Having Individual Structure Engaging Each Finger Used Patents (Class 482/47)
  • Patent number: 7887462
    Abstract: A hand exercise device 100 and method for exercising human hands 102 and digits 104 comprising a plurality of separate digit sleeves 110 wherein the diameter and length are such that the separate digit sleeves 110 slide over finger and thumb digits 105, 106 of a human hand 102; a magnetic element 120 is attached with the separate digit sleeve 110 at or near a distal end 116 of the separate digit sleeve 110, wherein the magnetic element 120 will facilitate a desired exercise in multidirectional movements when the magnetic element 120 is approximated near another magnetic 129 or ferrous metal surface 150. The hand exercise device may include a flat or wavy ferrous material 150, 151, 152 or a randomly disposed magnetic field 161 to aid in exercising the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: David Gordon Bearden
  • Publication number: 20100311546
    Abstract: An exercising device for the hand is disclosed. A securement is secured to an anchoring member comprising a band with a pair of ends configured to extend around and be secured to the hand of the user and configured to support the anchoring member in a position overlying the palm of the hand of a user and is coupled to the hand of the user. A plurality of fingertip engaging members are each configured and dimensioned to be secured to a respective fingertip a plurality of fingertip anchorings. Each of the fingertip anchorings is secured to a respective fingertip engaging member. A plurality of respective palm anchorings are secured to the anchoring member. A plurality of respective elastic members each have first and second ends. The first end of each of the elastic members is secured to the fingertip anchorings. The second end of each of the elastic members is secured to the palm anchorings. Alternatively, the securement and the anchoring member comprise a closed loop elastic strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Scott Kupferman
  • Publication number: 20100279826
    Abstract: A handheld finger manipulating device comprising an elongated plunger assembly that moves longitudinally through a longitudinally aligned bore formed on an outer body. The elongated member is longer than the outer body so that when one end of the plunger body is forced into the outer body, the opposite end of the plunger assembly is extended beyond the opposite end of the outer body. At least one magnet and two magnetic attractive substrates are located between the plunger assembly and the outer body that enables the plunger assembly to move to two preset locations within the outer body. During use, the user holds the device in his or her palm and presses against one end of the plunger assembly to forcibly move it through the outer body. As the plunger assembly moves through the outer body, the magnet and the substrates interact to create a slow and then sudden acceleration of the plunger assembly. In other embodiments, enhanced sound and light producing elements are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: David M. Weinstock
  • Publication number: 20100261581
    Abstract: A hand exercise device 100 and method for exercising human hands 102 and digits 104 comprising a plurality of separate digit sleeves 110 wherein the diameter and length are such that the separate digit sleeves 110 slide over the finger and thumb digits 105, 106 of the human hand 102; a magnetic element 120 is attached with the separate digit sleeve 110 near a distal end 116 of the separate digit sleeve 110, wherein the magnetic element 120 will facilitate a desired exercise in multidirectional movements when the magnetic element 120 is approximated near another magnetic 129 or ferrous metal surface 150.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: David Gordon Bearden
  • Patent number: 7797758
    Abstract: There is proposed a finger protector for a sports glove, including a plate that is connected in one piece with strips to be associated to several fingers of one hand, each strip consisting of a chain of members which are connected in one piece with each other and can be moved relative to each other in two opposite directions by means of through holes extending transverse to the chain direction, and a member band with nipples which are pushed into the through holes. The invention further relates to a sports glove incorporating such finger protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Uhlsport GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Keppler, Thomas Spitzer
  • Patent number: 7740561
    Abstract: An exercising device for the hand is disclosed. A securement is secured to an anchoring member comprising a band with a pair of ends configured to extend around and be secured to the hand of the user and configured to support the anchoring member in a position overlying the palm of the hand of a user and is coupled to the hand of the user. A plurality of fingertip engaging members are each configured and dimensioned to be secured to a respective fingertip a plurality of fingertip anchorings. Each of the fingertip anchorings is secured to a respective fingertip engaging member. A plurality of respective palm anchorings are secured to the anchoring member. A plurality of respective elastic members each have first and second ends. The first end of each of the elastic members is secured to the fingertip anchorings. The second end of each of the elastic members is secured to the palm anchorings. Alternatively, the securement and the anchoring member comprise a closed loop elastic strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Scott Kupferman
  • Patent number: 7731633
