Patent Publication Number: US-11642588-B2

Title: Grip assist apparatus with spine insert

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/898,104, filed on Sep. 10, 2019. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of strength training and weight lifting and, in particular, to grip assist apparatus for use therein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Strength training has become a widely practiced activity for both men and women. In addition to being a sport in and of itself, strength training is also utilized as a conditioning and strengthening exercise for other sports, such as football, basketball, and baseball. Furthermore, athletes who rely on agility, such as tennis players, also benefit from strength training. 
     In sports, protective equipment is utilized to prevent injury to the participant. With respect to strength training, protective equipment is also needed, as all the joints of the body may be subjected to extreme forces. In particular, the wrist joint is subjected to these extreme forces any time the trainee&#39;s hands utilize a weight bar during the course of strength training. 
     The present inventor has developed several advancements in the protection of the hand and wrists during weight lifting. Some of these advancements are represented in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,813,950 and 10,098,393 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/660,856, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference, and will be referred to herein as the “inventor&#39;s prior art.” One of at least ordinary skill in the art will recognize that some aspects or details discussed in each of these disclosures, but not discussed herein, may be applicable to the present invention. 
     What none of the prior art addresses, including the inventor&#39;s prior art, is protecting the hand and wrist when using heavier weights that necessitate a bar with a larger diameter. As used herein, the term “axle bar” refers to a weightlifting bar that has a diameter of 2 inches or more. Axle bars are commonly utilized in the strongman community to hold heavy weights for exercises such as deadlifts, where a standard bar may flex due to the amount of weight at each end. The inventor&#39;s prior art discloses weightlifting grips designed for standard bar sizes with diameters less than 2 inches. With such standard bars, the inventor&#39;s prior art allows the user to wrap the grip around the bar by catching the end of the grip with her fingertips. The size of an axle bar would prevent many users from being able to use such grips because the grip might not be long enough to wrap around the axle bar; the user&#39;s fingers might not be long enough to reach the end of the grip around an axle bar; or the very material that make the grips stiff enough to be accessible to the fingertips with a normal bar might make the grips stick out from the axle bar so that it cannot be reached with the axle bar. The same gripping and protective advantages that the inventor&#39;s prior art provides for normal bar sizes is also needed when using axle bars, however. Therefore, there is a need for a grip assistance apparatus that may be used with axle bars. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a grip assist apparatus for weightlifting that includes a gripping portion with spine insert that is sufficiently pliable to be bent to allow a user to reach the end with their fingers and wrap the gripping portion around an axle bar but sufficiently resilient to substantially return to its starting position after the gripping portion is released. 
     The grip assist apparatus includes a gripping portion, which covers at least the palm of hand when worn as intended, and a wrist portion attached to the gripping portion. The wrist portion includes straps and fastening means for fastening the wrist portion around the user&#39;s wrist, thereby allowing the gripping portion, attached thereto to be held against the user&#39;s hand. The gripping portion is made of at least two halves or layers. The gripping portion is preferably made of a single flat piece of material that is folded along a line of symmetry. It is understood, however, that the gripping portion may be made of two separate pieces of material that are affixed to one another so as to be flush with one another except where one or more inserts may be included between the two halves. The gripping portion has a finger end at the top with a finger end width, a wrist end opposite from the finger end, attachment edges near the wrist end, for attaching the straps of the wrist portion, and first and second sides between the finger end and the attachment edges. A side length is measured from the center point of the wrist end to a center point of the finger end. 
     The gripping portion also includes a spine insert between the two halves. The label “spine insert” does not necessarily indicate a rigid insert, as discussed below. The spine insert is disposed roughly perpendicular to the finger end and roughly parallel to and centered between the first and second sides, understanding that the first and second sides are not necessarily perfectly straight parallel lines. For example, the first and second sides may include thumb contouring and/or non-thumb contouring toward the wrist end, but above such contouring, toward the finger end, the first and second sides are parallel. In such a case, it is understood that the spine insert is parallel to the portion of the first and second sides that is parallel. The spine insert has a finger tip disposed toward the finger end of the gripping portion and wrist tip disposed toward the wrist end of the gripping portion. The finger tip of the spine insert does not necessarily extend all the way to the finger end, but preferably just shy of the end piece discussed below. The spine insert preferably extends to or near to the wrist end. 
