Hand Or Arm Patents (Class 2/16)
  • Patent number: 5638546
    Abstract: An arm warmer garment (10) worn on an arm (12) of an athlete (14) to retain a substantial amount of body heat comprising a protective flexible sleeve (16) adapted to cover the arm (12) of the athlete (14) from a wrist (18) all the way up to a shoulder (20). A facility (22) is for securing the protective flexible sleeve (16) in place on the arm (12) of the athlete (14). The protective flexible sleeve (16) will stay on the arm (12) and maintain the temperature of muscles needed by the athlete (14) in the arm (12) for throwing an object (24), when the athlete (14) is idle during a sporting game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Deborah C. Vita
  • Patent number: 5632045
    Abstract: An antivibration glove includes a glove body with a front and back and a vibration dampener essentially disposed in the interior of the glove toward the palm side of the glove. The vibration dampener has at least a first layer composed of a viscoelastic material having a Shore 00 durometer of less than 50 and a rebound percentage of less than 20. Preferably the vibration dampener also includes second and third layers, coterminous with the first layer, which are composed of a foam material. The viscoelastic layer may have a non-uniform shape, such as precurved, tapered, or the like. In one embodiment the layer of viscoelastic material is relatively thicker near the glove palm area and ball of the thumb and relatively thinner adjacent the finger portion of the glove. The viscoelastic material may be creased to facilitate bending of the glove. The glove attenuates at least 40% of the applied vibration occurring in the range of from 200 Hz to 1250 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Chase Ergonomics, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Chase, Daniel A. Talonn
  • Patent number: 5628062
    Abstract: An arm and hand ultra violet protection sleeve for driving includes a special graded fabric sun-block sleeve for UV protection while driving. The UV-proof sleeve is constructed of special graded soft and smooth irritation free fabric material, and with an elongated air ventilating chamber-like cavity extended from the upper arm portion down to the wrist area and from the wrist, a cuff extends in arch over the back of the hand which ends over the tip of the fingers, and with fastening elements and openings to both ends, so that the sleeve can be held in place gently and worn comfortably while driving. The UV protection sleeve can effectively narrow down and reduce the chance of drivers contracting any type of skin damage or health hazardous skin diseases from the intrusion of ultra violet radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: Li Ming Tseng
  • Patent number: 5623728
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective gear having a primary front protective pad and a rear protective pad, the front and rear pads being flexibly connected to one another and being adjustable relative to one another. This allows the primary front protective pad to extend to a greater or lesser extent downwardly over the player's abdomen, so as to accommodate the desired positioning of the front protective pad on the player's body. The protective gear also has arm sections that are adjustable in length to permit desired positioning on the player's arms. In a variant, the protective gear of the invention also has an adjustable secondary front pad which is attached to the primary front pad and the rear pad and which is configured to cover the player's upper chest and clavicle areas. The protective gear according to the invention is particularly useful for ice hockey players and particularly goaltenders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Canstar Sports Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven G. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5622762
    Abstract: A multi-layer material suitable for production of divers' suits, such material eliminating the conventional waterproof material characteristic of the prior art. In one form, the multi-layer material comprises an outer layer of Lycra bonded to a first inner layer of a plush-type material which is then bonded to a second inner layer of a denser plush-type material. The bond between the Lycra and first inner plush layer is preferably formed by coating the facing surfaces with a solid film of a water resistant contact cement which resists any transfer of water between the Lycra and first inner plush layer. The first inner plush layer is then bonded to the second inner plush layer by either an adhesive or other fastening means which allows water transfer between the first and second plush-type material layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: Ivan L. Perla
  • Patent number: 5611080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an articulated limb protection system and device for use in sports events such as ice hockey, street hockey, roller hockey and the like. The system or device comprises a buffer pocket which is disposed between an outer joint guard means and an inner joint guard means. The inner joint guard means is articulately connected to an adjacent limb guard means so that the inner joint guard means pivots relative to the limb member in response to bending action of the protected limb about the covered joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Jofa AB
    Inventor: Leif Skottheim
  • Patent number: 5608912
    Abstract: My invention comprises an athletic support glove that will allow its user to engage in vigorous athletic activity while protecting the fingers, thumb and hand from lacerations, abrasions, bruises, dislocations and fractures that injure many athletes. The athletic support glove is provided with non-elastic partitions between each of the adjacent fingers as well as between the index finger and thumb, and a strap that secures the thumb to the hand and wrist of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Keith Cumberland
