DE202023103409U1 - Finger and hand training device - Google Patents

Abstract

Finger and hand training device (1), comprising an elastic base body (2) with a circumferential groove (3) and at least one elastic ring element (4), which can be arranged in the groove (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a finger and hand training device, which can be used in particular to train the muscles in the finger and hand area of people, for example to strengthen the muscles after an illness or with age-related problems and/or for a sporting challenge. In the medical field, there are patients who cannot recover in time after a finger injury. Rehabilitation training is necessary to promote finger recovery.

A variety of training devices are known, such as from CN 212187676 U . It explains that the elasticity of a finger trainer decreases after prolonged use, that the finger strength of different groups of people is different and that the resistance of previously known finger trainers cannot be adjusted. Therefore, a finger extensor muscle training device with a ball handle and a large number of telescopic parts arranged on the ball handle is proposed, with components for resistance adjustment being provided for the telescopic parts. However, this finger trainer only offers a limited training option for stretching the fingers and is also relatively complex to produce.

It is the object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems and requirements described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a finger and hand training device should be specified that is not only simple to construct but can also be used very flexibly. In particular, it should be easy to use for people or patents who may have restricted movement in the finger and hand area and/or who find it difficult to teach complex training processes. In addition, blood circulation in the finger and hand area should be improved. Furthermore, it should also be suitable for specifically training the finger and/or hand muscles of athletes and musicians.

This task is solved with a finger and hand training device according to the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiment variants are specified in the dependent claims. The features listed in the claims can be combined with one another in any technologically sensible manner and characterize further exemplary embodiments. The description, especially in connection with the figures, explains and specifies these features, from which further exemplary embodiments result.

A finger and hand training device contributes to this, which has an elastic, cushion-shaped base body with a circumferential groove and at least one elastic ring element which can be arranged in the groove.

The finger and hand training device can be designed as a set, with a (single) base body with one or more ring elements forming a device unit.

The base body in particular has a dimension or a volume that can be picked up or held in the hand by a predetermined group of people, in particular adults. The base body is preferably configured in such a way that it cannot be completely enclosed by the fingers of the hand, at least not in a predetermined orientation of the base body in the hand.

The base body is provided with an elastic material so that it can be used, for example. B. deformed or compressed when exposed to external pressure (locally) and then springs back into its original shape or relaxes. The elasticity of the base body when exposed to local external pressure (e.g. from a finger) can be essentially the same across its surface. It is (alternatively) also possible for the base body to have predetermined (surface) zones and for the elasticity of the base body to differ noticeably from one another in these zones when subjected to local external pressure (e.g. from a finger).

The base body preferably has a core- or cushion-like shape, which means in particular that it is not designed like a ball. Instead, the base body can be adapted to the inner contour of a (half) clenched hand.

The base body has a (single) circumferential groove. This is in particular submitted and intended to accommodate at least one ring element circumferentially. In other words, the groove forms a recess in which the ring element can be arranged in a relatively captive but detachable manner. In particular, the groove is designed in such a way that the inner side of the ring element fits essentially precisely. The base body with the groove can be set up in such a way that the ring element must first be stretched slightly in order to be inserted into the groove. Once the ring element has been brought into proper contact with the groove, the ring element is preferably (almost) relaxed again.

The at least one ring element is also provided with an elastic material. Its contour can essentially correspond to a circumference of the base body, in particular in Area of the circumferential groove. Several ring elements can be provided, e.g. B. can also differ in that they can still be held in a detachable position in the groove of the base body. The ring element has a compact cross section and is therefore not designed to be disk-shaped.

The base body and/or the at least one ring element can be designed to be oval (separately from one another and/or joined together). Both are preferably oval. The oval (cross-sectional) shape results in particular when you (first) look at the finger and hand training device perpendicular to a plane through the groove or through the central opening of the ring element. It is possible that the oval shape is not present in all viewing directions, with a round (cross-sectional) shape being present in particular in a (second) viewing direction, which is oriented perpendicular to the first viewing direction.

