CA2893041C

CA2893041C - Gloves for adjusting and controlling resistance to hand movement, and related methods thereof

Info

Publication number: CA2893041C
Application number: CA2893041A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Dean R. Marriott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-05-20
Filing date: 2015-05-20
Publication date: 2020-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-20
Also published as: CA2893041A1

Abstract

A glove having a top surface and a bottom surface is described herein. The top surface and the bottom surface each have an inner surface and an outer surface. The glove includes a plurality of resistance bands, which can be configured to be removably attached to the glove. The resistance bands can be removably attached at connection points on the outer surface of the glove. The glove can also include at least one adjustable resistance mechanism connected to the glove. The adjustable resistance mechanism is configured to adjust degrees of resistance to motion via the resistance bands.

Description

CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 GLOVES FOR ADJUSTING AND CONTROLLING RESISTANCE TO HAND MOVEMENT,

2 AND RELATED METHODS THEREOF

3

4 BACKGROUND
6 [0001] The present disclosure generally relates to gloves and methods for use thereof.
7 More specifically, the present disclosure is related to gloves having variable resistance, which 8 are beneficial for enhancing athletic performance, muscle strength, development, flexibility, and 9 rehabilitation, etc. of hands, including digits and related body parts (e.g., wrist, forearm).
11 [0002] Many activities require the exercise, use, conditioning.
training, strengthening, 12 .. improvement, and/or otherwise development of various muscles in the hand(s), including fingers 13 and related body parts (e.g., wrist, forearm). A subject's hand(s) might also become injured, at =
14 which point various rehabilitative treatment methods and/or physical therapy would be warranted.

17 [0003] Examples of devices available for the conditioning, development and/or strength 18 .. training of hand muscles and related body parts include hand exercise grippers, hand exercise 19 squeeze balls, hand dynamometers, hand exercise webs with several holes to place fingers in, and hand exercise elastic bands.

22 [0004] Examples of rehabilitative treatment methods for hand and related injuries include 23 placing an individual's hand in containers of sand or rice to gradually practice grabbing and 24 twisting handfuls of the rice or sand. Moreover, methods available for conditioning, .. development and/or strength training are generally interchangeable with related methods for 26 rehabilitative treatment.

28 [0005] The above-described devices and methods are limited in typically allowing for 29 .. movement of one or a limited number of sections of the hand, and in only one or a limited number of directions and/or ranges of motion. For instance, squeeze balls limit a user's 31 movement to incorporating most or all of the fingers of the hand to grip the squeeze ball, and in 32 some instances roll the squeeze ball on a flat surface. As a result, squeeze balls do not engage 33 a user in a number of finger articulations, such as adduction and abduction, as well as allow for 34 movement of individual fingers at varying levels of resistance in any one of three general 22736305.1 CA Application Slakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 directions (-x, -y, and ¨z). Similar limitations and drawbacks exist for rubber bands, hand 2 exercise grippers, and even for containers of rice or sand. Namely, containers of rice or sand 3 do not provide for a controlled, variable resistance mechanism for movement of the hand in 4 various directions, and further limit the user to remaining in a stationary position while using the container device.

7 [0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for devices and methods thereof for enhancing 8 athletic performance, muscle strength, development, flexibility, and rehabilitation, etc. of hands, 9 including fingers and related body parts, said devices having variable resistance in all available directions of motion, and said devices not limited to stationary use by the user.

14 [0007] According to embodiments of the present invention, a glove is provided. The glove has a top surface and a bottom surface, where each of the top surface and the bottom surface 16 has an inner and an outer surface. The glove includes a plurality of connection points 17 positioned across an outer surface area of the glove. A plurality of resistance bands is also 18 included, and configured to be removable attached to the plurality of connection points. At least 19 one adjustable resistance mechanism is connected to the glove. The at least one adjustable resistance mechanism is configured to adjust degrees of resistance to motion via the plurality of 21 resistance bands. The glove is also configured to allow for movement of the hand and digits of 22 the hand in all available directions.

24 [0008] According to alternate embodiments of the present invention, a glove is provided having a top surface and a bottom surface. Each of the top surface and the bottom surface has 26 an inner and an outer surface. The glove includes a plurality of resistance bands fixably 27 attached throughout an outer surface area of the glove. The glove is configured to allow for 28 movement of the hand and digits in all available directions.

[0009] Optionally, the at least one adjustable resistance mechanism can be configured to 31 individually control and/or adjust resistance for at least one and up to all of 32 metacarpophalangeal flexion movement. metacarpophalangeal extension movement, 33 metacarpophalangeal abduction movement, metacarpophalangeal adduction movement, and 34 metacarpophalangeal circumduction movement.

22736305.1 CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 2 [0010] Optionally, the at least one adjustable resistance mechanism can also be configured 3 to individually control and/or adjust resistance for at least one and up to all of interphalangeal 4 flexion movement and interphalangeal extension movement.
6 [0011] Optionally, the at least one adjustable resistance mechanism can also be configured 7 to individually control and/or adjust resistance for digit flexion movement and digit extension 8 movement, [0012] Optionally, the at least one adjustable resistance mechanism can also be configured 11 to individually control and/or adjust resistance for digit adduction movement and digit abduction 12 movement.

