Abstract:
A therapeutic hand device comprising a wrist-support section and a separate fingers-support section. The fingers-support section receives the index-finger and the middle finger, and is removably secured to the wrist-support section via a plurality of adjustable “VELCRO” straps. An open space is defined interiorly of, and delimited by, the fingers-support section and a portion of the wrist-support section whereby when the device is worn on a hand, an object may be inserted into the open space between the fingers-section and the thumb of the hand, with the adjustable straps being used to firmly hold the thumb and fingers in a pincer hold against an object, whereby the object may be held and manipulated with support and assistance by the device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/111,633, filed on Apr. 21, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed a therapeutic device for the hand and for assisting a person in holding and gripping objects, as disclosed in Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,212, which patent is incorporated by reference herein. The apparatus of the invention is a hand-worn device made to give total or partial support to the fingers of hand while using tools, and similar hand-carried and manipulatable items. The device of the invention supports the fingers of the hand in their functional positions, with the thumb able to oppose the fingers in either fixed or other desired positions.  
         [0003]     Support devices for the hand are well-known. Examples of such are golf gloves, bowler&#39;s gloves, and the like. Some prior-art supports for the hand are therapeutic, by helping to support the hand, or one or more digits. Examples of prior-art therapeutic support devices for the hand are shown in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,152,337; 4,953,568; 5,762,621; 6,029,277; and 6,095,994. However, prior-art therapeutic hand-devices are either directed to treating a specific problem, or are cumbersome and bulky in use, preventing the digits from easily holding and manipulating a tool or object while at the same time providing the therapeutic support and treatment required.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     It is, therefore, the primary objective of the present invention to provide a therapeutic device for the digits of a hand that allows the fingers of the hand to hold, use and manipulate an object, tool, and the like, while at the same time providing therapeutic support thereto.  
         [0005]     It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide such a therapeutic device for the digits of a hand which allows the fingers or hand to hold, use and manipulate an object, tool, and the like, while at the same time providing therapeutic support thereto, which device therapeutically supports at least the thumb, index finger and middle finger, such that the index and middle fingers are held in opposition to the thumb.  
         [0006]     The therapeutic hand device of the invention provides support to the fingers while performing a variety of pinches, including; tripod pinch, key pinch, and pincer. It provides gradable support by, for example, placing the finger-support sleeves closer to the distal intercarpophalangeal (DIP) joint, distally closer to the intercarpophalangeal (IP) joint , or proximally closer to the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint. Support straps are adjustable to fasten the device to give more or less support, or may use tightly-fitting stretchable material for straps.  
         [0007]     The occupational therapy device of the present invention offers gradable or variably-adjustable support to the thumb and index and middle fingers of the hand as it is used during routine activities, such as for holding a pencil, screwdriver, and the like, and consists of a separate, adjustably-mounted fingers-support section consisting of a pair of interconnected finger-support sleeves for the index finger and middle finger. The separate, adjustably-mounted fingers-support section is adjustably mounted to a wrist-support sleeve section via “VELCRO” straps, or other adjustable straps or mounting elements. In a first embodiment, the wrist-sleeve support section has a thumb opening through which the thumb of the wearer protrudes. The separate, adjustably-mounted fingers-support section is mounted to the wrist-sleeve support section by an adjustable, removable band or strip, and also has two adjustable tightening “VELCRO” strips or bands. One adjustable tightening “VELCRO” strip or band extends from the outer surface of index-finger sleeve, and the other adjustable tightening “VELCRO” strip or band extends from the outer surface of other middle-finger sleeve. These “VELCRO” strips or bands are removably secured to a chosen surface portion of the wrist-sleeve support section. The wrist-sleeve support section itself is preferably provided with a large surface area of the mating portion of the “VELCRO” strips or bands, whereby the degree to which the fingers-support section is brought into close proximity of the thumb hole of the wrist-sleeve support section may be varied to suit the user. In a second embodiment, the wrist-sleeve support section is provided with its own thumb sleeve, such as that disclosed in Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,212, which thumb-sleeve may be adjustable to allow for the reception therein of different sizes of thumb. In this second embodiment, the fingers-support section is identical to that of the first embodiment and is adjustably secured to the thumb-sleeve support section via the mating half of the pair of hook-and-pile “VELCRO” straps or bands of fingers-support section. The thumb-section is adjustable by an adjustable “VELCRO” strap that surrounds the thumb when inserted in the thumb-section.  
