Protective cover for human limb joints

Abstract

A removable protective cover to be fitted on the limb joints, such as the elbow and the heel of a patient. It forms a generally "L" shape interior with one portion fitted over the fore arm and a portion over the upper arm. It is made of lambskin, having the leather or skin side out receiving the abrasive action from the bed (or chair), in which the patient is confined, and the wool side in, in contact with the wearer's skin. It is secured in position by quick-detachable straps that can be easily manipulated by a semi-invalid. It is made in different sizes, for adults and children, and can be used on the heel as well as the elbow.

I claim: 
     
       1. A protective cover adapted to be applied to a human limb joint such as the elbow or the heel, the limb having members directed generally transversely relative to each other, and the cover when so applied to the limb joint having relationship thereto as set out hereinbelow, the protective cover comprising, a natural hide composed of a leather layer and a wool layer thereon, including a first elongated piece and a second piece,   said first piece having opposite, substantially parallel, longitudinal marginal edges and opposite terminal edges and being of generally U-shape form about a longitudinal axis, forming parallel leg portions of substantial length along said axis, and of substantial width transverse thereto, the legs thereby being of great area, said first piece defining opposite open ends bound by said marginal edges,   said second piece being positioned transversely across one of said open ends of the first piece and secured thereto continuously around the marginal edge of the U-shape of the first piece,   the pieces being positioned with the leather layers disposed outwardly and the wool layers disposed inwardly, and the layers extending throughout the areas of the respective pieces,   said leg portions being adapted to be fitted to opposite sides of the limb, and said second piece being adapted to engage the corresponding surface of an adjacent limb member, said second piece and the adjacent elements of said leg portions effectively surrounding one of the limb members and forming an opening through which that limb member extends, and the leg portions of said first piece effectively surrounding the other of the limb members and forming an opening through which that limb member extends, and the cover effectively enclosing the portion of the limb between the openings, and   releasable securing means including a plurality of straps fixedly secured to the outer surface of one of said leg portions at a position remote, in axial direction, from said second piece, each strap extending from the terminal edge of said one leg portion to the terminal edge of the opposite of said leg portions when in securing position, and being releasably secured to the outer surface of said opposite leg portion whereby, the securing means being operable for effecting the surrounding condition of the leg portions relative to the respective limb member, and also operable for effecting the surrounding condition of the leg portions and the second piece together relative to the respective limb member,   said first piece and said second piece constituting the entire cover, except for the securing means, and thereby extending throughout the area of the protective cover,   the leather layer being exposed, except for the location of the securing means, throughout its area and devoid of any other materials, and thereby forming the only surface that engages other objects in the wearing of the protective cover, and the wool being exposed throughout its area and devoid of any other materials, and thereby forming the only surface that engages the limb of the wearer.   
     
     
       2. A protective cover according to claim 1 wherein, the leather is of a gluteraldehyde-tanned condition. .Iadd. 
     
     
       3.  A protective cover adapted to be applied to a human limb joint such as the elbow or the heel, the limb having members directed generally transversely relative to each other, comprising, a fleece incorporating a base and fibers thereon, and including a first piece and a second piece, originally independent of and separate from each other,   the first piece being of U shape formation, and including a pair of parallel legs and a bight interconnecting the legs, the legs being thereby spaced apart and the first piece defining a first open end and a second open end, and having a marginal edge of U shape at each end, said legs extending circumferentially at least a portion of one of the members of the wearer's limb,   the second piece being positioned transversely across the space between the legs at said first end and secured to the first piece at the corresponding marginal edge of the latter,   the fleece being oriented with the fibers directed inwardly to engage the wearer's limb, and the base directed outwardly, and   releasable securing means on the first piece including interconnectable elements on respective ones of the legs thereof, certain of said elements extending over and across said space when the elements are respectively interconnected,   said first and second pieces constituting, except for said securing means, the entire protective cover, and constituting the entire portions engagable with the wearer's limb, and the entire portions having exterior surfaces engaging external objects which the wearer's limb engages, the fibers being distributed throughout the area of the base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       4.  A protective cover according to claim 3 wherein, said legs of the first piece are of substantial length in direction perpendicular to said bight and thereby capable of extending a substantial distance around the wearer's limb, and the securing means includes elements readily manipulatable by one hand, and put in securing position by pressing them together in direction transverse to the direction of the tendency to pull apart and releasable by pulling them in direction opposite the pressing direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       5.  A protective cover according to claim 4 wherein, said first piece is of substantial length in direction parallel with said bight,   said securing means is positioned in spaced relation to said first end and thereby to said second piece, the second piece and the portions of the legs of the first piece next adjacent the second piece, are free of securing means, and said second piece and those portions of the legs define an opening surrounding and accommodating the other member of the limb. .Iaddend. .Iadd.6. A protective cover according to claim 3 wherein,   the second piece covers the entire area between the legs of the first piece, and the two pieces terminate upwardly at a position adjacent each other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. A protective cover according to claim 6 wherein,   the pieces are secured together by stitching the bases of the pieces together. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. A protective cover according to claim 7 wherein,   the stitching extends entirely around the U shape linearly throughout the legs and the bight therebetween. .Iaddend.