  • Patent number: 5604931
    Abstract: A protective glove adapted to be fitted over an individual's hand area and wrist area. The protective glove includes a hand cover constructed of a flexible material adapted to cover and surround the hand area of the individual and a hand protector. The hand protector includes at least a portion constructed of a rigid material capable of being hit with a hard thrown baseball without substantially bending or breaking. The hand protector is connected to the hand cover and positioned on the hand cover whereby the hand protector is positioned over carpals in the hand. The protective glove also includes a wrist protector having at least a portion constructed of a rigid material capable of being hit with a hard thrown baseball without substantially bending or breaking. The wrist protector is connected to the hand cover and positioned on the hand cover whereby the wrist protector is positioned over a portion of the ulna in the wrist area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Harvey I. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 5603679
    Abstract: A gripping device and method for enhancing hand gripability of an elongated cylindrical exercise bar by a user during exercise. The device consists of a single resilient, flexible pad formed of a flat sheet of thin elastomeric material such as rubber, latex and the like. The pad is sized in length and width to cover substantially most of the user's palm and fingers up to the first joint. Being uncoated, the surfaces of the pad of elastomeric or latex, resist slippage. No adhesives or other attaching means are required to maintain the position and resilient shape of the device around the exercise bar; hand gripping pressure against the outer surface of the pad which is positioned between the exercise bar and the hand is sufficient for pad position retention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Pedro Reis
  • Patent number: 5600849
    Abstract: The wrist guard can be secured to the hand and wrist by a single strap, to provide protection to the hand and wrist. A rigid palm pad, removably attached to the guard over the palm, protects against impact and abrasion. A relatively stiff or substantially rigid support member is removably attached to the guard on the back of the hand and wrist to prevent backward flexion of the hand while permitting forward flexion. The hand and back of the wrist remain exposed for breathability. A flexible strap across the back of the forearm cushions the arm from the support during a fall. The support member includes a flexible rim across the top, across the back of the hand, to cushion the hand from the support during a fall. The guard is modular in nature such that the guard can be used without the support member when less protection is required or when less bulk and weight is desired. The palm pad and support member can be removed to facilitate cleaning of the guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Antonio C. Hu
  • Patent number: 5601895
    Abstract: In one embodiment a flexible puncture proof material for preventing a puncture by a sharp element having a pointed end includes a flexible layer for providing a flexible substrate for binding and embedding capture elements, a first plurality of capture elements for capturing the pointed end of the sharp element, the first plurality of capture elements being essentially identical and arranged in a first two dimensional array embedded in the flexible layer, a second plurality of capture elements being essentially identical and arranged in a second two dimensional array bound to and embedded in the flexible layer, the second two dimensional array offset relative to the first two dimensional array for capturing the pointed end of the sharp element if the pointed end of the sharp element passes between the first plurality of capture elements, and a third plurality of capture elements for capturing the pointed end of the sharp element, the third plurality of capture elements arranged in a third two dimensional arra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Frank W. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 5598582
    Abstract: A hand covering in the form of a glove which is water proof and provides protection against cutting, puncturing and lacerations as well as thermal insulation for protection against burning of the user's hand when grasping hot objects. A raised silicone pattern is formed on the palm portion of the glove to enhance the heat insulating and gripping abilities of the hand covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Marmon Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren L. Andrews, Georges N. Karam
  • Patent number: 5594954
    Abstract: A knee-pad or an elbow-pad has a body made of a layer of lining, a layer of buffer and a surface cloth by means of thermal pressing process. The body has an intermediate, an upper and a lower portion. The intermediate portion additionally has a bowl-shaped plate on an upper surface. The upper and the lower portion respectively have plural lateral ribs on the surface, and each of the ribs has elastic means consisting of an elastic tube and soft metal wires extending in the tube, and grooves are formed between every two ribs so that the body may be easily bent or straightened according to movement of the knee of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Cheng-Yen Huang
  • Patent number: 5575014
    Abstract: A covering device for arms and feet adapted to provide a shield between the wearer and animals--especially large farm animals. The covering is uniquely fastened onto the wearer and is readily discarded upon movement to another animal or to another animal shelter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventors: George K. Kane, Gerald C. Hodapp
