Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
HAND EXERCISER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to exercising devices and, more
specifically, to a hand exerciser worn directly on a hand or over a glove of a
user providing
resistance while allowing the user to flex either the entire hand or any
individual digit in a
natural movement through a full range of motion thereby exercising the hand
and digits in
a safe, highly effective manner and providing faster results than products
without a full
range of motion. The hand exerciser increases the strength, coordination and
gripping
ability of the hand and digits of a user as well as providing physical therapy
for treating
conditions such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, weak muscles and joints
and post
surgical weakness.
Description of the Prior Art
Numerous exercising devices have been provided in the prior art. Known hand
flexion and extension exercise devices satisfy only a limited number of the
desired criteria
for fully exercising the hand and digits of a user. The most common deficiency
of known
devices is in the ability to exercise the full range of motion for each joint.
These devices
do not provide for the separate exercise of the major joint classifications
but use one
simple motion for exercising the entire hand and digits. Furthermore, most of
these
devices provide an inappropriate distribution of resistance to the various
joints, e.g. the
functional capabilities of the metacarpophalangeal joints greatly exceeds that
of the distal
CA 02306357 2000-04-19
interphalangeal joints and therefore resistance should be applied to these
joints based upon
their functional capabilities and not evenly. For example, U.S. patent number
5,538,488 to
Villepigue is illustrative of such prior art. While this unit may be suitable
for the
particular purpose to which it addresses, it would not be as suitable for the
purposes of the
present invention as heretofore described.
CA 02306357 2000-04-19
U.S. Patent Number 5,538,488
Inventor: James C. Villepigue, also inventor of the present application
Issued: July 23, 1996
A glove for exercising digits of a human hand. The inventive device includes
an
inner glove for receiving a human hand therein. 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.
CA 02306357 2000-04-19 4
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to exercising devices and, more
specifically, to a hand exerciser worn directly on a hand or over a glove of a
user
providing resistance while allowing the user to flex either the entire hand or
any
individual digit in a natural movement through a full range of motion thereby
exercising the hand and digits in a safe, highly effective manner and
providing
faster results than products without a full range of motion. The hand
exerciser
increases the strength, coordination and gripping ability for the hand and
digits of a
user as well as providing physical therapy for treating conditions such as
arthritis,
carpal tunnel syndrome, weak muscles and joints and post surgical weakness.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided
an apparatus for exercising a hand of a user allowing a full range of motion
of the
hand during use, the apparatus comprising: a) a dorsal wrap adapted to be
releasably secured about a wrist of the user and extending over a back side of
the
hand, the dorsal wrap comprising a wrist band and an extension for covering
substantially the entire back of the hand; b) a forger power band releasably
engaging the extension of the dorsal wrap and adapted to extend along the full
length and only a portion of a surface of at least one forger including
knuckle of the
user, the forger power band being made of a material which provides a
predetermined amount of resistance to movement of the finger sufficient for
performing exercise of the forger; c) a thumb power band releasably engaging
the
dorsal wrap and adapted to extend along the full length and only a portion of
a
surface of a thumb including knuckle of the user, the thumb power band being
made of a material designed to provide a predetermined amount of resistance to
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CA 02306357 2000-06-20
movement of the thumb, the finger and thumb power bands all moving
independently of each other allowing exercise of the entire hand, any
individual
forger, the thumb and any combination thereof; and d) a finger tip cup for
receiving
a tip of each finger having a power band.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention there is
provided the method of exercising a hand of a user allowing a full range of
motion
of the hand during use, the steps of the method comprising: a) releasably
securing a
dorsal wrap about a wrist of the user extending over a back side of the hand,
the
dorsal wrap comprising a wrist band and an extension for covering
substantially the
entire back of the hand; b) releasably engaging a finger power band to the
extension
of the dorsal wrap extending along the full length and only a portion of a
surface of
each finger including knuckle of the user, the finger power band being made of
a
material which provides a predetermined amount of resistance to movement of
each
finger; c) releasably engaging a thumb power band to the dorsal wrap extending
along the full length and only a portion of a surface of a thumb including
knuckle of
the user, the thumb power band being made of a material designed to provide a
predetermined amount of resistance to movement of the thumb, the forger and
thumb power bands being capable of all moving independently of each other
allowing exercise of the entire hand, any individual finger, the thumb and any
combination thereof; d) mounting a forger tip cup at the distal end of each
power
band for receiving a tip of each forger having a power band; and e) exercising
the
hand and forgers against the resistance provided by the power bands.
