Hand, Wrist, Or Finger Patents (Class 482/44)
  • Patent number: 5358463
    Abstract: An improved exercise device is provided which consists of a hand engaging member, a base for supporting the hand engaging member on an underlying surface and a mechanism for rotating the hand engaging member about a vertical axis relative to the base, so that a user can develop a forearm/arm and upper body, while doing push-ups, so as to better execute karate punches and other sport motions of a like nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: Jesus Fuentes
  • Patent number: 5328448
    Abstract: An apparatus treats a stiffened joint of at least one finger of the hand and includes a first member for engaging the metacarpal phalangeal joint of the finger and a second member movable with respect to the first member for engaging a surface of the finger on the side of the stiffened joint opposite the metacarpal phalangeal joint. The apparatus further includes at least one threaded member for exerting pressure against the second member for bending the stiffened joint and retaining the apparatus on the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Richard O. Gray, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5312308
    Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate handle, having a shaft coaxially aligned therewith, including positioning structure such as an "O" ring to maintain a plurality of weighted rings in adjacency to a remote end of the shaft in abutment with a head cap. A modification of the invention includes a plurality of shafts mounted to the head cap, each including further ring structure to provide for adjustable resistance in use of the organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventors: James H. Hamilton, Barbara J. Butt
  • Patent number: 5303696
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for imparting continuous passive motion to one or more joints, ligaments, or tendons is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing, an actuator, and a flexion/extension assembly. In preferred form, a main flexion cable links the actuator to a joint support member pivotally attached to flexion/extension assembly. Reciprocating motion of the main flexion cable causes the support member to oscillate. A restoring force, preferably a second main cable cooperative linked to the actuator, is present so as to urge the support member to its initial position. The path of motion of the support member can be altered, while the apparatus is in operation, by a cable deflecting assembly. By controlling the degree of cable deflection, the degree of support member motion can be altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Steven D. Boice
  • Patent number: 5299991
    Abstract: A finger training device that includes a grip portion that is rotatable with respect to a roller-supporting forked portion, wherein the forked portion can be bent with respect to the longitudinal direction of the grip portion and wherein a slidable finger frame is incorporated in the grip portion in an extendable and retractable manner. As a result of this construction, the grip portion is movable at various angles within a predetermined range relative to the rollers. Because of the presence of the finger frame, the device will not slip off the hand of a user when the gripping fingers are moved or the relative position of the palm of the hand with respect to the moving fingers is changed. The finger frame prevents the device from separating from the hand even if the grip portion comes off the palm of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventor: Atuhiko Sato
  • Patent number: 5267921
    Abstract: A hand held exercise device includes a pair of handle units, a stem extending between the handle units, and, a pair of coiled springs which circumscribe the stem. The coiled springs are interposed between he handle units. The handle units are manually grasped and turned in opposite directions with respect to one another to tension the springs and provide variable resistance to such turning of the handle units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventor: Ruth P. Roehlk
  • Patent number: 5263908
    Abstract: A multi-functional physical exercise apparatus includes a small hollow cylinder, a large hollow cylinder, a confining device and a coiled spring. The large hollow cylinder is sleeved movably on a normal position on the small hollow cylinder. The confining device confines the large hollow cylinder on the small hollow cylinder. The coiled spring is secured to one of the small and large hollow cylinders at one end thereof and is confined at a predetermined position in the other one of the small and large hollow cylinders at the other end of the coiled spring. Accordingly, in a case where the large hollow cylinder is rotated relative to the small hollow cylinder or is moved toward the outer end of the small hollow cylinder, releasing one of the small and large hollow cylinders causes the large hollow cylinder to return to the normal position on the small hollow cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 5222925
    Abstract: An exercise device and method to exercise the wrist and hand of a person at the work station on a desk surface includes a base with a curved bottom surface with front and rear upper horizontal members, the front with finger rings to receive the ends of the digits of the middle fingers while resting the wrist on the rear horizontal member. Upper sections of the base are separate and are rotatably adjustable to fix a chosen distance between the two upper horizontal members. The device is used by rocking the device frontwardly and backwardly on the curved surface to exercise and flex the wrist in all six directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventors: Sidney M. Maycock, Garrison Y. Pomeroy
  • Patent number: 5170777
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motor driven arm rehabilitation device which includes a rotatable forearm support structure capable of being rotated back and forth through a predetermined arc at a predetermined speed and with a predetermined force applied, and a fluid motor such as a rotary actuator for rotating this support structure. Rotation of the supporting structure causes alternate flexion and extension of the patient's arm. The arc of rotation, frequency of rotation and force applied can be varied in accordance with the patient's needs. Associated with the forearm supporting structure is a wrist stabilizer which causes alternate pronation and supination of the wrist as the forearm is alternately flexed and extended. The device also has an upper arm supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Narender P. Reddy, John P. Roman, Jeffrey P. Bulgrin
  • Patent number: 5160303
    Abstract: A compact and easily adjusted exercising device useful for exercising the upper arms, shoulders, calves or the like. The device has a base which may be supported on a desk, table or floor. A pair of uprights support an upper bar over which one or more rubber bands are placed. This bar is removable when it is desired to change the rubber bands. A hollow lower bar is held between the uprights and the one or more rubber bands pass over this bar. A handle supporting bar is then slid through vertical slots in the uprights and through the center of the lower supporting bar. This provides a light, easily adjusted exercising device which can be easily used by the busy executive or even by bedridden persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Alvin H. Smith
  • Patent number: 5145473
    Abstract: A novel, hand-held, sphere-shaped, palm-compressible, upper-body exerciser is provided with a mechanical switch, placed within a cavity internal to the sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Inventor: James R. Henry
  • Patent number: 5141478
    Abstract: A passive hand exercise device having first and second handles. The handles are opposed to one another and positioned to be engaged simultaneously by a hand to be exercised, which compresses and expands the handles against a passive resistance force applied against movement of the first handle relative to the second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Inventor: William J. Upper
  • Patent number: 5114377
    Abstract: A framework assembly that can be selectively manipulated to a variety of configurations for leisure activity, hand and finger exercise and as a teaching aid for shape recognition. Respective circular frame members have a plurality of semi-circled frame members rotatably attached at their ends to the circular frame members in successively overlapping engagement along the lengths of the circular frame members. Two of the semi-circled frame members are rotatably attached to each other thereby providing a framework assembly that can be configured in virtually an infinite variety of shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventors: Leslie M. Cove Mercuri, Luis A. Mercuri