WRIST MOUNTED HAND SLING

Abstract

A wrist mounted hand sling (1) having a wrist strap (2) that is worn around an individual's wrist and a sling strap (8) that is worn around the palm of a hand (20) between the thumb and forefinger. The sling strap is preferably loosely worn to allow objects attached to the sling strap to slide back and forth along the length of the sling strap, thereby keeping the objects from falling to the ground and in a position where the individual can easily grasp the objects if needed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an aide for attaching objects to an individual's hand, and more particularly, to a wrist mounted hand sling that attaches to animal leashes and other objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many individuals suffer from arthritis, carpal tunnel and other afflictions that affect the motor function of their hands and fingers and/or the strength of their grip. This can cause a problem when carrying, holding and/or using various objects, such as shopping bags, purses, tools, canes and so forth. This can also cause a problem when performing other tasks, such as walking a dog.

All of these activities require an individual to maintain a constant grip on an object, which puts strain on the individual's hand and prevents the individual from using his or her hand and fingers for other activities, such as using a phone.

Therefore, a need exists for a wrist mounted hand sling that secures a leash or other object to an individual's hand and wrist, thereby relieving the strain on the individual's hand and fingers and leaving the individual's hand and fingers free for other tasks.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

	Patent No.	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date
(U.S. Patent References)
	281,638	Mahar	Jul. 17, 1883
	2,553,317	Hill	May 15, 1951
	4,728,123	Kassal et al.	Mar. 1, 1988
	4,751,896	Miley	Jun. 21, 1988
	D337,395	Erlinger et al.	Jul. 13, 1993
	5,435,273	Landis et al.	Jul. 25, 1995
	5,695,380	Morrison	Dec. 9, 1997
	6,082,308	Walter	Jul. 4, 2000
	6,095,093	Kisko et al.	Aug. 1, 2000
	D454,670	Weller	Mar. 19, 2002
	D519,686	Alameddine	Apr. 25, 2006
	2012/0042837	Vandenbuckle	Feb. 23, 2012
	8,322,311	Gould et al.	Dec. 4, 2012
	8,413,613	Smith	Apr. 9, 2013

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a wrist mounted hand sling that secures a leash or other objects to an individual while leaving the individual's hand and fingers free for other tasks.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a wrist mounted hand sling that relieves the strain on an individual's hand and fingers caused by carrying or holding onto an object.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a wrist mounted hand sling that prevents an individual from dropping an object to the ground if his or her grip loosens on the object.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a wrist mounted hand sling that keeps objects tethered to an individual.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a wrist mounted hand sling having a wrist strap that is worn around an individual's wrist and a sling strap that is worn around the palm of a hand between the thumb and forefinger. The sling strap is preferably loosely worn to allow objects attached to the sling strap to slide back and forth along the length of the sling strap, thereby keeping the objects from falling and in a position where the individual can easily grasp the objects if needed.

This is especially useful when walking a dog. For example, a leash may be attached to the sling strap in a manner that allows the leash to slide forward and backward on the sling strap while the individual's arm swings naturally forward and backward while walking. This prevents unnecessary tension on the leash, which can cause a dog to tense up and pull unnecessarily on the leash. This also allows the individual to hold other objects such as a phone or hand weights, while still having control over the leash. The leash may also be used for other animals and children.

The present invention is also useful for carrying objects such as purses and shopping bags, canes, tools and so forth. In addition, the present invention may also be used for wheeled objects that are pulled by an individual, such as luggage, oxygen canisters and so forth.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a wrist mounted hand sling of the present invention laid in a flat position;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a wrist mounted hand sling of the present invention laid in a flat position;

FIG. 3A is a palm facing view of a hand on which a wrist mounted hand sling of the present invention being worn and used to walk a dog on a leash;

FIG. 3B, a palm facing view of a hand on which a wrist mounted hand sling with an attachment ring of the present invention being worn;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a hand on which a wrist mounted hand sling of the present invention being worn and used to walk a dog on a leash;

FIG. 5 is a palm facing view of a hand on which a wrist mounted hand sling of the present invention is being worn and used to carry a shopping bag;

FIG. 6 is a palm facing view of a hand on which a wrist mounted hand sling of the present invention is being worn and used to carry a cane; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of a connector of the present invention laid in a flat position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