14 [0013] Optionally, the at least one adjustable resistance mechanism can also be configured to individually control and/or adjust resistance for digit circumduction movement.

17 [0014] Optionally, the at least one adjustable resistance mechanism can also be configured 18 to individually control and/or adjust resistance for thumb movement.

[0015] A method for adjusting and controlling resistance to hand movement is also provided 21 herein. The method includes applying a glove to cover the hand, the glove having a plurality of 22 resistance bands. Degrees of resistance to motion are adjusted via the resistance bands on the 23 glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

27 [0016] The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerous features and 28 advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying 29 drawings.
31 [0017] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a glove according to one embodiment of the present 32 invention.

34 [0018] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a glove according to another embodiment of the present invention.

22736305.1 CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 4 [0019] As used herein "substantially", "relatively", "generally", "about", and "approximately"
are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so 6 modified. They are not intended to be limited to the absolute value or characteristic which it 7 modifies but rather approaching or approximating such a physical or functional characteristic.

9 [0020] In this detailed description, references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "in embodiments" mean that the feature being referred to is included in at least one embodiment of 11 the invention. Moreover, separate references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment". or 12 "embodiments" do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment; however, neither are such 13 embodiments mutually exclusive, unless so stated, and except as will be readily apparent to 14 those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention can include any variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

17 [0021] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments 18 only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms, "a", 19 "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the root terms "include" and/or "have", 21 when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, 22 operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of at 23 least one other feature, integer, step, operation, element, component, and/or groups thereof.

[0022] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising." "includes,"
"including," "has,"
26 "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For 27 example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not 28 necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or 29 inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
31 [0023] As used herein, and unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an 32 inclusive-or and not to an exclusive-or. For example, a condition A or B
is satisfied by any one 33 of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) 34 and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

22736305.1 CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 2 [0024] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of 3 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 1, a glove 10 according to embodiments of the present 6 invention is provided. The glove 10 can cover the entirety of a human hand 11, including each 7 of a plurality of digits 15, or fingers, in reference to the digits 15 of the human hand 11. The 8 digits 15 of the human hand 11 include a thumb 16.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the glove 10 can be configured to individually and/or completely 11 cover each of the digits 15 of the human hand 11.

13 [0027] Alternatively, although not illustrated in FIG. 1, the glove 10 can be configured to 14 cover less than all of the digits 15 of the human hand 11; or the glove 10 can be configured to partially cover one and up to all of the digits 15 of the human hand 11 (e.g., the glove 10 can 16 have openings at one and up to all of the tips of said digits 15). It is also envisioned that the 17 glove 10 can also be configured to partially cover one and up to all of the digits 15 of the human 18 hand 11, said covering available in varying levels of coverage (e.g., partial coverage, covering = 19 any one and up to all of the digit(s) of the hand but only covering up to the first joint of said digit(s), completely covering only two of the digits of the human hand, and partially covering the 21 rest, etc.).

23 [0028] In embodiments, the glove 10 can be configured to allow for movement of the hand 24 11 and the digits 15 in all anatomically available and/or allowable directions. The glove 10 can also be configured to allow for adjustable tension and/or restricted movement in any one and up 26 to all of the anatomically available and/or allowable directions, hand and finger articulations, and 27 movements.

29 [0029] In certain embodiments, the glove 10 can be configured to allow for movement in limited directions. As an example, in cases where the user is injured and cannot move his/her 31 index finger, the glove 10 be configured to allow for movement of digits 15 with the exception of 32 the index finger. As another example, in cases where the user desires to train only a select 33 number of digits 15, a glove 10 can be configured to allow for only certain degrees of movement 34 for said select number of digits 15.

5 22736305.1 CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 [0030] The glove 10 can include a top surface 12 and a bottom surface (not illustrated).
2 The top surface 12 of the glove 10 is the surface that is closest in contact with a top surface of 3 the hand 11; and the bottom surface of the glove 10 is the surface that is in closest in contact 4 with a bottom surface (such as a palm) of the hand 11. It will be appreciated that the top surface 12 and bottom surface of the glove 10, respectively, also includes those surfaces which

6 extend over and one and up to all of the digits 15 of the human hand 11, whether partially or

7 completely, or any variance in degree of coverage:

8

9 [0031] The top surface 12 and bottom surface of the glove 10 can each include an inner and an outer surface (not illustrated). The inner surface of the top surface 12 of the glove 10 can 11 generally be in direct contact with the top surface of the hand 11.
Likewise, the outer surface of 12 the top surface 12 of the glove 10 can correspond a portion of the total outer surface area of the 13 glove 10. The inner surface of the bottom surface of the glove 10 can generally be in direct 14 contact with the palm of the hand 11. The outer surface of the bottom surface of the glove 10 can correspond to a portion of the total outer surface area of the glove 10.

