EP2659935A1

EP2659935A1 - A training equipment

Info

Publication number: EP2659935A1
Application number: EP13166267.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Wikander
Original assignee: RMJ Health AB
Current assignee: RMJ Health AB
Priority date: 2012-05-02
Filing date: 2013-05-02
Publication date: 2013-11-06
Also published as: SE1350540A1; SE538359C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a training equipment for training or rehabilitation of muscles, to be used around a wrist. The training equipment comprises a tubular deformable body comprising an outer surface arranged to face away from the wrist, an inner surface arranged to face towards the wrist, a front edge arranged to face the index finger, and a distal edge arranged to face away from the index finger, said deformable body being arranged to circumferentially encompass the wrist. The training equipment further comprises a thumb hole arranged in the tubular deformable body for penetration of the thumb, fastening means for fastening of the tubular deformable body around the wrist, at least two openings arranged circumferentially around the tubular deformable body, a ribbon or string for connection to an external resistance. The ribbon or string extends through the openings and at least partially outside the tubular deformable body. The training equipment further comprises a supporting bar which circumferentially extends along at least half of the tubular deformable body, wherein the supporting bar is provided between the ribbon or string and the inner surface of the tubular deformable body in order to receive a force from the external resistance and distribute the force over the supporting bar.

Description

Technical field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a training equipment intended for use on a human hand and for use in the training and/or rehabilitation of the muscles in the hand, arm and/or other parts of the upper body.

Background of the Invention

In today's training and rehabilitation of the upper body is the common method to use resistance which is dragged, for example with a handle or an exercise band, which is gripped with the hand. This type of training makes it possible to perform movements that recall the movement pattern that is used in the everyday life for a more specific training. A disadvantage with this type of training for an athlete is that the hand is busy holding the resistance which makes a sport-specific training with the sport equipment impossible to use at the same time. Today's technique is also unfitting for people with a disability in the hands that makes it hard or even impossible to grip anything with their hands. The solution to this problem today is to tie an exercise band around the wrist but this makes the exercise band to roll up and down on the arm as well as it puts a high pressure on the median nerve. One problem with today's solutions is that many perform a movement wrong or with a smaller handle in a cable cross which is not optimal. Instead the movement should be performed as it is supposed to be and with resistance. It is thus desirable to provide for a training equipment which satisfies these needs.

Summary of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above problems and to provide a training equipment which allow for exercise and rehabilitation of muscles and where the body, such as e.g. an arm, may perform a natural movement. This and other objects, which will become apparent in the following, are accomplished by means of a training equipment defined in the accompanying claims
According to a first embodiment of the invention, a training equipment for training or rehabilitation of muscles, to be used around a wrist, is provided. The training equipment comprises:

a tubular deformable body comprising an outer surface adapted to face away from the wrist, an inner surface adapted to face towards the wrist, a front edge adapted to face the index finger, and a distal edge adapted to face away from the index finger, said deformable body being arranged to extend circumferentially around the wrist;
a thumb hole arranged in said tubular deformable body for penetration of the thumb;
fastening means for fastening of said tubular deformable body around the wrist;
at least two openings arranged circumferentially around said tubular deformable body;
a ribbon or string for connection to an external resistance, said ribbon or string extends through said openings and at least partially outside said tubular deformable body;
wherein
a supporting bar circumferentially extends along at least half of said tubular deformable body, wherein said supporting bar is provided between said ribbon or string and said inner surface of said tubular deformable body in order to receive a force from the external resistance and distribute the force over said supporting bar.