    Abstract: An exercise glove for intrinsic muscles and method of use. The exercise glove incorporates rigid ribs having rib distal end angles corresponding to patient metacarpal phalangeal joint angles. The ribs passively hold the patient metacarpal phalangeal joint angles in extension, while the patient actively flexes the proximal interphalangeal joints and distal interphalangeal joints to obtaining optimal intrinsic muscle stretching. The rib distal end angles may be set by a physical therapist to correspond to individual patient metacarpal phalangeal joint angles, or alternately an array of ribs of different rib distal end angles may be provided with the exercise glove, from which rib assortment the physical therapist may choose ribs having appropriate rib distal end angles ribs to attach to the exercise glove. The method includes the steps of using the exercise glove to passively hold metacarpal phalangeal joints in extension, while actively flexing proximal and distal interphalangeal joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Randall K. Williams
  • Patent number: 7662068
    Abstract: A two piece finger weight device including a weight member and a strap for connecting the weight member to a finger. The device has an arcuate surface for receiving a strap defined by transversely spaced flanges at each end of the arcuate surface and outwardly extending flanges at the central portion of the arcuate section. The strap is secured to the weight member by interfitting openings in the strap with outwardly extending projections provided on the arcuate surface. The strap is further retained in position by a hinged member secured to one flange member, which hinged member is extended over the strap on the arcuate surface and secured to a projection located on the other flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew S. Geller
  • Publication number: 20090318269
    Abstract: A finger and hand exerciser includes a housing defining four chambers arranged side-by-side in parallel with one another. Each chamber receives a tension adjustment member, a plunger that is reciprocatingly slidable in the chamber, and a helically wound compression spring extending between the plunger and the tension adjustment member. Each tension adjustment member includes a knurled wheel which the user of the finger and hand exerciser may turn to decrease or increase the force the spring exerts on the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: D'Addario & Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James D'Addario, Alexandru Maxim
  • Patent number: 7572210
    Abstract: A device for training an athlete to grip a ball, which is particularly well-suited to train an individual, such as a girl, to correctly grip a softball. The device may include a body having two or more openings defined thereby. Each one of the openings is configured to have inserted therein at least one finger of a user. When worn by a user, the grip training device causes a ball that is held by the user to be spaced apart from the user's palm and to be gripped by the fingertips, which may provide additional control and speed of the ball when pitched. The grip training device may include, e.g., five openings, wherein each one of the five openings is configured to have inserted therein one of the five fingers of a user's hand, or may instead include a multi-finger opening that is configured to have inserted therein more than one finger of a user's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Gaspare Frank Marinello
  • Publication number: 20090156361
    Abstract: Described is an exercise tool. More particularly, it is a therapy and exercise tool specifically devised as a hand and finger-therapy device to align, separate, and stretch the user's fingers and hands. The device includes a finger separator that is sized and shaped to be positioned between a user's adjacent fingers to manipulate and/or separate the fingers, thereby providing hand and finger-therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Frederic Ferri
  • Publication number: 20090111662
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a therapeutic hand and forearm strengthening device which permits a user to exercise and strengthen specifically isolated hand and forearm muscles, tendons and ligaments in a number of different ways depending on the specific exercise and device configuration chosen by the user. Another object of the present disclosure also provides methods of therapeutically treating a user's hand and forearm using a device according to the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Jody Wagner, Lisa L. Heasty
  • Publication number: 20090093345
    Abstract: A toe and finger stretching device comprising a separator for receiving at least two toes there within, the separator including a duality of shaped openings, each shaped opening adapted for receiving an individual digit of the human foot and the shaped openings being from 0.25 to 2.0? in length, the separator further comprising a stretch width section, said stretch width section interposed between the shaped openings, the separator spreading the toes between 0.25 to 2.0? in width; such that when the toes are inserted into the shaped openings the toes are contactless.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: KURT FINDEISEN
  • Patent number: 7494446
    Abstract: A balancing device has a base and an inflatable flexible portion wherein the center of the inflatable portion is higher than the edges. The device is used by placing the base on the floor and standing and moving on the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: BOSU Fitness, LLC
    Inventors: David Weck, James E. Cotter
  • Patent number: 7381156
    Abstract: An exercise device includes a body having at least one recess formed therein, the recess being configured and dimensioned to receive a finger of a user, and an elastic member removably disposed around a periphery of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Silagy
