GB2510592A

GB2510592A - Elbow protector

Info

Publication number: GB2510592A
Application number: GB1302213.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jamie John English
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-07
Filing date: 2013-02-07
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Also published as: GB201302213D0

Abstract

A support for a computer mouse or keyboard-user's (or typist's) hand, which includes an attachment 2 to the hand at one end, and an attachment 3 to the upper arm at the other end, connected by an elastic connector 1. The hand attachment may be specifically made to individually accommodate each of the middle three fingers, and may be incorporated within a fingerless glove. The upper arm attachment may be elastic. The upper arm attachment may alternatively be non-elastic and fitted using either an adjustable strap or a Velcro (RTM) attachment. In any case, the upper arm attachment provides a length of non-elastic material which incorporates an adjustable strap. The hand and arm attachments provide a hook, clip or loop of material for the elastic connector to connect to. The elastic connector may incorporate hooks, clips or loops of material in order to achieve connection to the hand and arm attachments. The invention addresses the problem of tennis elbow and protects the wrist extensor muscle and tendon by supporting the weight of the hand.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Applicacion Nc,. (lB 1302213.2 RTM Dace:5 Dircinbcr 2013 The following terms are registered trade marks and should he rcad as such wherever they occur in this document: "Velcro".

Inlelleclual Property Office is an operaling name of the Pateni Office www.ipo.gov.uk

I

Elbow protector.

This invention relates to a device which protects the wrist extensor muscle and tendon, by supporting the weight of the hand.

"Tennis elbow" is a common and painful problem, where the muscles that extend the wrist, and which support the weight of the hand when the palm is facing downwards, are over-worked. This over-working of the muscle causes injury to both the muscle itself and to where its tendon attaches to the humej-ijs at the elbow. The condition is known as "tennis elbow" because of its association with damage to the wrist extensors in tennis players who use back-hand strokes to excess.

In addition, within the wrist extensor muscles are other muscles that work to extend the fmgers upwards when the palm is facing down, and which also attach to the same point on the humerus at the elbow. The muscle that attaches to the middle finger is often irritated at the same time as the wrist extensors, and so this damaged muscle often contributes to the pain of tennis elbow.

There are many activities that require excessive use of the wrist extensor muscles, but a very common cause is using a computer. Many computer workers develop tenths elbow due to the effort required by the wrist extensors in drawing the weight of the hand above a mouse or keyboard. Even for people whose tennis elbow is caused by other activities, mouse-use or typing can be a significant additional source of aggravation. As well as over-working the wrist extensors, typing and mouse-use can also over-work the muscle that extends the middle finger.

To overcome this, the present invention proposes an elastic support for the computer mouse-user's (or typist's) hand, which attaches to the hand at one end, and the upper arm (the humerus) at the other end. The invention has the proposed benefit of using elastic support to ensure that the muscles which extend the wrist and fingers, and which carry the weight of the hand, do not have to work so hard, and may even relax entirely.

The hand attachment may be achieved by attaching to one, two, three or four of the fingers.

Preferably, an attachment to the three middle fingers will be used because it is the extension of the middle finger that often provides a focus for the complaint.

Preferably, the arm attachment is fitted with an adjustable fastening (possibly incorporating either Velcro or an adjustable strap) to accommodate differing sizes of upper arm, but may simply consist of an elastic arm-hand available in small, medium or large sizes. This attachment to the upper arm gives the proposed benefit of allowing the tensile supportive force of the elastic to work at a more elevated angle. This ensures that a larger component of this tensile force is working to lift the weight of the hand upwards, rather than pulling the hand attachment into the web spaces between the fingers. If the upper end of the elbow protector were fixed to the forearm rather than the upper arm, a much larger proportion of the elastic force would pull the hand attachment directly into the web spaces between the fingers.

By creating an upper arm attachment, the potential pressure on these web spaces is minimiseci, so enhancing the comfort and efficacy of the elbow protector.