The supporting bar may take up the force from the external resistance and distribute the force along the supporting bar. The supporting bar may in turn distribute the force around the circumference of the wrist. Hereby, the wrist may take up the force over a larger area compared to a training equipment without a supporting bar. This makes the training equipment more gentle on the wrist and reduces the risk of nerves around the wrist to become hurt/jammed. Since the fingers of the hand do not grab the external resistance, the load on the fingers is reduced or even disappears, compared to e.g. dumbbell lifting.
The training equipment may preferably be formed as an open glove, with a separate hole for the thumb, in combination with a wrist protection.
According to at least one example embodiment, said supporting bar is arranged in a space between said outer surface and said inner surface of the tubular deformable body, and wherein said ribbon or string extends over the outer surface of said tubular deformable body and coaxially with said supporting bar, in such a way that the force from the external resistance may be distributed over said ribbon or string to said supporting bar.
According to at least one example embodiment, said ribbon or string runs freely through said openings in said tubular deformable body. That is, the ribbon or string may not be fixed to/fixedly arranged to the training equipment.
According to at least one example embodiment, said ribbon or string extends over at least half said outer surface exterior of said tubular deformable body. The ribbon or string may extend along the outer surface of the tubular deformable body outside of the inside of the wrist and/or outside of the back of the wrist.
According to at least one embodiment, comprises said fastening means for fastening of the tubular deformable body at least one of the following: Velcro^™, a buckle, a lacing. Hereby may the training equipment effectively be tightened around the wrist. Velcro^™ is preferable to use since it is simple and cheap.
According to at least one example embodiment, said openings in the tubular deformable body extend from the outer surface of said tubular deformable body into said space of said tubular deformable body.
According to at least one embodiment, said openings in the tubular deformable body extend from the outer surface of the tubular deformable body into the inner surface of the tubular deformable body. That is, in the latter case, the openings are through openings.
According to at least one example embodiment, said ribbon or string is arranged to at least partially extend in the cavity in said space of said tubular deformable body, and said supporting bar is arranged between said ribbon or string and the inner surface of the tubular deformable body.
According to at least one example embodiment, said supporting bar extends in a direction perpendicular to the circumference of the tubular deformable body. In other words, the supporting bar has an extension, or width, in a direction extending from the distal edge to the front edge of the tubular deformable body. That is, when the training equipment is used on a hand, the supporting bar extends in a direction from the wrist to the middle finger. The width of the supporting bar may vary, but according to at least one embodiment, the width of the supporting bar is between 1-6 cm, or 1-5 cm, or 1-3 cm, or about 1-2 cm.
According to at least one example embodiment, said supporting bar circumferentially extends around a majority of the tubular deformable body. Hereby, the force from the external resistance may be distributed over a larger portion of the supporting bar, and taken up by a larger part of the wrist, thereby being gentler for the user.
According to at least one embodiment, said openings are provided with eyelets for reducing the friction between the ribbon or string and the openings. This allows the ribbon or string to easily slide through said openings.
According to at least one embodiment, said ribbon or string is at least partially comprised of polyester and/or nylon. Hereby, the ribbon or string may be made durable and yet easily slip through the openings. The ribbon or string may be composed of other materials, the main thing is that the ribbon or string is durable and can take up the force from the external resistance without breaking.
According to at least one example embodiment, said training equipment comprises at least four openings arranged in pairs along a periphery of the tubular deformable body, wherein the two pairs of openings is located on opposite sides of the tubular deformable body. Hereby, the ribbon or string may extend into the space in the tubular deformable body and thus be connected/attached to the training equipment, and also on the outer surface of the tubular deformable body, both on the front side of the training equipment intended to face away from the palm, and on the backside of the training equipment intended to face away from the back of the hand. Hereby, the external resistance may be connected both to the front side of the training equipment and the backside of the training equipment. This enhances the functionality of the training equipment since more exercises may be carried out.
According to at least one embodiment, said tubular deformable body at least partially comprises a synthetic rubber material such as chloroprene rubber. Such material is durable and relatively rigid allowing for an increased stability to the wrist. An example of such material is the trademark Neopren^™.
According to at least one example embodiment, said front edge is arranged to extend over the lower part of the palm of the hand, below the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger, between the thumb and index finger and over the back of the hand, in such a way that a majority of palm of the hand is free from the tubular deformable body. In other words, the front edge comprises a diagonal cut running from an upper hold of the thumb down to a distal side of the wrist. This design of the training equipment may also be explained as that the tubular deformable body has an extension perpendicular to its circumference, which is larger at the thumb hole compared to an opposite side of the tubular deformable body.
Thus, a majority of the surface of the palm may be free from the tubular deformable body and training equipment, and the hand may easily be used, e.g. for throwing or catching a ball.
According to at least one example embodiment, said supporting bar is completely, or at least partly, made of rubber. A rubber supporting bar is deformable and is cheap to manufacture.
Additional applications and embodiments will be apparent from the following description. The description and specific examples in this description are intended for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to nonlimiting embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which;