  • Patent number: 7288051
    Abstract: An exercise handle is made up of a hand tension grip made of an elastomeric material with multiple finger openings and a connection device. The hand tension grip allows for full extension of fingers placed in its finger openings during closed kinetic chain exercises. The connection device is connected to the hand tension grip so that extension of fingers placed in its finger openings will cause the hand tension grip to stretch between the connection device and the finger openings, and the connection device is positioned so that it will be distant to the hand and proximate to a radius bone of the person using the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Susan G. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7210172
    Abstract: A rigid glove has openings at the ends of the fingers such that the ends of the fingers from the most distal joint to the end protrude therefrom. The fingers may be flexed as an exercise. Caps of varying resistance may also be applied to the ends of the glove's fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventor: Merle Harrison Adams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7121983
    Abstract: A new and improved method and apparatus for exercising the hand is disclosed herein. A stretchable web, with an array of spaced apertures is molded over a rigid frame. The web has multiple portions, wherein each portion is made of a different material with different resistance levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Power Web International
    Inventor: Steven Trent
  • Patent number: 6951529
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides an exercise device and method of use for strengthening the fingers and hands. The device includes a base with a handrest onto which the hand is placed in a palm-up posture with the fingers extending beneath finger pads attached to a handle joined to a rotatable shaft. Resistance to shaft rotation is encountered by the fingers and hands during exercise which allows the user to build strength and endurance. The rigid shaft includes a sprocket to which a chain having a weight load affixed permits the addition of disk shaped weights for greater resistance as the muscles of the fingers and hands become stronger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventor: C. David Ware
  • Publication number: 20040259691
    Abstract: An aquatic exercise device provides uniform omni-directional and uniform omni-rotational resistance to movement in water. The device includes a plurality of fins arranged on an outer surface of a dome-shaped or semi-spherical bell. The fins include lateral resistance members such as flanges for additional rotational resistance or a resistance plate that creates a resistance during a punching motion. The bell includes an opening and a handle coupled to an interior of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Tadlington A. Stout, James P. Cleary
  • Patent number: 6817967
    Abstract: A finger exercise device is comprised of an elastic elongated central loop and elastic side loops attached to opposite ends of the central loop. The loops are for being worn around a plurality of fingers, and the exercise is comprised of repeatedly spreading the fingers apart against the tension of the loops. The central loop has a varying width between its opposite edges, wherein the opposite ends of the loop are wider than the intermediate portion for improved grip and comfort on the fingers. The side loops have outer ends which are wider than the inner ends for improved grip and comfort. In an alternative embodiment, the finger exercise device is comprised of a plurality of loops, and radial arms extending from a solid junction are connected to respective loops. The loops have widened outer ends for improved grip and comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ott, David Adam
  • Publication number: 20030190997
    Abstract: A readily applicable exercise device is provided constructed of four hinge-like or living hinge devices and four generally shaped blocks. Each said block has a rounded groove in the center for finger placement and grip. This design allows the fingers, placed on opposite sides of the machine, to be stretched equally on both sides and in a number of different variations to focus on specific muscles or tendons within the fingers and hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Jason L. Siek
  • Publication number: 20030162634
    Abstract: A dynamic splint for the positioning and functional exercise of a neurologically impaired upper extremity, including the wrist, hand and fingers, made up of a forearm support and hand support linked by a first connector. Fingertip caps are connected to finger tension leads that extend rearwardly to connect to a finger tensioner attached to the forearm support. The hand support includes adjustable tension lead guides for directing the finger tension leads to the fingertip caps. The dynamic splint also includes a thumb splint assembly made up of a thumb-tip cap connected to a thumb tension lead that extends rearwardly to a thumb tensioner attached to the forearm support. The thumb splint assembly further includes a thumb tension lead guide for directing the thumb tension lead to the thumb-tip cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: John F. Farrell, Henry B. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6511403