Further features of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.
An apparatus for exercising a hand of a user allowing a full range of motion
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CA 02306357 2000-06-20
of the hand during use is described by the present invention. 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 forger 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 finger(s). 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 forger, the 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. On an end of both the finger and thumb power bands opposite
their respective connections with the dorsal wrap is a tip cup for receiving a
finger
or thumb of the user and aiding in retaining the hand exerciser in position on
the
hand.
To the accomplishment of the above and related features, this invention may
be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention
being
called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that
changes
may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the
scope
of the appended claims.
CA 02306357 2000-06-20
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present
invention
will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
reference
characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of the hand exerciser of the present
invention
for exercising the left hand of a user;
FIGURE 2 is a front perspective view of the hand exerciser of the present
invention taken in the direction of the arrow labeled 2 in Figure 1, with the
left hand of the
user shown in phantom;
FIGURE 3 is,' an exploded top perspective view of the hand exerciser of the
present
invention for exercising the left hand of the user taken in the direction of
the arrow labeled
3 in Figure l;
FIGURE 3A is an exploded side perspective view of the dorsal wrap and finger
power band of the hand exerciser of the present invention for exercising the
left hand of
the user;
FIGURE 4 is a side perspective view of the hand exerciser of the present
invention
taken in the direction of the arrow labeled 4 in Figure 1;
_g_
CA 02306357 2000-06-20
FIGURE 4a is a top perspective view of the hand exerciser of the present
invention
similar to Figure 1, showing the present invention worn over a glove on the
left hand of
the user;
FIGURE 4b is a partial side view of the hand exerciser of the present
invention
worn on a right hand of the user;
FIGURE 4c is a partial side view of the hand exerciser of the present
invention
similar to Figure 4b, showing a partial flexion of the fingers of the right
hand of the user;
FIGURES 4d is a cross-sectional view of the hand exerciser of the present
invention taken along line 4d-4d in Figure 4a;
FIGURE 5 is a top view of the hand exerciser of the present invention taken in
the
direction of the arrow labeled 5 in Figure 1;
FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the hand exerciser of the present
invention
taken along line 6-6 in Figure S;
FIGURE 7 is a side view of the hand exerciser of the present invention taken
in the
direction of the arrow labeled 7 in Figure 5;
FIGURE 8 is an exploded top perspective view of the hand exerciser of the
present
invention similar to Figure 3;
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CA 02306357 2000-06-20
FIGURE 9 is an enlarged, partially exploded side view of the hand exerciser of
the
present invention taken in the direction of the arrow labeled 9 in Figure 8;
and
FIGURE 9a is an exploded side view of the hand exerciser of the present
invention
shown in Figure 9.
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CA 02306357 2000-06-20
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIIVVIENT
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference
characters
denote similar elements throughout the several views, Figures 1 through 9a
illustrate the
hand exerciser of the present invention. The hand exerciser is indicated
generally by the
reference numeral 10.
The hand exerciser 10 is clearly illustrated in Figure 1 being worn about a
wrist 14
of a user 12, so as to extend over a back side of a hand 16 of the user 12.
The hand
exerciser 10 includes a dorsal wrap 18 removably extending around the wrist 14
and along
the back of the hand 16 of the user 12, a finger power band 20 pivotally and
releasably
connected to the dorsal wrap 18 and a thumb power band 28 releasably connected
to the
dorsal wrap 18.