Fig 1 is a perspective view of a training equipment seen from the front side according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig 2 is a perspective view of a training equipment seen from the back side according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig 3 shows the outside of a training equipment according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig 4 shows the inside of a training device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

The following description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or uses. It should be explained that in the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. A number of embodiment of the invention described in the following. Fig. 1 shows a training equipment 1 for exercise or rehabilitation of muscles, to be attached around a wrist (not shown). In Fig. 1 is a front side 3 of the training equipment 1 shown, front side 3 is intended to be attached outside the palm of the hand and / or the inside of the wrist when the training equipment 1 slipped on a user's hand.
Training equipment 1 comprises a tubular deformable body 10 of for example synthetic rubber material such as chloroprene rubber, comprising an outer surface 12 adapted to face away from the wrist, an inside 14 adapted to face towards the wrist, a front edge 16 adapted to face the four fingers of the hand (index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger), and a distal edge 18 adapted to face away from the said four fingers. The tubular deformable body 10 is adapted to extend in the circumferential direction indicated by a curved arrow, around the wrist. Training equipment 1 also comprises a thumb hole 20 comprised in the tubular deformable body 10 for penetration of the thumb. Fastening means 30, i.e. Velcro^™ fasteners 30, for clamping the tubular deformable body 10 around the wrist is provided near the distal edge 18 of the tubular deformable body 10. In the tubular deformable body 10 two openings 40, 50 are provided relatively close to each other in the circumferentially direction of the tubular deformable body 10. A round string 60 or ribbon 60 extends in the circumferential direction, indicated by the curved arrow, over the outer surface 12 of the tubular deformable body 10 and through one of the openings 50 into the inner surface 14 of the tubular deformable body 10 or space 45 of the tubular deformable body 10, and out through the other one of the openings 40 to the outer surface 12 of the tubular deformable body 10. The openings 40, 50 are provided with eyelets 41, 51 to facilitate sliding of the strong 60 or ribbon 60 through the openings 40, 50.
The training equipment 1 of Fig. 1 comprises a supporting bar 70 which extends circumferentially, indicated by the curved arrow, around at least half of the tubular deformable body 10 in the space 45 of the tubular deformable body 10. The supporting bar 70 as in Fig. 1 is shown in a sectional view (dotted lines) in the tubular deformable body 10, and is arranged between the string 60 or ribbon 60 and the inner surface 14 of the tubular deformable body 10. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the supporting bar 70 extends in a direction perpendicular to the circumferentially direction of tubular deformable body 10. In other words, the supporting bar 70 has a width extending in the direction from the distal edge 18 to the front edge 16.
A user who uses/thread on the training equipment 1 on its own hand can connect to an external resistance (not shown) to the string 60 or ribbon 60 and then perform a movement with his hand, and thus train or rehabilitate the muscles of the upper body, such as muscles of the arm to the hand. As the supporting bar 70 is arranged between the outer surface 12 and the inner surface 14, for example in the space 45 as shown in Fig 1, of the tubular deformable body 10, and the string 60 or ribbon 60 extends over the outer surface 12 of the tubular deformable body 10 coaxial with supporting bar 70, the force of the external resistance can be distributed by the ribbon 60 or the string 60 to the supporting bar 70 and further over the wrist. In other words, the string 60 or ribbon 60 is pressed against the supporting bar 70 when using the training equipment 1 when the training equipment 1 is connected to an external resistance through the string 60 or ribbon 60. A force from the external resistance can thus be raised and allocated over the supporting bar 70. It is thus important that the supporting bar 70 is arranged between the wrist and the string 60 or ribbon 60 during use of the training equipment 1.
As shown in Fig. 1, the front edge 16 has a diagonal cut extending from the thumbhole 20 down towards a lower side 15 of the tubular deformable body 10. The front edge 16 is thus designed to extend across the bottom of the palm of the hand, below the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger, between the thumb and index finger of the hand and back. Hereby, a majority of the palm of the hand will be free from the tubular deformable body 10 and the hand can be used more freely, for example to catch or throw a ball.
As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 the string 60 or ribbon 60 runs freely through the openings in the tubular deformable body 10, that is, the string 60 or ribbon 60 is not fixedly connected to the tubular deformable body 10 but are held in place by that the string 60 or ribbon 60 is slipped through openings 40, 42, 50, 52.
Fig. 2 shows a back side 5 of the training equipment 1 from Fig. 1. Some of the reference numbers shown in Fig. 1 are the same as those used in fig. 2 and refer to the same component, feature or function as in Fig. 1. The back side 5 are to be arranged on the dorsal/back side of the hand and/or wrist as the training equipment 1 is slipped on a user's hand.
