Dual Finger Elastomeric Wrap

Abstract

An elastomeric wrap for restricting two fingers during flexion and extension. The wrap covers the proximal phalanx and interphalangeal (PIP) knuckle and part of the middle phalanx of both fingers. Instructional text and directional graphics is silk screened onto the wrap. Fastening is constructed of two opposing strips of hook-and-loop fabric. Buttonhole and straight stitching techniques is used to secure and finish fabric. To form the wrap: First, face the palm upward, second, insert the ring or middle (plus index for right hand) finger into the anchor loop section, third, wrap the elongated section over then under the adjacent left finger, fourth, join one of the two affixed opposing hook-and-loop fabric strips on the elongated section with the other hook-and-loop fabric strip on the anchor loop section to fasten. The wrap is constructed of a strip of elastomeric fabric.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a finger wrap, and more particularly to an elastomeric finger wrap which covers the proximal phalanx and interphalangeal (PIP) knuckle and part of the middle phalanx of solely two fingers during flexion and extension.

BACKGROUND ART

During recreational activities such as playing a string instrument, a beginner may experience difficulty with finger control. Basketball athletes may also sprain fingers during activities and resort to buddy-taping fingers with cloth tape during the healing process.

The current method of controlling unwanted finger flexion and extension, for a beginner string musician, is unaided repetitive play combined with manual and mental dexterity. Basketball athletes use tape. The beginner string musician may experience frustration and cease future play during the early stages of instrument learning upon repetitive and unwanted string strumming by an incorrectly aligned finger. The tape tears after persistent activity and the athlete may not replace because of inconvenience.

Hand and wrist wrap, multi-loop finger band, shock absorber element and finger exerciser device are known to the art, but none of these is well adapted for covering the proximal phalanx and interphalangeal (PIP) knuckle and part of the middle phalanx of solely two fingers to restrict, both fingers during flexion and extension with a strip of elastomeric material.

Hand and wrist wrap, multi-loop finger band and finger exerciser are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,105 to Barlow, U.S. Des. Pat. No. US D467, 828 S to Jones and U.S. Des. Pat. Des. 416,594 to Sardina respectively. This hand and wrist wrap, multi-loop finger band and finger exerciser do not cover the proximal phalanx and interphalangeal (PIP) knuckle and part of the middle phalanx of solely two fingers to restrict both fingers during flexion and extension. These references are not usable for restricting solely two fingers during recreational activities.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,046 to Martin discloses protection of one or more fingers which are engaging a tool from experiencing a shock load when the tool experiences an impact load. The absorber may be two blocks of resilient material, such as synthetic or, rubber. It may be surrounded by a thin flexible casing formed, for example, of a woven fabric. The interconnector may consist of two or more thin elongated strips. Shock absorber elements of this type and its block pads of resilient, material are not usable to restrict, solely two fingers during flexion and extension in recreational string instrument and basketball playing.

None of the known references discloses or suggests a convenient wrap for covering the proximal phalanx and interphalangeal (PIP) knuckle and part of the middle phalanx of solely two fingers during flexion and extension, so as to improve on the conventional unaided repetitive play combined with manual and mental dexterity for the beginner string musician or the buddy-taping for the basketball athlete.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention offers a successful alternative to the conventional unaided repetitive play combined with manual and mental dexterity for the beginner string musician and the buddy-taping for the basketball athlete while healing two sprained fingers. It provides comfortable and convenient restriction of solely two fingers during recreational activity, while allowing active range of motion of the hand.

