Isokinetic hand railing

Abstract

The isokinetic analysis of the forces upon the human muscles of the forearm, wrist and hand from the forces encountered by the tasks of support and stabilization are reduced by the inclusion of sections along the rail in the direction(s) of said task forces, in sufficient length and shape to engage repeated gripping. The human user can impart less force to prevent slipping and loss of control with less strain of muscles required for gripping. Non-obvious embodiments include portable devices such as ladders, boats and bus hand rails.

Description

This invention defines a nodal configuration for hand railings of all kinds, stairway, parch/deck, handicap, boat, fire ladders, general purpose ladders, and similar members fixed or portable for the purpose of stabilization of the human form from gripping with one or two hands. The hand and forearm muscular strain and human body physical effort required to stabilize balance, assist movement, reduce weight forces, and grip are relieved by eliminating the muscle strain required to overcome friction from slipping along the rail.

BACKGROUND

The Old Method

Hand railings embodied for their utility contain a top rail with continuous configuration for the gripping with one or two hand(s) along a distance. Typically, the rail is gripped, often at specific attitude, with physical muscles strained around surfaces of approximately constant diameter or cross section at random locations along the rail. The objective of these rails is to allow the hand and forearm muscles to absorb the strain needed to support and balance the human frame. Muscles of the forearm (Brachia Radials, Pronator Teres, Pulmaris Longus, Flexor/Extensor Carpi Radialis, Flexor Digitorum Superficalis), the wrist (Flexor Retinaculum) and the hand (Flexor Digiti Minimi, Abductor/adductor Pollicis Brevis, Digitorum tendons, lateral bands, inertendinous bands) are repeatedly strained and relaxed to apply fiber torsion force in a direction to grip radially on the handle to prevent slipping forces axially, transmitted and subsequently exerted during the repeated gripping task of stabilization and support. Some strain reducing claims distribute the strain to other muscles or body structure members to replace gripping strength. NOTE: The user's motions and physical strength to accomplish the transmission of human force to the support/stabilization task are dependent upon the direction of the forces exerted; gripping forces are required to provide friction at the human/rail interface. Only the components of force in the direction of the task are effectively transmitted; gripping forces required to overcome friction at the hand/rail interface are excess for the transmission to accomplish the task. Repeated exertion and release of these gripping muscles cause fatigue.

The New Method

• 1. Systems with rail embodiments, containing a plurality of nodes arranged fixedly integral along the rail are shaped to relieve the strain upon the muscle torque such that slipping is prevented by muscle closure axially, in direct line with the force delivered by the tool and are perpendicular to the torsion of the muscle fiber, thereby obtaining more precise control of the attitude of the physical form. No other body muscle or skeletal member is engaged to replace the reduced strain.
• 2. The contours of the rail lessen the grip strength needed for all repeated motions, lengthening the time before the human capability forces are reduced (fatigue). For a handicapped person, time reduced by this task removes them from other hazards such as avoiding wind, traffic, crowding, slipping or similar environmental damages.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outline view of the grip shapes along the rail.

DETAIL OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Isokinetic Hand Railings

The embodiment (rails) are axially shaped to match muscle exertion direction:

FIG. 1 shows a rail with a multiple of node grip surfaces 1 aligned axially along the rail 2 at approximate open hand span intervals.

Claims

1. An hand rail containing a plurality of nodes continually located along the hand directed surface at approximately open hand spans.

2. Non-obvious variation embodiments are like the preferred embodiments with means of transporting for less frequent use such as ladders, boats and busses.