Preferably, the elastic connector has an easy-release mechanism, possibly using simple rounded hooks or retractable clips. Alternatively, where hooks or clips are incorporated in the hand or arm attachments, the elastic connector has a loop at each end to allow connection.

This easily removable elastic connector gives the proposed benefit of allowing the mouse-user to take short breaks from computer work without the need to remove the hand or arm attachments, so making the elbow protector more convenient to use. This elastic connector also gives the proposed benefit of supporting the weight of the hand while at the same time allowing sufficient wrist movement.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings. Note that doffed lines are intended to show where stitching has been used to secure materials.

Figure 1 shows the elbow protector working to extend the wrist of a mouse-user's hand.

Figure 2 shows one way of creating the hand attachment, using elastic. Figure 3 shows the shape adopted by this hand attachment when acted upon by the elastic connector. Figure 4 shows one way of creating the arm attachment, using elastic material around the arm. Figure shows another way of creating the arm attachment, using non-elastic material around the arm, which incorporates an adjustable strap. Figure 6 shows another way of creating the arm attachment, using non-elastic material around the arm, which incorporates a Velcro adjustment. Figure 7 shows one way of creating the elastic connector, using a clip at one end, and a rounded hook at the other. Figure 8 shows another way of creating the elastic connector, using rounded hooks at each end.

Figure 1 shows the action of an elastic support 1 working to carry the weight of a mouse-users hand. The wrist extensors are now able to relax. Figure 1 shows a comfortable form of attachment for the middle three fingers 2, which spreads the elastic tension evenly through all three fingers. Figure 1 also shows the adjustable attachment to the upper arm 3, which offers a loop of non-elastic material for the purposes of connection. Figure 1 also shows the elastic connector I between the hand and ann attachments.

Figure 2 shows one way of creating the hand attachment, using a length of elastic. The attachment to the index, middle and ring fingers will create an elastic support that works equally through all three fingers, with a "compartment" for each finger (specifically, comparl.ments for the bones within these fingers that are nearest to the knuckles; known as the "proximal phalanges"). This particular design of hand attachment can be used in the form indicated, or might be incorporated into a glove (preferably fingerless), which would give the proposed benefit of allowing easier donning of the hand attachment. The hand attachment shown has as a "bridge" of material that provides the elastic connector something to hook on to. Alternatively, the hand attachment may also incorporate a small hook or clip for the elastic connector to be hooked onto. The hand attachment has another proposed benefit of allowing the muscles that extend the fingers to relax during donning of the hand attachment.

This is because once the hand attachment is in place, there is no need to extend the fingers to allow connection.

Figure 3 shows that when the hand attachment is attached to the connector, its own elasticity causes it to stretch out, and illustrates how the "bridges" of elasticity in the hand attachment distribute the tensile load evenly through the middle three fingers. This has the proposed benefit of minimising or eliminating painful pressure on the web spaces between the fingers.

Figure 4 shows how the attachment to the arm 1 can be made from elastic material with small, medium and large versions to be manufactured for people of differing arm size. A length of non-elastic material 2 with an adjustable strap 3 provides a loop 4 for the elastic connector to hook on to. Alternatively, the loop provided by this non-elastic adjustable strap might be substituted for a small hook or clip for the elastic connector to attach to. This non-elastic adjustable strap is a safety feature, and has the proposed benefit of removing the need for a long elastic connector between the hand and arm, which might be more easily propelled towards the body or face. It also has another proposed benefit of allowing an adjustment to the tension in the elastic connector. This non-elastic adjustable strap allows the elastic connector to be attached while under minimal tension, and allows the tension to be increased only once the elastic connector is safely connected to the hand and arm attachments. It also allows the tension to be released before the elastic connector is disconnected, which again enhances safety. This also allows another proposed benefit in that the elastic connector can be attached without the user needing to extend the wrist towards the elastic connector. This prevents the wrist extensor muscle from contracting excessively while donning the elbow protector.