  • Patent number: 5572738
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting the hand from injuries resulting from contact with an object. An outer member and an inner member cooperate to protect the anatomical configurations of the hand by acting as a joint stabilizer to reduce excessive and deleterious joint motion and by acting as a shock absorber to diffuse axial compression, tension, rotational, and other detrimental forces transmitted to the unprotected anatomical configurations of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Charles P. Melone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5566390
    Abstract: A shield for protecting a back of a human hand. The inventive device includes a cover web sized to extend over and beyond the back and digits of a human hand. A plurality of finger loops extend from a lower surface of the cover web for engaging the fingers of the hand to couple the device thereto. A plurality of slits can extend through the web to permit individual articulation of the digits of the hand, and a wrist strap can be provided for securing an inner portion of the cover web relative to the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Isobel E. Clancy
  • Patent number: 5566389
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing wrist guard includes a soft piece including two ear portions, a loop pile area connected on a portion of the soft piece, an envelope connected to another portion of the soft piece and defining a plurality of slots therein, a mediate portion between the loop pile area and the envelope, an opening defined in the space portion allowing a thumb of a user to pass therethrough, and a soft strip extended from one side of the loop pile area, and a shock absorbing device received in the envelope for protecting the user's wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Kao-ming Li
  • Patent number: 5564122
    Abstract: The goaltender's blocker has an angled upper area, with the inside edge of the blocker being raised more than the outside edge. The angled upper area thus angles outwardly away from the plane of the rest of the blocking pad, and also towards the outside edge. One result of this configuration is that when the goaltender is in the usual upright position with the blocker oriented generally upright, a puck which hits the angled portion of the blocker will be deflected outwardly, i.e. toward the corner of the hockey rink, instead of rebounding in front of the net where a goal may be scored by an offensive player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Canstar Sports Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven G. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5561856
    Abstract: A palmar anterior thumb support for use with a glove or mitten includes a molded thermoplastic insert which extends distal of the wrist on the palmar side of the hand and the thumb. The support covers substantially all of the palm of the hand and substantially all of the palmar side of the thumb. The palm portion of the support is contoured to maintain a correct web space between the thumb and the index finger. The thumb portion of the support is contoured to support the palmar side of the thumb and is provided with two or more upstanding extensions or tabs for laterally supporting the thumb. At least one of the tabs preferably extends partially onto the dorsal side of the hand in the web space between the thumb and the index finger. The palmar support supports not only the thumb, but the CMC, MP, and IP joints and is more comfortable than a dorsal support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: Mary Pesco
  • Patent number: 5557803
    Abstract: A shock absorbent protective GLOVE (24) to be used as an underglove in conjunction with a baseball/softball mitt, which extends above the wrist and up the lower forearm. The hand section (22) of the GLOVE (24) contains thin quasi-liquid, shock absorbent, flexible material with shape memory properties covering the fingers, the base of the fingers and the palm or the metacarpal bones of the hand. The wrist section (18) of the GLOVE (24) contains shock absorbent material of closed cell and shape memory properties covering the carpal bones and thus the ulna nerve where it enters the hand at the wrist. The forearm section (12,14) of the GLOVE (24) contains at least one layer of shock absorbent material patterned to optimize flexibility and protection of the lower ulna and radius bones as well as the front surface of the lower forearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventors: Timothy E. Granich, Marilyn Granich
  • Patent number: 5554107
    Abstract: A footwrap comprising a modified tubular body of elastic material wherein the body has an ankle opening and a plurality of toe openings. The ankle opening is positioned to extend from above the heel forward along both sides of the foot just below the ankle to the top of the foot. The toe openings are positioned forward of the ankle opening so that the body envelops the foot between the ankle opening and the toe openings and exerts a predetermined compressive force to support the arch of the foot. The body is adapted to envelope the heel below the ankle opening to form a heel cup, the heel cup being positioned so that a predetermined compressive force is exerted along the bottom of the foot between the heel and the toes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Donald R. Shannahan
  • Patent number: 5551086