17 [0032] The glove 10 can also include a plurality of connection points 13 positioned across 18 .. an outer surface area of the glove 10. In embodiments, the connection points 13 can be 19 present on a portion and up to substantially all of the top surface 12 of the glove 10, with no resistance bands present on or connected to parts located across the bottom surface of the 21 glove 10. In particular, the connection points 13 can be present on a portion and up to 22 substantially all of the outer surface of the top surface 12 of the glove 10.

24 [0033] Alternatively, the connection points 13 can be present on a portion including up to substantially all of only the bottom surface of the glove 10, with no connection points 13 present 26 on the top surface 12 of the glove 10. In particular, the connection points 13 can be present on 27 a portion and up to substantially all of the outer surface of the bottom surface of the glove 10, 29 [0034] The connection points 13 can also be present on portion(s) and/or regions across the entire outer surface area of the glove 10, meaning at least portions and/or regions located on 31 both the outer surfaces of the top surface 12 and bottom surface of the glove 10. In particular, 32 the connection points 13 can be present on a portion and up to substantially all of the outer 33 surfaces of both the top surface 12 and the bottom surface of the glove

10.

22736305.1 CA Application Bakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 [0036] In embodiments, the connection points 13 can be located at positions corresponding 2 to digit 15 joint locations, in accordance with the anatomy of the hand

11. As shown in FIG. 1, 3 the connection points 13 are generally positioned at joint locations, knuckle locations, locations 4 close to the tips of the digits 15, and locations corresponding to the locations on the top surface area of the hand 11.

7 [0036] In certain embodiments, the connection points 13 can be evenly or uniformly 8 distributed throughout all or a portion of the outer surface area of the glove 10. In alternate 9 embodiments, the connection points 13 can be non-uniformly distributed throughout all or a select portion(s) of the outer surface area of the glove 10,

12 [0037] The glove 10 also includes a plurality of resistance bands 14 spread across the outer

13 surface area of the glove 10. As such, suitable connection points 13 include, but are not limited

14 to, connection points 13 that are configured to anchor the plurality of resistance bands 14 to the glove 10.

17 [0038] Similar to the connection points 13, the resistance bands 14 can be present on a 18 portion and up to substantially all of only the top surface 12 of the glove 10, on a portion and up 19 to substantially all of only the bottom surface of the glove 10, or the resistance bands 14 can be present on a portion and up to substantially all of the surface area across the entire outer 21 surface area of the glove 10, meaning at least portions of both the top 12 and bottom surfaces 22 of the glove 10, 24 [0039] In particular, with regard to the above-described configured, the resistance bands 14 can be present on a portion and up to substantially all of only the outer surface of the top 26 surface 12 of the glove 10, on a portion and up to substantially all of only the outer surface of 27 the bottom surface of the glove 10, or the resistance bands 14 can be present on a portion and 28 up to substantially all of the surface area across the entire outer surface area of the glove 10, 29 meaning at least portions of both outer surfaces of the top 12 and bottom surface of the glove 10.

32 [0040] In certain embodiments, the resistance bands 14 can be uniformly or evenly 33 distributed throughout all or a portion of the outer surface area of the glove 10. regardless of 34 whether the resistance bands 14 are present on all or a part of the top surface 12, all or a part of 22736305,1 CA Application Bakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 the bottom surface of the glove 10, or on all or a part of both top 12 and bottom surfaces of the 2 glove 10.

4 [0041] In alternate embodiments, the resistance bands 14 can be non-uniformly distributed throughout all or a select portion(s) of the outer surface area of the glove 10.

7 [0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a glove 10 embodiment where the resistance bands 14 substantially 8 exist within the planar surface or planar surface area of the hand 11 and/or the glove 10, the 9 planar surface being substantially parallel to the surface of the hand 11 and/or the glove 10.
That is to say, substantially no portion of the resistance bands 14 extend to an area that is 11 outside of the planar surface or planar surface area of the hand 11 and/or glove 10.

13 [0043] Alternatively, any portion(s) of the resistance bands 14 can be configured to extend 14 outside of the planar surface or the planar surface area of the hand 11 and/or glove 10, as shown in FIG. 2.

17 [0044] Returning to FIG. 1, the resistance bands 14 can be configured to be removably 18 attached to the connection points 13. For example, the resistance bands 14 can be removably 19 attached to the connection points via anchoring mechanisms (not illustrated). Other suitable mechanisms for removably attaching the resistance bands 14 to the connection points 13 21 include, but are not limited to, snap-fit closure mechanisms, tie strips, bendable wire strips.
22 adhesives, VELCRO fasteners, removable joints, clips, and the like.

24 [0045] The connection points 13 also be configured to removably attach the resistance bands 14 to the glove 10 via, for example, snap-fit closure mechanisms, tie strips, bendable 26 wire strips, adhesives, VELCRO fasteners, removable joints, clips, and the like.

28 [0046] The glove 10 can also include at least one adjustable resistance mechanism(s) (not' 29 illustrated) connected to the glove 10. In embodiments, the adjustable resistance mechanism(s) can be connected to or positioned at the outer surface area of the top surface 12 of the glove 31 10. Alternatively, the adjustable resistance mechanism(s) can be connected to or positioned at 32 the outer surface area of the bottom surface of the glove 10. In cases where it is desired, the 33 adjustable resistance mechanism(s) can be connected to or positioned at both the outer surface 34 of the top surface 12 and bottom surface of the glove 10.

