Abstract:
The present invention provides a weighted sleeve containing granular weighted material that may be worn on one&#39;s hand, wrist, and/or forearm to weight one&#39;s hand and limit or curtail hand shaking symptoms and to compress the hand, wrist, and/or forearm as to temporarily alleviate pain and improve blood circulation.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The application is a non-provisional application and claims the benefit of the United States provisional patent application filed on Nov. 15, 2013 by Hannah Calaman for WEIGHTED SLEEVE (Ser. No. 61/904,799). 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a weighted sleeve or therapeutic glove, which can be used by persons in need of weighing down and/or compressing their wrists, hands, and/or forearms. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Shaky hands are symptom that may be found in otherwise healthy children or adults. Several factors or conditions may result in shakiness in one&#39;s hands and/or wrists. Although there are many causes of shaky hands, in some people there is no known cause. 
         [0004]    One common condition of shaky hands is called essential tremor, which is the uncontrollable shaking caused by miscommunication of impulses between the brain and nerves. These tremors are random and often noticeable. Typically, this condition only affects persons over the age of 40 and is sometimes caused by genetic heredity. The drinking of stimulants, such as alcoholic drinks and caffeinated beverages, can progress to the point of causing essential tremors. 
         [0005]    Other causes of shaky hands include: 1) Low blood sugar, which may result in an adrenaline rush that causes shakiness; 2) Anxiety, brought on by stress, fear, or fatigue; 3) Excess caffeine, such as is caused by drinking too much coffee or cola drinks; 4) Parkinson&#39;s disease, with one of the main symptoms being tremors; 5) Hyperthyroidism, which is an autoimmune disorder more common to women than men and which affects the thyroid function; 6) Some medications, such as antidepressants, anesthetics, and tranquilizers; 7) Ingesting or withdrawing from certain drugs or substances, such as alcohol and caffeine; and 8) Multiple sclerosis. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides a simple, but effective, means of better controlling and curtailing the shaking symptoms experienced by persons with the aforementioned and other conditions, providing temporary relief from the motor issues related to the shaking and of the pain often experienced by persons with such conditions, and providing improved blood circulation in person with such conditions. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to an aspect, the present invention provides a weighted sleeve that is worn on the hand ,wrist, and/or forearm that applies weight to relieve shaking symptoms. Enough weight is added to stabilize the hand, and at the same time, the sleeve is sufficiently light/nonrestricting so the wearer can move their hand freely. Granular material is added incrementally to the sleeve which continuously molds to the contours of the person&#39;s hand providing a present advantage over closely related prior art. The sleeve can be designed to suit the aesthetic needs of the wearer wherein a number of different fabrics designs and types can be used. An open/close feature is incorporated to aid persons to easily put on and remove the sleeve with relative ease using only one hand. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect, the sleeve provides a light compression that can improve blood circulation in the hand, provide temporary alleviation of pain, and relieve symptoms associated with arthritis and other conditions. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect, the sleeve is fitted with a removable, waterproof covering that may be used to encase the sleeve during its use while eating or performing other activities that might otherwise dampen or stain the sleeve. A heavyweight version of the covering may be used during colder weather. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect, the palm of the sleeve integrates non-slip strips of material such as rubber, silicone, or leather/synthetic leather that enhance grip during wear. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect, the sleeve is constructed of seasonally or occasion-appropriate versions, each with fabrics that match the season or occasion, such as lightweight, medium, and heavy fabrics. 
         [0012]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view from one side of the weighted sleeve being worn by a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the weighted sleeve being worn by a user in accordance with a separate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the weighted sleeve of  FIG. 2  being worn by a user in accordance with a separate embodiment of the present invention ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view from the side view of the weighted sleeve of  FIG. 2  being worn by a user while using a writing instrument; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a first side view of the weighted sleeve of  FIG. 2  being worn by a user; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a second side view of the weighted sleeve of  FIG. 2  being worn by a user; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  side view of the weighted sleeve of  FIG. 2  being worn by a user while using a writing instrument that may include additional features. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0023]    A weighted sleeve  10  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The weighted sleeve  10  may be constructed from lightweight fabric materials and is configured generally in the form to conform to one&#39;s hand, wrist, and/or lower forearm. In some embodiments of the present invention, the weighted sleeve  10  may be designed to accommodate the aesthetic tastes of the wearer. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that weighted sleeve  10  may be constructed from a number of different materials, including fabrics that are lightweight, breathable, and stretchy.  FIGS. 1 through 7  illustrate different fabrics that may be used and combined to create the general concept provided by the present invention. However, other materials, including weightier materials and non-fabrics, such as leather, may also be used to construct the weighted sleeve  10 . 
         [0024]    The weighted sleeve  10  may be constructed and designed in the form of a typical wrist brace used to immobilize wrists and/or hands after receiving an injury, such as a sprain, to that area of the arm and hand. Other embodiments could include more glove-like constructions. The only limitation in terms of the form and structure of the weighted sleeve is that it be capable of weighting one&#39;s hand sufficiently to curtail or limit shaking. 
