Abstract:
A finger exerciser apparatus has a frame with a wrist end and an opposite finger end. The apparatus may be attached at the wrist end to a user&#39;s hand, wrist or forearm with the frame extending beyond and generally in a plane with the user&#39;s extended fingers to the finger end. One or more individual finger bands are provide to a user&#39;s fingers. At least one clip is attached to an interior of the frame at the finger end. Each clip is adapted to releasably hold a finger band and each finger band comprises a ring that is adapted to releasably attach to a clip. A strip extends from the ring to a sleeve that has a hollow bore that extends through at least about half of a length of the sleeve.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based on and claims the benefit of the filing date of applicant&#39;s co-pending provisional Patent Application No. 60/603,267, filed Aug. 23, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to an improved finger exerciser that provides improved versatility in the exercise or rehabilitation of an injured finger or fingers. Individuals often injure their fingers. A number of devices have been developed to assist with exercise or rehabilitation of fingers. Many of these are complicated or awkward. On the other hand, other devices are too simplistic to provide physical activity that is tailored for a person&#39;s need or injury. The present invention provides a cost-effective and easy-to-use finger exerciser that is versatile enough to provide targeted therapy for multiple injuries or areas of the finger.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In accordance with the present invention, an improved finger exerciser comprises a frame, an arm strap and at least one finger band. The frame and arm strap permit a user to attach the apparatus to the arm such that an opposite end of the frame extends beyond the user&#39;s extended fingers. At least one clip is attached to the interior of the frame at the end opposite the arm strap. Each clip has an aperture capable of holding a finger band. In one aspect of the invention, there are four clips attached to the interior of the frame, each positioned relative to the location of a finger. Each finger band attaches to the clip by sliding a ring at the end of the finger band through the aperture and over the clip.  
         [0004]     The finger band includes a flexible strip that reaches from the ring attached to the clip to a finger band sleeve that holds a finger. In one aspect of the invention, the width of the strip at the point of attachment to the ring is substantially similar to the width of the ring and the width of the strip at the point of attachment to the sleeve is substantially similar to the length of the sleeve. In another aspect of the present invention, the exterior of the finger band sleeve has ribs that reach around the circumference of the sleeve. The sleeve is flexible and can be deflected to different positions, so that the sleeve can fit on different joints of a finger. The sleeves thus can be used on fingers that have been partially amputated.  
         [0005]     One of the advantages of the present invention is that the product is cost effective yet versatile. Individual finger bands can be sized to fit a variety of finger sizes and with varying tensions, such that a patient can receive targeted exercise as is necessary for treatment. Because the frame and arm strap portions are easy to attach to the arm, any such therapy can take place at a patient&#39;s home or elsewhere without supervision. Because different fingers may need different therapy, a variety of finger bands may be used with little or no change over time necessary. Also, finger bands can extend from any clip to any finger, so that the direction of the resilient stress on a finger can be adjusted.  
         [0006]     These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from a description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is described in detail below and shown in the appended drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the frame assembly portion of the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating in detail a clip of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a finger band of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention with a hand in the rested position.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention with the index finger of a hand in the active or exercising position.  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is the view of  FIG. 4 , showing the finger band anchored to an alternative frame clip. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0013]     Referring to  FIG. 4 a  finger exerciser  10  is shown in cooperation with a hand  94 . The finger exerciser includes a frame assembly  12  that is fixed to the user&#39;s wrist  92  or forearm  90  by an arm strap  34 . One or more finger bands  76  are attached to the frame  12  by sliding a finger band ring  80  at one end of the finger band over one of four finger clips  60 ,  62 ,  64 , or  66 . A finger band sleeve  84  at the opposite end of the finger band  76  fits around a preselected finger, the index finger  98  of hand  94  in the illustrated embodiment. Any of the fingers of a hand can be exercised individually or as a group in a similar manner by connecting a band  76  to the appropriate finger band clip  60 ,  62 ,  64 , or  66  for the selected finger. A user&#39;s fingers can be connected to a finger band opposite the finger as shown in  FIG. 4 , or the finger can be connected to a finger band attached to a different clip (e.g., clips  62 ,  64 , or  66 ) when resilient resistance from a different direction is desired as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0014]     Referring now to FIG  1 , the finger exerciser  10  consists of the frame  12  and the arm strap  34 . The frame  12  is comprised of material that is lightweight, durable, rigid, yet able to flex without snapping, resistant to corrosion, oxidation and the like, such as plastic, fiberglass, composite materials, and ferrous and non-ferrous metals such as tubular or solid brass or aluminum. Brass is desirable because it is corrosion resistant and ductile, so it resists stress hardening. The finger exerciser  10  of the present invention attaches to the user&#39;s hand, wrist, or forearm and positions the user&#39;s hand relative to the clips  60 ,  62 ,  64 , and  66  that hold the finger bands  76 . In a preferred embodiment, the finger exerciser  10  attaches to the user&#39;s wrist or forearm by way of an arm strap  34 .  