The finger power band 20 is pivotally connected to the dorsal wrap 18 by a
connector 26. The Enger power band 20 consists of a knuckle covering 40
extending from
the connection with the connector 26 and over the knuckles of the hand 16 of
the user 12.
At least one finger cover portion 42 and preferably one finger cover portion
42 for each
finger of the user 12 is integrally connected to the knuckle covering 40 and
extends over a
back side and along the surface of a respective finger 24 of the user 12. The
finger tip cup
44 is connected at an end of each finger cover portion 42 opposite the knuckle
covering
40. Each finger tip cover 44 is integral with an outermost end of its
respective finger
cover portion 42, so as to engage with and cover a finger tip 22 of the user
12. The finger
cover portion 42 is moveable with its respective finger 24 applying a
resistive force to the
linger 24 during movement. The connector 26 is positioned between the finger
power
band 20 and the dorsal wrap 18 for detachably coupling the finger power band
20 to the
dorsal wrap 18. ~ The finger power band 20 is pivotally connected to the
dorsal wrap 18 via
CA 02306357 2000-06-20 -11-
the connector 26 whereby the finger power band 20 is able to pivot and move
with the
fingers 24 and knuckles of the user 12. The connection between the finger
power band 20
and the dorsal wrap 18 will be discussed in detail hereinafter.
The finger cover portions 42 are made of a flexible material allowing bending
at
the finger joints covered thereby. The position of the finger joints below the
finger cover
42 are indicated by knuckle strips 55 extending across the width of the finger
covers 42.
Finger power bands 20 of any desired length/size and resistance may be
connected to the
dorsal wrap 18 to match the size and strength of the user 12.
The thumb power band 28 is removably connected to the dorsal wrap 18 by a
connection assembly 30. The thumb power band 28 includes a thumb cover SO
which
extends over a thumb 32 of the user 12 and a thumb tip cup 52 for engaging a
tip 34 of the
thumb 32 during use. The thumb power band 28 covers the back side of the thumb
32,
moving with the thumb 32 as it is flexed and extended while providing a
resistance to the
movement of the thumb 32. The finger power band 20 and thumb power band 28
move
independently of one another. In this arranl;ement, the user 12 is able to
flex the hand 16,
each of the four fingers 24 and the thumb 32 within their natural range of
movement either
together, individually or in any combination thereof to thereby exercise the
entire hand.
The dorsal wrap 18 includes a back covering 36 which extends over the back of
the
hand 16 of the user 12. A wrist wrap 38 is integrally connected to the back
covering 36 for
extending around the wrist 14 of the user 12 during use. The wrist wrap 38
maintains
contact between the hand exerciser 10 and the wrist 14 during use. The wrist
wrap 38
includes a device for releasably securing it about the wrist of the user such
as a buckle or a
VELCRO~ connection. The back covering 36 extends to the knuckles of the user
12 for
connection with.the finger power band 20 via the connector 26.
CA 02306357 2000-06-20 -12-
A front perspective view of the hand exerciser 10 is illustrated in Figure 2.
From
this view, the finger tip cups 44 and the thumb tip cup 52 are clearly seen.
'the tip cups 44
and 52 each extend over the tip of their respective finger to engage with the
finger. Also
connected to each finger and thumb tip cup 44 and 52 is a fingertip band 53
for extending
around a respective finger and removably securing the tip cup thereto.
The connector 26 for connecting the finger power band 20 to the dorsal wrap 18
and the connection assembly 30 for connecting the thumb power band 28 to the
dorsal
wrap 18 are clearly illustrated in Figures Sand 3A. The connector 26 includes
a grip
member 46 affixed to the dorsal wrap 18 with a pin 47 extending from the grip
member
46. A hook member 48 of the connector 26 is affixed to the finger power band
20 and
includes a recess 49. The hook member 48 acts to engage the grip member 46 and
the
recess 49 receives and retains the pin 47 therein for releasably connecting
the dorsal wrap
18 to the finger power band 20 as will be described hereinafter.