    Abstract: A rotating play device capable of training wrist coordination has a main body of a semi-spherical cage frame braided by the bar skeleton with several ring rails of different breadths formed respectively along the looping ring portions on the spherical surface, crossed and connected on the top surface of the cage frame by several radial and longitudinal rails. A holding cover is mounted on the top surface of the cage frame for the user to hold by finger holes formed in the holding cover. When in use, a ball is placed in the cage frame, and the user holds and rotates the main body of the device by controlling the strength of the wrist and the arm to make the ball roll inside the main body via centrifugal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Jung-Pao Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20020151832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a finger rehabilitation device that applies composite finger flexion forces to the fingers of a human hand for the purpose of achieving improved hand function. The glove portion of the device is worn on a human hand and has means for securable attachment to the hand. The glove has attachment tabs at its fingertips for removable attachment to a crossbar that may be rotated around its longitudinal axis to apply forces of bending to each of the selected fingers. The rotational force of the crossbar is generated by an outrigger that may be manually positioned as desired. The orientation of the outrigger in reference to the longitudinal axis of the crossbar may be selectively fixed at one end of the crossbar, providing ease of force adjustment while the device is worn. The selected outrigger position is further maintained by an elastic or non-elastic attachment to the wearer's wrist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Roy D. Wedge
  • Publication number: 20020137600
    Abstract: A batting pad comprising a body made from a cushioning material and having a ring portion adapted to fit over a batter's thumb and an appendage to cushion the palm area between a batter's thumb and index finger. The appendage has a thickness T at its thickest point located between the first end and the distant end, and the thickness T of the appendage is selected to optimize an angle of a bat in the batter's hand relative to a line parallel to the batter's forearm, the angle being determined by the thickness T of the appendage displacing the bat toward the tip of the batter's index finger and causing the bat to contact the palm of the batter's hand near the batter's little finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Philip R. LoMedico
  • Patent number: 6454681
    Abstract: An exercise and therapy hand device consists of a glove for receiving a hand. The glove includes a palm portion, one or more finger portions for receiving a finger, a back portion, and a compressible substance that is coupled to the palm portion. Also included in the glove are one or more elastic members that span from the compressible substance to respective ones of the one or more finger portions. The compressible substance exercises the muscles of the hand that control the closing of the hand, while the one or more elastic members exercise the muscles of the hand that control the opening of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Brassil, John M. Brassil
  • Patent number: 6450924
    Abstract: A portable finger exercising device for exercising and strengthening the muscles responsible for controlling the movement of the fingers, hand and arm of a human. The device can be configured to exercise and strengthen the muscles of the fingers and hand responsible for forming a closed-fist, as well as the muscles responsible for straightening fingers from the closed-fist position. During either movement, the muscles of the fingers, hand and arm are exercised by moving each finger against a counteracting force exerted by resilient or elastic members of the finger exercising device. The finger exercise device includes a base member or a glove-like body member which is adapted to be adjustably and removable attached to an operator's hand. The base member or body member is capable of releasably receiving a plurality of resilient or elastic members at locations generally corresponding to the location of the operator's fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Block Patents, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Block
  • Patent number: 6443874
    Abstract: An occupational-therapy/physical-therapy apparatus is disclosed and includes at least one pivotal or rotatable resistance against which the body part being exercised is located. A resistance bar is biased to act against the body part, which bias is adjustable. Operatively associated with the resistance bar is at least one stabilization bar that is used to support a part of the body in close proximity to the body part engaged against the resistance bar, in order to provide the most optimal support to the body part being exercised. Each of the resistance bar and the stabilization bar has a multitude of degrees of freedom of motion, which in the preferred embodiment total six degrees of freedom, so that numerous types of exercises may be performed on numerous different body parts, and so that the most optimal orientation of the body part may be achieved, where both horizontal, vertical and angular orientations of the body parts may be accomplished while the body part is being exercised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Bennett
  • Patent number: 6228001
    Abstract: An exercise, strengthening and therapy device for the hand, wrist and arm. An elastomeric disk-like body has a plurality of spaced apart apertures for receiving the thumb and fingers of the user. A convex enlargement extends from at least one surface of the body positioned inward of the apertures. The enlargement may be spherical, semi-spherical or other curved configuration. In use, the device is inserted over the ends of the fingers and the thumb. In a preferred embodiment the device is integral, and in another the components may be disassembled and used separately. Exercise, strengthening and therapy benefits are achieved by flexing the fingers against the elastic resistance of the body and by alternately compressing the elastomeric projection within the palmar surface and fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventors: Ronald B. Johnson, David Hillery
