Claw toe straightening clamp

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to medical arts and clamping devices for immobilizing a part of the body, and more particularly to a toe clamp capable of applying a compressive force to the toes for the purpose of straightening them.

#2. Description of Related Art

#The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded view thereof;

#The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description.

#The present invention is an apparatus having a pair of rigid clamping blocks 10, 20 are made of wood or plastic, for instance, where each of the blocks is of a length approximating the width of a human foot across the toes as shown in FIG. 3. One side 12, 22, of each of the blocks 10, 20 engages a compressible pad 30 of a rubber or other compressible substance, preferably by adhesive bonding of the pad 30 to the block 10 and 20. The other side 14, 24 of the blocks 10, 20 each provide a longitudinal groove 40 in a surface. A clamping wrap 50 is adapted by its size and flexibility for engaging the longitudinal grooves 40 in the blocks 10, 20 when the blocks are placed on opposing sides of the toes, as shown in FIG. 3, and the clamping wrap 40 encircles them. In this manner, a selective compressive force is applied to the blocks 10, 20 and, therefore, to toes sandwiched between them. The groove 40 is critical to the successful application of the invention as it holds the wrap 50 in place on the blocks and provides a unitizing force to the assembly. The entire assembly and each of its parts contribute to a novel holding and clamping structure which allows the toes to move slightly and to find their own position within the clamp, but also allows the toes to be straightened.

#Preferably, the clamping wrap 50 is a continuous rubber band, a cord tied about the blocks and knotted, or a bandage such as adhesive tape. The groove 40 may be made as wide and deep as necessary to accept the selected clamping wraps of various sizes and elastic compliance.