The thumb power band 28 includes the thumb covering 50, which extends over the
thumb 32 of the user 12. The thumb tip cup 52 is integrally connected with an
outermost
end of the thumb covering 50, so as to extend over and cover the tip 34 of the
thumb 32.
The thumb tip cup 52 includes the fingertip band 53 for extending around the
tip 34 of the
thumb 32 thereby retaining the thumb covering 50 in contact with the thumb 32.
The
connector assembly 30 includes a protrusion 54 connected to and extending from
the
dorsal wrap 18 at the point at which the thumb power band 28 is to be
releasably attached.
A recess 56 extends through the thumb power band 28 and receives the
protrusion 54
therein for releasably connecting the thumb power band 28 to the dorsal wrap
18.
CA 02306357 2000-06-20 -13-
The finger power band 20 is colored, with the color of the finger power band
20
being indicative of the specific power band strength 20. The color of the
power band 20 is
thus indicative of the resistance provided thereby. Preferably, the resistance
of the color
bands 20 are measured on a scale system defining a range of values, each value
being
indicative of a particular resistance level. The power band rated at the level
1 provides the
least resistance and the color band rated at the level 4 providing the
greatest resistance.
The resistance of the color band will be indicated thereon and will not be
visible when the
hand exerciser 10 is in use.
A side view of the hand exerciser 10 positioned about a user's hand 16 is
illustrated in Figure 4. Frorn this view, the interconnection of the grip
member 46 and the
hook member 48 of the connector 26 is clearly seen. The hook member 48 is
connected
with a finger power band 20 for receiving and releasably engaging the grip
member 46
thereby connecting the finger power band 20 to the dorsal wrap 18. The grip
member 46 is
configured to be received by and engage any hook member 48 connected to a
finger power
band 20 of any desired length and resistance. 'Thus, the hand exerciser 20 is
easily adapted
for use by persons having any size fingers and of any strength level by
securing a hook
member 48 connected with any desired finger power band 20 to the grip member
46.
When the grip member 46 engages the hook member 48, the pin 47 is caused to be
received in the recess 49 thereby connecting the f nger power band 20 and the
dorsal wrap
18. The wrist wrap 38 is releasably attached to the wrist 14 of the user 12
for securing the
dorsal wrap 18 in position and the thumb power band 28 is connected to extend
from the
back covering 36 of the dorsal wrap 18.
In use; the f ngers of the user 12 are positioned to be covered by a
respective one of
the finger covers.42 whereby the finger tips 22 are received in a respective
finger tip cup
CA 02306357 2000-06-20 -14-
44. The fingertip bands 53 each extend around a respective one of the finger
tip cups 44
and hold the respective finger tip 22 therein. The thumb power band 28 also
includes the
thumb tip cup 52 for receiving the tip of the thumb 32 and the fingertip band
53 extends
around the thumb tip cup 52 holding the thumb 32 therein.
A top perspective view of the hand exerciser I 0 positioned over a glove 64 on
the
hand of a user 12 is illustrated in Figure 4a. This view is similar to that of
Figure 1
showing the use of the hand exerciser 10 of the present invention with a glove
64 covering
the user's hand 16. The hand exerciser 10 is used in the same manner with or
without a
glove 64 covering the hand of the user 12. The user 12 can also perform other
tasks when
using the hand exerciser 10, such as driving a motor vehicle or performing
other exercises.
The finger power bands 20 and the thumb power band 28 can be made in varying
strengths
and can be color coded, so as to change the flexing exercise of the hand 16,
fingers 24 and
thumb 32 and thus provide a desired resistance for the user to overcome when
moving the
fingers.
A side view of a right handed hand exerciser 10 is illustrated in Figure 4b.
From
this view the fingers can be clearly seen positioned within the tip cups 44
and the thumb
can be seen positioned in the tip cup 52. The fingers and thumb are wrapped by
the
fingertip bands 53. The knuckle strips 55 are also visible from this view. The
finger
covers 42 extend above the fingers and along the length thereof with the
knuckle strips 55
positioned above the finger joints.
