Pressure relief device for support stockings

Abstract

A device for substantially reducing or eliminating pressure on a leg from the upper edge or collar of a support stocking, the device comprising a finite band (1) of sufficient length to be applied in the form of a ring around the leg with the ends of the band lying wrapped in the applied position. For mutual coupling of the ends of the band to form a ring, an inner first band end (2) is formed with radially projecting pins (5) arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction (I) of the band for engagement in pin seats (6) arranged in corresponding positions on an outer second band end (3), the pin seats (6) being designed to prevent mutual movement between the first and second band ends (2; 3) transversely to the longitudinal direction (I) of the band and to allow limited mutual movement between the first and second band ends (2; 3) in the longitudinal direction (i) of the band.

Description

The present invention relates to a device adapted to substantially reduce or eliminate the pressure against the lower leg applied by the upper edge or collar of a support or compression stocking. The invention accordingly also relates to a system comprising a combination of the device and a support or compression stocking. In the following, the term support stocking will only be used in this description as a general term for knitted stockings which are designed to apply an ambient pressure against the lower leg.BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ARTSupport stockings typically consist of a tubular and elastic stocking shaft connected to a stocking foot. Support stockings can alternatively be tubular and lack a clearly defined foot. The opening is usually defined by an elasticated upper edge or stocking collar. The elasticated upper edge of the stocking, for the sake of simplicity hereinafter referred to as the stocking collar, is intended in most support stockings to prevent the stocking from slipping down and for this reason generates a comparatively higher pressure around the wearer's calf just below the knee. After wearing the stocking for a period of time, the pressure of the stocking collar around the leg can cause discomfort and pain, possibly disrupt blood flow and also cause swelling in the wearer.Among previously known solutions for reducing the pressure exerted on the leg from the stocking collar of a support stocking, GB2514764A shows a holder in the form of a band which is fastened around the calf and over which the stocking collar can be folded to hold the band in place. The band has a Velcro fastener with which the length of the band can be adjusted to a fixed measurement and circumference around the wearer's leg.In this context, mention may be made of US2017258146A1 which shows a sock with a strap integrated with the sock collar. The strap includes a Velcro fastener for adjusting the length of the strap. This strap is effective for adjusting the pressure of the sock collar against the leg and can only increase the elastic's own pressure but is not able to reduce the pressure from the sock collar and thereby relieve the leg.The invention aims to provide a device and a system for substantially reducing or eliminating pressure from the stocking collar when wearing a support stocking.The purpose of the invention is more specifically to provide a device and a system that offers a pressure-relieving function which is flexible and adapts to changes in the circumference of the leg during the time the support stocking is worn.This object is met by a device designed according to independent patent claim 1, or by a system designed according to dependent patent claim 7.Briefly, the invention provides a device for substantially reducing or eliminating pressure on a leg from the upper edge or collar of a support stocking, which device comprises a finite band of sufficient length to be applied in the form of a ring around the leg with the ends of the band lying wrapped in the applied position. For mutual coupling of the ends of the band in forming a ring, an inner first band end is formed with radially projecting pins arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the band for engagement in pin seats arranged in corresponding positions on an outer second band end, the pin seats being designed to prevent mutual movement between the first and second band ends transversely of the longitudinal direction of the band and to allow limited mutual movement between the first and second band ends in the longitudinal direction of the band.It will be appreciated that to enable adjustment of the circumference of the ring formed in this way, pins and pin seats are arranged with the same center distance at each end of the band.When applied, the band is placed on the outside of the support stocking and its length is adjusted so that the band loosely surrounds the leg. The band ends are then wrapped around and connected together to the desired circumference by inserting the pins of the inner band end into the group of pin seats formed in a row that correspond to the desired circumference. The stocking collar is then folded down on the outside of the band and, through its elastic knitting, will hold the wrapped band ends against each other so that the engagement of the pins in the pin seats is ensured. Since the pin seats are designed to allow limited mutual movement between the first and second band ends in the longitudinal direction of the band, the band provides a pressure-relieving function that can adapt to changes in the circumference of the leg. It should be understood that the sock collar, through its elasticity, strives to compress the band to its smallest radius and circumference, in which the pins assume an initial position in the pin seats from which they provide the greatest possible expansion capacity within the limited space determined by the design of the pin seats.In one embodiment of the invention, the pins are formed with a neck having a first diameter which is crowned by a pin head having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the pin seat having a pin head insertion opening in connection with an expansion groove of limited length running in the longitudinal direction of the belt and whose width across the longitudinal direction of the belt is greater than the diameter of the neck and less than the diameter of the pin head.The embodiment satisfies the condition of preventing mutual movement between the first and second belt ends transversely of the belt's longitudinal direction while allowing limited mutual movement between the first and second belt ends in the longitudinal direction of the belt. Another technical effect and advantage of this embodiment is that the pin head is prevented from leaving the pin seat in most of the positions that the pin head can assume when increasing or decreasing the length and circumference of the belt, respectively.In one embodiment of the invention, the expansion groove extends in opposite directions from the pin head insertion opening, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the belt. The pin head insertion opening may in one embodiment be located in the center of the expansion groove. A technical effect and advantage of these embodiments is that the pin head in an initial position is, due to the elasticity of the sock collar, displaced and resiliently biased to its innermost position in the expansion groove from where maximum movement and expansion of the belt is possible within the length of the expansion groove.In one embodiment of the invention, the pin head has an irregular, grooved or polygonal periphery. This embodiment increases friction and improves the grip of the sock collar against the outside of the band and prevents the band from slipping down the leg. For the same purpose, protruding spikes or nubs can be arranged on the outside of the band.In another aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a system comprising a support stocking and a device of the type described above, wherein the support stocking has a tube part and a stocking collar. The system is characterized in that the band included in the device, in the applied position of the band and the support stocking, is arranged radially inside an outwardly and downwardly folded part of the collar of the support stocking, wherein the length of the band and the circumference of the ring are adjusted so that a clearance is formed between the stocking collar and a leg on which the system is applied. This clearance preferably amounts to a finger width or about 1-2 cm in an optional position around the leg, when the stocking collar abuts against the leg in other positions around the leg.Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in whichFig. 1 shows a device according to the invention in a side view,Fig. 2 shows the device of Fig. 1 in a top view,Fig. 3 shows the device of Figs. 1 and 2 in perspective view,Fig. 4 shows a broken away portion of a bendable band included in the invention,Fig. 5 shows in cross-section two broken-away portions of the band according to Figs. 1 to 4 in the position for connection,Fig. 6 shows a system of device and support stocking applied to a lower leg, andFig. 7 shows a partially broken away cross-section of the system in the applied position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSFig. 1 to 5 show a device according to the invention in the form of a flexible band 1 for substantially reducing or eliminating pressure against a user's leg from the upper edge or stocking collar of a support stocking. Depending on the material and user, a band 1 intended for an adult user may have a length I of about 500-600 mm, a width w of about 30 mm and a thickness t of about 1-2 mm. These dimensions are given as a guide only and should not be interpreted as a limitation of the design possibilities, as the band may be of a different length and width in adaptation to the individual wearer. The band 1 is suitably made of plastic of a quality which provides an inherent elasticity or dimensional stability which results in the band 1 tending to assume a substantially circular shape in the rest position. However, this property is not a prerequisite for the function of the band.The belt 1 has a first belt end 2 lying inside in the applied position, a second belt end 3 lying outside in the applied position and a belt length 4 connecting them. On the first belt end 2, radially protruding pins 5 are arranged which are placed in a row in the longitudinal direction I of the belt and with the same mutual angular distance α. In the second belt end 3, a number of pin seats 6 are formed with the same angular distance α which are placed in a row in the longitudinal direction I of the belt.The pins 5 consist of a neck 7 of a first diameter d 1, which is crowned by a pin head 8 of a second diameter d2 which is larger than the first diameter d1. Both the neck 7 and the pin head 8 can have a circular cross-section and cylindrical shape. In order to offer an improved engagement with the folded stocking collar of the support stocking, however, it is preferred that the pin head 8 has an irregular, grooved or polygonal periphery 9 which increases the friction between the band and the stocking. For the same reason, nubs 10 can be arranged on the outside of the second band end 3 and along the band length 4.The pin seats 6 are designed as long-hole-forming expansion grooves 11 along which the pins 5 can move in the longitudinal direction of the belt I to adapt to changes in the circumference of the user's leg and calf, as may be the case with an increase in the circumference of the leg caused by swelling. The expansion groove 11 has a width w adapted to the diameter of the neck 7 and is slightly larger than said first diameter d1 so that the neck 7 can run unhindered in the expansion groove 11.The expansion groove 11 connects to a pin head insertion opening 12 whose diameter d3 is adapted to the diameter of the pin head 8 and is slightly larger than said second diameter d2 so that the pin head 8 can be passed unhindered through the pin head insertion opening 12 and through the other belt end 3 via the pin head insertion opening 12.In a first and illustrated embodiment, the pin head insertion opening 12 is located in the middle of the expansion groove 11 as viewed in its extension in the longitudinal direction I of the belt, and more specifically in a position from which the pin can move in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction I of the belt. In this embodiment, one end of the expansion groove may have a constriction f which releasably holds the pin head in the innermost position from which the pin can only move to increase the circumference of the belt.In a second embodiment (not shown), the pin head insertion opening may be arranged at one end of the expansion groove and more specifically at the end which, with respect to the movement of the pin in the expansion groove, constitutes the innermost position from which the pin can only move to increase the circumference of the band.Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show the system consisting of the device 1-12 and a support stocking 13 applied to a lower leg 14. Inside a broken-off portion of the stocking collar 15 of the support stocking, the wrapped band ends 2 and 3 appear, mutually connected by means of pins 5 which engage in pin seats 6. As further shown in Fig. 7, the connected band 1 holds the folded stocking collar 15 out from the leg so that a gap 16 is formed between the leg and the stocking collar, but only in a limited area of the circumference of the leg. More specifically, it is recommended that the band be connected in such a way that said gap 16 amounts to a finger's width or to about 1-2 cm in a single movable position around the leg, while the stocking collar and band are in contact with the leg in other positions. The band 1 thus takes up the pressure that the end of the sock would otherwise have created on the leg.To summarize the description of the invention, the present invention solves the problem of embolism or other pain when using compression stockings or the like caused by the upper edge or the stocking collar closing too tightly around the leg. The solution briefly comprises relieving the pressure of the stocking where the stocking ends. The pressure relief is carried out with the aid of the band according to the invention. The invention thus consists of a band that has an overlapping locking whereby the circumference of the band can be adapted for different leg sizes. In order for the function to be correct, when locking the band and mounting it on the leg, it must be ensured that the circumference of the ring formed by the band allows a finger to be inserted between the band and the leg, in any position around the leg, while the band and the stocking otherwise have contact with the leg. The ring-shaped band is locked by the part of the band located inside in the mounted position having radially protruding pins, arranged at the same mutual distance m from each other, whereby the pins end with an enlarged head. The outer part of the band is formed with holes with corresponding spacing and with an insertion opening for the pin head in an expansion groove, which in the preferred embodiment has the form of a keyhole with two diametrically opposed slots. The pin with the head at the top can then be inserted through the expansion groove and slide in one direction or the other in the expansion groove so that the circumference of the band thereby dynamically adapts to the varying circumference of the leg when wearing a compression stocking or the like.