22736305.1 CA Apphcation Slakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 [0047] As such, in cases where there are multiple adjustable resistance mechanisms, the 2 placement of the mechanisms is not particularly limited. For example, one or more adjustable 3 resistance mechanisms can be placed on the outer surface area of the upper surface 12 of the 4 glove 10, and the remainder can be placed on the outer surface area of the lower surface of the glove 10. Alternatively, all of the adjustable resistance mechanisms can be placed entirely on 6 the upper surface 12 of the glove 10; or entirely on the lower surface.

8 [0048] Adjustable resistance mechanism(s) can also be secured or attached adjacent to the 9 glove 10, such as at or near a location of where a user's wrist would be located. In embodiments, adjustable resistance mechanism(s) can also be secured to the glove 10 by way 11 of a wire, rope, or a thread.

13 [0049] Suitable adjustable resistance mechanisms include, but are not limited to, a dial 14 tensioner, an adjustable knob, and/or a series of buttons connected to the glove 10. With a dial tensioner, the resistance of the glove 10 can be adjusted based on a position of the dial, and 16 similarly with changing a position of an adjustable knob. Regarding a series of buttons as an 17 adjustable resistance mechanism, the glove 10 can be configured such that the resistance of 18 the glove is controlled by push button configuration, similar to that of a remote control glove for 19 a television, or thermostats in a house.
21 [0050] In embodiments, the at least one adjustable resistance mechanism can be 22 configured to be able to adjust values or degrees of resistance to motion via the plurality of 23 resistance bands 14.

[0051] In cases where it is desired, the glove 10 can include a single adjustable resistance 26 mechanism to control or adjust separate regions of the glove 10 to separate levels and/or 27 degrees of resistance. Alternatively, the glove 10 can include multiple adjustable resistance 28 mechanisms, each of which may be configured to or adapted to adjust and/or control the 29 resistance of separately assigned areas of the glove 10.
31 [0052] In certain embodiments, the adjustable resistance mechanism(s) can also be 32 configured to control or allow for adjusting separate regions of the glove 10 to separate degrees 33 of resistance. For example, the adjustable resistance mechanism(s) can be configured to 34 control or adjust the resistance of the thumb 16 area to a separate level of resistance than the 22736305.1 . CA 02893041 2015-05-20 CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 index finger, or to a separate level of resistance than any one and up to all of the remaining 2 digits 15.

4 [0053] For example, the glove 10 can be configured to have one or more than one adjustable resistance mechanism(s) configured to allow for separately adjusting the degree or 6 level of resistance for each individual digit 15. For example, each digit

15 can also have its level 7 of resistance controlled by its own uniquely assigned adjustable resistance mechanism.
8 Alternatively, a glove 10 can be configured having only one adjustable resistance mechanism, 9 where the adjustable resistance mechanism is configured to only allow for the adjustment and/or control of the resistance of the thumb 16 and/or all adjustable resistance areas of the 11 glove 10.

13 [0054] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that gloves of the present disclosure can be 14 configured to have any number of adjustable resistance mechanism(s), which can further be configured to control and/or adjust the resistance corresponding to any one and up to all of the

16 anatomically allowable and/or anatomically available movements of the hand 11 and

17 corresponding digits 15.

18

19 [0055] As such, fingers, a type of digit on the human hand 11, can undergo several types of articulations and/or movements, based in part on its joint structure, Fingers contain both 21 metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints, with the exception of the thumb, or the 22 opposing digit on the human hand. The thumb is discussed separately and in greater detail 23 further below.

[0056] Metacarpophalangeal joints are located between the metacarpal bones and the 26 phalanges of the fingers. MetacarpopKalangeal joints are of the condyloid kind, formed by the 27 reception of the rounded heads of the metacarpal bones into shallow cavities on the proximal 28 ends of the first phalanges.

[0057] Metacarpophalangeal joints are capable of flexion, extension.
adduction, abduction, 31 and circumduction movements. Metacarpophalangeal flexion movements generally involve a 32 bending of the joint resulting in a decrease of angle, such as moving the base of the fingers 33 toward the palm of the hand. On the other hand, metacarpophalangeal extension movements 22736305.1 CA Application 81akes Ref: 12329/00001 1 generally involve a straightening of the joint resulting in an increase of angle. such as moving 2 the base of the fingers away from the palm of the hand.

4 [0058] As for adduction and abduction movements, metacarpophalangeal adduction movements involve a medial movement toward the axial line of the hand, such as movement of 6 the fingers toward the middle finger. Metacarpophalangeal abduction movements involve a 7 lateral movement away from the axial line of the hand, such as moving the fingers away from 8 the middle finger. Metacarpophalangeal adduction and abduction are limited however, and 9 generally cannot be performed when the fingers or digits are flexed.
11 [0059] Finally, metacarpophalangeal circumduction movements are movements in which 12 flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction movements are sequentially combined As such, 13 generally any joint whereby flexion, extension, adduction, and abduetion movements can occur 14 is also capable of circurnduction movement 16 [0060] Interphalangeal joints are joints located between the fingers bones, or phalanges, of 17 the hand. In human hands, with the exception of the thumb, two sets of interphalangeal joints 18 exist (1) proximal interphalangeal joints (PIJ or PIP); and (2) distal interphalangeal joints (DIJ or 19 DIP). Proximal interphalangeal joints are located between the first (proximal) and second (intermediate) phalanges, and distal interphalangeal joints are located between the second and 21 third phalanges.