         [0025]    As shown, weighted sleeve  10  may have a four-finger opening  50  through which the four fingers of one&#39;s hand may pass when the weighted sleeve is worn. In addition, a thumb opening  40  is provided through which a user&#39;s thumb may pass then the sleeve is worn. The exposing of the user&#39;s thumb and fingers allows the user to move the hand freely and perform tasks such as writing as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 . The weighted sleeve will typically have some type of open/close feature  60  ( FIG. 3 ) to allow the weighted sleeve to be opened to allow person&#39;s hand, wrist, and/or forearm to be inserted within the sleeve and to close and tighten the weighted sleeve  10  about the user&#39;s hand, wrist, and/or forearm. The open/close feature  60  may be a hook and loop closure, such as Velcro®, a wrapped type closure (such as a wrappable bandage), an adhesive type closure, or any other closure or fastener that allows multiple opening and closing of the sleeve to remove and fix the weighted sleeve  10  on one&#39;s hand, wrist, and/or arm. The open/close feature  60  may be constructed to allow persons with only substantial use of one hand—including those having limited movement of their fingers—to put on and remove the weighted sleeve  10  with relative ease. In addition, the open/close feature may be located at varying positions on the weighted sleeve  10  and may vary in size to achieve an appropriate compression and size for the particular user. 
         [0026]    When worn, weighted sleeve  10  may cover the area just above the user&#39;s knuckles and may extend just beyond the wrist to the forearm as shown in the Figures. However, no particular coverage area is required by the present invention. The only requirement is that the weighted sleeve fit around, and remain on, one&#39;s hand and/or wrist sufficiently to allow an effective amount of weight to be used to control and/or curtail the shakiness of the user&#39;s hands. In one particular embodiment, weighted sleeve  10  will extend at least three inches beyond the user&#39;s wrist. 
         [0027]    A plurality of channels  20  or other enclosed containing spaces may be incorporated into the weighted sleeve  10  in order to receive materials acting as the weight to weigh the sleeve or glove down. In one particular embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more channels  20  may be adjacently located on the top-side of the sleeve and positioned vertically along where the person&#39;s hand, wrist and/or forearm will be inserted. These channels  20  may begin approximately at (or just below) the knuckle and may extend any distance along the weighted sleeve up to the weighted sleeve&#39;s base. In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one or a plurality of channels  20  may be located on the inside of the wrist portion of weighted sleeve  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , one or more channels may be located directly adjacent the back of one&#39;s hand location on the weighted sleeve  10 . 
         [0028]    The particular placement, shape, size, and locations of channels  20  (or other enclosed containing spaces) is not particularly important, provided sufficient holding areas are provided to maintain sufficient weight material to curtail the shakiness of the hands and wrists of the users wearing a particular weighted sleeve while maintaining some of the dexterity of the hand. While the enclosed containing spaces or channels  20  should be integral with the weighted sleeve  10 , the spaces or channels  20  need not be formed as a part of the weighted sleeve  10  itself. Instead, for purposes of the present invention, “integral” refers to the spaces or channels  20  being part of the weighted sleeve, whether the spaces or channels  20  are formed as part of and within the confines of the weighted sleeve  10  itself or whether the spaces or channels  20  are attached to the weighted sleeve  10 , such as by threaded, adhesive, or other attachment mechanism, after the form of the weighted sleeve  10  is constructed. While integral to the weighted sleeve  10 , channels  20  may be sealed but removable as a self-contained variable weighting system. 
         [0029]    In addition, weighted sleeves can be customized for the size of the users wearing the sleeve and for the amount of weight needed or desired in order to curtail shakiness of a particular user. 
         [0030]    Typically, a granular material will be inserted inside of channels  20  to create the effective weight, but it will be appreciated that other weighting materials may also be employed. One particular advantage of using granular materials, such as sand or ball pellets (commonly known as gunshot BBs), is that such granular materials are capable of molding to the contours of the person&#39;s hand, wrist and/or forearm, thus allowing for increased flexibility, comfort, and tightness of the sleeve during use. 
         [0031]    The containing spaces or channels  20 , which can be of any size, shape or configuration as explained above, may be permanently closed or sealed after being filled with the weight material or may, alternatively, be openable and closeable. In the latter arrangement, a user or caregiver may remove and add removable weight materials as necessary based on the requirements of the user. In the openable/closeable channels, weight material can be added or subtracted incrementally to the sleeve until the appropriate weight for the weighted sleeve  10  is obtained. 
         [0032]    In addition, utilizing a granular material as the weighting material allows weight sleeve  10  to flow and flex with the movement of the hand and wrist, whereas if rigid weight materials were employed, the flexibility of one&#39;s hand and wrist would be affected. In addition, the use of granular materials creates a higher level of comfort for the user as opposed to using rigid materials such as lead or inflexible metal weighting materials. 
         [0033]    The use of a tightened weighted sleeve  10  also assists in adding a compression effect to the wearer&#39;s hand and wrist area. It is believed that constant compression and pressure to that area may relieve some of the pain that is often accompanies shaky hand symptoms. Moreover, the use of a granular material in the present invention as the weighting material further enhances the compression capabilities of the sleeve. By molding and conforming to a wearer&#39;s hand, wrist, and/or forearm, the granular weighting material allows the sleeve to flex and shape to match the wearer. Then, the open/close feature  60  can be tightened to the degree desired by the wearer to provide added/desired compression and tightness. 
         [0034]    These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to description of the version therein.