Abstract:
A protective device for a human palm that can be utilized when engaging in various activities. The device can protect the palm from damaging and/or stressful impact to the nerves of the hand by acting as a shock absorber and being adapted to withstand a predetermined amount of force. The device can also allow for freedom of movement of a user&#39;s fingers by moving in a downward and rotational manner about the base of a user&#39;s thumb when the user closes his or her hand.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The following application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/221,206, filed Jun. 29, 2009, the complete contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present device relates to the field of protective equipment for the body, more specifically a palm support and protector. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    There are many instances when the palm of the hand may need to be protected or supported. For example, while doing a push-up, the palm of the hand bears additional pressure because it is not supported. The tension and pressure placed on the palm can cause injury and soreness to the hands. 
         [0006]    The palm also needs protection during some tasks. For example, factory workers may perform jobs that require continuous pressing of the palm on surfaces. A device that protects the palm and absorbs shock would be very beneficial and reduce injury and soreness. 
         [0007]    There can also be instances in which a person needs to be able to grasp objects or close their hand completely while wearing a protective palm device. Existing types of padding can restrict the hand from closing due to padding bulk not allowing the fingers to close over the palm. Thus, it is desirable to have a device with a unique turning radius such that a user can have freedom of movement without finger or palm restrictions. 
         [0008]    Remington® makes a glove with a padded palm; however, in use the fingers are restricted in movement by the bulkiness of the glove. The present invention solves this problem by being able to rotate as a user moves his or her hand, thus preventing interference by the pad. 
         [0009]    What is needed is a device that can support and protect a user&#39;s palm from injury and soreness and that can be worn without restricting movement of a the palm or fingers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a top view of one embodiment of a protective device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  depicts a top view of one embodiment of a protective device having a thumb ring. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts an isometric view of one embodiment of a protective device in use, with a hand in an open position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  depicts an isometric view of one embodiment of a protective device in use, with a hand in a closed grip position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  depicts a view of the strap portion of one embodiment of a protective device over the back of a user&#39;s hand. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a body portion of a protective device having a plurality of layers. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  depicts a side view of a palm element having a depth TCd. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  depicts a top planar view of one embodiment of a palm element having a body portion width “w,” a body portion length “u,” an appendage length “TCu,” and an appendage width “TCw.” 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  depicts a top planar view of a hand having a dorsum length DL, a purlicue length TCL, and a wrist width WW. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  depicts an isometric view of a hand having a thumb joint width “TW2j.” 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  depicts a top view of a hand having a hand width “z.” 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    A protective device  100  is depicted in  FIG. 1  and can comprise a palm element  102 . A palm element  102  can further comprise a body portion  104  and at least one appendage  106  extending there from. In some embodiments, at least one strap  108  can be coupled with a palm element  102  via at least one opening  110 . 
         [0022]    A palm element  102  can have any known and/or convenient shape and/or geometry. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a body portion  104  has a substantially ovoid geometry while an appendage  106  is substantially rectangular. However, in alternate embodiments, a body portion  104  and/or appendage  106  can have any other known and/or convenient shape. Moreover, the geometries of a body portion  104  and an appendage  106  can be such that their perimeters can be seamlessly integrated with each other, creating a visually smooth transition from a body portion  104  to an appendage  106 , rather than a distinctive joint as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    In the embodiment depicted, a palm element  102  can be substantially planar. However, in other embodiments, a body portion  104  can be adapted to complement the geometry of a human palm. By way of non-limiting example,  FIG. 5  depicts a cross-section of a palm element  102  having a substantially domed geometry on one side and a substantially planar surface on its other side. In such an embodiment, the curved portion can be in contact with a person&#39;s palm when in use. In other embodiments, a palm element  102  can be only partially domed, bumpy, ridged, or otherwise raised, with some portions of the palm element  102  remaining substantially planar on the same side. In yet alternate embodiments, both sides of a palm element  102  can be domed or can otherwise have non-planar geometry. 
         [0024]    A palm element  102  can be sized to fit various sizes of hands for both men and women.  FIG. 7  depicts a top view of one embodiment of a palm element  102  having a body portion  104  width “w,” a body portion  104  length “u,” an appendage  106  width “TCw,” and an appendage  106  length “TCu”. In some embodiments, a protective device  100  can be manufactured and/or sold in various sizes according to a sizing scale, where the 5th percentile can represent a size Small for a female user, and the 95th percentile can represent a size Extra Large for a male user. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the relative dimensions of these percentiles are illustrated below in  FIG. 1 . However, in alternate embodiments, the dimensions of a palm element  102  and representations of a sliding sizing scale can be of any other known and/or convenient values. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Determination of “u” and “w” values. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 5% ile 
                 95% ile 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Female 
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Size Small) 
                 (Size XL) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 u = length of body 
                 2.7 
                 3.2 
               
