Slit sleeve wrist support

Abstract: A slit sleeve wrist support includes a sheet of elastic fabric that is wrapped around the wrist and hand and fastened with hook and loop fastener straps. The sheet has a proximal edge to be positioned around the arm and a distal edge to be positioned at the hand near the fingers. Each of the lateral edges is formed with a inward curved space near the distal end to accommodate the user's thumb. The curvature at each lateral edge defines opposed, laterally extending thumb tabs at the distal end of the sheet. Two elongated pockets are sewn on a surface of the sheet, one pocket near each of the lateral edges, and extend from the proximal to the distal edges. The pockets are formed to contain a removable, rigid support splint of metal or plastic formed with a curvature to conform to the user's wrist and palm. The splint is inserted in one of the pockets depending on which wrist the slit sleeve is being worn. One of the pockets is covered with hook and loop fastener material cooperable with the fastener material on the plurality of fastening tabs. The fastening tabs are attached the opposite lateral edge.

Description: A number of wrist support devices proposed in the art include sleeves, wraps, and other devices, however, various problems relating to fit, adjustability, and adaptability for ambidextrous supports have not been satisfactorily overcome. EP-A-162610 discloses a wrist support adapted to extend along and surround the forearm wrist and palm of the hand to restrict mobility of the wrist joint, the support being formed from a single piece of stretch fabric consisting of a less easily stretchable transverse central band and more easily stretchable transverse proximal and distal bands. The support being formed in its outer surface with a longitudinal pocket for a thin brace and with attachment means along its lateral edges for fastening said lateral edges together about the wrist. The attachment means and the pocket are positioned so that when in place a brace of inflexible material in the pocket extends along the ventral surface of the forearm and wrist and underlies the palm so as to hold the hand in dorsoflexion. AU-B-56828/86 shows a brace comprising a palmar spoon fixed to a cover for wrapping around the wrist so that the spoon extends from the palm across the wrist joint and along the forearm. A non-elastic strap is attached to the cover to extend around the wrist joint and has couplings so that it can be formed in a closed loop firmly around the wrist to hold the wrist firmly against the spoon and to restrict flexing of the wrist. The present invention, generally, provides a wrist support for use on either the right or the left hand, that overcomes the problems in the art. The wrist support of the invention is formed as a slit sleeve that may be wrapped and fastened about the wrist, which permits adjustment of the fit and pressure applied to the wrist. The wrist support of the present invention includes a sheet of flexible material formed with pockets for a rigid splint. The slit sleeve form of the wrist support permits the user to position the splint on the palm at an optimal location for needed support and for comfort. Thumb spaces formed at opposing lateral edges which permits the user to position the thumb space and fastening elements for optimal comfort and support. The slit sleeve according to the invention includes a sheet of elastic fabric that is wrapped around the wrist and hand and fastened with hooked loop fastening materials. The sheet has a proximal edge positionable around the arm and a distal edge positionable at the hand near the fingers. Each of the lateral edges is formed with a inward curved space near the distal end to accommodate the users thumb. The curvature at each lateral edge distal of the thumb space defines opposed, laterally extending thumb tabs at the distal end of the sheet. Two elongated pockets are sewn on a surface of the sheet, one pocket near each of the lateral edges, and extend from the proximal to the distal edges. The pockets are formed to contain a removable, rigid support splint of metal or plastic formed with a curvature to conform to the user's wrist and palm. The splint is inserted in one of the pockets depending on which wrist the slit sleeve is being worn. One of the pockets is covered with a hook and loop fastening material, and a plurality of fastening tabs, having a complementary hook and loop material, are attached to the opposite lateral edge. The sheet is symmetrical and the two pockets are positioned on the sheet on each side of the axis of symmetry so that when worn the pocket can come to lie in the palm of the hand. The slit sleeve is placed on the hand with the pocket carrying the splint on the palm, and the thumb positioned in the adjacent curved space. The thumb tabs are positioned between the thumb and first finger and the free lateral edge is wrapped around the hand and fastened with the tabs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES The present invention can be further understood with reference to the following description in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a top view of a wrist support in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of a splint for the wrist support of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a right side view of the splint of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a dorsal view of a right hand with the wrist support of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a palm side view of the right hand and wrist support of Fig. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The slit sleeve wrist support (10), shown in Fig. 1, is formed of a sheet (20) of flexible, elastic material having a generally rectangular shape. The sheet (20) may comprise at least two separate parts (22, 24), as shown. By selection of the length and curvature of the attached edges, a curvature in the plane of the sheet (20) may be provided for the completed sheet which may provide a fit better conforming to the user's hand and wrist. The wrist support (10) has a proximal edge (26) that is positionable around an arm near the wrist, and a distal edge (28) that is positionable about the hand near the fingers. As may be seen, the proximal edge (26) follows a substantially straight line. The distal edge (28) is formed with a concave curvature through a middle portion, which facilitates fitting the brace on a user's hand. The middle portion of the distal edge is positionable adjacent to the fifth finger, and the palm is typically shorter at the fifth finger side than on the thumb side. The sheet is made sufficiently long from proximal (26) the distal edge (28) so that the wrist support (10) extends across the user's palm and on the wrist so that the wrist support, when in position, immobilizes the wrist when a splint is provided, as further described below. The sheet (20) is formed of a material that is thin, flexible and elastic, which allows it to conform to a user's wrist and hand, and apply pressure to the wrist and hand by suitably tensioning the sheet. The material may be of the type that is elastic in one direction only, in which case the sheet (20) is oriented to be elastic in the lateral direction. Alternatively, the sheet (20) may comprise a neoprene rubber or other similar material. The wrist support has opposite lateral edges (30, 40) extending between the proximal and distal edges. A distal portion of each of the lateral edges (30, 40) is