Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02308884 2000-OS-19
TITLE: THUMB SUPPORT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a thumb support. In
particular the present invention provides protection of the
thumb and hand during use of a hand held controller popular
with video game equipment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Continuous use for long periods of time of hand
held video game controllers often results in cramping of
the thumb and hand, aches and pains in the thumb joint,
rawness of the skin on the thumb and sweating.
Numerous thumb and wrist supports are known for
treatment and rehabilitation from injury. Many of these
prior devices are directed to immobilizing the thumb or
preventing adduction of the thumb at the
metacarpophalangeal (knuckle) or carpometacarpal (base)
joints. Immobilization or limitation of movement is
obtained through the use of rigid or semi-rigid braces or
straps. See for example U.S. Patent No. 4,658,441;
4,953,568; 5,356,371 and 5,787,896.
Wrist supports for protection against developing
carpal tunnel syndrome are also known. For example in U.S.
Patent No. 5,538,501 a wrist support is disclosed to limit
flexion of the wrist while permitting movement of the
fingers.
To avoid repetitive stress injuries from the
continuous use of computer keyboards or computer mouse
various cushion supports have been proposed such as for
example in U.S. Patent No. 5,868,365.
CA 02308884 2000-OS-19
There still remains a need for protection of the
thumb and hand during continuous use for long periods of
time of hand held video game controllers which can prevent
cramping of the thumb and hand, aches and pains in the
thumb joints, rawness of the skin on the thumb and
sweating..
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a
thumb support which can prevent cramping of the thumb and
hand, aches and pains in the thumb joints, rawness of the
skin on the thumb and sweating during continuous use for
long periods of time of hand held video game controllers.
Thus in accordance with the present invention
there is provided a thumb support having a flexible sleeve
portion adapted to fit over and enclose the thumb. The
sleeve portion is made from a thin material that preserves
the tactile feel with the controller and permits full
movement of the thumb. The sleeve stops the thumb from
sweating or becoming raw during extended periods of play.
To provide support for the metacarpophalangeal (knuckle)
joint, the sleeve is adapted to fit snuggly over the thumb.
In another aspect of the present invention, to
ensure a snug fit of the sleeve over the thumb, a base
portion is connected to the open end of the sleeve. The
base portion is adapted to fit along the edge of the thumb
and over the palmar aspect of the thumb to help provide
support for the carpometacarpal joint at the base of the
thumb. The base portion is adapted to fit snuggly around
the wrist.
In another aspect of the present invention, to
enhance the support of the thumb, elastic ribbing can be
added around the end of the sleeve and the upper edge of
base portion.
2
CA 02308884 2000-OS-19
Further features of the invention will be
described or will become apparent in the course of the
following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly
understood, a preferred embodiment of an engine operating
on the principle of the present invention will now be
described in detail by way of example, with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view, of one embodiment
of a thumb support according to the present invention
applied to a hand; and
Figure 2 is another embodiment of a thumb support
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Figure 1 a thumb support according
to the present invention is generally indicated at 1. The
thumb support 1 has a flexible sleeve portion 2 adapted to
fit over and enclose the thumb. The sleeve portion 2 is
made from a material that permits full movement of the
thumb. A light weight material is preferable such as latex
or spandex. The sleeve 2 is fabricated of a thin material
to preserve the tactile feel between the interior surface 3
of sleeve 2 and the controller. Non-skid projections 9 can
optionally be provided on interior surface 3. Artwork can
also optionally be applied to the sleeve 2 including
representation of characters from video games or other
graphic material associated with video games. Sleeve 2
stops the thumb from sweating or becoming raw during
extended periods of play. To provide support for the
metacarpophalangeal (knuckle) joint, sleeve 2 should fit
snuggly over the thumb. Use of elastic materials such as
3
CA 02308884 2000-OS-19
latex or spandex may provide a sufficiently snug fit.
However in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, connected to
the open end 4 of sleeve 2 is base portion 5. The base
portion 5 is adapted to fit along the edge of the thumb and
over the palmar aspect of the thumb. This will help provide
support for the carpometacarpal joint at the base of the
thumb. Base portion 5 is adapted to fit snuggly around the
wrist. In the embodiment illustrated, the lower edge 6 of
base portion 5 is equipped with straps 7 which wrap around
the wrist and are secured by any suitable method such as
Velcro. The base portion 5 preferably is formed of a
flexible material such as spandex.
To enhance the support of the thumb, elastic
ribbing 8 can be added around the end 4 of sleeve 2 and the
upper edge 10 of base portion 5. The thumb support of the
present invention provides support to the thumb joints and
hands and creates "comfort" in playing video game by
elimination of sweating and abrasions to the thumb.
By utilizing bright colours and graphic designs
the thumb support of the present invention can appeal to
aesthetic concerns of video game players and heighten the
level of play.
Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of the
present invention. The thumb support is generally indicated
at 20. The thumb support 20 includes a flexible sleeve
portion 21 adapted to fit over and enclose the thumb. The
sleeve portion 21 is made from a material that permits full
movement of the thumb. A light weight material is
preferable such as latex or spandex. The sleeve 21 is
fabricated of a thin material to preserve the tactile feel
between the interior surface 22 of sleeve 21 and the
controller. Non-skid projections 29 can optionally be
provided on interior surface 22. Sleeve 21 stops the thumb
from sweating or becoming raw during extended periods of
play. To provide support for the metacarpophalangeal
(knuckle) joint, sleeve 21 should fit snuggly over the
4
CA 02308884 2000-OS-19
thumb. Connected to the open end 23 of sleeve 21 is base
portion 24. The base portion 24 is adapted to fit along the
edge of the thumb and over the palmar aspect of the thumb.
This will help provide support for the carpometacarpal
joint at the base of the thumb. Base portion 24 is adapted
to fit snuggly around the wrist. In the embodiment
illustrated, the lower edge 26 of base portion 24 is
equipped with straps 27 which wrap around the wrist and are
secured by any suitable method such as a VelcroTM. The base
portion 24 preferably is formed of a flexible material such
as spandex. In order to further secure and retain the thumb
support 20 in place, base portion 24 is connected to a
glove portion 28 which encompasses the whole hand. In the
embodiment illustrated the fingers on glove portion 28 have
been removed to provide freedom of movement and better feel
for the controller. Support ribbing 19 is provided along
the connection between base portion 24 and glove portion
28.
The glove portion 28 of thumb support 20 provides
additional surface area for logos or other graphic or
promotional material to appeal aesthetically to players..
Having illustrated and described a preferred
embodiment of the invention and certain possible
modifications thereto, it should be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art that the invention permits of
further modification in arrangement and detail. All such
modifications are covered by the scope of the invention.
5