    Abstract: A hand restraint device for restraining the hands of an individual and preventing them from using their fingers and thumbs is disclosed. The hand restraint device comprises a pair of mitts for connection to a pair of standard handcuffs. The mitts comprise pockets of material with a closed end and open end for enveloping the hands of the wearer. Each mitt includes a durable hand enclosure and elastic wristband. The handcuffs encircle the wearer's wrists, passing through a ring connected to the outside of the wristband of each mitt. A rib is located at the open end of each mitt on the outside of each wristband, preventing the wearer from sliding the mitts from underneath the handcuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Q. Albanese
  • Patent number: 5542121
    Abstract: A dispensable, disposable reversible forearm protector is made up from continuous webs of composite material. Each of two laminated webs, comprised of a layer of soft, absorbent paper toweling or the like and a moisture impermeable layer of thermoplastic or similar material, is arranged face-to-face with the other and joined by heat sealing or other means along generally transverse strip-like bonding areas of the web to form rectangular or trapezoidal segments of the web. Lines of weakness running along the strip-like bonding areas allow successive segments to be detached from the web. Each segment forms a flat, tubular element, which is expandable to circular form so as to receive the hand and forearm of a user. Preferably, the bonding areas are angled so that the individual segments are of trapezoidal shape, providing a tapered tubular configuration for better conformance with the contours of the forearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Dale Strohl
    Inventors: Pierre Lahaussois, Margaret T. Strohl
  • Patent number: 5537692
    Abstract: A snowboard glove provides protection to the hand and wrist of the wearer. The glove includes a shell having a wrist portion, a palm portion, a back-of-hand portion, a thumb portion and a fingers portion. The shell is formed from at least an outer waterproof layer, an inner layer, and insulation between the outer and inner layers. A first elongated pouch is connected to the inner layer on the palm portion and is placed between the inner layer and the insulation. The first elongated pouch extends from the palm portion to the wrist portion of the glove. A second elongated pouch is connected to the inner layer on the back-of-hand portion and is positioned between the inner layer and the insulation. The second elongated pouch extends from the back-of-hand portion to the wrist portion of the glove. A first wrist support plate is securely mounted in the first pouch. A second wrist support plate is securely mounted in the second pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Bryan D. Dorr
  • Patent number: 5538501
    Abstract: An improved wrist support for protection against development of carpal tunnel syndrome. The support includes a body member having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having variable stretch sections for providing variable amounts of support along the wrist, hand and arm. The upper portion of the body member encircles a portion of the thumb for added support. The upper portion of the body member is constructed of neoprene for support, impact resistance and comfort. The fingers of the hand are left substantially unencumbered when the wrist support is in place about the wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: OK-1 Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Charles A. Caswell
  • Patent number: 5530967
    Abstract: A hockey players gloves with attachable and removable weights in which the weights are insertable and removable from a pocket associated with the gloves. In certain embodiments, a portion of a blocking pad is positioned between the inserted weight and the surface of the pad adapted to engage or block a hockey puck that may be traveling at a relatively high rate of speed. In other embodiments, the weight is insertable and removable from a pocket formed in the cuff area of each glove. The gloves may be used both as a warm up aid for use just prior to a game or as a training aid during various practice periods. The pocket receiving the weight is provided with a closure and the weight is preferably metal and provided with a coating of resilient material, such as rubber or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Robert Cielo
  • Patent number: 5526531
    Abstract: The present invention is a wrist guard which has a molded body having its first end configured to contact a user's palm and a second end configured to engage the user's forearm. A thumb receiving member is located at a first side of the palm end of the wrist guard and is designed to prevent overextension of the thumb. The forearm portion stabilizes the wrist guard so it does not rotate. The first strap extends betweens the thumb covering and the opposing side of the first end of the palm and of the stiff body member. This strap is selectively adjustable to ensure proper fit. A second strap is located at the forearm end of the wrist guard. This strap, like the first strap, is selectively adjustable to ensure proper fit. The user will insert their thumb into the thumb receiving member and tighten the straps for securing the wrist guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: O.S. Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Olson, Mark M. Moffa
  • Patent number: 5511243
    Abstract: A sports glove is provided having a padded dorsal surface including padded independent ribs fanning out from the point of the proximate knuckle on the index finger to allow for ergonomic flexing of the glove when the player's hand is gripping a hockey stick. The cuff is provided with a floating padded band loosely attached thereto to cover a flexible waist portion of the cuff, and annular ribs are provided adjacent the waist and the band is made to overlap these ribs in order to provide protection to the wrist in a normal or flexed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Sport Maska Inc.