               
                   
                 portion 104, in 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 inches 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Dorsum length, in 
                 2.7 
                 3.2 
               
               
                   
                 inches 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 w = width of body 
                 2.1 
                 2.9 
               
               
                   
                 portion, in inches 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Wrist width, in 
                 2.1 
                 2.9 
               
               
                   
                 inches 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the length of an appendage  106  TCu can be determined in relation to the length of the webbed space between the thumb and index finger (hereinafter referred to as the “purlicue”), the “TCL” (see  FIG. 8 ). Table 2 below represents one possible method for calculating relative TCu values for 5th and 95th percentiles on a sliding sizing scale. The value 0.088 represents an 8.8% decrease in hand length when gripping. However, in other embodiments, the length of an appendage  106  TCu can be determined in any other known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Determination of “TCu” values. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 5% ile 
                 95% ile 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Female 
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Size Small) 
                 (Size XL) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 TCL - purlicue length,  
                 1.900 
                 2.300 
               
               
                   
                 in inches 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 TCL* = TCL × 0.088 
                 0.167 
                 0.202 
               
               
                   
                 TCL − TCL* = TCu 
                 1.733 
                 2.098 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the width of an appendage  106  TCw can be determined in relation to the thumb width at its second joint “TW2j,” as depicted in  FIG. 9 . Table 3 below represents an example of a method for calculating relative TCw values for 5th and 95th percentiles on a sliding sizing scale. The value 0.60 is used to achieve an embodiment where, in use, a point at which an appendage  106  meets a body portion  104  can be held in place by the base of a thumb. However, in other embodiments, the width of an appendage  106  TCw can be determined in any other known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Determination of “TCw” values. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 5% ile 
                 95% ile 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Female 
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Size Small) 
                 (Size XL) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 TW2j — Thumb width at 
                 0.900 
                 1.400 
               
               
                   
                 2nd joint, in inches 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 TCw =TW2j × 0.60 
                 0.540 
                 0.840 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the width “w” of a body portion  104  can be determined in relation to the width of a hand “z” (see  FIG. 10 ). Table 4 below represents an example of a method for calculating relative w:z ratios for 5th and 95th percentiles on a sliding sizing scale. In this embodiment, a body portion  104  can be a minimum of 75% as wide as a hand in order to enable a palm element  102  to slide over the thenar eminence area of the hand. However, in other embodiments, the w:z ratios can be determined in any other known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Determination of body portion 104 to hand widths, “w:z”. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 5% ile 
                 95% ile 
               
               
                   
                 Female 
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                 (Size Small) 
                 (Size XL) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 z — hand width, in inches 
                 2.800 
                 3.800 
               
               
                 w — body portion 104 
                 2.100 
                 2.900 
               
               
                 width, in inches 
                   
                   
               
               
                 w:z — ratio of body portion 
                 0.750 
                 0.763 
               
               
                 104 width to hand width 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0028]    A palm element  102  can be adapted to pivotally couple with the purlicue, as depicted in  FIG. 2 . In such an embodiment, when a hand is open a palm element  102  can be biased to a first position, such that when the hand is closed, the palm element  102  can translate and rotate about the z-axis and relative to the purlicue to achieve a second position, and then return back to the first position when the hand is re-opened. In some embodiments, this pivotal and translational movement can enable a palm element  102  to cover a desired portion of the thenar eminence area of a hand, depending on whether the hand is open or closed. The thenar eminence area is defined as the most fleshy, naturally cushioned portion of the palm of the human hand, located adjacent to the second joint of the thumb. Table 5, below, illustrates an example of the percentage of surface area of a palm element  102  that can cover the thenar eminence area when a hand is open or closed. However, in alternate embodiments, a palm element  102  can be sized and shaped such that, in operation, any other desired surface area of a palm element  102  can cover the thenar eminence area or any other part of the palm or hand. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Closed Palm (gripping) 
                 Open Palm (not gripping) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 % of palm element 102 
                 ≧50% of the area 
                 ≦20% of the area defined 
               
