Exercise devices – Hand – wrist – or finger – Having individual structure engaging each finger used
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-28
2001-05-08
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Hand, wrist, or finger
Having individual structure engaging each finger used
C482S044000, C482S047000, C482S049000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06228001
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a physical therapy device and exercise device and more particularly relates to a device which engages the fingers and thumb of the user's hand allowing the user to alternately extend and close the fingers against elastic resistance in order to exercise the muscles of the hand, wrist and arm for therapy, as well as for increasing strength and flexibility. The device of the invention benefits those engaging in sporting activities and also serves to relieve and prevent conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrom (CTS) and repetitive motion injuries (RMI) such as tennis elbow.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive motion injuries may be a result of a number of factors including arthritis, trauma, stress and overuse which cause irritation or swelling of the tendons. Persons most at risk are those who engage in repetitive motions that impose a continual strain on the hand, wrist and arm such as tasks routinely performed by framers, assembly line workers and office workers operating computer keyboards.
Simple expedients such as exercising the hand and fingers in an opening and closing motion provide therapeutic benefits. Exercising in this manner may also enhance performance in activities such as tennis and golf by increasing strength, flexibility and endurance.
Various hand exercising devices can be found in the prior art for treating conditions resulting from repetitive motion. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,436 shows a device and method described as useful in treatment of symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome. The device comprises an elastic member which removably attaches to the distal tips of the fingers and the thumb of the hand. The individual wears the device and with the fingers and thumb extended, repetitively forces the fingers and thumb outwardly away from one another against the elastic restoring force of the device. The patent neither describes nor suggests a device which provides resistance to squeezing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,249 shows a pocket sized exercising appliance which fits the hand and exercises the wrist, hand and arm muscles. The device has an elastomeric, polygonal body member having a plurality of holes such that can be squeezed and compressed in the hand or stretched with the thumb and fingers in the holes. However, no special feature is suggested that would resist squeezing or compression.
Another device of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,625. The hand exerciser of the '625 patent is made of a resilient material and has a number of finger-engaging ports each connected to one side of a body portion by bridging segments. The body portion to the side thereof, opposite the finger-engaging ports includes a thumb-engaging port. The hand exerciser may be useful for strengthening the muscles used during the extension of the fingers and movement of the thumb in a generally outwardly direction. The exerciser is preferably made of a one-piece rubber material and can be produced by molding techniques.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,734 shows a hand exerciser which has a rigid frame spanned by a resilient web to accommodate the hand which because of its size and rigidity is not conveniently portable and compact.
Thus, while various devices are available in the prior art to exercise and strengthen the hand and fingers, these devices may not be totally effective for the intended use and further are generally useful only for extension. Prior art devices do not provide the function of exercising and building up other parts of the body such as the muscles in the wrist and upper forearm resulting in increased strength, flexibility and endurance providing therapeutic and preventative benefits as well as enhancing athletic performance.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an exercise device which is small and compact so that it can be carried on the person of the user or be easily stored in a desk drawer, brief case or other work location so that it is available for convenient use. The device is fabricated from an elastomeric material such as natural or synthetic rubber or neoprene. The exercise device may be fabricated by various techniques such as injection molding. The device has a body which has a disk-like web section which is generally circular. A plurality of finger-receiving apertures are arranged about the center of the device with the apertures being spaced apart. The number of apertures may vary with at least five being provided to receive the fingers and thumb of the user. In a preferred embodiment, eight apertures are provided to accommodate various relative positions of the fingers and thumb and also so the device does not have to be oriented to a particular use-position.
In a preferred embodiment, a projection extends from both sides of the device positioned inwardly of the apertures forming a centrally positioned generally convex enlargement. The increased thickness provided by the enlargement provides greater resistance to stretching and deformation and provides the means for actively flexing the fingers inward against compressible resistance to strengthen and exercise the hands and fingers of the user as flexion and extension occurs. Further, in this embodiment, the fingers may be inserted from either side of the device and once inserted, the projection on the side adjacent the hand is aligned with the palm or surface of the hand. This allows the user to perform extension and flexion exercises with the fingers. The user may also grasp the device in a manner so that the central enlargement is engaged against the palmar surface allowing the user to apply further force to compress the device. This configuration, contrasted to prior art devices, serves to both provide resistance to exercise the hand and fingers and also to exercise the areas of the anatomy such as the wrist and forearm and to increase circulation. The enlarged convex portion is compressed and relaxed alternately. In other embodiments, the convex enlargement may project from only one surface of the disk-shaped web which web defines finger and thumb receiving holes or the enlargement may be separable from the disk. The holes may be symmetrical or asymmetrical about the X and Y axes.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3612521 (1971-10-01), Wendeborn
patent: 4828249 (1989-05-01), Keating
patent: 4929211 (1990-05-01), Resnick et al.
patent: 5045011 (1991-09-01), Lovik
patent: 5366436 (1994-11-01), Gibney
patent: 5536195 (1996-07-01), Stamos
Hillery David
Johnson Ronald B.
Donnelly Jerome W.
Smith Lori Baker
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