     The spine insert may be made of any material that will allow the gripping portion to maintain a curl long enough that a user may grasp the axle bar and catch the finger end of the gripping portion with her finger tips. As such, the spine insert must have at least some rigidity that combined with the rigidity of the gripping portion will achieve this effect, but primarily needs to be flexible. The spine insert may be a long thin piece of metal that is both pliable and resilient. Such a metal spine insert is made from annealed spring steel but it is understood that other materials may utilized to achieve similar results. The spine insert may also be made of silicone rubber, polychloroprene, polypropylene, or styrene butadiene rubber, collectively referred to herein as “red rubber.” The spine insert may also be made of cardboard or other types of rubber. Any such material that is flexible and durable may be used. 
     In preferred embodiments, the spine insert is made of polypropylene webbing. An example of the preferred webbing is sold under the trademarks STRAPWORKS HEAVYWEIGHT PROPYLENE WEBBING. It is often used as strapping in outdoor applications. It is not stretchy and is 0.06±0.0025″ thick. 
     The spine insert has a spine insert length that extends between the finger end and the wrist end and a spine insert width that extends between the first and second sides of the gripping portion. While the spine insert length extends between the finger end and the wrist end, it is understood that the finger tip of the spine insert does not necessarily extend all the way to the finger end of the gripping portion and the wrist tip of the spine insert does not necessarily extend all the way to the wrist end of the gripping portion. Similarly, while the spine insert width extends between the first and second sides of the gripping portion, it is understood that the spine insert width does not extend all the way between the first and second sides of the gripping portion. The preferred polypropylene webbing spine insert has a spine insert width of 0.75-1.25″ and a spine insert length of 40-50% the side length of the gripping portion. 
     It is notable that the spine insert of the present invention is different from the inserts disclosed in the inventor&#39;s prior art. Specifically, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/660,856 discloses a palm arch support inserted between the layers of the gripping portion. The palm arch support addresses a different problem than the spine insert of the present invention, however. Indeed, while the spine insert must be flexible, the palm arch support “is neither soft nor cushioned, and conforms to neither the user&#39;s palm not the item the user grips” [¶ 0018]. The spine insert of the present invention, on the other hand, must be able to conform to the user&#39;s palm and the axle bar she is gripping in order for the grip assist of the present invention work. As detailed in ¶ 0042, moreover, the palm arch support covers a different portion of the user&#39;s palm than the spine insert of the present invention, and the present invention would not work as intended if it covered a similar portion. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 10,098,393, an insert is also disclosed between the layers of the gripping portion. This insert also addressed a different problem than the spine insert of the present invention. The long, thin shape of the spine insert of the present invention is easily distinguishable over the preferred U-shaped insert of the prior art patent. The prior art patent does, however, disclose different shapes and sizes of the insert, so long as a gap in the insert is disposed over an area of vulnerability in the user&#39;s palm that is between subcutaneous fatty deposits that frame the palm. The spine insert of the present invention, however, being centered between the first and second sides, will be disposed directly over such an area of vulnerability, in direct opposition to the teachings of the prior art patent. In addition, while the prior art patent does disclose that the insert could be shaped as two strips, the spine insert of the present invention is always a single strip centered within the gripping portion and disposed over the area of vulnerability. 
     It is preferred that the gripping portion be made of non-slip material. The gripping portion may extend from the wrist portion as a rectangle with the first and second sides parallel and the finger end perpendicular to the first and second sides. The gripping portion may also include contouring for the thumb and pinky as disclosed in the inventor&#39;s prior art. It is preferred that an end piece be included at the finger end of the gripping portion between the two halves of material. It is preferred that the first and second attachment edges of the gripping portion are angled so that when the first and second straps of the wrist portion are secured about user&#39;s wrist via the wrist fastener, the first and second straps and the gripping portion form a funnel-shaped enclosure around the wrist and base of the hand, where the enclosure has an opening that is larger at its distal end than at its proximal end. It is preferred that the first and second straps of the wrist portion be substantially rectangular, “substantially” meaning here that the corners may be rounded, rather than perfect right angles. It is preferred that the means for fastening the straps around the wrist include a ring on the end of the first strap and sections of hook and loop-type fastener on the second strap, so that the second strap may be threaded through the ring of the first strap and then fastened to itself by way of its hook and loop-type fastener sections. It is preferred that each of the first and second straps include a cushioned pad for the comfort of the user. The cushioned pads are preferably formed of foam rubber covered by a low friction fabric. 