In Fig. 2, the string 60 or ribbon 60 extends in the circumferential direction, indicated by the curved arrow, over the outer surface 12 of the tubular deformable body 10 and through one of the openings 52 into the inner surface 14 of the tubular deformable body 10 or space 45 of the tubular deformable body 10, and out through one of the other of the openings 42 to the outer surface 12 of the tubular deformable body 10.
Figs. 3 and 4 show a further embodiment of training equipment 101 of the present invention. In Fig. 3, an outer surface 112 of a deformable body 110 comprising for example of synthetic rubber material such as chloroprene rubber, of the training equipment 1. Fig. 4 shows an inner surface 114 of the deformable body 110. The same reference numerals in figs. 3 and 4 indicate the same component, feature or function. Unlike figs. 1 and 2, the deformable body 110 in Figs. 3 and 4 are unfolded or open and not tubular as the tubular deformable body 10 in figs. 1 and 2. If the deformable body 110 in figs. 3 and 4 is assembled, it will become tubular and resemble the tubular deformable body 10 in figs. 1 and 2.
Similar to the training equipment 1 in figs. 1 and 2, the deformable body 110 in Figs. 3 and 4, comprises an outer surface 112 adapted to face away from the wrist, an inner surface 114 adapted to face towards the wrist, a front edge 116 adapted to face the four fingers of the hand (index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger), and a distal edge 118 adapted to face away from the said four fingers. The training equipment 101 comprises a thumb hole 120 provided in the deformable body 110 for penetration of the thumb. Fastening means 130, such as Velcro ^™ 130 for fastening the deformable body 110 around the wrist is positioned near the distal edge 118 of the deformable body 110. In the deformable body 110 is four openings 140, 150, 142, 152 arranged in two pairs. Two of the openings 140, 150 in one of the pairs is smaller than the other two openings 142, 152 in the other pair. A round string 160 or ribbon 160 extends over the outer surface 112 of the deformable body 110 and through one of the openings 140 to the inner surface 114 of the deformable body 110 and out through another of the openings 150 to the outer surface 112 of the deformable body 110, further into through one of the openings 142 to the inner surface 114 of the deformable body 110 and out through another of the openings 152 to the outer surface 112 of the deformable body 110.
The training equipment 101 in figs. 3 and 4 comprises a supporting bar 170 (shown only in fig. 4) which extends along the deformable body 110 on the inner surface 114 of the deformable body 110. The supporting bar 170 as in fig. 4 is arranged between the string 160 or ribbon 160 extending over the outer surface 112 of the deformable body 110 and the inner surface 114 of the deformable body 110. That is, where the string 160 or ribbon 160 extends between opening 150 and opening 142 in fig. 4, the supporting bar 170 is arranged between the string 160 or ribbon 160 and the inner surface 114 of the deformable body 110. On the inner surface 114 of the deformable body 110, for example, between opening 152 and opening 142, the string 160 or ribbon 160 are arranged on the inside of the inner surface 114 of the deformable body 110, that is, closest to the wrist.
If the deformable body 110 in figs. 3 and 4 is assembled, i.e. tubular, the functionality of the training equipment 101 is similar to the functionality of the training equipment 1 in figs. 1 and 2 and therefore not explained in detail here.
According to a further aspect of the invention, this aspect of the invention solves the problem of the prior art by providing a training equipment according to the following embodiments. The following aspect of the invention enables resistance training and rehabilitation of the body with free hands.
The product of this aspect of the invention is a combination of a wrist support and a training equipment that is slipped over the hand with a thumb opening. A diagonal cut at the top of the product releases the hand which allows a gripping surface that feels natural to the operations to be performed. The product has the function of a string attached to the product and in this string athletes can engage resistance to train movement with resistance. It also has a rubber supporting bar inside the product to make it more comfortable for the wrist and nerve, and to take up the load that the wrist is exposed.
The product is a versatile product suitable for a variety of markets such as handball, tennis, javelin, shot put, golf and other sports that uses the hand and upper body. The idea is for the athletes to perform their training more sport-specific, meaning that the athlete should be able to use their sport-specific equipment in the daily training. By practicing in this way the right muscles will be used and workouts become more functional with resistance. According to a recently published research it has been shown that it takes 10,000 hours to become elite in a sport or instrument. The study also showed how important it is to perform the movements correctly to minimize the risk that it is learned the wrong way which then becomes difficult to correct.
During the rehabilitation process the athlete risk a decrease in performance level as they can not perform their sport during this time. By using the product of this invention together with their ordinary sport-equipment during rehabilitation, it will be more natural to come back to their sport.
The present aspect of the invention is further described by the following embodiments:

