US2215454A - Restraining device - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 24, 1940. E. c. CONDXT RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed Oct. 7, 195a INVENTOR fsfefla C 60/70 17? BY ATTORNEYS z I Patented Sept. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to a restraining device. It has to do, more particularly, with a device adapted to securely hold the patient, who is delirious, unruly or insane, in a bed so as to prevent which entirely envelops the patient and is comheated and uncomfortable.

monly known as a strait jacket. One of the disadvantages of this prior art device is that due to the fact that it completely envelops the patient, it causes the patient to become over- Also, this type of device holds the patient in a cramped and tiring position. There have been other types of restraining devices which do not completely envelop the patient. However, these devices have usually been of such a nature that they do not completely restrain the patient or are such that they hold the patient in a very uncomfortable position.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a restraining device which will completely restrain the patient but will permit limited movement in order to prevent fatigue.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the type indicated which is such that a variable degree of restraint may be provided.

Another object of my invention is to provide a restraining device which may be readily adjusted to fit difierent sized patients or to be employed with beds of diiferent sizes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a restraining device of the type indicated which may be applied and removed with ease and rapidity.

Another object of my invention is to provide a restraining device which will not only completely restrain the patient but which is of such a nature that the patient will be held in a comfortable position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a restraining device which is of such a nature that it may be adjusted to permit the patient to be cared for without total loss of restraint.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing two of the restraining devices made according to my invention being employed for holding a patient in a reclining position on a bed.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a restraining device made according to my invention.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the two restraining devices used at the right and left-hand sides of the patient. 5

As shown in the drawing, my restraining device comprises a long heavy wide strap l which is preferably made of suitable heavy flexible canvas although leather or other suitable materials may be employed. This main strap 1 as indicated in Figure 1 is adapted to extend longitudinally of the patient at one side of the patient and will be disposed beneath the patient. At one end the main strap I has a leather strap 2 attached thereto as at 3. This leather strap 2 5 cooperates with a buckle 4 which is secured to the end of the main strap. The strap is provided with a plurality of openings 5 so that it may be secured to the buckle in difierent positions. This strap is adapted to cooperate with the trans- 20 versely extending lower bar of the head of the bed or with any other convenient member. The opposite end of the main strap I has a leather strap 6 secured to the end of the main strap as at I. This strap cooperates with a buckle 8 which 5 is also secured to the main strap. As indicated in Figure 1, this strap 6 is adapted to cooperate with the lower transverse bar of the foot of the bed. Substantially midway between the ends of the main strap I it is provided with a transversely extending strap 9 which has its inner end suitably fastened thereto. This strap 9 carries a buckle 9a with which'the outer perforated portion 9b of the strap will cooperate. The end oi' the strap 9 is adapted to be attached to the rail of the bed, as indicated in Figure 1. Thusythe main strap I will be secured to the bed at both ends and intermediate its ends.

The main strap I carries a cufif member I0 adapted to be applied to the upper portion of 40 the arm of the patient, a cufl member l l adapted to be applied to the wrist of the patient, a cuff member l2 adapted to be applied to the thigh of the patient and a cufi member I3'adapted to -be applied to 'the ankle of the patient. As indicated, these cuff members are disposed in properly spaced relationship longitudinally of the main strap.

The cufi' members H], H and I2 are of identical construction. Each cufl member comprises a leather strap M which passes through a loop I! which may be stitched to the lower surface of the strap I. This strap I4 is provided with a pair of extensions I8 on one end which carry buckle members l9. The opposite end of this strap is vices.

in opposite directions.

provided with a pair of perforated extensions 20 which will cooperate with the buckles I9. A second wide strap 2| is stitched to the strap I4 intermediate the ends of strap 2| as at 22 and close to the buckles I9. Both ends of the strap 2| are free. The outer surface of the strap 2| is provided with a pair of loops 23 through which the extensions 20 pass. The strap 2| will be disposed above the strap I and the ends thereof will overlap each other when applied to the patient. The strap 2| will completely protect the patient from injury by the buckles. l9. It will be noted that the loops I! are substantially wider than the straps l3. This will permit limited longitudinal movement of each of these cuffs relative to the main strap I. In order to permit the cuff member II to be adjusted longitudinally of the strap I, so that the device will'fit different patients, a pair of loops Ila are provided adjacent each other with which the cuif member II may cooperate. Due to this permissible adjustment of the cuff member II and adjustment of the main strap l longitudinally of the bed, which may be accomplished by adjusting straps 2 and 6, the device will fit any sized patient.