     It is preferred that the cushioned pad disposed on of the first and second straps be larger in size than those in the inventor&#39;s prior art. Specifically, this is preferred for the side of the hand and wrist where the thumb is disposed, as this is where most of the force will accrue with heavy weight lifting common with axle bars. The larger cushioned pad allows for greater force dispersion. It is also preferred that the other of the cushioned pads (i.e. the cushioned pad to be worn on the other side of the hand than the pinky finger) be slightly wider than those in the inventor&#39;s prior art, again adjusting for the larger axle bar and the greater force created by the greater weights. 
     It is preferred that the gripping portion be sufficiently pliable to allow itself to be easily wrapped around an axle bar prior to lifting and, with the aid of the spine insert, remain in a position so that the user can easily reach the finger end of the grip with her fingertips to again wrap the grip around the axle bar when the weightlifter is ready to lift. It is also preferred that the gripping portion have some rigidity independent from the spine insert. It is preferred that the two halves of material forming the gripping section be secured by stitching them together. It is also preferred that the stitching help to hold the spine insert in place. 
     When using a spring steel type spine insert, it is preferred that two protective inserts, manufactured of a thin abrasion resistant material, be included between the two halves of the gripping portion with one at each tip of the spring steel type spine insert, in order to protect the halves of the gripping portion from the relatively sharp ends of the spring steel type spine insert. It is also preferred that a palm insert be disposed between the halves of the gripping portion and the area proximate the wrist portion and extending past the top of the spine insert. In the preferred embodiment, the wrist tip of the spine insert is sandwiched between the palm insert and one protective insert and the second protective insert is folded over the top of the finger tip of the spring steel type spine insert. In alternative embodiments in which the palm insert is omitted, the protective inserts are folded over each tip of the spring steel type spine insert. In still other embodiments, the protective inserts and palm inserts are omitted altogether. 
     These aspects of the present invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a view of the gripping portion unfolded. 
         FIG.  2 A  is a view of the gripping portion with inserts superimposed. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a view of the gripping portion of the preferred embodiment of the grip assist apparatus. 
         FIG.  3    is a view of the gripping portion superimposed over a hand. 
         FIG.  4    is a view of the hand-facing side of the grip assist apparatus with stitching detail. 
         FIG.  5    is a view of the non-hand-facing side of the grip assist apparatus. 
         FIG.  6    is an isometric view illustrating the funnel-like opening of the grip assist apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIG.  1   , an embodiment of the gripping portion  12  is shown before in an unfolded position. Finger end  18  has finger end width  550 . Side length  552  extends from finger end center point  558  to wrist end center point  560 . Spine insert  500  is placed on one of layer  71  or  73  and will be encased within layers  71 ,  73  when gripping portion is folded along line of symmetry  41 . Spine insert  500  is preferably manufactured from a strip of annealed spring steel having a width of 5/16 inches, a thickness of 0.015 inches and a length of 5½ inches from wrist tip  508  to finger tip  510 . Spine insert  500  has spine insert length  556  and spine insert width  554 . 
     Gripping portion  12  is preferably made of a non-slip piece of material  40 , such as chlorobutyl rubber, which provides a tacky, sticky surface to allow gripping portion  12  to adhere to the palm of the user&#39;s hand instead of sliding around while in use. The piece of material  40  is non-slip on at least the side that will face out when material  40  is folded. That is to say that the side of the material  40  that will be folded and flush against itself may or may not be non-slip material, but the side that faces out and will be in contact with the user&#39;s hand and/or axle bars is preferably non-slip. 