The base body can be provided with a surface structure outside the groove that includes ribs. In particular, the surface structures can be designed to be the same or symmetrical on both sides of the circumferential groove. A plurality of (elastic) ribs running next to one another is preferably formed, which extend from the groove over the top or bottom back to the groove. The ribs are formed in one piece with the base body, i.e. in particular with the same material. The ribs can have an outwardly facing rib height of 2.0 to 6.0 mm [millimeters] and/or a perpendicular rib thickness in the range of 2.0 to 5.0 mm [millimeters].

It is possible for one, several or all ribs to extend vertically or radially from the surface of the base body and/or to be laterally inclined (at least in sections along their course). Due to the inclination, at least one edge region of the rib can nestle (spaced apart) against the surface of the base body, so that softer contact zones are formed. A softer contact zone can be provided, for example, in a central section of the base body further away from the ring element or the groove. It is possible for a rib to extend essentially radially starting from a groove, then to be inclined along the course and finally to extend radially outwards again. It is possible for a threshold value to be provided for a single, several or all ribs with respect to the rib height, with a radial extension being provided at a rib height below this and an inclined extension being provided when the threshold value is exceeded.

Some or all of the ribs may extend from a first portion of the groove to an opposite second portion of the groove. It is not necessary that the ribs reach the groove exactly diametrically opposite, but rather a certain offset, for example in a predetermined circumferential direction, can be set.

The ribs can have a curved course. This means in particular that they are not (completely) straight. It is possible for these to form at least one curvature with a predetermined radius of curvature perpendicular to the course. It is possible for the ribs to form several, in particular two, curvatures, with the radius of curvature being oriented differently. It is possible for the ribs to form a concave and/or convex curvature. The rib can have a wave shape.

Adjacent ribs can have a changing distance from one another over their course. In particular, it is possible that their distance near the groove is smaller than in a central sector or sector further away from the groove. The base body can therefore have a central sector on the top and/or bottom, in which the distances between adjacent ribs from one another are increased, so that the ribs there have a larger bending space.

The at least one ring element can be designed with depressions on the radial outside. The depressions are preferably designed in such a way that they enable predetermined fingers or fingertips to rest (in a non-slip manner). Eight depressions are preferably provided. The depressions are distributed over the circumference of the ring element or are spaced apart from one another. The depressions are preferably only directed outwards, i.e. in particular not arranged on the inside, which is brought into contact with the groove.

The ring element can form two opposite areas in which the or all depressions are arranged. The two areas can be spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction by a smooth section of the ring element, which has an extent that is greater than the distance of most of the recesses from one another or even greater than the width of the recess in the circumferential direction, possibly even by a multiple of this. In particular, the depressions are not holes or material breakthroughs. In particular, the depressions do not extend through the material of the ring element, but rather z. B. less than 30% of the (radial) material thickness. The Depressions are provided, in particular on the outside, approximately perpendicular to the (single) central opening of the ring element.

The finger and hand training device can have several elastic ring elements that have different elasticities from one another. The different elasticity can be adjusted via the material and/or the shape (in particular material thickness).

It is possible for the groove to have a groove cross section that allows a finger to be accommodated. This can mean that the dimensions of the groove and ring element are adapted to the shape of the finger. The groove not only serves as a holding option for the ring element, but it also interacts with the finger during training.

The ring element can protrude beyond the base body if it is arranged in the groove. The projection is preferably a maximum of 60% of the (radial) material thickness of the ring element. In the assembled situation, the ring element is preferably accommodated approximately half in the groove and approximately half protrudes. In particular, an overhang is formed all around. The depressions can therefore also form part of the surface structure of the finger and hand training device. In particular, the projection can enable the finger and hand training device to have a different elasticity or flexibility in the circumferential area (with the ring element) than in the other areas (top and bottom).

