Hand and fingers stretch device
In accordance with the present invention, a hand and fingers stretch device comprises a glove with a rigid material attached permanently or temporarily to the inside or the outside of the palm-side of the glove, or a hand shaped rigid material that is attached to the hand using rings or finger holders. The rigid material provides resistance to the curving of the fingers and the palm of the hand, stretching the fingers and palm towards a single plane.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for exercising hands and fingers, more particularly a device for the stretching of the hand and fingers with the intended therapeutic effect of treating various hand ailments.
BACKGROUNDThis preferred embodiment invention relates to exercising, more specifically to the exercising or stretching of the hand and fingers, for the prevention and treatment of various hand ailments such as loss of mobility due to injury or arthritis, as well as symptoms caused by repetitive stress injury.
Additionally, it is foreseeable that this invention can be utilized for stretching and strengthening the toes and feet; the only change would be that the glove and rigid material portion of the device would be shaped to conform to the foot and toes of the user.
The preferred embodiment of the invention discloses a novel way of stretching the hand and fingers, but can foreseeably be used in strengthening injured or weakened fingers by causing resistance to the closing motion of the hand, that is drawing one's fingers towards the palm of one's hand in an effort to make a fist. However, because of the invention's configuration, it is better suited as a stretching device because the rigid material is configured in a fashion that would make clenching a fist impossible. This is one of the key distinguishing features of this invention from the myriad of finger and hand strengthening devices. The other devices typically have the tensioning members or stays on the knuckle side of the glove apparatus to allow for complete or near complete closure of the hand, in other words the making of a fist. Because of this difference the stays or tensioning members are in tension or stretched as opposed to this invention whereby the stay or member is actually in compression and pushes against the hand and fingers as opposed to pulling against them when the fingers attempt to bend. This is a desirable feature because the force is constant and gradual and requires no effort on the part of the user. It is a passive stretching exercise, which is very important in rehabilitation from injuries, such as post surgery ruptured tendons, where a slow smooth stretch is necessary to prevent additional injury.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTThe applicant is aware of the following U.S. patents concerning devices related to the stretching of fingers.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,177 (May 6, 2003) to Hockmuth teaches a flexible glove with a reinforcement strip.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,707 (May 5, 1998) to Eck describes a two digit restraining device. This is in contrast to the present invention that uses five digits.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,064 (Sep. 26, 1995) to Williams describes the use of a flexible device for exercise purposes that covers the back of the hand.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,743 (Jun. 16, 1992) to Bishop specifies a cumbersome device that immobilizes the wrist in addition to the thumbs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,576 (Oct. 22, 1991) to Grim, et al. depicts a wrist and hand split where the fingers are bendable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,178 (Nov. 1, 1998) to Gordon teaches an orthopedic glove that comprises independent parts that must be assembled by the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,571 (May 24, 1983) to Nuzzo, et al. describes an adjustable splint whereby the parts require assembly by the end user.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,944,220 (Mar. 16, 1976) to Fasano provides for an adjustable hand exercise system.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,164,841 (Jan. 12, 1965) to Burtoff teaches a flexible glove designed to reduce injuries to the hand.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,794,638 (Jun. 4, 1957) to Risher describes a wrist positioning device.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,695,999 (Dec. 7, 1954) to Arnold provides for a hand shield that is designed to protect the hand.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,438,144 (Mar. 23, 1948) to Bunyar shows a surgical brace for the wrist and hand that must be assembled from individual parts.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,205,957 (Jun. 25, 1940) to Kinkis describes a hand shield that is flexible.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,154,197 (Apr. 11, 1939) to Callaway depicts a glove for restraining wrist motion, primarily for playing golf.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,108,236 (Feb. 15, 1938) to Scott demonstrates finger exercising device that is flexible.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,025,357 (Dec. 24, 1935) to Pagan describes a flexible glove designed for cutting sugar cane.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,919,084 (Jul. 18, 1933) to Wyant teaches a hand protector.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,797,057 (Mar. 17, 1931) to Foulke describes a surgical splint for the hand.
SUMMARYThe preferred embodiment discloses a novel hand stretching device. The purpose of the abstract is to neither define the invention, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. Its purpose is to inform, on a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical enclosure of the invention.
The invention provides a novel hand and fingers stretching device that can be fashioned in the shape of a conventional glove or as an open glove, that is having the fingers attached, not in their entirety, to the stretching mechanism in strategic locations, so as to form an open air glove.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new hand and fingers stretching device that easily and effectively stretches and straightens the fingers and hand.