     Gripping portion  12  is preferably formed by adhering two layers  71 ,  73  of appropriately sized and shaped non-slip material together, preferably by folding over one piece of non-slip material  40  at line of symmetry  41 , and stitching the two halves  71 ,  73  together. However, in one embodiment, the material is a moldable material, such as urethane, molded rubber or others, that is molded into the shape of at least the non-slip gripping portion  12 . When folded along line of symmetry  41 , gripping portion  12  has a rigidity such that it is self-supporting and will remain extended in front of the palm. Despite this rigidity, gripping portion  12  is sufficiently flexible to allow itself to be easily wrapped around an axle bar. 
     Now referring to  FIG.  2 A , a preferred gripping portion  12  is shown with palm insert  502  and first and second protective inserts  503 ,  570  superimposed to show approximate placement. Gripping portion  12  is bound by finger end  18 ; first and second sides  76 ,  78 ; first and second attachment edges  72 ,  74 ; and wrist end  70 . First and second sides  76 ,  78  are longer in the present invention than in comparable structures in the inventor&#39;s prior art. Specifically, side length  552  (shown in  FIG.  1   ) is preferably between 7 and 9 inches, and preferably approximately 8 inches. First and second sides  76 ,  78  may include thumb contouring  16  and non-thumb contouring  17  to accommodate the user&#39;s thumb and the non-thumb sides of the hand, respectively. As shown, the non-thumb contouring  17  is shallower than the thumb contouring  16 , but in some embodiments the gripping portion  12  is symmetrical, in which case the thumb contouring and non-thumb contouring  17  are mirror images of one another. As used herein, it is understood that “contouring” is a concave indentation in one of first and second sides  76 ,  78 , adjacent to the applicable first or second attachment edge  72 ,  74 . It is further understood that “thumb contouring” and “non-thumb contouring” are each a type of contouring, but thumb contouring is a deeper indentation than non-thumb contouring. In the preferred embodiment shown, wrist end  70  is angled at angle A from first attachment edge  72  and at angle B to second attachment edge  74 , where angle A is greater than angle B so as to accommodate large thumb cushioned pad  504 , as discussed below. In some embodiments, however, such as that shown in  FIG.  3   , gripping portion  12  is symmetrical and angle A and angle B are equal. 
     Gripping portion  12  may include palm insert  502  and first and second protective inserts  503 ,  570  placed between layers  71  and  72 , as discussed with reference to  FIG.  1   . Spine insert  500  extends between finger end  18  and wrist end  70  and has corresponding spine insert finger tip  510  proximate to finger end  18  and a spine insert wrist tip  508  proximate to wrist end  70 . Spine insert  500  may be curved into a preferred shape prior to lifting an axle bar, so that the user may manipulate finger end  18  with her fingertips, despite the extended length of sides  76 ,  78 . 
     Gripping portion  12  also preferably includes end piece  20  at finger end  18 . Spine insert  500  preferably extends toward finger end  18 , but stops just shy of end piece  20 . It is understood that in embodiments of gripping portion  12  that do not include end piece  20 , spine insert  500  may extend further toward finger end  18  or all the way to finger end  18 . On the other end of gripping portion  12 , spine insert  500  preferably extends to approximately the intersection of sides  76 ,  78  with attachment edges  72 ,  74 , but may extend further toward wrist end  70  or all the way to wrist end  70 . Spine insert  500  is preferably parallel to sides  76 ,  78  and centered between them. As used herein, “centered” means exactly halfway between or within ½ inch on either side of being exactly halfway between. 
     In the preferred embodiment of  FIG.  2 A , protective inserts  503 ,  570  and a palm insert  502  are included within gripping portion  12  and are indicated in dashed lines. Palm insert  502  is preferably disposed between the wrist tip  508  of the spine insert  500  and the layer  71 ,  72  that will be the hand-facing side  514  (shown in  FIG.  4   ). In other embodiments, however, palm insert  502  may be disposed between the wrist tip  508  and the other layer  71 ,  72  that will be the non-hand-facing side  516  (as shown in  FIG.  5   ). The preferred palm insert  502  is made from red rubber having a thickness of 0.065 inches and a shape as shown in  FIG.  2   . However, other materials and shapes may also be utilized. 