The base body can be made of silicone or silicone rubber. It is possible to provide the base body made of thermoplastic rubber (TPE = thermoplastic elastomers or TRP = thermoplastic rubber).

The at least one ring element can (also) consist of silicone or silicone rubber. It is possible to provide the base body made of thermoplastic rubber (TPE = thermoplastic elastomers or TRP = thermoplastic rubber).

Silicone has the advantage that the hardness and elasticity can be adjusted very precisely from Shore 20 to Shore 80, with, for example, around Shore 20 for use by beginners, seniors or convalescents and around Shore 60-80 for archers or certain musicians, which have to use a lot of force with individual fingers can be provided. The characteristic value “Shore (A)” usually refers to the hardness of plastics and elastomers and is determined by a person skilled in the art in a known test test, in which a needle is pressed into the material and the characteristic value is determined via the depth of penetration in relation to the force applied.

The base body and/or ring element preferably have a Shore A hardness of more than 20, in particular up to 60 or 80.

The silicone is food-safe and skin-friendly.

• 1: eine Seitenansicht auf ein Finger- und Handtrainingsgerät,
• 2: eine Draufsicht auf das Finger- und Handtrainingsgerät nach 1,
• 3: eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Grundkörpers,
• 4: eine Draufsicht auf ein Ringelement,
• 5: den Grundkörper im Trainingseinsatz,
• 6: das Ringelement im Trainingseinsatz,
• 7: das Finger- und Handtrainingsgerät im Trainingseinsatz, und
• 7: das Finger- und Handtrainingsgerät im Massageeinsatz.

The invention is further explained below with reference to figures, without being limited to these embodiment variants. In addition, the features explained above are visualized. Unless explicitly excluded, the above descriptions can be used to characterize the figures and/or the explanations for the figures can be used to further specify the features from the description and/or claims. The same elements are given the same reference numbers. Unless explicitly excluded, the explanations for an element of a figure can be used to specify a similar element with the same reference number. Show it:

• 1 : a side view of a finger and hand training device,
• 2 : a top view of the finger and hand training device 1 ,
• 3 : a perspective view of a basic body,
• 4 : a top view of a ring element,
• 5 : the basic body in training use,
• 6 : the ring element in training use,
• 7 : the finger and hand training device in training use, and
• 7 : the finger and hand training device in massage use.

1 shows a side view of a finger and hand training device 1, having an elastic base body 2 and - arranged on or around it - an elastic ring element 4. In this side view it can be seen that the base body 2 is designed to be oval. Outside the area with the ring element 4, the base body 2 has a surface structure 5 which has a plurality of ribs 6. The ring element 4 is designed with recesses 11 on the radial outside, with only some of the recesses 11 being visible here.

2 shows a top view of the finger and hand training device 1 1 , whereby the joined state of base body 2 and ring element 4 can also be seen here. In this top view is It can be seen that the base body 2 and the ring element 4 are oval.

The assembled finger and hand training device 1 is designed in such a way that the ring element 4, which is fixed in position in a circumferential groove described below, projects beyond the base body 2 with a projection 15. The projection 15 is larger than the depressions 11, so that the projection 15 (albeit with a different amount) is present over the entire circumference.

3 illustrates a base body 2 alone, which may also be used for the finger and hand training device 1 1 and 2 can be used.

The base body 2 has a surface structure 5 outside the circumferential groove 3, which consists of ribs 6 (and grooves in between). Ribs 6 extend from a first section 7 of the groove 3 to an opposite second section 8 of the groove 3. The ribs 6 have a curved course 9. It can also be seen that adjacent ribs 6 form a path (at least have a changing distance 10 from one another in sections.

The groove 3 also has a groove cross section 14, which enables both the accommodation of the at least one ring element 4 and the accommodation of a finger.

4 illustrates a ring element 4 alone, which may also be used for the finger and hand training device 1 1 and 2 can be used.