1. wrist mounted hand sling, generally

2. wrist strap

3. attachment means

4. strap clip

5. slide

6. fixed end of wrist strap

7. adjustable end of wrist strap

8. sling strap

9. fixed end of sling strap

10. sliding end of sling strap

11. accessory ring

12. attachment ring

13. stop

14. leash

15. shopping bag

16. shopping bag handle

17. cane

18. cane handle

19. dog

20. hand

21. connector strap

22. first end of connector strap

23. second end of connector strap

24. leash hook

25. key ring

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, of a wrist mounted hand sling 1 of the present invention laid in a flat position are illustrated. The wrist mounted hand sling 1 of the present invention comprises a wrist strap 2 that is secured around an individual's wrist using an attachment means 3, such as a strap clip 4, clip, buckle, slide 5, hook and loop fastener, snaps, buttons, sewing and so forth. The wrist strap 2 preferably has two ends; a fixed end 6 that is permanently attached to the attachment means 3 and an adjustable end 7, which allows the wrist strap 2 to be adjusted to a size of an individual's wrist. A slide 5 may also be secured on the wrist strap 2 to further secure the wrist strap 2 and set the wrist strap 2 to a desired length. A sling strap 8 preferably having two ends is attached to the wrist strap 2, thereby causing the sling strap 8 to form a substantially C-shaped loop that is worn around a palm of a hand between a thumb and forefinger of a wearer and onto the rear surface of the wearer's hand, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. A fixed end 9 of the sling strap 8 is preferably permanently attached to the wrist strap 2 at an angle. A sliding end 10 of the sling strap 8 is preferably wrapped over the wrist strap 2 and secured to the body of the sling strap 8 using an attachment means 3, such as a clip 4, slide 5, buckle, hook and loop fastener, snaps, buttons, sewing and so forth. An accessory ring 11 may be located on the sling strap 8 or wrist strap 2. A variety of accessories and objects, such as keys, pouches, wallets, pepper spray, whistles, watches and so forth, may be attached to the accessory ring 11 for safe keeping and/or quick access while the wrist mounted hand sling 1 is in use. One or more attachment rings 12 may be located on the sling strap 8 in a manner that allows the one or more attachment rings 12 to slide back and forth along the length of the sling strap 8. The one or more attachment rings 12 may be used to attach a leash or other object to the sling strap 8. Stops 13, such as raised studs, may be located on the wrist strap 2 and/or the sling strap 8 as safety precautions. The stops 13 prevent the ends of the wrist strap 2 and/or the sling strap 8 from coming disconnected from any attachment means 3 while the wrist mounted hand sling 1 is in use.

With reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 4, a palm facing view and a rear view of a hand 20, respectively, on which a wrist mounted hand sling 1 of the present invention being worn and used to walk a dog 19 on a leash 14 are illustrated. The sling strap 8 is worn around a palm of a hand between a thumb and forefinger, in a relatively loose manner. This allows the leash 14 to slide back and forth along the length of the sling strap 8 while the individual's arm swings naturally forward and backward while walking. The leash 14 may be attached directly to the sling strap 8 by looping the leash 14 around the sling strap 8. Alternatively, the leash 14 may be attached to an attachment ring 12 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) located on the sling strap 8. The sliding of the leash 14 on the sling strap 8 prevents unnecessary tension on the leash 14 while walking, which can cause a dog 19 to tense up and pull unnecessarily on the leash 14, thereby allowing the dog 19 to be walked on a “loose leash.” This also allows the individual to hold an object in his or her hand or use his or her fingers while still having control over the leash 14 and dog 19 and maintained the leash 14 in a position where the user can quickly grasp onto it if needed.

With reference to FIG. 3B, a palm facing view of a hand 20 on which a wrist mounted hand sling 1 with an attachment ring 12 of the present invention being worn is illustrated. One or more attachment rings 12 may be located on the sling strap 8 in a manner that allows the one or more attachment rings 12 to slide back and forth along the length of the sling strap 8. The one or more attachment rings 12 may be used to attach a leash or other object to the sling strap 8 using an attachment means 3, such as a leash clip 24, carabineer and so forth.

With reference to FIG. 5, a palm facing view of a hand 20 on which a wrist mounted hand sling 1 of the present invention is being worn and used to carry a shopping bag 15 is illustrated. The sling strap 8 has been inserted through handles 16 of a shopping bag 15 using strap clip 4 to open and close the sling strap 8. This allows a user to use his or her hands and fingers freely while still holding the shopping bag 15. The wrist mounted hand sling 1 may also be used in a similar method to carry purses.

With reference to FIG. 6, a palm facing view of a hand 20 on which a wrist mounted hand sling 1 of the present invention is being worn and used to carry a cane 17 is illustrated. A handle 18 of the cane 17 has been hooked around the sling strap 8 so the cane 17 will hang from the sling strap 8 when not being grasped in the user's hand 20. This allows the user to use his or her hands and fingers freely while still holding the cane 17. In addition, it prevents a user from dropping the cane 17 if he or she has limited motor function.