shaped with a concave curvature. The curvature defines opposed spaces or gaps to accommodate the base of the user's thumb, and tabs (34, 44) which are positionable between the thumb and first finger, as more fully described below. A proximal portion (36, 45) of each of the lateral edges (30, 40) is substantially straight. Two longitudinally extending pockets (50, 60) are fastened on the sheet (20), one adjacent to each of the gaps (32, 42). The pockets (50, 60) each have an opening (52, 62) at the proximal end of the wrist brace (10) to allow the selective insertion and removal of a splint (80), which is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The pockets (50, 60) are located on a surface of the wrist brace (10) opposite to a surface that is in contact with the user's hand when the wrist brace is worn. A plurality of fastening straps (46) are attached to the wrist brace along the lateral edge (40). The straps (46) and the pocket (50) at the opposing lateral edge (30) are provided with complementing hook and loop type fasteners, for example, so that the straps (46) may be easily fastened and adjustably positioned on the pocket (50). Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a splint (80) in accordance with the present invention. The splint (80) is an elongated member, preferably of a thin, rigid material such as metal or plastic. The splint material may also be chosen to provide some flexibility to permit limited flexion and extension movement of the user's wrist. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the splint are selected so that it fits in either of the pockets (50, 60) to extend substantially from the proximal end (26) to the distal end (28) of the wrist support (10). The splint (80) is shaped with a curvature, as shown in the side view of Fig. 3, to conform to the palm and wrist of the user to maintain the hand slightly in extension relative to the wrist. The splint (80) may be positioned in either of the pockets (50, 60) for either the right or left hand of the user, as more fully described below. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the wrist support (10) positioned on a right hand. Although shown and described for the right hand, it is understood that the wrist support (10) is correspondingly positionable on a left hand. Fig. 4 shows a dorsal view of the hand and Fig. 5 shows the palm side of the hand. The splint (80) is positioned (although not visible) in the pocket (60) shown in the palm side view of Fig. 5. To put the wrist support (10) on the wrist, the wrist support (10) is positioned on the palm of the hand with the splint holding pocket (60) in the desired position on the palm and wrist, and the thumb positioned in the appropriate gap (42). The user then wraps the wrist support (10) around the hand and wrist so that the opposing gap (32) is adjacent the thumb, and the tabs (34) and (44) and proximal lateral edges (36, 45) overlap as required to provide a secure and comfortable fit on the hand. The size of the space for the thumb between the tabs (34, 44) and the proximal portions (36, 45) may be adjusted for optimal fit and comfort by the relative positioning, that is, more or less overlapping of the lateral edges. Because the pockets (50, 60) for the splint are positioned adjacent to the free lateral edges (30, 40), the position of the splint (80) relative to the thumb is also adjustable to provide optimal desired support for the wrist and thumb. The foregoing has described the preferred principles, embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention; however, the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments discussed. Instead, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be appreciated that variations, changes and equivalents may be made by others without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims: An ambidextrous slit sleeve wrist support (10) comprising: a sheet (20) of flexible, elastic material having a distal edge (28), a proximal edge (26), and opposite lateral edges (30, 40), said lateral edges (30, 40) being shaped in a distal end portion with oppositely located arcuate portions defining concave gaps (32, 42) to receive a thumb; a first elongated pocket (50) on a first surface of the sheet (20) extending substantially from the proximal edge to the distal edge (28) adjacent to a first of said lateral edges (30, 40), said pocket (50) having an opening (52) at the proximal edge (26); a second elongated pocket (60) on the first surface extending substantially from the proximal edge (26) to the distal edge (28) adjacent to a second of said lateral edges (30, 40), said pocket (60) having an opening (62) at the proximal edge (26); whereby the sheet (20) is symmetrical and the first and second pockets (50, 60) are positioned on the sheet (20) on each side of the axis of symmetry so that when worn the pocket (50, 60) can come to lie in the palm of the hand, a plurality of fastening straps (46) extending laterally from the second lateral edge, said fastening straps (46) being fastenable to an outer surface of the first elongated pocket (50); and a splint (80) selectably positionable in one of said elongated pockets (50, 60). The wrist support (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the splint (80) is shaped to conform substantially with a palm and wrist to position the palm in extension relative to the wrist. The wrist support (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elongated pocket (50) on the outer surface and the fastening straps (46) have cooperating hook and loop fastening material. The wrist support (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal edge (28) is formed as a concave, arcuate edge. The wrist support (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the gaps (32, 42) on the lateral edges (30, 40) defines a tab (34, 44) adjacent to the distal edge (28) positionable between a thumb and forefinger, a fastening strap (46) extending laterally from the tab (34, 44) on the second lateral edge. The wrist support (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the distal edge (28) is formed as a concave, arcuate edge. The wrist support (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wrist support (10) is positionable on a hand with the arcuate distal edge (28) adjacent to a fifth finger and the tabs (34, 44) of the lateral edges (30, 40) overlap in a region between a thumb and forefinger, a, proximal portion of the lateral edges (30, 40) being positionable around a wrist and base of a thumb. The wrist support (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet (20) comprises a substantially rectangular portion at a proximal end and an H-shaped portion at a distal end. The wrist support (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet material (20) is flexible in the proximal to distal direction and the lateral direction, and is flexible and elastic in the lateral direction. The wrist support (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the splint (80) is formed of a rigid material. The wrist support (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet (20) has a length from proximal to distal edge sufficient to extend from an arm across a wrist to adjacent to a user's fingers so that the wrist support immobilizes the user's wrist.

Inventors: HINDS SHERRY ANN, WIESEMANN SIDNEY MICHAEL, HINDS, SHERRY ANN, WIESEMANN, SIDNEY MICHAEL
Applicants: BEIERSDORF AG, BEIERSDORF AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5