A side view illustrating the bending of the fingers is illustrated in Figure
4c. As
can be seen from this figure, the knuckle strips SS are positioned above the
finger joints
and the finger covers 42 bend at the position of the knuckle strips S5. When
the fingers 24
are bent, the finger cover 42 will stretch at the bending point positioned
below the knuckle
CA 02306357 2000-06-20 -1$-
strips 55 due to the elasticity of the material used to form the finger covers
42. The
resistance to movement provided by the finger covers 42 will vary, the
approximate
resistance being indicated by the color of the power band 20 and a scale
system, the scale
system preferably ranges from a value of 1 indicating least resistance to a
value of 4
indicating greatest resistance. The resistance value of each power band 20 is
indicated on
the back side thereof. To increase or decrease the resistance, the finger
power band 20
may be replaced with another finger power band 20 having a different
resistance level by
disengaging the hook member 48 from the grip member 46 and reconnecting a
finger
power band 20 having the desired length and resistance.
A cross-sectional view of a portion of the finger cover 42 taken in the
direction of
the arrows labeled 4d-4d in Figure 4a is illustrated in Figure 4d. This view
shows the
knuckle strips 55 positioned above the finger cover 42 and integrally
connected thereto.
The finger cover 42 is formed from an elastomeric thermoplastic material and
therefore is
somewhat flexible. The flexibility of the material allows for the movement of
the fingers
,.
of a user 12 while providing a resistance to the movement. The resistance to
the
movement of the fingers causes the f ngers to be exercised whenever they are
moved. 'fhe
amount of resistance is dependent upon the flexibility of the finger covers
42. The
flexibility of the finger covers 42 is determined upon manufacture and is
based upon the
percentage of elastomeric material used to form the finger covers 42. The
resistance
supplied by the finger and thumb power bands 20 and 28, respectively, is
indicated by the
color of the power band 20 and/or a numbered scale system of a range from 1-4
indicated
on the back of the power band 20. Positioned on a side of the finger covers 42
opposite
the knuckle strips 55 is a pad material 61 preferably formed of foam which
contacts the
skin of the user's fingers. The pad 61 provides added comfort for the user
when using the
hand exerciser 10.
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CA 02306357 2000-06-20
A top view of the hand exerciser 10 of the present invention can be seen
from Figure 5. This figure clearly illustrates the connection of the dorsal
wrap 18,
finger power band 20 and thumb power band 28 to form the hand exerciser 10 of
the present invention. The hand of the user is positioned below the dorsal
wrap 18
with the forgers positioned below respective ones of the finger covers 42 and
received within the finger tip cups 44. The thumb of the user is positioned
below
the thumb cover 50 with the tip of the thumb being received and held within
the
thumb tip cup 52. This figure also illustrates the plug member 56 of the
connector
assembly 30 for connecting the thumb power band 28 to the dorsal wrap 18.
A side cross-sectional view of the hand exerciser 10 taken along the line
labeled 6-6 in Figure 5 is shown in Figure 6. This figure clearly illustrates
the
connector 26 including the interconnection between the grip member 46 and the
hook member 48. As illustrated in this figure, the dorsal wrap 18 is
fabricated out
of a hard thermoplastic elastomeric material 58. Use of such material provides
stiffiiess to the back cover 36 of the dorsal wrap 18 yet is pliable enough to
conform to the shape of the hand 16 of the user. Each forger power band 20 is
also
preferably fabricated from a soft, pliable thermoplastic material thereby
allowing
the forger power bands 20 to stretch during a flexing exercise. The thumb
power
band 28 is fabricated out of the soft, pliable thermoplastic material allowing
the
thumb power band 28 to stretch and bend with the thumb of the user during a
flexing exercise while also providing a measure of resistance to the thumb
movement.