     Protective inserts  503 ,  570  protect layers  71  and  72  from damage from the finger and wrist tips  508 ,  510  of spine insert  500 , which although not particularly sharp, may be hard and may eventually wear away or damage layers  71 ,  72  with repeated use. The preferred protective inserts  503 ,  570  are made from a chlorosulphonated polyethylene material, such as those sold under the trademark HYPALON®, having a thickness of 0.020 inches and a substantially rectangular shape. This material is preferred due to its thin cross section and superior abrasion resistance. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2 A , when a palm insert  502  is used, it is preferred that wrist tip  508  of the spine insert  500  be sandwiched between the palm insert  502  and second protective insert  570 . This provides a layer of protection between spine insert wrist tip  508  and layers  71 ,  72 . It is preferred that first protective insert  503  is folded over the finger tip  510  of the spine insert  500 . In embodiments in which a palm insert  502  is not included, first protective insert  503  is preferably folded over finger tip  510  and second protective insert  570  is folded over wrist tip  508 . In still other embodiments, the palm insert  502  and protective inserts  503 ,  570  are omitted altogether. 
       FIG.  2 A  shows preferred shapes and relative sizes of palm insert  502  and protective inserts  503 ,  570 . Palm insert  502  is shown as a larger “house” shape, with the roof pointing toward wrist end  70  but could be a relatively small rectangle to cover wrist tip  508 . As used herein, “house shape” is a pentagon with two parallel sides; a third side connecting the two parallel sides and perpendicular to each; and fourth and fifth sides also connected respectively to the two parallel sides, where the fourth and fifth sides meet at an acute angle that “points” away from the third side and toward the wrist end  70 . It is preferred that protective inserts  503 ,  570 , be a smaller rectangle shape but, again, other shapes may be substituted. Palm insert  502  and protective inserts  503 ,  570  are each preferably made of thin (e.g. ⅙″ or ⅛″) rubber, but could be made of many materials that are durable and flexible, such as cardboard. 
     Now referring to  FIG.  2 B , the preferred gripping portion  12  is provided. Spine insert  500  is made from polypropylene webbing. Spine insert width  554  is greater than or equal to 0.75″ and less than or equal to 1.25″. Spine insert length  556  is 40-50% of side length  552 . Although not shown, it is understood that spine insert  500  has a third dimension of thickness. The thickness of the preferred polypropylene webbing spine insert  500  is preferably greater than or equal to 0.0575″ and less than or equal to 0.0625″. The preferred gripping portion  12  includes end piece  20  and palm insert  502 , and spine insert  500  extends therebetween and is adjacent to each. As used herein, when it is said that spine insert  500  is “adjacent” to end piece  20  and palm insert  502 , it is understood that spine insert  500  extends between end piece  20  and palm insert  502  and that end piece  20  and palm insert  502  are the boundaries of the extension of spine insert  500 . It is understood that some embodiments of gripping portion  12  include only spine insert  500  and not end piece  20  and/or palm insert  502 . It is also understood that the spine insert width  554 , length  556 , and thickness may be greater than or less than the specific dimensions listed above. Protective inserts  503 ,  570  are generally not necessary with preferred polypropylene webbing spine insert  500 , but may be included in some embodiments. 
     Now referring to  FIG.  3   , gripping portion  12  is shown superimposed over a hand. The gripping portion  12  shown in  FIG.  3    is symmetrical with thumb contouring  16  and non-thumb contouring  17  mirror images of one another and the angles between wrist end  70  and the respective attachment ends  72 ,  74  being equal. It is understood, however, that the non-symmetrical embodiment of gripping portion  12  shown in  FIG.  2   , for example, is preferred. The position of spine insert  500  within gripping portion  12  is indicated with dashed lines. The top of the user&#39;s middle finger is visible over finger end  18 , but it is understood that many user&#39;s fingers would not extend above finger end  18  at all. 