  • Patent number: 6213918
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to strengthen an individual hands, fingers and wrists includes at least one resilient band supported by at least one of a plurality of spaced pegs which extend from at least one side of a support base and wherein resistance of the at least one resilient band to manipulation by the fingers and hands is used to exercise and strengthen muscles of the hands and wrists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Patent/Marketing Concepts, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Eddie C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6179750
    Abstract: An exercise system includes an upper planar plate, a lower plate, a sidewall coupling the upper and lower plates to retain them in a spaced parallel relationship forming a housing with a chamber there within. Five slots formed in the upper plate extend from adjacent the lower edge to adjacent the upper edge. A slide member is slidably received within each slot. Each slide member is fabricated of an electrically conductive material with an electrically insulated component secured there above for receiving a finger of a user. Primary electrical contacts located on the upper surface and spaced along the length of the slots on opposite sides thereof are adapted to be contacted by the slide member periodically as the slide member moves along the slot. A plurality of apertures shaped as numbers are formed in the upper plate laterally spaced from the primary electrical contacts. A light bulb is located beneath each aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Brian T. Lonergan
  • Patent number: 6179751
    Abstract: A device for exercising the tendons and muscles affected by tennis elbow takes the preferred form of a closed band of elastic material of sufficient circumference to fit around the fingers and thumb of the hand. On the band are four finger loops and one thumb loop. The wearer repeatedly extends the fingers and thumb against the tension of the elastic band and then retracts them. This exercising of the inflamed tendons and muscles ameliorates over time the pain and discomfort of tennis elbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Weldon R. Clears
  • Patent number: 6168550
    Abstract: A massaging device system for massaging the hands and upper torso of a user. The massaging device system includes an elongate rod having a pair of opposite ends, and a plurality of finger grooves therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Moussa Traore
  • Patent number: 6149612
    Abstract: The apparatus provides active and passive exercise to the hand, wrist and forearm of the patient. It has dual handles and an attached inertia apparatus such that both the affected arm and the non affected arm are subjected to the therapy. It is theorized that in the retraining of nerve, muscle and ligament/tendon function there is cross-training of right-left part of the systems and the healthy system can assist the afflicted part of the system in retraining. The apparatus addresses specifically the range of motion of the wrist, both for flexion-extension and pronation-supination. For pronation-supination, two conical handles, one for each hand is attached through an axis to a gear system connected to a flywheel. The gear/flywheel system allows for clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the flywheel. The patient puts the system in motion by rotating the handles in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The rotary (oscillating) motion is transferred to the flywheel through the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventors: Moacir Schnapp, Kit S. Mays
  • Patent number: 6110075
    Abstract: A portable finger and wrist exerciser has a strap and an elastic tube extending from the strap. The elastic tube is attached to one end of a flat elastic sheet. The elastic sheet has symmetrically spaced apart apertures which are marked with numbers and symbols. A second elastic tube is secured an opposite end of the sheet and formed into a large loop. A variety of exercises may be performed with the exerciser by mounting the strap to a stationary object. The user inserts one arm through the loop and positions himself for a desired tension in the elastic sheet. The user inserts the fingers of the other arm into selected apertures and exercises the fingers, hand and wrist by performing various movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Allen C. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6099438
    Abstract: A hand and wrist exercise device is provided that allows a user to strengthen or rehabilitate hand muscles, wrist muscles, or finger muscles. The device is preferably designed using plastic tubing so that it is light weight and easy to assemble and disassemble. A multitude of elastic members are attached to a frame structure and to finger securing devices. By inserting one's fingers into the finger securing devices, a user can perform various resistance exercises. Additionally, a pole is attached at both ends to elastic members that are secured to the structure. This allows a user to rest a forearm on a pad located on the frame structure and perform wrist curls, reverse curls, or wrist twists against resistance provided by the elastic members. To adjust the resistance levels provided by the exercising device, one only needs to change the elastic members. This makes it easy to adjust the resistance to appropriate levels for different users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Anthony Dawson
  • Patent number: 6059694