         [0008]     The present invention provides an occupational-therapy device that is more effective, safer, and allows a multitude of different tools to be used hitherto not possible with any glove or hand support. This new hand support utilizes a simple, yet effective, method of configuring and supporting the fingers of the hand while using virtually any type of hand tool. Some examples of hand tools it assists the hand to use are: a pen, spoon, fork, or knife, cell phone, screwdriver, electric or safely razors, power tools, baby bottles, cups or glasses, hair brushes or combs, knitting or crotchet needles, kitchen tools, golf clubs and tennis rackets. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The invention will be more understood with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of the first embodiment of the separate wrist-sleeve support section of the digit-supporting therapeutic device for the fingers of a hand according to the invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the separate wrist-sleeve support section of the digit-supporting therapeutic device for the fingers of a hand of  FIG. 1  and shown worn on the hand of a user;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the separate fingers-support section of the digit-supporting therapeutic device for the fingers of a hand of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 3  but showing the removable mounting of the separate fingers-support section of  FIG. 4  to the wrist-sleeve section of the digit-supporting therapeutic device for the fingers of a hand of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 5  showing the separate fingers-support section removably connected to the wrist-sleeve section of the digit-supporting therapeutic device for the fingers of a hand of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 6  but showing the finger-support sleeves of the finger-support section drawn and held tightly opposite the thumb via two “VELCRO” strips;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the invention in which the wrist-sleeve support section of the digit-supporting therapeutic device for the fingers of a hand according to the invention is provided with an adjustably-fitting thumb sleeve;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a front isometric view showing the wrist-sleeve support section of the second embodiment of  FIG. 8  worn by the hand of user with the adjustably-fitting thumb-sleeve wrapped tightly about the thumb;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a rear isometric view showing the fingers-section of  FIG. 4  removably and adjustably connected to the wrist-sleeve support section of the second embodiment of  FIG. 8 , with the thumb and two fingers being brought into opposite relationship for tripod-pinching for holding an object, such as a pencil; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a front isometric view of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and in particular to  FIGS. 1-7 , there is shown the first embodiment of the digit-supporting therapeutic device for a hand of the invention. The device  10  consists a wrist-sleeve support section  12  ( FIGS. 1-3 ) and a separate fingers-support section  14  ( FIG. 4 ). The wrist-sleeve support section  12  is an elongated sleeve-like element to be worn on the wrist of a user in order to strengthen the wrist, as is well-known and conventional. The wrist-sleeve support section is provided with a plurality of adjustable fastening bands  16  each having a first end  16 ′ secured to first end portion  12 ′ of the wrist-sleeve support section. The second end portion  12 ″ of the wrist-sleeve support section is provided with a like-number of loops  20  through which are inserted the other ends  16 ″. The first end portion  12 ′ of the wrist-sleeve support section is provided with a securing strip  22  that is the first half-section of a hook-and-pile fastener. Each of the adjustable fastening bands  16  is provided with the second, mating half-section of the hook-and-pile fastener on the interior surface  17  thereof, as seen in  FIG. 1 , whereby, after doubling back the strips  20 , the interior surfaces  17  thereof mate with the strip  22  so that the wrist-sleeve support section  12  may be adjusted to fit variously-sized wrists. The wrist-sleeve support section is also provided with a thumb hole or opening  24  through which the thumb of the hand protrudes as seen in  FIG. 3 . The wrist-sleeve support section  12  is also provided with another “VELCRO” strip  32  at the second end portion  12 ″ as best seen in  FIG. 3  for purposes to described hereinbelow.  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the fingers-support section  14  is shown and has a pair of finger-support sleeves  34 ,  36 . The finger-support sleeve  34  is used to receive the index finger, while the finger-support sleeve  36  is used to receive the middle finger. The finger-support sleeves  34 ,  36  are preferably fixedly connected together along interior surfaces or edges to form one integral unit, although removable connection may also be used. Extending outwardly from each finger-support sleeve  34 ,  36  is an adjustable mounting strip or band  38 ,  40 , respectively, with each having an end  34 ′,  36 ′ fixedly connected to the respective finger-support sleeve  34 , 36 . Each band  38 ,  40  is the other mating half-section or portion of the hook-and-pile fastener band or strip  32  on the wrist-sleeve support section  12 , whereby the fingers-support section  14  is brought toward and held opposite the thumb inserted through the thumb hole  24  of the wrist-sleeve support section. Thus, the “VELCRO” straps  34 ,  36  position, locate and maintain the finger-sleeves section  14  in the lateral direction for opposition to the thumb.  
