HEEL-SUSPENDING PROTECTIVE BOOT

摘要

A protective boot adapted to be worn by individuals when lying in a reclining position. The boot has leg and forefoot portions that provide foot and lower leg support for a wearer while suspending the wearer's heel. The boot may include low-friction materials at an exterior surface of its leg and forefoot portions and at a continuous rim separating the exterior surface from an interior surface of the body, in which case the boot also preferably includes a system for adjustably closing an anterior opening in the forefoot portion by drawing lateral regions of the forefoot portion inward and together. The boot may additionally or alternatively include an L-shaped backplate having portions located at the leg and forefoot portions of the body and adapted to inhibit buckling of the boot within the leg and forefoot portions.

主权项

1. A protective boot for use by a person lying in a supine position and supporting a lower leg, heel, and foot thereof, the boot comprising:
a body formed of a flexible and compressible foam material, the body having a proximal leg portion, a distal forefoot portion contiguous with and projecting from the leg portion in a transverse direction thereto, a continuous cavity defined by and within the leg and forefoot portions and being complementary in size and shape to support the lower leg of the person while supporting the foot of the person in an upright position, an anterior opening defined in the leg and forefoot portions to permit the foot and lower leg to pass therethrough into the cavity within the leg and forefoot portions, oppositely-disposed lateral regions defined by the leg portion and separated by the anterior opening, oppositely-disposed lateral regions defined by the forefoot portion and separated by the anterior opening, an interior surface defined by the leg and forefoot portions within the cavity, an exterior surface defined by the leg and forefoot portions, and a continuous rim separating the interior and exterior surfaces; a cushion within the cavity within the lower leg portion for supporting the lower leg of the person and suspending the heel of the person within the cavity; a first low-friction material defining the exterior surface at the leg and forefoot portions; a second low-friction material at the continuous rim separating the interior and exterior surfaces; first means for adjustably closing the anterior opening in the leg portion with the lateral regions of the leg portion; and second means for adjustably closing a portion of the anterior opening in the forefoot portion with the lateral regions of the forefoot portion by drawing the lateral regions of the forefoot portion inward and toward the medial and lateral sides of the foot of the person within the forefoot portion without applying pressure to the dorsum of the foot.