Finger Support Or Guide Patents (Class 473/61)
  • Patent number: 11878228
    Abstract: The Follow Through Fixer is a basketball shooting aid that is worn on a basketball player's shooting arm. It helps a player straighten their follow through, correct their finger spacing, and quicken their release time. The present invention also comes with a unique assembly and design that allows for a player to take the device on and off easily, allowing them to seamlessly transition from practicing with the shooting aid to playing without it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Travis Preston Edwards
  • Patent number: 11013975
    Abstract: A training aid for throwing a curveball is disclosed herein. The training aid can include a base member that can coupled to a user's wrist. The training aid can further include a first stiffener and a second stiffener coupled to the base member and extending towards the fingertips of the user. The first stiffener can extend over the top of the user's hand and the second stiffener can extend over the palm of the user's hand. The first stiffener and the second stiffener can maintain the wrist/hand position by preventing the wrist from flexing and extending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Cosgrove
  • Patent number: 10765547
    Abstract: A wrist brace for providing temporary comfort to sufferers of wrist pain. The wrist brace ovates the carpal tunnel through a pair of crisscrossing guylines each independently anchored on a wrist strap. One guyline hooks to the pinky finger and the other guyline hooks to the thumb. The guylines overlap at an “X” that is offset from the wrist strap over the palm. The anchor points of the guylines can be independently moved to change the tensions there along. The guylines can be used in conjunction with popular wrist-worn devices and jewelry or a dedicated wrist strap fitted with a hook-and-loop faster system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Myers Design LLC
    Inventor: Jeromy J. Myers
  • Patent number: 10434393
    Abstract: A basketball shot training device comprising a wrist band 1; a finger piece 2 having two different size open ring holes 3, 4 for placement and securing on the user's index and middle fingers, a forked shaft portion 5 with a straight connection 6 to said open ring hole 3 for the index finger and a curved connection 7 to said open ring hole for the middle finger; and a straight shaft portion 8 connected at one end to said forked shaft portion and at the opposite end having an attachment means 9 to attach to said wrist band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventor: Natalie Nicole Young
  • Patent number: 9643073
    Abstract: An exercise grip is disclosed. The exercise grip includes a protective portion and a wrist strap connected to a wrist end of the protective portion. The protective portion has a finger end in which three or four finger holes are defined. The protective portion also has a palm portion that extends from the finger holes to the wrist end. The protective portion varies in width from the wrist end to the finger end. The protective portion can be formed to cover an ulnar portion of a wrist when placed on a hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: VICTORY GRIPS LLC
    Inventor: Victor Pellegrino
  • Patent number: 9078506
    Abstract: Pedicure toe band separators and methods of making and using the same. Each toe band separator wraps around a single toe and is secured thereto while avoiding contact with the toenail. Once secured to the toe, the toe band separator provides a space or gap between adjacent toes and toenails so that when the toenails are painted, contact with one or more such adjacent toes and/or toenails is avoided via the toe band separators of the invention and the space/gap generated thereby. The toe band separators may be used in combination with an additional spacer, and may be reusable or single-use disposable toe bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventor: Naoemi P. Gullickson
  • Patent number: 8870670
    Abstract: An aid for protecting and/or supporting a user's finger(s) or hand during an activity is described. The aid is particularly suited for activities involving repeated grasping which causes strain to the finger(s) and/or hand. The aid may be of a one-piece or two-piece design with features which allow adjustment to accommodate various finger and hand sizes. Generally speaking, the aid includes a finger collar which is placed about a user's fingers, and an extended support which combined with the collar holds the user's finger(s) in a particular curved state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: John R. Kordecki
  • Publication number: 20130260907
    Abstract: An aid for protecting and/or supporting a user's finger(s) or hand during an activity is described. The aid is particularly suited for activities involving repeated grasping which causes strain to the finger(s) and/or hand. The aid may be of a one-piece or two-piece design with features which allow adjustment to accommodate various finger and hand sizes. Generally speaking, the aid includes a finger collar which is placed about a user's fingers, and an extended support which combined with the collar holds the user's finger(s) in a particular curved state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: John R. Kordecki
  • Patent number: 7762903
    Abstract: A bowling ball thumb insert has a first and second sleeve. The second sleeve is retained in the first sleeve. The first sleeve has a coupling mechanism including a ledge extending radially inward towards the center of the sleeve. A positioning gap is adjacent the ledge. A second sleeve is positioned inside the first sleeve. The second sleeve includes a coupling mechanism. The second sleeve coupling mechanism includes a wing extending radially outward from the outer surface of the second sleeve. The wing passes through the positioning gap. When one of the sleeves is rotated with respect to the other, the sleeves lock together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: David A. Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 7682261