    Abstract: An apparatus for exercising a hand of a user allowing a full range of motion of the hand during use. The hand exerciser includes a dorsal wrap releasably secured about a wrist of the user and extending over a back side of the hand. A finger power band releasably engages the dorsal wrap and extends over at least one finger of the hand of the user providing a resistance to movement of the at least one finger. A thumb power band is also releasably engaged with the dorsal wrap and extends along a surface of a thumb of the hand of the user providing a resistance to movement of the thumb. The finger and thumb power bands move independently of each other allowing exercise of any of the entire hand, any individual finger or thumb and any combination thereof. Furthermore, the resistance provided by the finger and thumb power bands is adjustable based upon the strength of the user. Finger and thumb power bands having variable resistance levels may be interchangeably connected to the dorsal wrap as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: James Villepigue
  • Patent number: 6036621
    Abstract: A hand exerciser comprising a rigid elongated horizontal base whose undersurface is covered by a soft, corrugatued material. Across the top surface of the base are longitudinally affixed three support walls so as to define two equal exercise spaces between the support walls which are braced apart by abutting crossrods. Affixed to and rising above the support walls in similiar plane are four opposite side guide plates with aligned holes, slots, and notches through which a variety of various shapes and strengths of simultaneously and latitudinally strung reaches transverse for exercising against. Also, adjustable rods transverse for palm down bracing of the hands. Anchor and guide bolts secure and guide the reaches. One support wall additionally includes an overhang portion of a rigid material shaped so as to stagger the reaches and to which are affixed four modified guitar machine heads for tightening and lessening of reach tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Ted W. Hancock
  • Patent number: 5957813
    Abstract: An apparatus for the therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation of injured fingers is comprised of a backboard upon which the dorsal side of the patient's hand is rested, a strap to secure the hand to the baseboard and provide necessary leverage for exercises and an immobilization bar which is used to anchor the proximal or middle phalanges to the backboard thereby isolating the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, respectively, and their corresponding muscles for therapeutic exercise. The subject invention is designed for rehabilitation of both the left and right hand and includes means for adaptation to hands of various shape and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: John R. Macdonald
  • Patent number: 5890999
    Abstract: A hand held exerciser includes a ball body having a resilient cover and a putty filler. The putty is preferably a tacky, water based material which is relatively freely compressed but generally does not flow in a liquid-like manner. The cover can be made with a plurality of elastomeric balloons around the putty. An outer opening in an outer balloon of the cover either is covered by a durable seal member or by attachment hardware having an attached object such as a key. The putty enables the ball to conform more exactly to one's hand grip, while allowing good resistance, weight and resiliency. The putty filler also helps to reduce unwanted spillage of filler material, and provides additional benefits not found in existing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Paul Kildani
  • Patent number: 5820522
    Abstract: An orthopedic gripping device permits therapeutic treatment of the user's hand. The device comprises a generally oblong body having a circular transverse section, the body having a first end and a second end and extending continuously in a smooth curve between the two ends. A plurality of flat extensions are integrally formed on and extend outwardly from the body, spacedly from and parallel in relation to each other. The device is placed in the user's hand with the plurality of extensions protruding outwardly between the user's fingers and the body portion of the device is held cradle in the palm of the user's hand and a preselected portion of the user's hand is moved in relation to the device in order to therapeutically treat a particular predetermined finger or other portion of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Taylor-Nathan Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Smallwood, Michael G. Eckman
  • Patent number: 5820577
    Abstract: A finger exercise device that includes a splint adapted to receive a hand and a portion of a forearm and a plurality of individual finger pulley arrangements adapted to be secured to a plurality of fingers of a patient. Each of the pulley arrangements includes a hook adapted to be glued to a fingernail of a patient's finger, a connector secured to the hook, an elastically extendable member secured to the connector, a pulley strap coacting with the elastically extendable member, the pulley strap adapted to be secured to the patient's finger, and a pin securing the elastically extendable member to the splint. The splint includes a plurality of segments for supporting the patient's forearm and hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Terrence M. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5752896
