Isokinetic snow displacing device

A handrail article containing integral nodes continuously spaced along the axis of the rail at approximate hand spacing to reduce muscle torque strain and fatigue (Isokinetics) resulting from strength applied to overcome sliding of hand grip while sustaining balance during travel on stairways. A non-obvious application of the article is to mobile hand railings as may be found on boats, public transportation, ladders and physical rehabilitation equipment.

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Description

Hand railings have been in the public domain for decades or longer. Architectural and aesthetic railing/balustrade assemblies have been adapted with little or no related attention for folks with physically impaired strength. This invention is not the result of any federally sponsored research or development; no parties are named jointly. A compact disc is provided to demonstrate the utility of prototypes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention concerns embodiments to assist persons with traverse on and along surfaces that may be difficult to maintain balance by providing locations for hand placement that prevent slipping or falling. Hand Railings are commonly found architecturally on stairways and balconies, on mobile surfaces such as boats, public transporters, and specifically emplaced for body locations such as ladders and queues.

2. Background Art

Hand railings are provided with various continuous configurations for gripping to maintain human physical balance Gripping strains and fatigues muscle groups in the forearm (Brachia Radials, Pronator Teres, Pulmaris Longus, Flexor/Extensor Radialis, Flexor Digitorum Superficalis), the wrist (Flexor Retinaculum) and the hand (Flexor Digiti minimi, abductor/adductor Pollicis Brevis, Digitorum Tendons, lateral bands, inner tendinous bands). These muscle groups are repeatedly strained and relaxed to apply fiber torsion force in a normal direction to grip the embodiment radially, preventing hand slipping axially. Slipping (friction) forces must be overcome resulting in repeated exertion of physical grip strain to maintain stabilization and support.

3. Brief Summary of the Invention

Hand railings with nodal configurations along the embodiment are provided for gripping with less physical strength to maintain human structure balance. The advantage of the non-continuous nodal placements along the railings is muscle strength is applied in the direction of the required force, a considerable reduction in physical strength; far less muscle strain and fatigue are required to retain position on the hand rail. A primary object of the invention is to provide stability during traverse for physically handicapped folks.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the nodes along architectural hand railings. FIG. 2 shows non-obvious applications of mobile applications of the railings.

FIG. 1 shows a hand rail with a plurality of node grip surfaces 1 located axially along the rail axis 2 at approximate open hand intervals.

FIG. 2 shows typical mobile applications such as 3 a boat, 4 a bus, 5 a ladder, and 6 a rehab machine.

Claims

1. A hand rail integrally containing a plurality of nodes located continually along the hand-gripping surface at approximate open hand span spacing.

2. Non-obvious hand rails as per claim 1, suitably affixed to mobile travel surfaces.

Patent History
Publication number: 20080216364
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 8, 2007
Publication Date: Sep 11, 2008
Inventor: Addison Woodbury Learned (Abington, MA)
Application Number: 11/715,117
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Manually Powered (37/265)
International Classification: E01H 5/02 (20060101);