23 [0061] The only movements capable of being performed by interphalangeal joints are 24 flexion and extension movements. Interphalangeal flexion movements generally involve the bending of the joint resulting in a decrease of angle, such as moving the distal two segments of 26 the fingers toward the base of the finger. On the other hand, interphalangeal extension 27 movements generally involve the straightening of the joint resulting in an increase of angle, such 28 as moving the distal two segments of the fingers away from the base of the fingers.

[0062] With regard to the thumb, the human thumb has carpometacarpal, 31 metacarpophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints. The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the 32 thumb is also referred to the first carpometacarpal joint, or the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMC), 33 because it connects the trapezium to the first metacarpal bone.

22736305,1 CA Application Blokes Ref: 12329/00001 1 [0063] The CMG joint of the thumb is capable of flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, 2 and opposition movements. The CMC thumb joint flexes and extends in a plane parallel to the 3 palm. Flexion movements of the CMC thumb joint involve bending the joint resulting in a 4 decrease of angle, such as moving the bone below the thumb toward the hand and slightly forward. Extension movements of the CMC thumb joint involve straightening the joint resulting 6 in an increase of angle, such as moving the bone below the thumb away from the hand and 7 slightly back.

9 [0064] With regard to adduction and abduction movements of the CMC
thumb joint, the CMC joint adduct and abduct in a plane perpendicular to the palm. Adduction movements 11 involve medial movement toward the midline of the body, such as moving the bone below the 12 thumb toward the back of the wrist; whereas abduction movements of the CMC thumb joint 13 involve lateral movement away from the midline of the body, such as moving the bone below the 14 thumb toward the front of the wrist.
16 [0065] Finally, opposition movements of the CMC thumb joint involve diagonal movement of 17 the thumb across the palm of the hand making contact with the fingers.
Given the vast amount 18 activities that the typical human can undertake using his/her hands (e.g., playing various sports, 19 musical instruments, keyboard typing, grabbing, gripping, and holding items, etc.) the CMC
(carpometacarpal) joint of the thumb can require a great deal of strength and flexibility training.
21 Likewise, the CMC joint can be stressed repeatedly in its three main planes of movement:
22 abduction¨adduction, flexion¨extension, and opposition and subject to debilitating conditions 23 such as arthritis.

[0066] The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the thumb acts somewhat as a hinge joint, 26 and is capable of flexion, extension, abduction and adduction movements.
Flexion movements 27 of the MCP joint of the thumb generally involve bending the joint resulting in a decrease of 28 angle, such as moving the base of the thumb toward the heel of the hand.
Extension 29 movements of the MCP joint of the thumb generally involve straightening the joint resulting in an increase of angle, such as moving the base of the thumb away from the heel of the hand. MCP
31 joint flexion and extension movements generally occur in a plane parallel to the palm.

33 [0067] Abduction movements of the MCP thumb joint involve lateral movement away from 34 the midline of the body, such as a slight movement of the base of the thumb away from the back 22736305.1 CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 of the hand; whereas adduction movements of the MCP thumb joint involve medial movement 2 toward the midline of the body, such as a slight movement of the base of the thumb toward the 3 back of the hand. As with adduction and abduction movements of the CMC
thumb joint, the 4 MPC thumb joint also adducts and abducts in a plane perpendicular to the palm.
6 [0068] Unlike the remaining digits of the human hand, the thumb has only two phalanges 7 and therefore only one interphalangeal (IP) joint. The interphalangeal joint of the thumb is 8 capable of flexion and extension/hyperextension movements. In flexion movements, the IP joint 9 of the thumb is bent resulting in a decrease of angle, such as moving the distal segments of the thumb toward the base of the thumb.

12 [0069] Extension/hyperextension movements of the IP joint of the thumb involve 13 straightening of the joint resulting in an increase of angle, such as moving the distal segments of 14 the thumb away from the base of the thumb.
16 [0070] Accordingly in view of the above, gloves of the present disclosure can be configured 17. to individually control and/or adjust the resistance of at least one and up to all of 18 metacarpophalangeal digit flexion, metacarpophalangeal digit extension, metacarpophalangeal 19 abduction, metacarpophalangeal adduction, and/or metacarpophalangeal circumduction movement(s). The resistance can be controlled by one or more than one adjustable resistance 21 mechanism(s) in multiple configurations, as discussed above.

23 [0071] In embodiments, the adjustable resistance mechanism(s) of gloves of the present 24 disclosure can also be configured to individually control and/or adjust resistance for at least one and up to all of interphalangeal flexion and interphalangeal extension movement(s); and/or digit 26 flexion and digit extension movement(s).