The connector assembly 36 is fabricated from a rigid thermoplastic material
whereby the thumb power band 28 is prevented from inadvertent detachment from
the dorsal wrap 18 during a flexing exercise. The connector 26 is also
preferably
formed from a rigid thermoplastic material 62 preventing the grip member 46
and
the hook member 48
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CA 02306357 2000-06-20
from being easily disengaged and thus, preventing the finger power band 20
from being
unintentionally disconnected from the dorsal wrap 18 during a flexing
exercise.
A further side view of the hand exerciser 10 taken in the direction of the
arrow
labeled 7 in Figure 5 is illustrated in Figure 7. This figure is similar to
Figure 6 including
the thumb power band 28. The relationship between the thumb power band 28 and
its I
connection to the dorsal wrap 18 is clearly seen along with its spatial
relationship to the
finger power band 20.
An exploded top perspective view of the hand ~excrciser is illustrated in
Figure 8.
From this view the releasable connection between the grip member 46 and the
hook
member 48 is clearly seen along with the pin 47 extending from the grip member
46 for
receipt within the recess 49 of the hook member 48. Also shown in this figure
is the
connection assembly 30 for removably attaching the thumb power band 28 to the
dorsal
wrap 18. As can be seen from this view, the protrusion 54 is connected to and
extends
from the back side 36 of the dorsal wrap 18 and the recess 56 extends through
the thumb
power band 28. In order to removably secure the thumb power band 28 to the
dorsal wrap
18, the protrusion 54 must be received by and held in the recess 56.
Alternatively, the
protrusion 54 may be formed with the thumb power band 28 and the recess 56 may
be
positioned extending through the dorsal wrap 18. Connecting the thumb power
band 28
and the dorsal wrap 18 would be performed in the same manner.
A side exploded view of the hand exerciser 10 is illustrated in Figures 9 and
9a.
From these figures, the interconnection of each element of the hand exerciser
10 is shown.
An alternate embodiment for the connector 26 is illustrated in these figures.
The
connector 26 includes the grip member 46 and the hook member 48. The grip
member 46
includes a gripping portion 66 and a toothed connector portion 68. The hook
member 48
CA 02306357 2000-06-20
-18-
includes a hook portion 70 and a toothed connector portion 72. The dorsal wrap
18
includes a recess 74 for receiving and releasably engaging the teeth on the
connector portion 68 of the grip member 46. The toothed connector portion 68
forms an adjustable connection with the recess 74 whereby the distance the
grip
portion 46 extends from the recess 74 may be changed. The forger power band 20
also includes a recess 76 for receiving and releasably engaging the teeth on
the
connector portion 72 of the hook member 48. The toothed connector portion 72
forms an adjustable connection with the recess 76 whereby the distance the
hook
portion 48 extends from the recess 76 may be changed. The grip portion 66 and
the
hook portion 70 are releasably engaged to connect the dorsal wrap 18 to the
forger
power band 20.
An alternate embodiment for the connector assembly 82 is also shown in
these Figures. The connector assembly 82 includes a socket member 84 and a
plug
member 86. In these figures, the plug member 86 is illustrated as being
separated
from the dorsal wrap 18. The plug member 86 is integrally connected to the
thumb
power band 28. In order to connect the thumb power band 28 to the dorsal wrap
18, the socket member 84 is positioned on a side of the dorsal wrap 18
opposite the
thumb power band 28. The socket member 84 may include protrusions 80 which
are caused to extend through recess 78 and engage the plug member 86 for
connecting the thumb power band 28 to the dorsal wrap 18.
The operation of the hand exerciser of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the figures. In operation, the dorsal wrap 18 is
connected to the finger power band 20 by engaging the grip member 46 and the
hook member 48. When the grip member 46 and hook member 48 are engaged the
pin 47 is caused to be received by and
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CA 02306357 2000-06-20
held within the recess 49. The user must carefully select the resistance
desired from the
finger power band based upon the user's hand strength and must also select the
proper size
finger power band based upon the length of the user's fingers. The thumb power
band 28
is then connected to the dorsal wrap 18 by inserting the protrusion 54 into
the recess 56.