               
                 surface area over the 
                 defined by “u,” “w,” 
                 by “u,” “w,” “TCw,”  
               
               
                 thenar eminence. 
                 “TCw,” and “TCu.” 
                 and “TCu.” 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0029]    In some embodiments, at least one strap  108  can assist such movement and such bias. In other embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 1A , a palm element  102  can further comprise a thumb ring  114  that can be adapted to accept a thumb and can secure around the base of a thumb. A thumb ring  114  and/or strap  108  can both assist with translation and rotation, and restrict movement to some extent in order to achieve a desired degree of movement during use. In other embodiments, a ring  114  can be coupled with any other convenient location on a palm element  102  and can be adapted for use with any other finger. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , an appendage  106  of a palm element  102  can be adapted to “hook” onto the base of a thumb or otherwise frictionally engage the base of a thumb and/or the purlicue of a hand. In the embodiment shown, an appendage  106  can be shaped such that interference by the base of a thumb can prevent undesirable translational movement of a palm element  102  when in use. In other embodiments, movement can be restricted by use of material having a high coefficient of friction relative to the skin of a hand. 
         [0031]    A palm element  102  can have any known and/or convenient thickness. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a body portion  104  and/or appendage  106  can be made of any known and/or convenient material and can have a thickness great enough to withstand a predetermined amount of force. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a palm element  102  is comprised of closed cell ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. In other embodiments, a body portion  104  and/or appendage  106  can be at least partially comprised of elastomeric material, polymer, fabric, rubber, nylon, neoprene, and/or any other known and/or convenient type of material. In further embodiments, a body portion  104  and/or appendage  106  can be comprised of moisture-wicking, insulating, antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, quick-drying, heat-resistant, anti-skid, ultraviolet radiation-resistant, and/or washable materials. Moreover, in some embodiments, a body portion  104  and/or appendage  106  can be comprised of a thermally stable material capable of maintaining a desired temperature for a given length of time, in order to provide heat or cold to an affected area. In yet alternate embodiments, a body portion  104  and/or appendage  106  can be comprised of any other known and/or convenient material. Moreover, a body portion  104  and/or appendage  106  can be any known and/or convenient color or combination of colors. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, a body portion  104  and/or appendage  106  can be comprised of more than one material.  FIG. 5  depicts a cross section of a domed body portion  104 . A body portion  104  can comprise an outer layer  502  and at least one inner layer  504 . An outer layer  502  and/or inner layer  504  can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material, as described above. In some embodiments, an inner layer  504  can be comprised of gel, sand, beads, or any other known and/or convenient filler material. In alternate embodiments, a palm element  102  can have any other desired number of layers  502  and/or  504 . In yet further embodiments, a palm element  102  can comprise a pocket or slit such that a hot or cold pack or device can be selectively inserted into the palm element  102 , and/or for holding any other desired item. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  depicts a side view of the palm element  102  in FIG.  1 ., having a thickness “TCd” in its natural, un-stressed resting state. In some embodiments, a body portion  104  and/or appendage  106  can be made of any known and/or convenient material and can have a thickness great enough to withstand a predetermined amount of force. For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , a palm element  102  can be made of EVA foam and can have an initial thickness TCd of 0.5000 inches. In accordance with Table 6 below, a palm element  102  can have properties such that when either 25 or 35 pounds per square inch (psi) of force is applied, a thickness TCd* can result. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 TCd and TCd* measurements of a palm element 
               
               
                 102 comprised of EVA foam material. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 25 psi 
                 35 psi 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 TCd — Initial 
                 0.5000 (or 8/16ths) 
                 0.5000 (or 8/16ths) 
               
               
                   
                 thickness of pad 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (inches) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 TCd* — 
                 0.1875 (or 3/16ths) 
                 0.1250 (or 2/16ths) 
               
               
                   
                 Thickness of 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 pad with 1 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 square inch 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 impacted 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (inches) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Change in 
                    0.3125 
                    0.3750 
               
               
                   
                 thickness of pad 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (inches) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 % change from 
                 62.5  
                 75.0  
               
