Appeal No. 1998-1608 Page 7
Application No. 08/429,926
provided on the backing of the liner 30 adjacent to the
opening 32 formed therein. The free end 62a of the strap
62 is adapted to pass through the slot 26a formed in the
extension 26 of the heel portion 16 of the structure 10,
and to be folded back in superimposed relation on the
area of the strap 62 which is secured to the reinforcing
layer 40. The strap 62 desirably is provided with
releasable fastening means of the hook and loop type to
enable the free end 62a thereof to be disengaged from the
heel portion 16. The other end of the padded member 60
has a strap 64 secured thereto, the free end 64a thereof
being adapted to pass through the slot 24a formed in the
extension 24 of the heel portion 16, and, like the free
end 62a of the strap 62, to be folded back in
superimposed relation on itself. As with the strap 62,
the strap 64 is provided with releasable fastening means
of the hook and loop type to enable the free end 64a
thereof to be disengaged from the heel portion 16.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 of the drawings, the
padded member 60 snugly overlies the foot engaging
portion of the liner 30 when the straps 62 and 64 are
connected to the extensions 24 and 26 of the heel portion
16. This arrangement acts to prevent the heel 18 of a
user of the device from coming into contact with the
inner surface 16a of the heel portion 16. The fixed,
stable position of the heel portion 16 in relation to the
heel 18 of a user is enhanced, augmented and promoted by
the reinforced areas of the panel 40 which are positioned
along the edges of the heel accommodating opening 32
formed in the liner 30. These features of the device of
this invention effectively prevent heel decubitus from
occurring, and can aid in the healing of such a condition
in the event it has occurred for some other reason. The
fixed, stable, spaced positioning of the heel of a user
with relation to heel portion 16 of the device also
enables observation during healing of any surgical
procedures performed on the heel of the user, and enables
heavier, more absorbent bandaging materials to be used on
incisions made during such procedures.
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