    Inventors: F. Kenneth Hall, Bertrand Dessureault, Sylvain Dufour, Nicole Ranger
  • Patent number: 5511241
    Abstract: The chain mail fabric of a protective garment is impregnated with an elastomeric material to impart elastic characteristics to the fabric. In a first embodiment of such a garment construction, a chain mail glove includes a glove portion with an open end and a cuff portion attached to the open end of the glove portion. The cuff portion comprises a plurality of interconnected rows of wire rings which extend laterally around a wrist in encircling relation so that the cuff portion is expandable in diameter. The cuff portion is impregnated with an elastomeric latex material to impart elasticity to the cuff. In use, the cuff elastically encircles the wrist without bunching or gathering of the material, yet it is expandable in diameter to extend a hand therethrough. In a second embodiment, an arm protector includes a sleeve portion and cuff portions at each end of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Azon Corporation
    Inventor: Guenther Ziegler
  • Patent number: 5511242
    Abstract: The invention provides a hockey glove in which the flexibility of the fingers is substantially increased without detracting from the protection provided by padding along the back of the glove. Stalls are provided for the fingers in which a portion of each stall is not attached to the padding along the back of the finger, but is isolated from the padding overlaying the stall and only resiliently attached thereto so that when the fingers are flexed the padding follows the flexing motion, but restricts it only minimally. In a preferred embodiment an elastic strap is provided to form a resilient web between the isolated portion of each finger and its associated padding. When the fingers are flexed, the isolated portions of the stalls allow the fingers a greater freedom of movement while the fingers remain protected by the overlying padding because the elastic strap pulls the sections of padding along with the stalls. The thumb stall may optionally be similarly constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Sandro Bianchi
  • Patent number: 5511244
    Abstract: A hockey goaltender's glove is described, in which the pocket is divided by a central web split into two side-by-side web portions along a substantial part of its length, or by two separate web portions, the web portions being tied by webbing such that a gap is created between them, spanned by webbing. By virtue of the web portions and the gap, the pocket flexes and closes around the puck more easily, thereby providing more reliable trapping of the puck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Canstar Sports Groups, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian H. Shikatani
  • Patent number: 5497513
    Abstract: The invention relates to a remedial support appliance for medical use, comprising an elasticated knit main portion for compressing a leg or an arm in order to treat venous or lymphatic insufficiency. According to the invention, the main portion is extended upwards by an elasticated garter band constituted by an elasticated lace or braid covered on the inside with a pattern made of an antislip material, the fibers constituting the braid or the lace of said band being selected in such a manner that the band presents an elongation characteristic of shallow slope and simultaneously exerts pressure on the limb concerned that is less than the pressure exerted thereon by the main portion of the appliance in the vicinity of said band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Cognon-Morin
    Inventors: Francoise Arabeyre, Rene Arabeyre
  • Patent number: 5491840
    Abstract: A buffer structure improvement of a body part protector having a pad, and a board having a generally arcuate cross-section with a string. Between the pad and the board is a buffer web attached to the board with a buffer spacing between the web and the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Comax Sporting Goods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-Hsin Yen
  • Patent number: 5488739
    Abstract: A hockey glove comprising a hand protective section and a wrist protective section. The hand protective section has a palm portion, a thumb portion and finger portions interconnected by an inner fabric. An outer hand protective fabric structure is connected to the inner fabric and has a plurality of outer protective padded formations disposed over the hand portion, thumb portion and finger portions. The padded formations have an outer wear resistant cover. The padded formation disposed over each of the finger portions has at least two separated padded finger sections extending coextensively with each finger portion from an upper knuckle area of the finger portion to a finger ending. A flexible joint is defined at the upper knuckle area and between the two separated padded finger sections substantially at a mid-knuckle area of the finger portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Itech Sport Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilles Cardinal
  • Patent number: 5487188
    Abstract: A glove for protecting the ligaments, articulations and bones of the hand, has a glove body, to which is associated a plate for protecting the hand palm, at the proximal region of the forearm, which is provided, at one end, with an annular element encompassing the attachment region of the thumb. To the plate there is articulated a shield which is engaged with the forearm, tie-straps being moreover provided connecting the fingers of the glove with the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Walter Micheloni, Fabrizio Giugni, Georg Ahlbaumer
