Patent Publication Number: US-2013237885-A1

Title: Physical therapy device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD &amp; BACKGROUND 
     Those who have sustained considerable injury to their hand, wrist, or forearm may find it difficult to regain their range of motion. There are limited options in effective physical therapy tools geared specifically towards regaining their range of motion. 
     The present invention generally relates to a therapeutic device. More specifically, the invention is a physical therapy device. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a physical therapy device that rehabilitates a plurality of hand and wrist injuries and helps a user regain a relatively greater range of motion. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a physical therapy device that is manually operated by a physical therapy patient with a hand, a wrist, or a forearm injury to rotate a series of screws in and out of a plate of aluminum in a redundant fashion helping a user to regain a greater range of motion. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a physical therapy device that is a physical therapy tool that is specifically geared toward hand, wrist, and forearm rehabilitation that require continuous smooth rotation. 
     What is really needed is a physical therapy device that rehabilitates a plurality of hand and wrist injuries and helps a user regain a relatively greater range of motion that is manually operated by a physical therapy patient with a hand, a wrist, or a forearm injury to rotate a series of screws in and out of a plate of aluminum in a redundant fashion helping a user to regain a greater range of motion that is a physical therapy tool that is specifically geared toward hand, wrist, and forearm rehabilitation that require continuous smooth rotation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a front view of a physical therapy device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of a physical therapy device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments. 
     Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation. 
     The phrase “in one embodiment” is utilized repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a front view of a physical therapy device  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The physical therapy device  100  includes a plate of aluminum  110 , an aluminum base  120 , a weld  130  and a plurality of aperture rows  140 . The plate of aluminum  110  is a backing of the physical therapy device  100 , although the plate can be made of other suitable materials. The aluminum base  120  is perpendicularly attached to the plate of aluminum  110 , although the base can be made of other suitable materials. The weld  130  permanently perpendicularly attaches the plate of aluminum  110  and the aluminum base  120  together. The aperture rows  140  are disposed on the plate of aluminum  110 . The aperture rows  140  illustrated are 4 rows and 4 columns forming 16 apertures, although the aperture rows  140  can be any suitable quantity of aperture rows and columns. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of a physical therapy device  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The physical therapy device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  A has similar features to the physical therapy device  100  illustrated and described in  FIG. 1B  such as a plate of aluminum  110 , an aluminum base  120 , a weld  130  and a plurality of aperture rows  140 . Additionally, the physical therapy device  100  includes a plurality of screws  150 , a plurality of locknuts  160  and a screw driver  170 . The screws  150  have a distal end  152  and a screw head  154  and are inserted through the aperture rows  140  disposed on the plate of aluminum  110 . The locknuts  160  are twisted onto each of the distal end  152  of the screws  150  inserted through the aperture rows  140  disposed on the plate of aluminum  110 . The screw driver  170  includes a distal end  172  with a screw head  174  disposed on the distal end  172  of the screw driver  170  that correspondingly receives and accommodates the screw head  154  of the screws  150 . A user can insert the distal end  172  of the screw driver  170  into the screw head  154  of the screws  150  and turn and twist the screw driver  170  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction resulting in a therapeutic strengthening, exercising and rehabilitation of a user&#39;s hand, wrist, and forearm and that typically require continuous smooth rotation, although other suitable type of usage or rotation of the screw driver  170  can be utilized. 
     The physical therapy device incorporates continuous smooth rotation and is a better alternative to current similar physical therapy devices available. The physical therapy device utilizes an aluminum plate afforded a series of holes with nuts tack welded on one side. The physical therapy device is relatively easy to operate where an individual utilizes a swivel screwdriver to screw in a plurality of approximately 2″ long screws in a repetitious manner, both clockwise and counter clockwise, manipulating the hand, fingers and wrist of a user. Among those who will find the physical therapy device suitable for rehabilitation and expediting the process of regaining range of motion, are those in the physical therapy profession, the health care industry and everyday physical therapy patients. The physical therapy device features an approximate 9″×9″×¼″ aluminum plate devised for the purpose of assisting physical therapy patients in regaining their range of motion through screwing in approximate 2″ screws into a series of apertures. The base of the physical therapy device is approximately 3″×9″×¼″. The physical therapy device is designed to be relatively durable, easy to use, effective, and to rehabilitate muscles, bones and tendons. 
     While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.