Finally with reference to FIG. 7, a front view of a connector strap 21 of the present invention laid in a flat position is illustrated. The connector strap 21 comprises a first end 22 and a second end 23 each having an attachment means 3, such as a leash clip 24, key ring 25, ring, hook and so forth, located thereon. A strap clip 4 is preferably located between the first end 22 and second end 23 so that the first end 22 may be detached from the second end 23 or so that the connector strap 21 may be looped around an object. The connector strap 21 may be used to quickly connect objects having rigid handles, such as a retractable leash, luggage and so forth, to the wrist mounted hand sling 1.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A wrist mounted hand sling comprising:

a wrist strap having a first end and a second end that are secured together around an individual's wrist using at least one attachment located on the wrist strap;

a slide located centrally on the wrist strap between the first end and the second end for adjusting the size of the wrist strap;

a sling strap having a first end and a second end both of which are attached to the wrist strap in a manner to cause the sling strap to form a substantially C-shaped loop that is worn around a palm of the individual's hand between the individual's thumb and forefinger and on the rear surface of the individual's hand;

said second end of the sling strap is attached to the wrist strap at an angle between the second end of the wrist strap and the slide that allows the second end of the sling strap to rest near a center of the individual' s wrist; and

said first end of the sling strap is a sliding end that is wrapped over the wrist strap and secured back onto the sling strap using an attachment means, thereby creating a loop on the first end of the sling strap that is located between the first end of the wrist strap and the slide.

2. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 1 wherein:

said attachment means used to secure the first end of the sling strap over the wrist strap is an adjustment slide.

3. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 1 wherein:

said second end of the sling strap is a fixed end that is permanently attached to the wrist strap.

4. (canceled)

5. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 1 further comprising:

an accessory ring located on the wrist mounted hand sling.

6. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one attachment ring located on the sling strap in a manner that allows the at least one attachment ring to slide back and forth along a length of the sling strap.

7. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one stop located on the wrist mounted hand sling.

8. A wrist mounted hand sling comprising:

a wrist strap having a first end and a second end that are secured together around an individual's wrist using at least one attachment located on the wrist strap;

a slide located centrally on the wrist strap between the first end and the second end for adjusting the size of the wrist strap;

a sling strap having a first end and a second end both of which are attached to the wrist strap in a manner to cause the sling strap to form a substantially C-shaped loop that is worn around a palm of the individual's hand between the individual's thumb and forefinger and on the rear surface of the individual's hand; and

said second end of the sling strap is attached to the wrist strap between the second end of the wrist strap and the slide that allows the second end of the sling strap to rest near a center of the individual's wrist;

said second end of the sling strap is a fixed end that is permanently attached to the wrist strap;

said first end of the sling strap is a sliding end that is wrapped over the wrist strap and secured back onto the sling strap using an attachment means, thereby creating a loop on the first end of the sling strap that lays flat against the wrist strap and is located between the second end of the wrist strap and the slide.

9. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 8 wherein:

said attachment means used to secure the first end of the sling strap over the wrist strap is an adjustment slide.

10. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 8 wherein:

said second end of the sling strap is attached to the wrist strap at an angle.

11. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 8 further comprising:

an accessory ring located on the wrist mounted hand sling.

12. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 8 further comprising:

at least one attachment ring located on the sling strap in a manner that allows the at least one attachment ring to slide back and forth along a length of the sling strap.

13. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 8 further comprising:

at least one stop located on the wrist mounted hand sling.

14. A wrist mounted hand sling comprising:

a wrist strap having a first end and a second end that are secured together around an individual's wrist using at least one attachment located on the wrist strap;

a sling strap having a first end and a second end both of which are attached to the wrist strap in a manner to cause the sling strap to form a substantially C-shaped loop that is worn around a palm of the individual's hand between the individual's thumb and forefinger and on the rear surface of the individual's hand;

an attachment ring located on the sling strap in a manner that allows the attachment ring to slide back and forth along a length of the sling strap.

15. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 14 wherein:

said second end of the sling strap is attached to the wrist strap at an angle.

16. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 14 further comprising:

an accessory ring located on the wrist mounted hand sling.

17. (canceled)

18. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 14 further comprising:

at least one stop located on the wrist mounted hand sling.

19. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 14 wherein:

said second end of the sling strap is a fixed end that is permanently attached to the wrist strap.

20. The wrist mounted hand sling of claim 14 wherein:

said first end of the sling strap is a sliding end that is wrapped over the wrist strap and secured back onto the sling strap using an attachment means, thereby creating a loop on the first end of the sling strap that lays flat against the wrist strap.