It is another objective of the present invention to produce an inexpensive easily manufactured hand and fingers stretching device that can be made from a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to, plastic, nylon, cotton, synthetic cloth material, vinyl, and leather.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSTaking the following specifications in conjunction with the accompanying drawings will cause the invention to be better understood regarding these and other features and advantages. The specifications reference the annexed drawings wherein:
While describing the invention and its embodiments, various terms will be used for the sake of clarity. These terms are intended to not only include the recited embodiments, but also all equivalents that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same manner to achieve the same result.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention discloses a hand and fingers stretch device depicted in top plan view in
As shown in
In another embodiment, the rigid support material 12 may be affixed to the exterior of the palm surface 120 by a means such as adhesive, stitches, rivets or any other method of fastening two dissimilar materials, as shown in
In yet another embodiment, as depicted in
There are several contemplated embodiments of the rigid support material 12, although the perimeter geometry is constant the actual material used can vary, that is the rigid support material 12 can be formed from, but not limited to, plastic, metal, carbon fibers, wood, a combination of the aforementioned items arranged in laminate or stacked configuration. This is to provide resistance to the fist-making or curving action of the fingers and hands, whether done voluntarily or due to involuntary contractions, so that the base of the fingers and the palm of the hand are positioned in approximately the same plane, that is to stretch the hand flat. The rigid support material 12 acts as a spring member resisting the contraction of the fingers and hands.
Additional embodiments of the hand and finger stretching device 100 contemplate a rigid support material 12 that is slightly bent or concave relative to the palm surface 130 as seen from a side view along the longest part of the device, viewing from finger to palm. This concavity allows for the stretching of the hands and fingers beyond a flat plane for added flexibility and can also allow for a more aggressive stretch if desired.
The finger holders 18 can be made from any pliable material that can be worn against the skin. The finger holders 18 can be elastic or not. Elastic finger holders 18 allow for a more snug fit. Finger holders 18 without elastic are easier to put on and take off.
In
The invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment. One skilled in the art will recognize that it would be possible to construct the elements of the present invention from a variety of means and to modify the placement of the components in a variety of ways. While the embodiments of the invention have been described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. An hand and fingers stretch device comprising: a glove for receiving a human hand there within, the glove including a plurality of pockets each adapted for receiving an individual digit of a human hand and having a palm side and a knuckle side corresponding to the anatomy of a human hand, rigid support material whose exterior boundaries from a top view approximately duplicate a human handprint and is relatively thin when viewed from the side and is made of a material that resists deformation or bending that is affixed to the bottom or palm portion of the glove.
2. The hand and fingers stretch device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of rings or finger holders adapted for receiving an individual digit of a human hand encircle each pocket of the glove to further secure each finger digit to the rigid support material.
3. The hand and fingers stretch device of claim 1, wherein the glove is shaped to receive a human foot and toes and the exterior boundaries of the rigid support material approximately duplicate a human footprint.
4. The hand and fingers stretch device of claim 1, wherein the rigid support material is slightly concave in a plane opposite to the natural closure of the hand.
5. The hand and fingers stretch device of claim 1, wherein the rigid material is affixed to the inner surface of the palm side of the glove in contact with the hand.
6. The hand and fingers stretch device of claim 1, wherein the rigid material is affixed to the outer surface of the palm side of the glove.
7. The hand and fingers stretch device of claim 1, wherein the rigid material is affixed to the outer surface of the palm side of the glove by encapsulating said rigid material with additional glove material.
8. A hand and fingers stretch device comprising: a plurality of rings or finger holders each adapted for receiving an individual digit of a human hand, rigid support material whose exterior boundaries from a top view duplicate a human handprint and is relatively thin when viewed from the side and is made of a material that resists deformation or bending that is affixed to the finger holders or rings by placing the palm side of a human hand in contact with the rigid support material and then placing the finger holders on each digit, so as to cause the rings to secure the rigid support material against the hand.
9. The hand and fingers stretch device of claim 8, wherein the rings or finger holders do not correspond to the number of digits of the human hand; rather, the rings or finger holders receive multiple digits of the human hand.
10. The hand and fingers stretch device of claim 8, wherein the rigid support material is shaped to receive a human foot and toes and the exterior boundaries of the rigid support material approximately duplicate a human footprint.
11. The hand and fingers stretch device of claim 8, wherein the rigid support material is slightly concave in a plane opposite to the natural closure of the hand.
12. The hand and fingers stretch device of claim 1, wherein the human hand is a human foot.
13. A method of exercising the human digits comprising: placing a flexible sheet on an appendage covering the digits and conforming to the outline of the hand or foot, looping an elastic material over the digits and the sheet, and application of a force opposite the natural curling of said digits.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 21, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 1, 2007
Inventor: Kurt Findeisen (Los Angeles, CA)
Application Number: 11/359,299
International Classification: A63B 23/16 (20060101); A63B 21/02 (20060101);