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US5010898A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Head supporting and sustaining apparatus

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-05-15
•
Granted: 1991-04-30
•
Expires: 2010-05-15
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus for supporting and sustaining the head of a paralyzed individual in an upright position allows the individual to move freely. The apparatus comprises a mounting assembly associated with a support element, a hanger member connected to the mounting assembly, an attachment for supporting the head of the patient and a resilient element connecting the head supporting attachment to the hanger member, whereby the head of the patient is movably supported in an upright position.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gisleine C. de Kanawati
  • 👤 George G. Philot

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 08:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/37; A61F5/3707

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 134 words
An apparatus for movably supporting the head of a patient in an upright position to a support element comprising: (a) means for mounting the apparatus on the support element comprising a slidable rod and a mounting element having a first guide member formed thereon for receiving the slidable rod, stop means for positioning the rod within the first guide member, and a second guide member comprising a cushioned brace and stop means thereon for slidably positioning the cushioned brace along the rod; (b) hanger means operatively associated with the mounting means; (c) means for movably supporting the head of the patient; and (d) resilient means connecting the supporting means to the hanger means whereby the head of the patient is supported and maintained in an upright position for relatively unrestrained movement by the patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 134 words
An apparatus for movably supporting the head of a patient in an upright position to a support element comprising: (a) means for mounting the apparatus on the support element comprising a slidable rod and a mounting element having a first guide member formed thereon for receiving the slidable rod, stop means for positioning the rod within the first guide member, and a second guide member comprising a cushioned brace and stop means thereon for slidably positioning the cushioned brace along the rod; (b) hanger means operatively associated with the mounting means; (c) means for movably supporting the head of the patient; and (d) resilient means connecting the supporting means to the hanger means whereby the head of the patient is supported and maintained in an upright position for relatively unrestrained movement by the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the hanger means comprises a U-shaped bracket and a U-shaped rod having a pair of parallel legs joined by a central portion, the parallel legs being received in the U-shaped bracket to adjust the length and the inclination of the hanger means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the U-shaped bracket comprises a pair of lateral flanges which receive and hold the legs of the hanger means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 39 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the head of the patient comprises a plurality of belts surrounding and firmly holding the head, the belts defining a helmet which protects the head of the patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resilient means comprises a helical spring connected to the head supporting means at one end and to the hanger means at an opposite end thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 including means for connecting the helical spring to the hanger means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the connecting means comprises a releasable hook.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 129 words
An apparatus for movably supporting the head of a patient in an upright position comprising: (a) a support element including mounting means comprising a slidable rod and a mounting element having a first guide member associated therewith for receiving the slidable rod, stop means for positioning the rod relative to the first guide member, and a second guide member comprising a brace with stop means associated therewith for slidably positioning the brace along the rod; (b) hanger means operatively associated with the mounting means; (c) supporting means which can be removably secured about the head of the patient; and (d) resilient means connecting the supporting means to the hanger means whereby the head of the patient can be supported and maintained in an upright position for relatively unrestrained movement.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 129 words
An apparatus for movably supporting the head of a patient in an upright position comprising: (a) a support element including mounting means comprising a slidable rod and a mounting element having a first guide member associated therewith for receiving the slidable rod, stop means for positioning the rod relative to the first guide member, and a second guide member comprising a brace with stop means associated therewith for slidably positioning the brace along the rod; (b) hanger means operatively associated with the mounting means; (c) supporting means which can be removably secured about the head of the patient; and (d) resilient means connecting the supporting means to the hanger means whereby the head of the patient can be supported and maintained in an upright position for relatively unrestrained movement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 54 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the hanger means comprises bracket means and rod means having a pair of substantially parallel legs joined by a central portion, the legs being received in the bracket means whereby the length and the inclination of the hanger means relative to the mounting means can be adjusted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the bracket means comprises a pair of lateral flanges which receive and hold the legs of the hanger means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the bracket means is substantially U-shaped.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the rod means is substantially U-shaped.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 39 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the means for supporting the head of the patient comprises a plurality of belts surrounding and firmly holding the head, the belts defining a helmet which protects the head of the patient.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 31 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the resilient means comprises spring means connected to the supporting means at one end and to the hanger means at an opposite end thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus according to claim 14 including means for connecting the spring means to the hanger means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the connecting means comprises a releasable hook.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4539979A Cited
US4632099A Cited
US4800897A Cited
US4869240A Cited
US4732144A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-04-29 1994-10-29 1995-04-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-04-29 1998-10-29 1999-04-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-04-29 2002-10-29 2003-04-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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