Figure 5 shows how the attachment to the arm can be made from non-elastic material with an adjustable strap ito provide closer fitting for smaller arms. A length of non-elastic material 2 with an adjustable strap 3 provides a loop 4 for the elastic connector to hook on to.

Figure 6 shows how the attachment to the arm can be made from non-elastic material with a Velcro adjustment Ito provide closer fitting for smaller arms. A length of non-elastic material 2 with an adjustable strap 3 provides a loop 4 for the elastic connector to hook on to.

Figure 7 shows how the connector might be made by threading a length of elastic through a retractable clip connection for the ant attachment, and a simple rounded hook connection for the hand attachment. This latter connection would enable it to be easily disconnected when not in use, and gives the proposed benefit of allowing this loose end to be conveniently hooked onto the ann attachment at such tines. The length of this elastic may vary between small, medium and large versions.

Figure 8 shows how the connector might be made by threading a length of elastic through two simple rounded hook connections. The hooks are simple to use, and wowd be easily disconnected when the elbow protector is not in use. The length of this elastic may vary between snail, medium and large versions.

Claims

Claims.1. An elastic support for a mouse-user's (or typist's) hand, which attaches to the hand at one end, and the upper ann at the other end.
2. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the hand attachment is specifically made to individually accommodate one, two, three or four of the fingers
3. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the hand attachment is specifically made to individually accommodate two, three or four of the fingers, and where tensile load is spread evenly to all the fingers by elastic bridging.
4. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the hand attachment to the fingers may be incorporated within a glove, to allow easier donning.
5. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the hand attachment incorporates a hook, clip or loop of material, to allow the elastic connector to make a connection.
6. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the attachment to the arm is achieved with an elastic arm-band.
7. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which an adjustable attachment to the arm is achieved with a non-elastic arm-band that incorporates an adjustable strap, to achieve a close fit to the upper arm.
8. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which an adjustable attachment to the arm is achieved with a non-elastic arm-band that wraps around the upper arm, before passing through a metal ring and doubling back, to attach using Velcro.
9. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the arm attachment (of whatever form) has an additional length of non-elastic material which provides a hook, clip or loop of material for the elastic connector to make a connection, in which is incorporated anadjustable strap.
10. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the elastic connector incorporates hooks, clips or loops of material to allow connection to the arm and hand attachments.
11. An elastic support substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings S 5 Amendments to claims have been filed as follows Claims.I. An orthosis, comprising: a first attachment to be secured to the proximal phalanges of the digits of the hand, which incorporates elastic bridging to distribute tensile support between the digits, so allowing independent digital movement, and cushioning of the web-spaces between the fingers; a second attachment to be secured to the upper arm above the elbow; a connection point disposed on said first attachment a connection point disposed on said second attachment; a partly or wholly elastic connector, with two opposing ends, where each end can be secured to the connection points on the first and second attachments respectively; wherein said first and second connection points are positioned such that a wrist and digital extension force is produced by the elastic member.* * 2. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the hand attachment is specifically made to individually accommodate one, two, three or four of the fingers.* 3. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the hand attachment to the fingers may be incorporated within a glove, to allow easier donning. p...4. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the hand attachment incorporates a hook, *: :: clip or loop of material, to allow the elastic connector to make a connection.5. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the attachment to the ann is achieved withanelasticarm-band.6. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which an adjustable attachment to the arm is achieved with a non-elastic arm-band that incorporates an adjustable strap.7. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which an adjustable attachment to the arm is achieved with a non-elastic arm-band that wraps around the upper arm, before passing through a metal ring and doubling back, to attach using Velcro.8. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the arm attachment (of whatever form) has an additional length of non-elastic material providing a hook, clip or loop of material for the elastic connector to make a connection, which incorporates an adjustable strap.9. An elastic support according to claim 1, in which the elastic connector incorporates hooks, clips or loops of material to allow connection to the arm and hand attachments.10. An elastic support substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.