         [0015]     The arm strap  34  is located at the bottom of the finger exerciser  10 , specifically at the attachment members  24 ,  32  of the side members  14  and  16  of the frame  12 , respectively. The arm strap  34  is comprised of a first sleeve  36  with a series of apertures  38  located on one side thereof and a second sleeve  40 . The sleeves  36 ,  40  are fitted over and receive the attachment members  24 ,  32 , respectively, thereby securing the strap  34  to the frame. Protuberances  26  of the attachment member  24  of the first side member  14  extend through respective apertures  38  of the first sleeve  36 . A first, fixed section  42  of the strap  34  is located between the sleeves  36 ,  40  with a first side of the section  42  attached to the first sleeve  36  and a second side of the fixed section  42  attached to the second sleeve  40 .  
         [0016]     The fixed section  42  is comprised of an outer layer of flexible, liquid-impervious material  44 , such as plastic, and in inner layer of flexible, shock-absorbent material  36 , such as sponge or padding. A second, foldable section  48  is attached at one side thereof to one side of the second sleeve  40  and extends therefrom for a distance sufficient to reach the protuberances  26  extending from cooperating attachment member  24 . The foldable section  48  is also comprised of an outer layer  50  of flexible, liquid-impervious material, such as plastic, and in inner layer of flexible, shock-absorbent material  52 , such as sponge or padding. First aperture row  54 , second aperture row  56  and third aperture row  58 , for example, are located proximate to the unconnected end of the foldable section  48  and extend through the outer layer  50  and inner layer  52 . The number of rows of apertures may be indefinite and subject to adjustment needs relative to the adjustment needs of the strap  34  and specifically the foldable section  48 .  
         [0017]     The apertures of each row  54 ,  56 ,  58  and other rows as desired, may be aligned to receive in snug engagement cooperating protuberances  26  when the foldable section  48  is folded over the attachment members  24 ,  32  of the frame  12  to secure the finger exerciser  10  to the arm of a user. As such, the foldable section  48  permits the arm strap  34  to be adjusted to three or more positions or sizes as indicated by the spacing of the rows  54 ,  56 ,  58 , for example, of apertures so as to accommodate various sized arms of different users or arms that may be covered with bandages, dressings or casts. For instance, the strap  34  may be adjusted to a medium opening or size by placing the first row of apertures  54  over the protuberances  26 , a larger opening or size by placing the second row of apertures  56  over the protuberances  26 , or the largest opening or size by placing the third row of apertures  58  over the protuberances  26 . Additional flexibility in adjusting the size of the apparatus  10  can be provided by flexing the side members  14 ,  16  inward or outward with respect to the top member  18 . It is noted that while the protuberances  26  are specifically shown as cylindrical members that extend from the frame attachment member  24 , the protuberances  26  may alternatively include a spherical catch portion or the like, at a terminal end of each protuberance  26  to secure the foldable section  48  from unintentionally disengaging from the protuberances  26 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that many alternative attachment methods may also be utilized in the present invention, such as a hook and loop fastener like Velcro, clips, buttons, or similar devices.  
         [0018]     Attachment members  24  and  32  extend from the arm strap  34  and sleeves  36  and  40  to connect with clearance members  22  and  30 , respectively. Clearance members  22  and  30  angle outward from the attachment members  24  and  32 , which are positioned parallel to each other. Clearance member  22  then attaches to hand extension member  20  while clearance member  30  attaches to hand extension member  28 . Hand extension members  20  and  28  are parallel to each other and allow clearance for a fully extended hand within the finger exerciser  10 . Together, attachment member  24 , clearance member  22 , and hand extension member  20  form the first side member  14 . Similarly, attachment member  32 , clearance member  30 , and hand extension member  28  form the second side member  16 . End member  18  connects the first side member  14  and a second side member  16  at the ends of hand extension  20  and hand extension  28 .  
         [0019]     First clip  60 , second clip  62 , third clip  64  and fourth clip  66  are attached to the frame  12  at the underside of the top side member  18  thereof. While the four clips  60 - 66  may be found to be a typical arrangement, the invention anticipates use of other than only four clips. The clips  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  may be identical in shape, appearance, and construction. As shown, each clip  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  is designed to correspond to one of four fingers of a hand when a hand is situated within the finger exerciser  10 . As shown in detail in  FIG. 2 , the first clip  60  is comprised of a first member  68 , a second member  70 , and a third member  72 . The first member  68  is connected at a first end thereof to the underside of the top side member  18  and extends therefrom for some distance in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis of the top side member  18 . The second member  70  is connected at a first end thereof to a second end of the first member  68  and extends therefrom in perpendicular relation. The third member  72  is connected at a first end thereof to a second end thereof to the second member  70  and extends therefrom in perpendicular relation for some distance. The first  68  and third  72  members of the clip  60  are disposed in parallel relation, and the second member  70  of the clip  60  and the top side member  18  are disposed in parallel.  