     Now referring to  FIG.  4   , hand-facing side  514  of grip assist apparatus  10  is provided. The preferred means for holding layers  71 ,  73  together is stitching, including edge stitching  512  and stitching to help hold various inserts in place, such as spine stitching  518 , which extends on either side of spine insert  500 . It is preferred that spine stitching  518  goes through only first and second layers  71 ,  73  of gripping portion  12  and not through spine insert  500 . As such, spine insert  500  is free to move within the space defined by spine stitching  518 . This flexibility of movement allows spine insert  500  to move within gripping portion  12  to maintain the curl needed for the user to reach the finger end  18  of gripping portion  12  around the axle bar. As discussed below, attachment stitching  520  may be included to attach first and second straps  30 ,  31  to first and second attachment edges  72 ,  74 . 
     Grip assist apparatus  10  also includes wrist portion  28  on either side of wrist end  70  of gripping portion  12 . As shown in both  FIGS.  4  and  5   , when grip assist apparatus  10  is in use, wrist portion  28  securely and releasably wraps around the user&#39;s wrist. Wrist portion  28  includes first and second straps  30 ,  31 , which are both preferably rectangular in shape. First strap  30  has free end  34  and attachment end  32 , attached to first attachment edge  72  of gripping portion  12 . Second strap  31  has free end  35  and attachment end  33 , attached to second attachment edge  74  of gripping portion  12 . Strap attachment ends  32 ,  33  may be attached to attachment edges  72 ,  74  by any means commonly used in the art, but preferably by inserting strap attachment ends  32 ,  33  between the halves  71 ,  73  of gripping portion  12  at the attachment edges  72 ,  74  and affixing strap attachment ends  32 ,  33  there by attachment stitching  520  and or gluing or other adhesion. 
     Straps  30 ,  31  also include a wrist fastener  36  to fasten wrist portion  28  about the user&#39;s wrist. Wrist fastener  36  preferably includes a second section  42  that includes a ring  44  on second strap  31 . Wrist fastener  36  also preferably includes a first section  46  on first strap  31 , which may be inserted through ring  44  to secure wrist portion  28 . First section  46  preferably includes a first length  48  of loop-type fastener (shown as a patch with diagonal lines) and a second length  50  (shown as a patch with crisscrossed lines) of hook-type fastener so that when first strap  30  on which first section  46  is disposed is inserted through ring  44 , first length  48  and second length  50  may be joined and releasably secured. 
     In the preferred embodiment, straps  30 ,  31  include thumb cushioned pad  504  and non-thumb cushioned pad  506  for the comfort of the user, designed to cushion the user&#39;s wrist on the thumb and non-thumb sides of her wrist, respectively. Cushioned pads  504 ,  506  are preferably formed of foam rubber covered by a low friction fabric. This is preferred because the fabric covering over the foam rubber allows the straps  30 ,  31  to slide over the cushioned pads  504 ,  506  and prevents straps  30 ,  31  from gripping onto the foam rubber. Thumb cushioned pad  504  is preferably larger than its comparable structure in the inventor&#39;s prior art. The larger thumb cushioned pad  504  allows for greater force dispersion. Thumb cushioned pad  504  has thumb pad width  564  of 3±0.5 inches and thumb pad length  562  of 2.75±0.5 inches (each shown in  FIG.  4   ). Non-thumb cushioned pad  506  is preferably slightly wider than in the inventor&#39;s prior art, again adjusting for the larger axle bar and the greater force created by the greater weights. Non-thumb cushioned pad  506  has non-thumb pad width  566  of 2.75±0.5 inches and non-thumb pad length  568  of 2±0.5 inches. 
     Now referring to  FIG.  6   , straps  30 ,  31  form a funnel-like opening  60  when attached to one another. Funnel-like opening  60  serves to grab the user&#39;s wrist in order to provide a firm support during strength training. Funnel-like opening  60  has a distal end  62  positioned around the base of the user&#39;s hand and a proximal end  64  positioned around the user&#39;s wrist. As distal end  62  is larger than proximal end  64 , chafing of the base of the hand is prevented. Moreover, the nature of funnel-like opening  60  prevents circulation from being restricted in the user&#39;s hand while enabling grip assist apparatus  10  to be firmly attached to the user&#39;s wrist. It is noted that positioning the funnel like opening  60  about the base of the hand is preferred when the gripping apparatus is used during pulling exercises. However, when performing pushing exercises, the funnel like opening  60  is preferably positioned about the user&#39;s wrist and tightened to provide wrist support. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the description should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.