The cufi member l3 for cooperating with the ankle of. the patient is slightly different. This member I3 embodies a wide leather strap which may be riveted or otherwise secured'to the upper surface of the main strap I as at 24. This member is provided with a pair of perforated strap extensions 25 at one end thereof and a pair of cooperating buckles 26 which are secured thereto at a point spaced from the opposite end of the strap. Thus, a portion of the strap will lie underneath the buckles and 'Will prevent them from injuring the patient.

It will be apparent that when. using this device, in order to completely restrain the patient, it will be necessary to employ two of these de- These devices will be exactly the same with the exception that the straps 9 will extend The main straps I are secured to the bed at each side thereof so that they will be disposed under the patient at each side of the patient. However, they will be so disposed that the weight of the patient will not rest thereon, which will make the patient more comfortable. As indicated before, the main strap may be adjusted longitudinally of the bed so that the cuffs II], II, I2 and I3 will be disposed in the proper positions. Furthermore, the cuff member I I may be removed and replaced in either of the loops I'Ia so that it will be in proper position to fit on the wrist of the patient. The various'cuif members may be secured around the arms and legs of the patient. It will be apparent that these restraining devices will completely restrain the patient and hold him in position on the bed. However, due to the fact that the cuff members ID, I l and 12 can move to a limited extent longitudinally of the main strap I, limited movement of the patient will be permitted thereby preventing excessive fatigue.

It will be apparent from the above description that I have provided a restraining device having many advantages. It will completely restrain the patient but will hold him in a comfortable position and will permit limited movement to prevent excessive fatigue. It can be readily adjusted to provide a variable degree of restraint. Furthermore, it can be adjusted readily to accommodate patients of different sizes or can be adjusted readily so that it may be employed with beds of different sizes. It is of such a nature that it renders possible restraint of patients with missing members or limbs. It permits patients to be cared for without total loss of restraint. Either arm or leg or portions thereof may be released independently of the others. The device is of such a nature that it may be applied and removed with ease and rapidity. It permits the handling of the most violent patient in a humane manner. Furthermore, the device will restrain the patient to a certain degree even when not secured to a bed or similar member. Consequently, it is useful for restricting movement of a patient, for example, While being transported in an ambulance. It is of such design and of such materials as to reduce chafing to a minimum.

Many other advantages will be apparent from the drawing, the preceding description and the following claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

A restraining device comprising a long main strap member adapted to extend longitudinally of the patient and to be disposed beneath the patient in a reclining position upon a bed and adjacent one side of the patient, a buckle and strap arrangement associated with one end of said main strap for securing said main strap to the head of the bed, a buckle and strap arrangement associated with the opposite end of said main strap for securing said main strap to the foot of the bed, a buckle and strap arrangement associated with said main strap substantially midway between the ends thereof for securing said main strap to the rail of the bed, and an adjustable cuif member adapted to be applied to the upper portion of the arm of the patient secured to said main strap adjacent the upper end thereof for limited longitudinal movement, said cuif member including a strap passing through a loop secured to said main strap, a similar adjustable cuff member adapted to be applied to the wrist of the patient secured to said main strap for limited longitudinal movement at a point spaced from the first-named cuif member, said main strap being provided with a plurality of loops with which said last-named cuif member may cooperate, a similar adjustable cuff member adapted to be applied to the thigh of the patient secured to said main strap for limited longitudinal movement at a point spaced from the Wrist cuff memher, and an adjustable cuff member adapted to be applied to the ankle of the patient secured to said main strap adjacent the lower end thereof.

ESTELLA C. CONDIT.

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