Patent Publication Number: US-3880426-A

Title: Wrist and finger support for bowlers

Description:
United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,880,426 Morse Apr. 29, 1975 WRIST AND FINGER SUPPORT FOR 3,333,850 8/1967 Miller 273/54 B BOWLERS 3,344,436 ,l0/l967 Stubbs 273/54 B x 3,497,218 2/1970 Johnston 273/54 B UX Inventor: Frank L. o s 2101 P ce S 3,559,212 2/1971 Skovron... 2/161 A Flint, Mich. 48503 [22] Filed: Sept. 14, 1973 Primary E.\&#39;aminerAnton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Arnold S. Weintraub 211 Appl. No.: 397,444  
  [57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 273/54 B; 2/l6l A A wrist and finger control device particularly adapted [5 l] Int. Cl A63b 71/14 for use by bowlers includes a wrist support member, a 158] Field of Search 273/54 B; 2/16! A; 272/67 plurality of elongated palm straps detachably connected to the wrist support, and a finger enveloping [56] References Cited member for each of the straps. The finger enveloping UNITED STATES PATENTS members are detachably connected to the palm straps.  
 3.062.546 l 1/1962 Horton et al 2/16] A UX 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures WRIST AND FINGER SUPPORT FOR BOWLERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to wrist and finger control devices. More particularly. the present invention pertains to wrist and finger control devices for use by athletes. Even more particularly. the present invention pertains to a wrist and finger control device for aiding and abetting bowlers.  
 2. Prior Art In the sport of bowling one of the major problems encountered by the average bowler is his inability to keep his wrist firm. This. in turn. results in the bowler&#39;s inability to impart the proper lift to the bowling ball. The compound result of this is erratic and low scoring.  
  To obviate and to attempt to correct this problem a plurality of accoutrements for the hand and wrist have been proposed in the prior art. For example. U.S. Pat. No. 3.606.319 teaches a bowling aid which includes a cup-like member for resting or balancing the ball therewithin. The cup-like member is detachably connectable to a glove-like member which fits about the bowlers hand.  
  Other examples of the type of equipment contemplated herein are represented in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3.606.343. 3.486.l7l and 3.049.717.  
  Another pertinent example of the prior art is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3.152.337. In this reference there is disclosed a glove for a bowler which includes a wrist portion. a palm portion. and two extending straps which are coincident with the middle and ring fingers of the user. Affixed to the glove portion of the device is a wrist support and finger tensioner. This latter portion of the device includes a wrist band which adjust-ably fits about the wrist of the user. The finger tensioner comprises a pair of resilient straps each of which is connected at one end to the wrist band and to the extending straps at their other end. such that one resilient strap is connected to one extending strap and the other resilient strap to the other extending strap in generally parallel relationship. The resiliency of the finger tensioner draws the middle and ring finger toward the users wrist.  
  Other heretofore known prior art devices which provide a good reference base for complete understanding of the present invention are found in U.S. Pat. Nos.  
 1.126.938; 3.362.127; 3.408.077 and 3.497.218.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the problems attendant the prior art by providing a completely adjustable wrist and finger control support device. The device hereof is particularly adapted for use by bowlers to aid and abet in obtaining proper &#34;lift&#34; when releasing the bowling ball.  
  The device hereof generally includes an adjustable wrist support band. a plurality of elongated palm straps detachably secured to the wrist-support band. and a plurality of finger enveloping members. each one of which is associated with one of the elongated palm straps. The finger enveloping members are detachably secured to their associated palm straps.  
  Because of the detachable securement between the elements hereof. complete interchangeability between palm straps and finger enveloping members is possible.  
 This permits accomodation and variation of lengths and sizes according to the users needs.  
  For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawing. like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views. in which:  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of the present invention shown deployed on a users hand and wrist;  
  FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of the present invention;  
  FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device of the present invention;  
  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device hereof taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and  
  FIG. 5 is a perspective, exploded view of the device of the present invention.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Now with reference to the drawing. and in particular. FIG. I, there is shown therein a hand 10. having mounted thereon a device. generally indicated at 12. in accordance with the present invention. As hereinbefore noted. the device I2 is particularly adapted for use by a bowler.  
  More specifically. and with reference to FIGS. 2-4. the device I2 hereof generally includes a wrist support 14. The support I4 mounts about the users wrist to provide support thereto. The support 14 includes an elongated rectangular band I6 having an inner surface 18 and an outer or exposed surface 20.  
