Torso support structures

Abstract

An upper torso support structure is provided to hold and/or restrict movement of a patient suffering from injuries or muscular or skeletal defects. The support is provided by a central spine ( 1 ) and a number of left and right pairs of flexible ribs ( 3 ) curving round in front of the central spine. The ribs are capable of being set in desired attitudes to restrict movement of the patient whose torso is held by the support structure.

1 . An upper torso support structure comprising a central spine and at least two left and right pairs of flexible ribs curving round in front of the central spine, the ribs being capable of being set in desired attitudes to restrict movement of a patient whose torso is held by the support structure.  
     
     
         2 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each pair of ribs is slidably located onto the spine to enable the pair of ribs to be moved lengthwise across the spine, thus varying the respective lengths of the two ribs as they project to the left and right sides of the spine.  
     
     
         3 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the pairs of ribs are mounted so as to be able to slide adjustably towards and away from the spine or be capable of rotation with respect to the spine.  
     
     
         4 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the pairs of ribs are mounted so as to be able to slide adjustably up and down the spine.  
     
     
         5 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper end of the spine carries a head support for the head of the patient.  
     
     
         6 . A support structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the head support comprises a head rest with one or two left and right pairs of flexible ribs curving round in front of the head rest, the ribs being settable in desired attitudes to restrict movement of the head of a patient with respect to the head rest.  
     
     
         7 . A support structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the head rest is tiltable and/or rotatable with respect to the spine.  
     
     
         8 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each pair of ribs is in the form of a strip.  
     
     
         9 . A support structure according to  claim 8 , wherein each pair of ribs is provided with a flexible strip of material lying parallel thereto, with a releasable locking arrangement being provided to lock each rib of the pair to its strip to aid in the fixing of the ribs against movement.  
     
     
         10 . A support structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the ribs and/or the flexible strips are formed from bendable aluminium or thin steel.  
     
     
         11 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the material for the ribs and/or the spine is selected so as to allow for some resilience from a set position, but with “memory” such that it will tend to return to the set position after flexing.  
     
     
         12 . A support structure according to  claim 11 , wherein said material comprises a robust flexible composite of plastics material or a glassfibre material.  
     
     
         13 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each rib comprises a row or rows of beads strung on a cable, the beads having non-straight through-passageways, together with a tensioning member to act to tension the cable within the passageways in the beads so as to lock the row of beads in a desired attitude.  
     
     
         14 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the ribs are provided with external padding.  
     
     
         15 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein mountings for each pair of ribs are slidably carried by horizontally curved bars forming parts of the spine.  
     
     
         16 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the base of the spine is attached to a seat platform, preferably such that the spine can be tilted forwards and backwards with respect to the seat.  
     
     
         17 . A support structure according to  claim 16 , wherein the spine is connected to the platform such that it can be rotated about the seat platform.  
     
     
         18 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , which is provided with mountings enabling it to be attached adjustably to an existing seat.  
     
     
         19 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein pivoted legs extend down from the front edge of the seat platform.  
     
     
         20 . A support structure according to  claim 19 , wherein support members, to which said legs are pivoted, are slidably received within slots in the body of the seat platform.  
     
     
         21 . A support structure according to  claim 19 , wherein height-adjustable and/or rotatable and/or laterally slidable footrests are carried by said legs.  
     
     
         22 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , which incorporates hip support members, adjustable in position, which project forwards from the sides of the lower end of the spine.  
     
     
         23 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein shoulder support members are mounted near the upper end of the spine.  
     
     
         24 . A support structure according to  claim 23 , wherein the shoulder supports incorporate rotatably adjustable end sections.  
     
     
         25  and  26  (cancelled).