  • Patent number: 5477558
    Abstract: A protector, particularly for protective clothing of motorcyclists, comprises an underlay comprising shock-absorbing segments, a covering layer of a yielding material, grooves having a wedge-shaped section located between the segments, and empty spaces between complementary outer edges of the protector that disappear on bending it into the form of a shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignees: Hein Gericke GmbH & Co. KG, ISL Schaumstoff-Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Volker, Hans-Georg Plecity, Jorn Steffens, Anselm Zessler
  • Patent number: 5477633
    Abstract: A document holder preferably for use during outdoor activities which do not normally leave the hands free to hold a document. The document holder comprises a plurality of flexible members joined together to form a pouch with a clear or otherwise see-through sheet such as a mesh material, thereby allowing the document to be viewed. The document holder further comprises a securing means for attaching it to a wearer's arm or leg or the sleeve or pant leg of his or her garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: David C. Leinberger
  • Patent number: 5460601
    Abstract: An elastic footwrap for treating plantar fasciitis by relaxing and shortening the musculatures of the foot. The footwrap is made of elastic material having a body and an arch support. Both the body and the arch support are generally rectangular. The body covers the top and bottom of the foot and has an ankle opening and toe openings. The ends of the body are secured at the heel so that a predetermined compressive force is exerted along the bottom of the foot when the footwrap is in operative position on the foot. The arch support is positioned perpendicular to the body. The ends of the arch support are secured on the top of the foot so that the arch support envelopes and supports the arch when the footwrap is in operative position on the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: Donald R. Shannahan
  • Patent number: 5458564
    Abstract: A wrist brace to prevent injury to persons such as concrete finishers who repetitively use their arms to support themselves or exert pressure against an object is disclosed. The wrist brace has a support element for maintaining the wearer's hand in a clenched fist configuration and a planar alignment of the hand, wrist and forearm. The support element is secured to the dorsal side of the wearer's arm by straps. The brace has a hand strap for securing the support element against the hand and maintaining the hand in a clenched fist during use of the brace. The support element also has cushioning such as foamed polyurethane adjacent to the wearer's arm. The support element may also have a hinge near the forearm to permit wrist and hand portions of the support element to be rotated thereby permitting the brace to be slidably retracted along the arm when the brace is not in use. This obviates the need to remove the brace entirely from the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Paul W. Franzen
  • Patent number: 5450625
    Abstract: A guard for a knee, elbow or shin including a composite pad of layers of perforated fabric, foam and mesh, all bound together at the periphery by a band of heavy fabric and strapped to the limb with an adjustable elastic band. The knee and elbow guards have one composite pad strapped above the joint and another composite pad strapped below the joint. A rigid shell is strapped to the composite pad. The straps have VELCRO patches which permit adjustment of the shell or complete separation from the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Antonio C.-H. Hu
  • Patent number: 5449341
    Abstract: A multisection composite material useful in forming compression braces for orthopedic support of a body part includes a user contacting fabric section, an outermost fabric section formed from bonding two dissimilar fabrics and an intermediate section formed from a closed cell foam. The user contacting fabric section is a fabric having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophobic fibers and bonded to a surface of the intermediate foam section. The outermost section includes a first fabric layer having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophilic fibers and a second fabric layer having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophobic fibers. The intermediate foam section has a first surface and a second surface and a multiplicity of perforations therethrough from the first surface to the second surface. The foam has multidimensional elastic properties sufficient for providing compressive strain useful for supporting the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Alvin R. Harris
  • Patent number: 5437621
    Abstract: A medical dressing for covering a wound, lesion, burn or similar injury is disclosed. The dressing comprises a material having at least three layers comprising: (a) a first inner layer which comprises a porous polyethylene film which enables moisture to be wicked away from the injury; (b) a second middle layer comprising an absorbent material for absorbing the moisture from the first layer; and (c) a third outer layer comprising a flexible, water-proof and breathable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Marmon Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren L. Andrews, C. Robert Hammett