  The inner surface 18 is in direct contact with the users wrist. and therefore. has no possible irritants associated therewith.  
  A pair ofadjustable securements tabs 22. 24. respectively. are affixed to the band I6 proximate a first side edge 26, thereof.  
  The attachment tabs. each. have a substantially smooth first surface 28. 30. resepctively. The other side of each of the tabs. 32, 34, respectively. is formed of a self binding material. such as a woven nylon fabric sold commercially under the trade name of Velcro&#34; by American Thread Company. The tabs 22, 24 are in substantially parallel relationship and are substantially coextensive. They are affixed to the band 16 by any suitable means. such as. by sewing or the like.  
  The support 14 also includes a pair of resilient bodies. 36, 38, respectively. disposed on the outer surface 20 of the band 16. The resilient bodies are substantially coextensive with the band 16, as shown. The resilient bodies 36, 38 are formed from any suitable elastic material which ensures snug engagement of the users wrist. The resilient bodies are secured to the band by any suitable means. such as by sewing or the like.  
  It is to be understood. however. that a single resilient body can be deployed herein. As shown in FIG. 3, the attachment tabs overlie the resilient bodies and are thus secured to both the band proper and the resilient bodies.  
  Still referring to FIG. 3. there is provided a pair of attachment pads 40. 42 fixedly secured to the band 16, proximate the side edge 44 thereof. The pads 40. 42 are disposed atop their associated resilient bodies. The pads are secured to the band and their resilient bodies in the manner hereinbefore described. The pads 40. 42 are substantially aligned with their respective tabs 22. 24 and are, preferably, formed from a woven nylon fabric, i.e., Velcro. In this manner. the tabs and pads can be interengaged for securely mounting the wrist band support about the users wrist. as shown in FIGS. I and 5.  
  It should be noted in this regard that each tab has a pad associated therewith which cooperate to define first securing or securment means. Moreover. each tab and associated pad are provided with sufficient length such that overlapping therebetween is achieved when the wrist support is wrapped around the user&#39;s wrist. This ensures secure attachment of the support to the users wrist. Furthermore. by providing such lengths. adjustability of the support to accommodate varying wrist sizes is, also, ensured, since little surface area contact between the tab and pad are necessary. This, of course, is a function of the woven nylon fabric.  
  The support 14 also includes at least one transverse attachment member 46 provided on the surface of the band 16. The transverse attachment member 46 transverses the band 16 across the resilient bodies 36 and 38 and is disposed atop thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, the transverse attachment member is inclined with respect to the top and bottom edges of the band 16.  
  The transverse attachment member 46 is. also. preferably, formed from the hereinbefore defined woven nylon fabric.  
  As shown in FIG. 3, and in a preferred form of the present invention. there is provided a pair of similar transverse attachment members 46 which are inclined with respect to each other, such that if they were extended they would converge within the area defined by the user&#39;s palm.  
  The present invention further includes an elongated palm strap, generally indicated at 48, for each of the transverse attachment members. The palm strap transverses the user&#39;s palm as shown in FIG. 1. Each palm strap 48 includes a resilient main portion 50 formed from any suitable elastic material or fabric. The elastic material imparts tension to the fingers of the user when the device hereof is deployed, as shown.  
  The elongated palm strap, also, includes a first tabu lar portion 52 integrally formed or otherwise associated with the main portion 50 at one end 54 thereof.  
  The tabular portion 52 has a first smooth side 55 and a second or reverse side 56 formed from a woven nylon fabric adapted to interengage with the woven nylon fabric of the transverse attachment member 46 (FIG. 5). Thus, the strap 48 is adjustably detachably connectable to the attachment member, and, thus, to the wrist support, anywhere along the length thereof. Hence, the tabular portion 52 and the transverse attachment member cooperate to define a second securement or securing means.  
  The elongated palm strap 48 also includes a second tabular portion 57 disposed at the second or opposite end 58 of the main portion 50. The second tabular portion 57 is similar and analogous to the first tabular portion 52, and includes a first smooth surface 60 and a woven nylon fabric second surface 62, as hereinbefore described.  
  The second tabular portion 57 adjustably detachably receives a finger enveloping member 64.  
  The finger enveloping member or finger stall 64 includes a substantially tubular member 66 and a depending attachment tab 68 formed therewith.  
