when the bands are in a crossed position and wherein the restraint strap (60) is attached by its second end exiting through the second opening of said support to the end (42) of the second band (41) located on the same side as said second opening when the bands are in a crossed position, the two openings being located on opposite sides of the support.

3. Immobilization vest (10) according to claim 1, wherein a first restraint strap (61) is attached by its first end to the free end (42) of the second band (41) and by its second end to the lower edge of the forearm support and wherein a second restraint strap (62) is attached by its first end to the free end (32) of the first band (31) and by its second end to the lower edge of the forearm support.

4. Immobilizing vest (10) claim 1, 2 or 3, comprising an elbow-to-body immobilizing band (70) comprising on the inner face of its ends (71, 72) a hook-type self-gripping area (73, 74) intended to hook onto the velvet-type self-gripping area located on the front face of the forearm support, a retaining link (63) connecting the two ends (71) and (72) of the elbow immobilization band to the body.

5. Immobilization vest (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the restraint device (50) comprises a sheath (51) in which one of the two bands slides and a loop (52) sewn on the outside of the sheath and mounted diagonally in which the other of the two bands slides.

6. Immobilization vest according to claim 5, in which the restraint device is positioned so that the loop (52) is oriented outwards.

7. Immobilization vest (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bands (31, 41, 70) and the forearm support (20) are made of fabric.

8. Immobilization vest (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the front part (21) of the forearm support is a fabric whose outer surface is entirely made up of a self-gripping velvet-type area such as a brushed mesh.

9. Immobilization vest (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rear part of the forearm support is made of breathable mesh-type fabric.

10. Immobilization vest (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the restraint links (60, 61, 62, 63) are elastic.

11. Immobilization vest (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hook and loop areas (33) and (43) are part of removable elements so as to be able to be adjusted to different heights on the bands (31) and (41).

Images