Embodiment 1. A product, characterized in that the product is provided with eyelets arranged through the product. Through the eyelets are a string or ribbon attached which allows to connect a resistance to the product. The product is strapped around your wrist with the help of a Velcro^™ strap around the wrist.
Embodiment 2. A product according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the string or ribbon is attached in the product by means of the eyelets which enables the resistance to be attached to both the dorsal side of the hand as the palm. This enhances the functionality of the product as more exercises can be carried out thanks to this.
Embodiment 3. A product according to embodiment 1, wherein a rubber supporting bar placed inside the product distributes the load over a larger area which will reduce the force on the wrist and the nerves in this region at the usage of the product.
Embodiment 4. A product according to embodiment 1, characterized by a diagonal cut at one end to free the surface the hand from the product.

The product of this aspect of the invention is thus a combination of a wrist support and a training equipment, with the function of a string or ribbon attached to the product by means of eyelets. In the string or ribbon the user can engage resistance in the form of an exercise band or similar. The product also has a rubber supporting bar inside the product to distribute the force that the hand is exposed to and therefore make it more comfortable for the wrist and nerve.
This product solves the current problem where athletes find it difficult to combine their sport with weight training or rehabilitation. By exercising in this way the right muscles will be activated and the exercise becomes more functional. The product is aimed at athletes using mostly upper body during their execution and for people with a disability that affects their ability to grip things with the hands. The aim is to facilitate and make the training and rehabilitation more sport specific or adapted to everyday life.

Claims

A training equipment for training or rehabilitation of muscles, to be used around a wrist, comprising:
a tubular deformable body comprising an outer surface adapted to face away from the wrist, an inner surface adapted to face towards the wrist, a front edge adapted to face the index finger, and a distal edge adapted to face away from the index finger, said deformable body being arranged to extend circumferentially around the wrist;

a thumb hole arranged in said tubular deformable body for penetration of the thumb;

fastening means for fastening of said tubular deformable body around the wrist;

at least two openings arranged circumferentially around said tubular deformable body;

a ribbon or string for connection to an external resistance, said ribbon or string extends through said openings and at least partially outside said tubular deformable body;

wherein

a supporting bar circumferentially extends along at least half of said tubular deformable body, wherein said supporting bar is provided between said ribbon or string and said inner surface of said tubular deformable body in order to receive a force from the external resistance and distribute the force over said supporting bar.
A training equipment according to claim 1, wherein said supporting bar is arranged in a space between said outer surface and said inner surface of the tubular deformable body, and wherein said ribbon or string extends over the outer surface of said tubular deformable body and coaxially with said supporting bar, in such a way that the force from the external resistance may be distributed over said ribbon or string to said supporting bar.
A training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ribbon or string runs freely through said openings in said tubular deformable body.
A training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ribbon or string extends over at least half said outer surface exterior of said tubular deformable body.
A training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said openings in the tubular deformable body extends from the outer surface of said tubular deformable body into said space of said tubular deformable body.
A training equipment according to claim 5, wherein said ribbon or string is arranged to at least partially extend in the cavity in said space of said tubular deformable body, and said supporting bar is arranged between said ribbon or string and the inner surface of the tubular deformable body.
A training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said supporting bar circumferentially extends around a majority of the tubular deformable body.
A training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least four openings arranged in pairs along a periphery of the tubular deformable body, wherein the two pairs of openings is located on opposite sides of the tubular deformable body.
A training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said front edge is arranged to extend over the lower part of the palm of the hand, below the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger, between the thumb and index finger and over the back of the hand, in such a way that a majority of palm of the hand is free from the tubular deformable body.
A training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting bar is completely, or at least partly, made of rubber.