    Abstract: The finger pad shield, when placed in contact with the bowler's finger pad places a rigid surface between the force against the finger pad and spreads that force, when the bowler's maximum natural force is applied to the bowling ball at the moment of release. It is at this moment when the force of the ball against the finger pad is the greatest and the pressure within the contact area made by the finger pad shield with the finger pad, would be increased if that bowling ball force was not spread over that contact area. The rigid finger pad shield is made sufficiently rigid material to substantially resist the force of the bowling ball so the force against the finger pad shield 14 is spread over the contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Randall A. Addington, W. Robert Addington, W. Robert Addington, II
  • Publication number: 20090275418
    Abstract: The present invention is a modified glove with control/grip-enhancing and perspiration retention properties, offering the bowler a range of functions and options specific to the individual bowler's abilities, equipment selection (i.e. bowling ball), and the lane conditions faced. An elastomeric, control/grip-enhancing material circumferences the fingertips of at least one finger, providing a similar shape and feel to the commonly used, cylindrical inserts/grips; the glove designed to be used in lieu of finger inserts. The present glove invention can be interchangeable between right and left-handed bowlers of approximately the same hand size. The perspiration retentive fabric combined with the elastomeric, control/grip-enhancing material eliminates or significantly reduces perspiration from an otherwise naked inserted finger, which normally has contact with the hole(s) of a bowling ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Marshall Edward Whitehead, II, Mayumi Whitehead, Marshall Edward Whitehead
  • Patent number: 7431657
    Abstract: The present invention is a modified glove with control/grip-enhancing and perspiration retention properties, offering the bowler a range of functions and options specific to the individual bowler's abilities, equipment selection (i.e. bowling ball), and the lane conditions faced. An elastomeric, control/grip-enhancing material circumferences the fingertips of at least one finger, providing a similar shape and feel to the commonly used, cylindrical inserts/grips; the glove designed to be used in lieu of finger inserts. The present glove invention can be interchangeable between right and left-handed bowlers of approximately the same hand size. The perspiration retentive fabric combined with the elastomeric, control/grip-enhancing material eliminates or significantly reduces perspiration from an otherwise naked inserted finger, which normally has contact with the hole(s) of a bowling ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventors: Marshall Edward Whitehead, II, Mayumi Wachi Whitehead, Marshall Edward Whitehead
  • Patent number: 7264553
    Abstract: A method of using a bowler's aid on the fingers inserted into the finger grip holes of the bowling ball and used to hold the ball. The bowler's aid is mounted on the finger or hand of the bowler by means of a fastening means. When the bowler's aid is in place, a finger pad finger pad shield is placed opposite the finger pad which may be connected to a load bearing means by a support means. The finger pad finger pad shield assists the bowler in using his or her natural force in the finger against the ball, for example when lifting the ball in its delivery, or in meeting the force of the ball against the finger. The bowler's aid may include a depth limiting means to control the depth of the bowler's finger in the hole of the bowling ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventors: Randall A. Addington, W. Robert Addington, W. Robert Addington, II
  • Patent number: 6837796
    Abstract: A finger grip (10) for a bowling ball (14) has a mechanism (20) to retain the grip to a bowler's finger (12). A pad (24) is included to contact the bowling ball (14). The bowling ball (14) is associated with the retention mechanism. Also the pad (24) has an arcuate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: David A. Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 6827653
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wrist support for bowlers which prevents a user from being injured by shock applied to a user's wrist during bowling and which allows the user to accurately throw a bowling ball. The wrist support is designed to steplessly adjust horizontal and/or vertical angles between its hand back part, wrist part, and finger part, and is designed such that a fastening band unit is easily connected to and removed from a main body of the wrist part, and allows a user to feel comfortable when wearing the wrist support. The wrist support according to the present invention is designed such that click sounds are generated from the support when turning an adjusting knob provided at an angle adjusting part, thus allowing a user to confirm whether the angle adjusting part is operated or not, therefore providing reliability and convenience to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Sung-Hoan Be
  • Patent number: 6729979
    Abstract: A basketball shooting trainer device for teaching a user to correctly shoot and release a basketball. The basketball shooting trainer device includes a piece of material having a top edge and a bottom edge and being adapted to removably cover a back of a user's basketball shooting hand; and also includes tubular finger members extending from the top edge of the piece of material and being adapted to fittingly receive a user's fingers; and further includes a finger wedge being attached to the piece of material for keeping a user's middle two fingers spread apart; and also includes a support member being attached to the piece of material; and also includes a strap assembly being attached along the bottom edge of the piece of material and being adapted to removably fasten about a user's wrist to support the piece of material upon the user's basketball shooting hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6658669
    Abstract: An adjustable tensioning strap is mounted in a glove worn on the bowling hand and connecting the glove finger tip and an anchor point proximate the wrist or palm. The tensioning strap, from the finger tip to the anchor point, is held adjacent the glove lining so when placed on the hand and with tension applied to the tensioning strap, the tensioning strap is held or forced by the glove toward and substantially adjacent the bowler's finger and palm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventors: Randall A. Addington, W. Robert Addington, W. Robert Addington, II, Joel I. Rosenblatt
  • Publication number: 20030045367