         [0023]     The fingers-support section  14  is also provided with another, elongated central fastening strap or band  44  extending substantially from the mid-section thereof where the two finger-support sleeves  34 ,  36  are connected together. The strap  44  consists of a main portion  44 ′ provided with the first half-section or portion of a hook-and-pile fastening element, and an end portion  44 ″ consisting of the other, mating half of the hook-and-pile fastening element. The strap  44  cooperates with loop  46  of the wrist-sleeve support section, which loop  46  is located adjacent the edge of the strap  32 , as best seen in  FIG. 3 . The strap  44  mounts the fingers-support section  14  to the wrist-sleeve support section by passing the end portion  44 ″ through the loop and doubling back the end portion  44 ″ and fastening its half of the hook-and-pile fastener to the mating half on the main portion  44  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The distance the fingers-support section is positioned from the wrist-sleeve support section, and, therefore, from the thumb hole  24  thereof, is thereby adjustable depending upon the size of the hand of the user. The strap  44  allows vertical adjustment of the fingers-support section relative to the thumb in order to accommodate variously-sized hands and also to allow the best orientation of the finger-support section relative to the thumb. The strap  44  extends substantially at an angle, such as a right angle, with respect to the extent of the other straps  38 ,  40  as seen in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0024]     While the “VELCRO” strip  32  may be used for securing the adjustable mounting strips  38 ,  40  of the fingers-support section, it also possible to make much of the outer surface of the wrist-sleeve support section itself of the mating half-section portion of the hook-and-pile fastener, so that either of the strips  38 ,  40  may be alternatively secured to any surface portion of the wrist-sleeve support section having the mating hook-and-pile half-portions for the strips  38 ,  40 . An example of this is shown in  FIG. 7 , where the strip  40  of the middle-finger sleeve is secured to a central surface area of the wrist-sleeve support section also provided with the mating half -portion of the hook-and-pile fastener of the straps  38 ,  40 . By providing numerous “VELCRO” fastening surfaces for the fastening straps  38 ,  40 , greater flexibility of securing and adjusting the fingers-support sleeve section to the wrist-sleeve support section is achieved.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is depicted how the therapeutic device  10  is used for holding, for example, a pill container. The straps  38  , 40  draw the fingers-support section  14  toward the protruding thumb. The straps  38 ,  40  are connected to chosen surface-areas of the wrist-support sleeve  12  to attain the desired biasing force of the fingers toward the thumb. The strap  38  may, if desired, be partially wrapped about the thumb provide additional support to the thumb. Also, while in  FIG. 7  it has been shown that the pill box lies outside of the strap  38 , if additional support is desired or required, the strap  38  may be partially wrapped about the pill box, or other object held, in order to provide even greater stability to the retained object. Owing to the large and multiple surface-areas of the wrist-support section  12  to which the straps  38 ,  40  may be attached, as described hereinabove, many variations of degree of support to the hand are provided, and may be changed by the user depending upon the object be held and particular need of the user, with the therapeutic device  10  of the invention affording numerous and different ways of the supporting an object between the index and middle fingers vis-a-vis the thumb, by means of the connection of the straps  38 ,  40  to many different “VELCRO” surfaces on the wrist-support sleeve.