28 [0072] Moreover, the adjustable resistance mechanism(s) of the glove a10 can also be 29 configured to individually control and/or adjust resistance for and one and up to all of adduction and abduction resisted movement; and/or flexion and extension resisted movement.

32 [0073] With regard to adduction and abduction resisted movement, lines 17, as shown in 33 FIG. 1, indicate the resistance between the digits 15 (e.g., fingers) for abduction and adduction 34 movements.

CA Application Ellakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 [0074] Gloves and devices of the present disclosure can also be configured to individually 2 control and/or adjust resistance for circumduction movement. Moreover, it will be appreciated 3 that the glove 10 can also be configured to individually control and/or adjust the resistance for 4 any one and up to a combination of all of the thumb movements, as described above.
6 [0075] In embodiments, the material of the resistance bands is not particularly limited, and 7 can be made of any strong, resilient, durable, flexible and non-toxic rubber, composite, or plastic 8 material, such as natural and synthetic rubbers or a blend of synthetic rubbers, nylons, 9 polyesters, and vinyl plastics. In embodiments, illustrative examples of suitable materials that the first and second portions can be made of include, but are not limited to, neoprene plastic, 11 isoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene, ethylene-propylene, butyl, chloroprene, nitrile 12 rubber, polyurethane, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and mixtures thereof.

14 [0076] In embodiments, the material of the glove is not particularly limited, and can be made of animal material (e.g., wool, silk, leather), plant material (e.g., cotton, flax, jute, hemp), and/or 16 synthetic materials (nylon, polyester, acrylic fibers, latex and latex composites) and 17 combinations thereof.

19 [0077] Suitable material for the glove also includes gripping material, such as any slip resistant, high friction and vibration dampening material capable of enhancing the overall 21 strength and grasping capabilities of the glove.

23 [0078] In embodiments, portions of the glove can be reinforced with additional material.
24 Said additional material can be located at one and up to all of the tips of the digits of the glove, the palm surface, the portion of the hand between the thumb and index finger, and/or at the 26 location of one and up to all of the connection points.

28 [0079] The additional or reinforcing material can also be located across portions up to and 29 including all of the surface area of the lower surface of the glove, and across portions including up to and including all of the surface area of the upper surface of the glove.

32 [0080] The additional of reinforcing material can be of the same or different material than 33 the material of the glove. In embodiments, the material type of the additional material is not 34 particularly limited and can be made of animal material (e.g., wool, silk, leather), plant material (e.g., cotton, flax, jute. hemp), and/or synthetic materials (nylon, polyester, acrylic fibers, latex 22736305.1 CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 and latex composite materials) and combinations thereof. Suitable material type also includes 2 gripping material, such as any slip resistant, high friction and vibration dampening material 3 capable of enhancing the overall strength and grasping capabilities of the glove.
4' [0081] In embodiments, the glove can be lined with additional material on the inner surface 6 of and one of the inner surface(s) of the top and bottom surface(s) of the glove.

8 [0082] In certain embodiments, one and up to all of the digit tips of the glove can be open, 9 thereby exposing the tip(s) of the digit(s) or finger(s).
11 [0083] With reference to FIG. 2, a glove 20 according to alternate embodiments of the 12 present disclosure is illustrated. The glove 20 includes a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 13 (not illustrated). Both the top surface 22 and the bottom surface of the glove 20 can also 14 include an inner and an outer surface. The inner surface of the top surface 22 of the glove 20 can generally correspond to the surface of the glove that is closest in contact to a top surface of 16 a hand 21, and the inner surface of the bottom surface of the glove 20 can generally correspond 17 to the surface of the glove that is closest in contact to a bottom surface of the hand 21 (e.g., 18 where a palm of the hand 21 is located).

[0084] The glove 20 can be configured to substantially cover the hand 21, including a 21 plurality of digits 25 with a thumb 26, similar and corresponding to configurations for glove 10 of 22 FIG. 1 contemplated herein. As such, the above description regarding coverage configurations 23 of glove 10 of FIG. 1 applies to glove 29 of FIG. 2 and is incorporated herein by reference in its 24 entirety. Accordingly, for sake of brevity and clarity, the above description regarding coverage configurations will not be repeated herein.

27 [0085] A plurality of connection points 23 can also be provided across the outer surface 28 area of the glove 20. The glove 20 can also include a plurality of resistance bands 24 29 removably attached throughout the outer surface area of the glove 20. As shown in FIG. 2, in cases where it is desired, the resistance bands 24 can extend outside of a planar surface of the 31 hand 21 (see e.g., the resistance bands 24 extending across the space between the thumb 26 32 and index finger of FIG. 2).

34 [0086] The resistance bands 24 can be removably attached to the glove 20 at the connection points 23. The above description regarding the resistance bands 14 and the 22736305.1 CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 connection points 13 of glove 10 of FIG. 1 applies in its entirety to glove 20 of FIG. 2, and is 2 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Accordingly, the above description regarding 3 the resistance bands 14 and connection points 13 of FIG. 1 will not be repeated herein for sake 4 of brevity and clarity.
6 [0087] The glove 20 can also include at least one adjustable resistance mechanism 27.
7 The above description regarding adjustable resistance mechanism(s) with regard to the glove 8 10 of FIG. 1 applies to glove 20 of FIG. 2, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
9 Accordingly, the above description regarding adjustable resistance mechanism(s) will not be repeated herein for sake of brevity and clarity.