To accomplish this, a dual finger elastomeric wrap comprises of a strip of elastomeric fabric with instructional text and directional graphics silk screened onto it. Two opposing strips of hook-and-loop fabric close the wrap. Buttonhole and straight stitching techniques is used to secure and finish fabric. To form the wrap: First, face the palm upward, second, insert the ring or middle (plus index for right hand) finger into the anchor loop section, third, wrap the elongated section over then under the adjacent left finger, fourth, of one of the two affixed opposing hook-and-loop fabric strips on the elongated section with the other hook-and-loop fabric strip on the anchor loop section to fasten.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a ¾ perspective of the dual finger elastomeric wrap with opposing hook-and-loop fabric strips, straight stitching to secure and finish the anchor loop, with instructional text and directional graphics silk screened on said loop and loosened elongated section;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged ¾ perspective of the present dual finger elastomeric wrap with the elongated section end finished with the buttonhole stitch technique;

FIG. 2 is a front/back plan of the dual finger elastomeric wrap with opposing hook-and-loop fabric strips, the anchor loop and loosened elongated section;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the dual finger elastomeric wrap with the anchor loop and loosened elongated section;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the dual finger elastomeric wrap with the anchor loop and loosened elongated section;

FIG. 5 is a top plan of the dual finger elastomeric wrap with opposing hook-and-loop fabric strips, straight stitching to secure and finish the anchor loop, elongated section end finished with the buttonhole stitch technique, with instructional text and directional graphics silk screened on said loop and loosened elongated section;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan of the dual finger elastomeric wrap with the elongated section end finished with the buttonhole stitch technique, with anchor loop and straight stitching to secure and finish one of the two opposing hook-and-loop fabric strips to the loosened elongated section;

FIG. 7 is a palm-down pictorial view illustrating the dual finger elastomeric wrap applied on the right hand and covering the proximal phalanx and interphalangeal (PIP) knuckle and part of the middle phalanx of the ring and middle fingers;

FIG. 8A is a palm-up pictorial view illustrating the dual finger elastomeric wrap applied on the left hand and covering the proximal phalanx and interphalangeal (PIP) knuckle and part of the middle phalanx of the ring and middle fingers; and

FIG. 8B is a palm-down pictorial view illustrating the dual finger elastomeric wrap applied on the left hand and covering the proximal phalanx and interphalangeal (PIP) knuckle and part of the middle phalanx of the ring and middle fingers.

The above detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in art.

Claims

1. A dual finger elastomeric wrap, comprising:

elastomeric fabric, hook-and-loop fasteners, stitching and silk screen print.

2. The dual finger elastomeric wrap as claimed by claim 1 wherein the elastomeric fabric is a strip.

3. The dual finger elastomeric wrap as claimed by claim 1 wherein the fasteners are two strips of opposing hook-and-loop fabric and wherein the fasteners is affixed onto opposite side surfaces of the elastomeric fabric.

4. A dual finger elastomeric wrap as claimed by claim 1 wherein the one fastener is affixed onto the anchor loop section of the wrap and the other is affixed onto the elongated section of the wrap.

5. The dual finger elastomeric wrap as claimed by claim 1 wherein the end of the elongated section of the wrap is finished with the buttonhole stitch technique.

6. The dual finger elastomeric wrap as claimed by claim 1 wherein an anchor loop is formed with an end of the wrap folded back onto itself, secured and finished with the straight stitch technique to form a 360 degree vertical loop.

7. A dual finger elastomeric wrap as claimed by claim 1 wherein instructional text and directional graphics is silk screen printed onto the wrap within the anchor loop and elongated sections.

8. The dual finger elastomeric wrap as claimed by claim 1 wherein the contracted diameter of the anchor loop section is between 0.459″ and 0.97″.

9. The dual finger elastomeric wrap as claimed by claim 1 wherein the elongated section is looped around the adjacent left finger.

10. The dual finger elastomeric wrap as claimed by claim 1 wherein the wrap is formed by: First, facing the palm upward, second, inserting the ring or middle (plus index for right hand) finger into the anchor loop section, third, wrapping the elongated section over then under the adjacent left finger, fourth, joining one of the two affixed opposing hook-and-loop fabric strips on the elongated section with the other hook-and-loop fabric strip on the anchor loop section to fasten.

11. The dual finger elastomeric wrap claimed in claim 1 wherein said wrap covers proximal phalanx and interphalangeal (PIP) knuckle and part of the middle phalanx of two fingers.

12. A dual finger elastomeric wrap as in claim 1 wherein said wrap expands and conforms to the shape of two fingers.