  • Patent number: 5435008
    Abstract: An athletic hand glove 20 having a thumb portion 22 for receipt of a thumb of a user and a finger portion 26 for receipt of a plurality of fingers 28 from a hand 30 of the user, a collapsible glove pocket assembly 32 with a pocket member 34 moveable between a collapsed position for receipt and firm grasp of a playing stick 25 and a deployed position for catching a propelled object, the pocket member 34 is disposed between the thumb portion 22 and the finger portion 26 of the hand glove 20, the collapsible glove pocket assembly 32 connected to hand glove 20 enables the pocket member 34 to move from a collapsed to a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: David B. Shane
  • Patent number: 5435007
    Abstract: A wrist guard for protecting a wearer's wrist includes a first rigid plate member and a second rigid plate member. The plate members are connected by a hinge such that the first and second plate members pivot relative to each other about an axis generally parallel to a bending axis of the wrist. The hinge accommodates substantially unrestricted downward pivotal movement and a substantially restricted upward pivotal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Rollerblade, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie L. Kalvestran, William S. Portzline, Bryce G. Rutter, John H. Loudenslager
  • Patent number: 5419161
    Abstract: Described is a fabric produced from textile threads, more particularly a knitted fabric, for use within the flexion area of articulated bandages. The knitted fabric is incorporated into the articulated bandage (2) in the form of an insert (8). In order to eliminate the formation of creases within the flexion area of the articular bandage, a transverse wave structure is formed on at least one side, which, by the use of an elastic thread arrangement which is incorporated or located underneath a top structure, is elastically pretensioned and stabilized and is connected to the top structure at predetermined intervals or according to a specific rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Beiersdorf AG
    Inventors: Stefan Bodenschatz, Wolfgang Feldberger, Hans Spenke
  • Patent number: 5418980
    Abstract: A wristband, particularly suitable for athletic use, comprising an elastic moisture absorbing sleeve having a high friction surface located over a major portion of the wristband whereby a ball, such as a football, gripped between the wristband and the wearer's body resists removal or dropping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Taggert M. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5417647
    Abstract: A mechanical device for alleviating pain from swelling caused by Baker's cysts and the like comprising a rigid arcuate tubular element placed in the cavity behind the knee joint and fastened by straps placed over the knee at the femur and the tibia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: James W. Down
  • Patent number: 5410756
    Abstract: A protective body pad comprising a thermoformable base component and a shock dispersing prominence component. In the preferred embodiment thereof, the prominence is integral with said base component. A plurality of swivel components having flexible strapping attached thereto enables the user to fasten the invention to various points on the body. The strapping is preferably a neoprene material with hook and loop material for the fastening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: John Hutson
  • Patent number: 5407685
    Abstract: A film for releasing at least one of an anti-microbial agent, oxygen, and a medicament includes a flexible, porous layer (18) such as a woven, non-woven, or knitted cloth or a layer of open cell foam. A first dry reagent (12) and a second dry reagent (14) which react in the presence of a dilutant to form the anti-microbial agent, oxygen, or medicament attached to the flexible, porous layer. In one preferred embodiment, the two dry reagents are disposed on opposite sides of the flexible, porous layer such that the flexible porous layer keeps the two apart and prevents a premature reaction. Porous outer layers (20, 22) prevent the powdered reagents from being wiped off while permitting dilutant access. In a preferred embodiment, the powdered reagents include acetylsalicylic acid and a perborate which react in the presence of water to generate peracetic acid (an antimicrobial agent which breaks down in a matter of minutes to hours into oxygen) and salicylic acid (a topical keratotic).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Steris Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Malchesky, Raymond C. Kralovic
  • Patent number: 5402536
    Abstract: A forearm and skin protector worn over the hand and forearm to be used underneath standard rubber surgical gloves. The protector is a crushable, lightweight, semi-rigid material encompassing the palm and back of the hand and the forearm, and having openings for the thumb and at least two openings for the remaining four fingers, said material having an interior side nearest the skin and an exterior side opposite thereto, said interior side comprised of a moisture absorbing material, and the exterior side comprised of a cellophane-thin non-penetrable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph D. Matthews