 The tubular member 66 is formed from a substan- 5 tially smooth. slightly resilient. fabric and is adapted to have a user&#39;s finger 70 (FIG. I) inserted therethrough. The diameter of the member 66 is, thus, a function of the finger size. Moreover. the diameter of the member 66 is. also, dependent upon the type&#34; of bowler deploying the device. i.e., full finger&#34; or finger tip&#34; bowler. Accordingly, the diameter of the tubular member 66 is adapted to meet these two criteria.  
  The depending attachment tab 68 is secured to the tubular member 66 along a first peripheral edge 70 thereof, which is nearest the palm of the user&#39;s hand, by sewing or the like.  
  The tab 68 has a first smooth surface 72 and a second or opposite woven nylon fabric surface 74. The second surface 74 is adapted to interengage the woven nylon surface 62 of the second tabular portion 57 of the elongated palm strap 48, by contacting the two together. to thus, define third securement means.  
  In deploying the present device, the wrist support is wrapped around the users wrist and is secured thereto by contacting together the securement tabs and the attachment tabs. The resilient bodies impart tautness to the wrist while the securing means are adjustable to a comfortable fit by enlarging or reducing the area of contact between the tabs and pads.  
  At least one elongated strap is then detachably adjustably secured to the wrist support by contacting the first tabular portion with the transverse attachment member. Again. the length of the strap transversing the palm is adjustable by enlarging or reducing the area of Contact between this second securing means.  
  Finally, a finger stall is secured to the second tabular portion of the elongated strap by contacting the depending attachment tab therewith. Adjustability to accommodate full finger or finger tip bowlers is achieved by enlarging or reducing the area of contact between the the latter second tabular portion and depending attachment tab which cooperate to define third securement means.  
  In using the device, a finger tip&#34; bowler will mount the device between the first and second knuckles of the middle and ring finger, substantially as shown, A full finger&#34; bowler will generally mount the finger stalls on the index and pinkie fingers. However, any other finger mounting combination can be used by the bowler. It is to be further understood that the present invention can be used with equal efficacy by either a right-handed or a left-handed bowler.  
  Furthermore, the device can be used by a bowler with a finger deformity or other permanent or temproary injury.  
  When the device hereof is deployed, the resiliency of the main portion of the elongated strap imparts tension&#39;- to the finger associated therewith to enable the user to impart lift&#34; to the bowling ball upon the release thereof, while the wrist support impairs the wrist from breaking.&#34;  
  It should further be noted that the present device can accommodate either a two-finger or three-finger bowler.  
  Finally. it is noted herein, that in fabricating the device hereof. the wrist support band. per se. is formed from any suitable soft fabric such as a polyester knit, a  
 cotton fabric or the like.  
 Having thus described my invention what is claimed 1. A wrist and finger control device comprising:  
 a. a wrist support. the wrist support comprising:  
 1. a band adapted to be wrapped around the users wrist,  
 2. first securement means for securing the band when wrapped around the wrist,  
 3. a resilient body disposed on a first surface of the band,  
 b. a transverse attachment member disposed on the first surface of the wrist support,  
 c. at least one elongated palm strap detachably adjustably connected to the transverse attachment member,  
 d. at least one finger stall detachably adjustably connected to the elongated palm strap, and  
 wherein the transverse attachment member transverses the resilient body.  
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first securement means comprises an attachment tab having a woven fabric surface and an attachment pad disposed on the resilient body and being aligned with the attachment tab, the attachment pad having a woven nylon surface.  
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated strap comprises:  
 a. a resilient main portion,  
 b. a first tabular portion secured to the main portion thereof at one end thereof, and  
 c. a second tabular portion secured to the main portion at the other end thereof, and  
 wherein the first tabular portion cooperates with the transverse attachment member to define second securement means.  
  4. The device of claim 3 wherein the first tabular portion has a woven nylon fabric surface and the transverse attachment member has a woven nylon fabric surface, the two surfaces being secureable to each other.  
  5. The device of claim 4 wherein the finger stall comprises:  
 a substantially tubular member, and  
 a depending attachment tab,  
 the depending attachment tab cooperating with the second tabular portion to define third securement means.  
  6. The device of claim 5 wherein the depending attachment tab has a woven nylon fabric surface, the two surfaces of the attachment tab and the second tabular portion being secureable to each other.