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to an exercise and strengthening device for fingers and hands and a method of exercising and strengthening same, along with certain muscles of the arm(s). More particularly, it relates to a device which applies a reactive force against the hand(s) and one or more of the fingers of a user when the device is held firmly in one or both of a user's hands. The user specifies the hand(s) and finger(s) upon which the device applies such force by either selecting an appropriately configured device or fixing a changeable device in a desired configuration. The device is preferably configured to resemble the grips of an instrumentality the user would hold while working (e.g., the grip of a hand tool) or while playing a sport (e.g., the grip of a golf club or baseball bat). The invention also relates to a method of exercising or rehabilitating fingers, individually or as a group, to strengthen the hand(s) and desired finger(s) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Steven Aaron White
  • Patent number: 5738613
    Abstract: A device for training hand and finger muscles including a hand engaging element, a fixed weight and a mechanism for moving the weight in response to movement of a finger. The moving mechanism may include a rope connected to the weight and the hand engaging element, the weight being freely suspended from the rope. This device allows the resistance presented to fingers to be exercised to be varied in exact and reproducible amounts which are in an appropriate range for the fingers. The device also allows many positions of the fingers, both along and among the fingers, so that the exercises may be tailored for the individual and the task for which the fingers are being trained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Tom Clayton
  • Patent number: 5690585
    Abstract: A hand development apparatus is provided with a first housing having an interior cavity formed therein and a gripping portion adapted to fit the palm of a person's hand and a second housing having an interior cavity formed therein and a gripping portion adapted to fit the palm of a person's hand. The apparatus has a carrier adapted to be removably fitted within the interior cavity of the first housing or within the interior cavity of the second housing, a plurality of movable elements associated with the carrier, the movable elements being adapted to accommodate the fingers of a person's hand and being movable along a movement direction, and springs for resisting movement of the movable elements along the movement direction. The width of the first housing is substantially different than the width of the second housing so that the apparatus may be configured either for a person having relatively large hands or a person having relatively small hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: HDS, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Ditsch
  • Patent number: 5593369
    Abstract: An inflatable hand orthosis promotes a functional positioning of the fingers and thumb. An inflatable air bladder is formed by two vinyl sheets bonded together and inflated and deflated by a pump bulb and deflation valve, respectively, which are fixed to the vinyl sheets and communicatingly interconnected with the air bladder. The bladder is sewn into a soft cloth covering in order to form a wearable device which may be used either alone or in conjunction with hand, wrist, and finger orthosis. The hand device is placed on the palm and under the patient's fingers while deflated. Then the bladder is inflated to align and extend the fingers and to abduct the thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Orthotic Rehabilitation Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Elliot L. Stern
  • Patent number: 5573479
    Abstract: The subject matter is a finger exerciser. The finger exerciser comprises a base and an upright support which is movable on the base. On the upright support there is a rotatable pointer. There is a scale to indicate the degree of movement of the pointer. There is a variable tensioning means operatively connecting with the pointer. This variable tensioning means can be rubber bands. There is a hand rest. A person can place the hand on the hand rest and in one version a person can retract the finger so as to move the pointer. In another version, the person can extend the finger so as to move the pointer. The upright support is moveable on the base. This provides a variable distance between the hand rest and rotatable pointer to accommodate hands of different sizes and fingers of different lengths. The force required to move the pointer can be varied by the use of different rubber bands and by the use of a multiplicity of rubber bands to make it more difficult or less difficult to rotate the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Clyde T. Harris
  • Patent number: 5538488
    Abstract: A glove for exercising digits of a human hand. The inventive device includes an inner glove for receiving a human hand therewithin. Digit cups are secured to the inner glove for receiving the outermost portion of each digit. A plurality of spring-loaded tension cables extend along a posterior of the glove and operate to resist motion of the glove during closing of the hand. An adjustment assembly effects tensioning of the cables to a desired resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: James C. Villepigue
  • Patent number: 5533949
    Abstract: A hand-muscle developer including a casing, a strap for fastening the casing to the hand, a music IC circuit board installed inside the casing, a speaker mounted on the casing and connected to the music IC circuit board, a battery power supply to provide power supply to the music IC circuit board, a plurality of melody keys mounted on the casing and respectively depressed by fingers to make electrical contact for triggering the music IC circuit board to produce a specific tone through the speaker, and a tuning means mounted on the casing and controlled by the thumb to tune the tones triggered by the melody keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Chyh-Wen Hwang