         [0020]     The third member  72  extends only partially from the second member  70  at a distance less than that of the first member  68 . As such, a gap or opening  74  is located between the unconnected end of the third member  72  and the bottom side of the top side member  18 . Each of the remaining clips  62 ,  64 ,  66  is constructed as that of the first clip  60  so that a gap or opening  74  is located between the unconnected end of the third tubular member  72  of each clip and bottom side of the top side member  18 .  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , therein illustrated is a finger band  76 , said finger band  76  able to receive therein an end of a finger of a hand situated within the frame  12  of the finger exerciser apparatus  10  when said band  76  is releasably attached to one of the clips  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 . The finger band  76  is comprised of a strip  78 , ring  80  enclosing an aperture  82 , and a cylindrical sleeve  84 . The ring  80  is attached to the strip  78  at a first, narrower end of the strip  78 , and the sleeve  84  is attached to a second, wider end of the strip  78 . The sleeve  84  encloses a bore  86  that extends longitudinally through the sleeve  84 . A series of circular ribs  88  is located on the sleeve  84  at opposed ends and middle section of said sleeve  84 . The finger band  76  is fabricated of soft, flexible, resilient material that can flex and yield to various positions yet return to it is original configuration after pressure or force urging it to a flexed position is released, reduced, or withdrawn.  
         [0022]     In  FIG. 4 , a forearm arm  90  of a patient or user is located within the frame  12  of the finger exerciser  10 . More specifically, the wrist  92  of said forearm  90  is situated between the attachment members  24 ,  32  of first and second side members  14  and  16 , respectively, of said frame  12 , and the hand  94  of said user is located within the space enclosed by the clearance members  22  and  30 , hand extension members  20  and  28 , and top side member  18 . The forearm  90  and wrist  92  are secured within the frame  12  by the strap  34  of which the foldable or second section  48  is folded from the second sleeve  40  over the forearm  90  and wrist  92  so that the unconnected end of the second section  48  meets the first sleeve  36 . The unconnected end of the second section  48  is secured to the frame  12  by aligning a row of apertures, row  56  for example, with the protuberances  26  and pressing the unconnected end of the second section  48  toward the sleeve  36  and attachment member  24  enclosed therein so that the protuberances  26  occupy cooperating apertures within the second row  56  of apertures. As such, the forearm  90  and wrist  92  are secured in snug engagement within the strap  34  between first  36  and second  40  sleeves and first  42  and second  48  sections of said strap  34 .  
         [0023]     The thumb  96  and four fingers  98 ,  100 ,  102 ,  104  of the hand  94  are generally disposed in an extended position within the frame  12  with the index finger  98  aligned under the first clip, second finger  100  aligned under the second clip  62 , third finger  102  aligned under the third clip  64 , and fourth finger  104  aligned under the fourth clip  66 . In this example, the finger band  76  is attached to the index finger  98  and first clip  60  so as to maintain the index finger  98  in an upright, vertical position and to return the finger  98  to said position after exercising and physical therapy of said finger  98 . The finger band  76  is situated on the clip  60  by passing the ring  80  through the gap or opening  74  located between the third tubular member  72  of the clip  60  and bottom side of the top side member  18  so that the aperture  82  of the ring  80  receives the second member  70  of the clip  60 . Once the ring  80  is positioned on the second member  70  as such said ring  80  is prevented from sliding off the clip  60  by opposed first  68  and third  72  members thereof. The strip  78  is stretched as necessary to allow the sleeve  84  connected thereto to reach the finger  98  tip, at which point the finger  98  tip is inserted into the bore  86  of the sleeve  84  until said finger  98  tip fully occupies the bore  86  and is secured in snug engagement within said sleeve  84 . The resilient action of the strip  78  contracts said strip  78  and urges the sleeve  84  and finger  98  tip secured therein towards the clip  60  so that the finger  98  is maintained in a generally upright, extended position.  
         [0024]     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the index finger  98  secured within the finger band  76  can be exercised or strengthened under a physical therapy routine by flexing the finger  98  downward away from the clip  60 . The finger  98  can flex downward under its own power or with the aid of a physical therapist at either the first or second knuckles or combination of said knuckles. The resilient action of the strip  78  provides resistance to the downward motion of the finger  98  so that muscles and tissues of the finger or hand  94  proper are properly exercised and eventually strengthened and rehabilitated to their optimum condition. Once the finger  98  is flexed downward to the fullest extent necessary or possible, muscle action within the finger  98  and hand  94  can be relaxed, and the finger  98  can be re-positioned to its initial, upright position either by means of muscle action of the index finger  98  or hand  94  or with the aid of the resilient action of the strip  78  of the finger band  76 . This process can be repeated as many times as permissible to provide a proper exercise or physical therapy regimen with the goal of being able to flex the finger  98  downward to reach the palm of the hand  94 . Similarly, the remaining fingers  100 ,  102 ,  104  of the hand  94  can be rehabilitated in this manner, either individually or in conjunction with one or more fingers  98 ,  100 ,  102 ,  104 . Alternatively, lateral rehabilitation exercise may be accommodated merely by relocating the ring  80  of the finger band  76  from the respective aligned clip  60  in this example to a selected one of the other clips ( FIG. 6 ). This may also be accommodated in other than single finger exercising as indicated above. Furthermore, the exercise and physical therapy regimens can be intensified with use of finger bands  76  possessing increasing levels of resistance.  
         [0025]     While this version of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only a preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the version of the invention are desired to be protected. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.