=
12 [0088] Gloves of the present invention also include embodiments where resistance band(s) 13 are fixably or substantially permanently attached or affixed to the glove. Namely. instead of 14 being removably attached to the glove, the resistance bands can be substantially permanently affixed to the glove.

17 [0089] Suitable examples for fixably attaching resistance bands to the glove include, but are 18 not limited to, sewing, molding, stapling, clamping, superficially attaching resistance bands to 19 the outer surface of the glove, and/or tying resistance bands into the material and/or surface of the glove, and/or applying adhesive(s) between the resistance bands and the material and/or 21 surface of the glove, and the like.

23 [0090] In cases where resistance band(s) are fixably attached to the glove, the glove can 24 also be configured to allow for a set degree and/or set range of resistance values. Therefore, instead of including an adjustable resistance mechanism to control or adjust the resistance of 26 the glove, the glove can be pre-configured to allow for a set degree and/or a set range of 27 resistance values associated with various hand and finger articulations and movements.

29 [0091] For example, gloves where -esistance bands are fixably attached to the glove can be configured to allow for a set degree and/or a set range of resistance values for at least one and 31 up to all of: metacarpophalangeal digit flexion movement, metacarpophalangeal digit extension 32 movement, metacarpophalangeal abduction movement, metacarpophalangeal adduction 33 movement, metacarpophalangeal circumduction movement, interphalangeal flexion movement, 34 interphalangeal extension movement, digit flexion movement, digit extension movement, 22736305.1 CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 1 adduction and abduction movement, thumb movement, flexion resisted movement, extension 2 resisted movement, and/or circumduction resisted movement.

4 [0092] Also provided herein are methods for controlling and adjusting hand movement.
Methods include applying a glove to cover a hand. The glove can include a at least one 6 resistance band. The resistance band(s) can be similar to those described herein, 8 [0093] Methods can further include adjusting and controlling degrees of resistance to motion 9 using the resistance band(s) of the glove. The motion(s) that can be adjusted include any motion capable of being anatomically performed by a hand, including but not limited to any one 11 of the above-described motions.

13 [0094] It will also be appreciated that gloves of the present disclosure can be used in 14 methods for rehabilitating a subject, and well as in methods for engaging in athletic and movement-related activities and exercising. More specifically, gloves of the present disclosure 16 can be used while engaged in any number of athletic, movement-related, and/or sporting 17 activities, such as playing football, baseball, running, walking, playing tennis, and the like. In 18 any one of these sports and/or activities, a user's hand can be engaged in, e.g., throwing a ball, 19 grasping a bat or racquet, catching a ball, and/or grabbing and holding onto surfaces. Because it is not necessary for a user to remove the glove when engaged in such activities, a user can 21 benefit from added resistance to various engaged joint and muscle groups.

23 [0095] Accordingly, it may be beneficial for the user to utilize the glove while simultaneously 24 engaged in activities to, for example, provide for additional training, strength conditioning, flexibility development, muscle development, and the like in various ranges of movement, as 26 well as for rehabilitative treatment. As noted above, a user can utilize the glove of the present 27 disclosure and wear it on his/her hand while catching a ball. This way, various joints and 28 muscles that are typically used to grip and hold the ball can be further strengthened and 29 enhanced, by adding resistance to said joints and muscles through the glove.
31 [0096] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means plus 32 function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, or material, for 33 performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The 34 descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for CA Application Blakes Ref 12329/00001 1 purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments 2 disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art 3 without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.
The terminology 4 used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable 6 others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

8 [0097] It will be appreciated that not all of the features, components and/or activities 9 described above in the general detailed description in relation to embodiments of the present disclosure or the examples are required, that a portion of a specific feature, component and/or 11 activity may not be required, and that one or more further features, components and/or activities 12 may be required, added or performed in addition to those described.
Still further, the orders in 13 which activities are listed are not necessarily the order in which they are performed.

[0098] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above 16 with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, 17 and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more 18 pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the 19 claims.
21 [0099) After reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that certain features 22 are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided 23 in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, 24 described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombination.

27 [00100] In the foregoing, reference to specific embodiments and the connections of certain 28 components is illustrative. It will be appreciated that reference to components as being coupled 29 or connected is intended to disclose either direct connection between said components or indirect connection through one or more intervening components as will be appreciated to carry 31 out the methods as discussed herein. As such, the above-disclosed subject matter is to be 32 considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all 33 such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true scope of 34 the present invention.

22736305.1 CA Application Blakes Ref: 12329/00001 2 [00101] Further, references to values stated in ranges include each and every value within 3 that range, and the endpoints of said ranges. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the 4 scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing 6 detailed description.

