US 4,784,120 A · Arm constraint

Abstract

An arm constraint particularly adapted for use as an aid in the self-feeding of a person afflicated with tremors. The constraint generally includes a base adapted for mounting on a suitable support, such as a table or hospital bedside tray; a forearm rest defining a forearm rest surface; means for supporting the forearm rest on the base for rotation about a first vertically disposed axis and for arranging the rest surface in a horizontally disposed position selectively vertically adjustable relative to the base; a hand rest; mounting means for connecting the hand rest to an end of the forearm rest for rotation relative thereto about a second horizontally disposed axis; a constraint for removably retaining a forearm in engagement with the rest surface with a hand arranged for overlying engagement with the hand rest; a plate supporting table; and mounting means for mounting the plate supporting table on the base to underlie the hand rest and for vertical adjustment relative thereto. The manual force required to rotate the forearm rest and the hand rest about the first and second axes may be selectively and individually varied.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A constraint for the arm of a patient subject to uncontrolled tremors to aid in the self-feeding from a food container supported by said constraint, said constraint comprising in combination:

a base means adapted for mounting on support means;
a pedestal;
a first mounting means for mounting said pedestal to upstand from said base means and for rotation relative thereto about a first vertically disposed axis;
an elongated forearm rest means fixed to an upper end of said pedestal, said forearm rest means defining an upwardly facing horizontally disposed forearm rest surface;
hand rest means;
a second mounting means for connecting said hand rest means to one end of said forearm rest means for rotation relative thereto about a second horizontally disposed axis;
a food container supporting table;
third mounting means for mounting said table on said base means in an underlying relation to said hand rest means;
and
constraint means for removably retaining a human forearm in engagement with said forearm rest surface with a human hand arranged for overlying engagment with said hand rest means, and said first and second mounting means are individually adjustable for varying the manual force required to rotate said pedestal and said hand rest means about said first and second axes, respectively.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Arm constraint

Life of this patent

Arm constraint

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10