    Abstract: A finger grip (10) for a bowling ball (14) has a mechanism (20) to retain the grip to a bowler's finger (12). A pad (24) is included to contact the bowling ball (14). The bowling ball (14) is associated with the retention mechanism. Also the pad (24) has an arcuate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: DAVID A. BERNHARDT
  • Patent number: 6361447
    Abstract: A bowler's dual position wrist and finger control device is disclosed. The device comprises a hand plate and a forearm plate pivotally linked by a double position hinge mechanism. The double position hinge mechanism angularly disposes the hand plate and forearm plate to each other and limits any backward angular movement beyond this limit, thereby restricting the backward movement of a bowler's hand during delivery of a bowling ball. The double position hinge mechanism allows the user to pre-select two such angles of disposition and limitation in the same plane, and to chose between them by positioning a release lever up or down. The invention further discloses the use of finger supports secured to the hand plate to provide additional support for the bowler. In the preferred embodiment the finger supports are laterally pivotable about the hand plate to enable the user to adjust the supports to a comfortable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Terry Lindstrom
  • Publication number: 20020002081
    Abstract: An insert shim for use in adjusting the size of a finger hole in a bowling ball, the finger hole being formed by a substantially cylindrical wall, and having a closed bottom end and an open top end, and having a standard insert positioned therein. The shim is a semi-rigid member having first and second axes, the first axis being linear and the second axis being arcuate. When inserted in the finger hole between the cylindrical insert and the cylindrical wall, the shim bending to substantially conform to the cylindrical wall of the finger hole. The shim may also be self-adhering and include adhesive means for releasably securing the shim to the cylindrical wall of the ball finger hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: David M. Albert
  • Patent number: 5906546
    Abstract: A bowling aid adapted to be mounted on either the bowler's index or little finger. The aid is a sheath into which the bowler's finger is inserted. Appropriate padding is provided in the sheath for gripping and protecting the finger. The padding can include a full-finger insert having removable serrated longitudinal sections. On the outer end of the sheath there is provided a plate which extends outwardly from the sheath under the head metacarpal joint of the bowler's index finger and part of the palm of the bowler's hand and is provided with a concave surface with a frictional coating thereon for assisting the bowler in gripping the bowling ball. The concave surface and friction coating extend along the length and width of the sheath. The bowler presses the plate and the length and width of the sheath against the surface of the ball to generate enhanced control during ball release. The sheath can define a gap along its length with a fastening system attached to the sheath to accommodate varying finger sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: David M. Albert
  • Patent number: 5758365
    Abstract: A sports glove has a single-piece support insert adapted to be received therein along the top of one or more fingers, the hand and the wrist in order to provide support, protection and performance enhancement to the user. The glove is flexible so it can provide firm yet resilient support in order to maintain the support insert in place during movement. The support insert can be molded or deformed for customized fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: David D. Steeley
  • Patent number: 5688181
    Abstract: A bowling aid adapted to be mounted on either the bowler's index or little finger. The aid is a rigid sheath into which the bowler's finger is inserted. Appropriate padding is provided in the sheath for gripping and protecting the finger. On the outer end of the sheath there is provided a plate which extends outwardly from the sheath and is provided with a concave surface with a frictional coating thereon for assisting the bowler in gripping the bowling ball. The concave surface and friction coating extend along the length and width of the sheath. The bowler presses the plate and the length and width of the sheath against the surface of the ball during bowling to generate enhanced grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: David M. Albert
  • Patent number: 5611735
    Abstract: A bowling apparatus including a first support adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one finger of a bowler; a second support adapted to cover at least a wrist of a hand of a bowler; and an adjustable support comprising one end connected to the first support and another end pivotally connected to the second support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Richard W. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5554076
    Abstract: A bowler's finger sleeve (10) is constructed of a high density neoprene sheet to form a curved tube which is placed on a bowler's finger (12) to aid the bowler in controlling a bowling ball (16). The sleeve is constructed using a method employed to construct a prior art orthopedic splint. An internal ridge (52) of the sleeve is placed at a dorsal surface (56) of the bowler's finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: E. Nelson Clark
  • Patent number: 5466192
    Abstract: It's a movable bowling wrist device that is secured to the back of the hand and forearm by means of straps and it consists of four main structural parts made of stainless steel. The hand portion with all its finger extensions and forearm portion are connected together by a wing type structure with an attachment of an adjustable stopping mechanism on top. The hand portion with all its finger extensions is indefinitely moving vertically perpendicular to the wing part from which it is connected can be indefinitely adjusted from left to right or vice versa on a horizontal plane on which it is attach to the forearm portion can be place in a locking position by a swiveling lock. The adjustable stopping mechanism stops the hand portion with all its finger extensions on a backward movement thus producing an angle perpendicular to the forearm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventors: Rodrigo L. Castolo, Thomas S. Castillo