               
                   
                 initial thickness 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 when 1 square 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 inch impacted 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0034]    At least one strap  108  can be coupled with a palm element  102  and can be adapted to be wrapped around a user&#39;s hand, thus keeping a palm element  102  in a desired position. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , in some embodiments a palm element  102  can be coupled with two independent straps  108  via openings  110 . However, in alternate embodiments, a single strap  108  can run through, over, or under a palm element  102  with or without the presence of an opening  110 . In embodiments having two openings  110 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , openings  110  can be positioned such that in use, a palm element  102  can be biased to a first position when a palm is open, as described above, and straps  108  can aid in returning the palm element  102  to that first position when a palm is closed and then re-opened. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by coupling a first opening  110  with an appendage  106  and coupling a second opening  110  with a body portion  104 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and positioning first and second openings  110  at a 37-40 degree angle relative to each other. In other embodiments, openings  110  can be positioned in any other known and/or convenient configuration relative to each other, a body portion  104 , and an appendage  106 . 
         [0035]    In embodiments having a single strap  108  running through, over, or under a palm element  102 , the strap  108  length can be determined according to the following Table 7, for 5th and 95th percentile sizes. However, in alternate embodiments, strap  108  length can be determined using any other known and/or convenient method and/or formulation. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 7 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 5% ile 
                 95% ile 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Female 
                 Male 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Size Small) 
                 (Size XL) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Girth of hand, in inches 
                 6.9 
                 9.1 
               
               
                   
                 TCd × 2, in inches 
                 1.0 
                 1.0 
               
               
                   
                 Girth of hand + (TCd × 2) + 
                 10.4  
                 12.6  
               
               
                   
                 2.5 = strap length, in 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 inches 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , in some embodiments, straps  108  can be coupled with complementary fastening components  112  such that they can be selectively coupled with each other around a user&#39;s hand. In other embodiments, the ends of a single strap  108  coupled with a palm element  102  can be coupled with complementary fastening components  112 . Complementary fastening components  112  can be hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye, button and slit, protrusion and hole, buckle, or any other known and/or convenient type of fastening component. Straps  108  can have a sufficient amount of overlap when in use so as to be properly secured around a hand. In some embodiments, 1.25 inches of each strap  108  end can be reserved for overlap with its complementary end. In other embodiments, any convenient or desired amount of overlap can be employed. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, straps  108  can be made of fabric, nylon, polymer, rubber, or any other known and/or convenient material or combination of materials. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , a strap can be elastomeric. In some embodiments, a strap  108  can have antibacterial, antimicrobial, ultraviolet-resistant, heat-resistant, anti-skid, moisture-wicking, insulating, and/or quick-drying properties, either inherent in its material or as an additional coating. In alternate embodiments, a strap  108  can have an at least partially reflective surface. In some embodiments, a strap  108  can comprise a permanent, removable, reusable, and/or rewritable name tag that can be used to depict the name of the user of a protective device  100 , a company name, or any other known and/or convenient writing, symbol, or logo. A strap  108  can have a substantially planar geometry, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , or can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. 
         [0038]    In use, a palm element  102  can be place over a user&#39;s palm such that an appendage  106  can at least partially engage the purlicue area of the user&#39;s hand, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Straps  108  can then be wrapped around the user&#39;s hand, and complementary fasting components  112  can be coupled at the back of a user&#39;s hand, creating a snug fit without being uncomfortable (see  FIG. 4 ). A user can thereafter engage in various activities while having full use of his or her hand. When the user needs to bend the fingers or grip something, a palm element  102  can be induced to translate downward on the palm and rotate relative to the base of the user&#39;s thumb, as depicted in  FIG. 3 . This movement can be at least partially induced by a downward pressure applied to the palm element  102  by the proximal phalanges of the user&#39;s hand. 
         [0039]    In instances where a palm element  102  is employed on a right hand, a palm clement  102  can be induced to rotate in a counterclockwise manner. In instances where a palm element  102  is employed on a left hand, a palm element  102  can be induced to rotate in a clockwise manner. The above operational description is only one example of the way in which a protective device  100  may be used. In other embodiments, a protective device  100  can be applied and/or worn and/or used in any other known and/or convenient manner. For example, in some embodiments, a palm element  102  can be used as a stress relief device and/or a hand or grip strengthener. In such embodiments, a device  100  can be squeezed repeatedly, and a palm element  102  can be comprised of latex, natural fibers, small beads, or any other known and/or convenient type of material or combination of materials. 
         [0040]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evidence that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed in intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.