The hand exerciser is now ready for use.
The user will now place the hand exerciser on the desired hand by placing the
fingers within the proper tip cups so that the finger covers extend along the
surface of their
respective finger and the thumb cover extends along the surface of the thumb.
The wrist
wrap 38 is now secured about the user's wrist. The user may now perform any
hand
exercise or simply go about their normal routine. As the fingers and hand are
flexed, the
hand exerciser will supply a resistance to the desired motion causing the
muscles used to
overcome the applied resistance and thereby exercise the muscles, tendons,
joints and
ligaments of the hand. The hand exerciser is unobtrusive and does not limit
the full range
of motion of the hand and thus the user is able to perform any desired
activity.
When the user is finished using the hand exerciser, the wrist wrap 38 is
simply
released from its position about the wrist and the fingers of the user are
removed from the
tip cups. The hand exerciser may now be stored away until use at a future time
is desired.
As the hand exerciser of the present invention is in the form of a glove, it
conforms
to the shape of the hand without the user needing to consciously hold it in
position. This
provides a great benefit for handicapped persons, persons affected by a
stroke, multiple
sclerosis patients with a major loss of hand strength, etc. who are unable to
hold the hand
exerciser in position. This also allows the user to now focus more on the
exercise itself
rather than the positioning or holding of the exerciser, therefore producing a
highly
effective exercise and much quicker results.
CA 02306357 2000-06-20
-20-
The hand exerciser is also beneficial to provide relief for certain hand
problems
such as muscular-skeletal problems degenerating, circulatory problems, nerve
impingement, rhinos, etc., relief of stress and even provide relief for edema
of the hands.
Even healthy hands can benefit from use of the hand exerciser by increasing
coordination,
strength and endurance while helping to avoid hand fatigue.
The hand exerciser promotes increased blood circulation which therefore aids
in
decreasing the rehabilitation time for an injured hand by providing more blood
and oxygen
to the hand. This also prevents the formation of age marks and blemishes and
allows the
hand to function at its optimum level of performance.
The hand exerciser is also the only device available able to accommodate users
of
different strength levels with a single device, providing interchangeable
parts of varying
resistance levels. The interchangeable parts are identified by color power
bands indicating
the resistance level supplied by the part as well as a numbered scale system
from 1-4
indicating a specif c power band 20 resistance. The user can condition the
exercise to be
performed at a desired strength and resistance level by attaching the
components of the
desired level.
From the above description it can be seen that the hand exerciser of the
present
invention is able to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices by
providing a
hand exerciser which is able to be worn directly on a hand of a user or over a
glove
allowing the user to flex either the entire hand or any individual digit in a
natural
movement through a full range of motion providing a safe, highly effective
exercise
thereby increasing the strength, coordination and gripping ability of the hand
and digits of
the user as well as providing physical therapy for conditions such as
arthritis, carpal tunnel
CA 02306357 2000-06-20
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syndrome, weak muscles and joints, post surgical weakness, etc. The hand
exerciser will
not inhibit the normal motion of the hands of the user and may be worn while
performing
any desired activity such as driving or playing sports without obstructing the
use of the
hand as the hand exerciser conforms to the shape of the users hand. The hand
exerciser
also provides for variable resistance levels for adapting to the strength
level of different
users and to the increasing strength level of a user exercising with the
exerciser and allows
for a full range of motion from full hand extension to full hand flexion.
Furthermore, the
hand exerciser is simple and easy to use and economical in cost to
manufacture.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or
more
together may also find a useful application in other types of methods
differing from the
type described above.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described
and
are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the
details above,
since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications,
substitutions and
changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its
operation can be made
by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of
the present
invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the
present
invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for
various
applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly
constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of
this invention.
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CA 02306357 2000-06-20