Claims

1. Device for substantially reducing or eliminating pressure against a leg from the upper edge or stocking collar of a support stocking, which device comprises a finite band (1) of sufficient length to be applied in the form of a ring around the leg with the ends of the band lying wrapped in the applied position, characterized in that for mutual coupling of the ends of the band when forming a ring, an inner first band end (2) is formed with radially projecting pins (5) arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction (I) of the band for engagement in pin seats (6) arranged in corresponding positions on an outer second band end (3), the pin seats (6) being designed to prevent mutual movement between the first and second band ends (2; 3) transversely to the longitudinal direction (I) of the band and to allow limited mutual movement between the first and second band ends (2; 3) in the longitudinal direction (I) of the band.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pins (5) are formed with a neck (7) having a first diameter (d1) which is crowned by a pin head (8) having a second diameter (d2) larger than the first diameter, and in that the pin seat (6) has a pin head insertion opening (12) in connection with an expansion groove (11) of limited length running in the longitudinal direction (I) of the belt, the width (w) of the expansion groove transverse to the longitudinal direction (I) of the belt being larger than the diameter (d1) of the neck (7) and smaller than the diameter (d2) of the pin head (8).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the expansion groove (11) extends from the pin head insertion opening (12) in opposite directions as seen in the longitudinal direction (I) of the strip.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pin head insertion opening (12) is located in the center of the expansion groove (11) as seen in the longitudinal direction (I) of the strip.

5. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the pin head (8) has an irregular, grooved or polygonal periphery (9).

6. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the expansion groove (11) is formed with a constriction (f) which releasably holds the pin (5) in the coupled position.

7. System comprising a support stocking (13) and a device (1-12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support stocking has a tube part and a stocking collar (15), characterized in that the band (1) included in the device, in the applied position of the band and the support stocking, is arranged radially inside an outwardly and downwardly folded part of the collar (15) of the support stocking, whereby the length of the band is adjusted so that a clearance (16) is formed between the stocking collar (15) and a leg (14) on which the system is applied.

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the clearance (16) amounts to a finger's width or about 1-2 cm in an optional position around the leg, when the stocking collar abuts against the leg in other positions around the leg.