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-11 , there is shown a second embodiment  50  of the invention. In this embodiment, the wrist-sleeve support section  52  is the same as that of the first embodiment with the exception of a thumb-sleeve  54 , in the manner similar to that disclosed in Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,212, while the fingers-support section is the same as the fingers-support section  14  of the first embodiment. The thumb-sleeve  54  consists of a first main portion  54 ′ extending from and integral with the main body of the wrist-sleeve support section  54 , and has a closure flap or section  56  that allows for accommodation of variously-sized thumbs. The closure strap and the first main portion  54 ′ have cooperating hook-and-pile fastening elements for securing the thumb in place, in the manner depicted in  FIG. 9 . The other surface  56 ′ of the flap  56 , as well as the outer surface of the thumb-sleeve  54  proper, are also provided with “VELCRO” material for allowing the straps  38 ,  40  of the finger-support sleeves  34 ,  36  to be secured thereto, as shown in  FIG. 10 , in the manner described in Applicant&#39;s above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,212. As described hereinabove, most of the outer surface of the wrist-sleeve support section may be provided with “VELCRO” material so that the strap  40  of the finger-section  36  may be secured to a portion of the wrist-support sleeve other than the thumb sleeve  54 , as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0027]     It is noted that other equivalent cooperating fasteners besides hook-and-pile may be used. Moreover, a version may be provided that includes a third finger-sleeve or with third and fourth finger-sleeves, in the manner disclosed in Applicant&#39;s above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,212. It is also noted, as disclosed in Applicant&#39;s above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,212, the fingers-support section is preferably, but not necessarily, be made of resilient, stretchable material. Also, the thumb-sleeve of the second embodiment may also, but not necessarily, be made of resilient, stretchable material. It is also noted that the two finger-sleeves may be for fingers of the hand other than the index and middle fingers.  
         [0028]     It is also to be noted that the present invention contemplates that the separate fingers-support section may be used and attached to an existing or conventional hard or soft splint for the wrist, hand or fingers, as long as it has been adapted to allow for the connection of the connecting straps  38 ,  40 ,  44  thereto, and allow for the configuration of the two fingers in opposition to the thumb for a tripod pinch, and the like, as described above in detail. In this use, the wrist-support sleeve  12  of the invention is substituted for by the prior art splints and support devices.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there are depicted how the therapeutic device  50  is used for holding, for example, a pencil. The straps  38  , 40  draw the fingers-support section toward the protruding thumb from the thumb-sleeve. The straps  38 ,  40  are connected to the outer “VELCRO” surface of the thumb-sleeve  54 , or to chosen surface-areas of the wrist-support sleeve  12  to attain the desired biasing force of the fingers toward the thumb. The straps  38 ,  40  may, if desired, be wrapped about the thumb-sleeve  54  in order to provide additional support to the thumb. Also, while in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , it has been shown that the pencil lies outside of the straps  38 ,  40 , if additional support is desired or required, the strap  38  or strap  40  may be partially wrapped about the pencil, or other object held, in order to provide even greater stability to the retained object. Owing to the large and multiple surface-areas of the wrist-support section to which the straps  38 ,  40  may be attached, as described hereinabove, many variations of degree of support to the hand are provided, and may be changed by the user depending upon the object to be held and particular need of the user, and may be changed by the user depending upon the object to be held and particular need of the user, with the therapeutic device  50  of the invention affording numerous and different ways of the supporting an object between the index and middle fingers vis-à-vis the thumb, by means of the connection of the straps  38 ,  40  to many different “VELCRO” surfaces on the wrist-support sleeve.  
         [0030]     While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that numerous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.