8 [00102] Although the above description includes reference to certain specific embodiments, 9 various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any examples provided herein are included solely for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to be limiting in any 11 way. Any drawings provided herein are solely for the purpose of illustrating various aspects of 12 the description and are not intended to be drawn to scale or to be limiting in any way. The 13 scope of the claims appended hereto should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set 14 forth in the above description, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the present specification as a whole.

22736305.1

Claims

1. A glove configured to be worn on the hand of a human user, comprising:
glove digits and glove joints corresponding to the anatomical configuration of the user's hand and wrist;
a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface and the bottom surface each having an inner surface and an outer surface;
a plurality of tie strips positioned across an outer surface area of the glove, wherein the plurality of tie strips are positioned at digit joint locations;
a plurality of resistance bands configured to be removably attached to the plurality of tie strips; and a dial tensioner connected to the glove and located at the wrist, wherein each of the resistance bands is attached at a joint on a first digit, extends across the space between the first digit and an adjacent second digit, contacts the tie strip positioned on the second digit, is redirected at the tie strip on the second digit to extend to the dial tensioner, such that turning the dial tensioner causes a change in the level of resistance of the band.

2. The glove of claim 1, wherein the glove comprises a separate adjustable resistance mechanism corresponding to each individual digit.

3. The glove of claim 2, wherein the dial tensioners are configured to allow for adjusting the resistance bands of separate regions of the glove to separate degrees of resistance.

4. The glove of claim 2, wherein the dial tensioners are configured to allow for separately adjusting the degree of resistance of a resistance band corresponding to each individual digit of the glove.

5. The glove of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of tie strips are located only on the top surface of the glove.

6. The glove of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of tie strips are located on both the top surface and the bottom surface of the glove.

7. The glove of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a tie strip is positioned at a metacarpophalangeal finger joint.

8. The glove of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a resistance band extends between tie strips positioned at: a proximal interphalangeal joint of the first digit and a proximal interphalangeal joint of the second digit; an interphalangeal thumb joint and a distal interphalangeal finger joint; or a metacarpophalangeal thumb joint and a proximal interphalangeal finger joint.

9. The glove of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of tie strips comprises at least four tie strips, and wherein of the plurality of tie strips is positioned at each of: a proximal interphalangeal finger joint; a metacarpophalangeal finger joint; a carpometacarpal thumb joint;
and a metacarpophalangeal thumb joint.

10. The glove of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of resistance bands are non-uniformly distributed on a select portion of the outer surface of the glove.

11. The glove of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of resistance bands extend outside of the planar surface area of the glove.

12. The glove of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first digit corresponds to the user's thumb and the second digit corresponds to the user's adjacent index finger.

13. The glove of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first and second digits corresponds to adjacent fingers of the user.

14. A glove comprising:
a top surface and a bottom surface;
a plurality of connection points positioned across an outer surface area of the glove;
a plurality of resistance bands configured to be removably mounted to the plurality of connection points; and at least one adjustable resistance mechanism connected to the glove and configured to be located at a user's wrist, wherein the at least one adjustable resistance mechanism is configured to adjust degrees of resistance to motion via the plurality of resistance bands.

15. The glove of claim 14, wherein the plurality of resistance bands are mounted in a fixed position to the plurality of connection points.

16. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein the plurality of connection points are simultaneously located at corresponding opposite positions on both the top surface and bottom surface of the glove.

17. The glove of claim 16, wherein connection points on the bottom surface of the glove are located at positions corresponding to digit joint locations along a length of the glove.

18. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the at least one adjustable resistance mechanism is configured to separately adjust the degree of resistance for each individual digit to different degrees of resistance.

19. The glove of claim 18, wherein the glove includes a separate adjustable resistance mechanism for each individual digit.

20. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein at least one of the plurality of resistance bands extends across the space between two digits.

21. The glove of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein a plurality of resistance bands extends across the space between two digits at corresponding connection points on the top surface and the bottom surface of the glove.

22. The glove of any one of claims 20 to 21, wherein the position at which each band extending across the space between two digits is located corresponds to digit joint locations on each digit.

23. The glove of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the at least one adjustable resistance mechanism is configured to adjust resistance of the at least one of the plurality of resistance bands extending across the space between two digits.

24. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein one or more adjustable resistance mechanisms are located simultaneously on both the top surface of the glove and on the bottom surface of the glove.

25. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 24, wherein at least one of the plurality of resistance bands does not contact the glove.

26. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein the connection points are tie strips and the resistance bands are configured to be removably mounted to corresponding tie strips.

27. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 26, wherein the glove is configured to allow for only certain degrees of movement for a select number of digits.

28. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 27, wherein the plurality of connection points are located at positions corresponding to digit joint locations along a length of digits of the glove.

29. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 28, wherein each connection point is located at a position corresponding to a digit joint location.

30. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 29, wherein the glove includes three connection points at positions corresponding to digit joint locations along the length of one digit of the glove.

31. The glove of any one of claims 14 to 30, wherein the plurality of connection points are positioned at a proximal interphalangeal finger joint, a metacarpophalangeal finger joint and a distal interphalangeal finger joint of at least one digit.