The ring element 4 has recesses 11 located radially on the outside, with an inner side facing the central opening or the groove being smooth (or simply curved). The ring element 4 forms two opposite areas (first area 12, second area 13) in which the depressions 11 (each 4 evenly spaced apart) are arranged.

The use of a finger and hand training device disclosed here is diverse. More than 30 different exercises can be easily performed with it. This can actually activate practically all of the muscles and joints of the hand. The finger and hand training device enables at least the following three functions: pulling muscles, stretching muscles and massaging the palm of the hand to improve blood circulation (e.g. also for osteoarthritis). Depending on the exercise goal, the entire device or the components are used individually.

Therefore, the following is only an example of how the finger and hand training device or its components can be used.

5 shows the base body 2 (alone) in training use, with areas of the fingers 16 (here index finger and thumb) and possibly also areas of the hand 17 being accommodated in the groove 3. In this position it is possible to compress the base body 2 essentially along the circumference with the fingers 16 (see arrows).

6 shows the ring element 4 (alone) in training use, with one finger 16 (thumb) forming two loops with the ring element 4, into which two further fingers 16 are inserted. The outer fingers 16 in the loops can be stretched so that the ring element 4 is tensioned over the thumb (see arrows).

7 shows the (joined) finger and hand training device 1 in training use. The base body 2 is picked up in the hand 17 and pressed against the heel of the hand with fingers 16 (see arrows). Furthermore, a finger 16 (here the thumb) is inserted between the groove 3 and the ring element 4 and stretched so that the ring element 4 is stretched and (partially) lifted out of the groove 3 (see arrow).

8th shows the (joined) finger and hand training device 1 in combined finger training and massage use. While the fingers 16 of one hand 17 compress and guide the base body 2, the surface structure 5 massages the inner surface of the other hand 17.

The desired result of such a massage is, in particular, improved blood circulation, which is an advantage in the case of osteoarthritis, for example.

Consequently, the invention has solved the problems and requirements described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a finger and hand training device was specified that is not only simple to construct but can also be used very flexibly. In particular, it is easy to use for people or patents who may have restricted movement in the finger and hand area and/or who find it difficult to teach complex training processes.

It can also improve blood circulation in the finger and hand area.

Reference symbol list

1

Finger and hand training device

2

Basic body

3

Nut

4

Ring element

5

Surface structure

6

rib

7

first section

8th

second part

9

Course

10

Distance

11

deepening

12

first area

13

second area

14

Groove cross section

15

Got over

16

finger

17

hand

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• CN 212187676 U [0002]

Claims (13)

Finger and hand training device (1), comprising an elastic base body (2) with a circumferential groove (3) and at least one elastic ring element (4), which can be arranged in the groove (3). Finger and hand training device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the base body (2) and the ring element (4) are oval. Finger and hand training device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (2) outside the groove (3) is designed with a surface structure (5) comprising ribs (6). Finger and hand training device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein ribs (6) extend from a first section (7) of the groove (3) to an opposite second section (8) of the groove (3). Finger and hand training device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 3 or 4 , wherein the ribs (6) have a curved course (9). Finger and hand training device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 3 until 5 , with adjacent ribs (6) having a changing distance (10) from one another over their course (9). Finger and hand training device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 3 until 5 , wherein one, several or all ribs (6) extend vertically or radially from the surface of the base body (2) and / or are at least partially inclined laterally along their course (9). Finger and hand training device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring element (4) is designed with recesses (11) radially on the outside. Finger and hand training device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the ring element (4) forms two opposite areas (12, 13) in which the recesses (11) are arranged. Finger and hand training device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it has a plurality of elastic ring elements (4) which have elasticity that differs from one another. Finger and hand training device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the groove (3) has a groove cross section (14) which enables a finger to be accommodated. Finger and hand training device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring element (4) projects beyond the base body (2) when it is arranged in the groove (3). Finger and hand training device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (2) is made of silicone rubber and the at least one ring element (4) is made of silicone rubber.

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