IES86578B2 - A hand/wrist support device for boxing and martial arts - Google Patents

Abstract

An anatomically designed wrist and hand supporting inner glove is provided which is able to replace the long cloth hand wrap used in boxing and the martial arts. The inner glove includes a body having thumb and finger apertures, a palm-side breathable mesh, metacarpal and scaphoid strap support and fasteners, wrist support straps and wrist support strap fasteners, with all straps adjustable to a desired fit. The hand wrap includes a knuckle pad for added shock absorption, comfort and support. The user's fingers and thumb are inserted through the thumb and finger apertures, and the upper adjustable strap supporting the metacarpals is wrapped around the hand, the lower adjustable strap supporting the Schapoid/Tfcc area is wrapped around the hand, a large adjustable wrist support strap is wrapped around the wrist along with two adjustable wrist supporting wrist straps which are also wrapped about the wrist and the fasteners secured, resulting in an easy to use yet supportive and protective hand/wrist support device which can be used in conjunction with boxing and bag gloves. <Figures 1 and 2>

Description

This invention relates to protective equipment when punching in combat sports such as boxing or martial arts. In particular the invention relates to a new type of hand/wrist support device.

Background This invention relates to hand and wrist protective wraps and supporters. More particularly, the present invention relates to a convenient, anatomically designed hand and wrist support device which replaces the long cloth hand wrap. The present invention is intended to prevent injury to the knuckle, hand, and wrist areas during boxing and martial arts related sports. Participants involved in boxing and martial arts-related sports are obliged to wear hand and wrist protection under larger boxing or bag gloves for additional protection and support. This protection is commonly called a hand wrap. Traditional hand wraps are made of cotton or canvas material, and are several feet in length. The participant will tightly wrap this material around his or her knuckles, hands, and wrists. The traditional hand wrap is designed, if applied properly, to protect the knuckles, hands, and wrists from serious injury potentially resulting from impact blows to hard objects. These hand wraps can effectively prevent serious injury to hands during full contact professional or amateur fighting if they are administered and used correctly, however published studies have shown that even when worn correctly the user is exposed to possible injury.

The traditional long cloth wrap suffers many drawbacks, particularly for the amateur or recreational user. The long cloth wrap will not maintain its shape and manageability unless it is tightly rolled when not in use. Moreover, if the traditional hand wrap is not wrapped about the hand and wrist properly, it will easily become loose and unravel. This loosening lessens, and may even eliminate, the protection to the hands and wrists.

Applying the long cloth hand wrap is a lengthy process with many variations on how to apply it. The process is cumbersome and time consuming by its nature. The wrap acts to prevent the knuckles, the bones of the hand and the wrist from becoming distorted or smashed and acts as a shock absorber on inconsistent or uneven hits. Without adequate protection the supporting bones, ligaments and muscles may become bruised and swollen, potentially resulting in sprains, strains or broken bones or future problems such as arthritis due to the cumulative nature of such damage.

The traditional long cloth hand wrap has been found by the majority of users to be excessively cumbersome, inconvenient and time consuming. The amateur or recreational user may also not correctly wrap the wrist, leaving the wrist prone to injury from torsional forces applied to the wrist at a variety of angles.

Other forms of hand protection such as knuckle pads, or glove-like devices adapted from dissimilar sports, do not have the anatomically form-fitting qualities to the knuckle, hand, and wrist areas that the traditional hand wrap was designed to protect. Nor does the design of these incompatible protection devices coincide with the consumer's ability to insert them into other gloves, such as boxing or bag gloves.

Many traditional hand wraps, knuckle pads, and glove-like devices adapted from dissimilar sports that are presently used do not embody a wrist support strap, a metacarpal support strap, a Scaphoid/Tfcc support strap, and include only a single strap that is wrapped around the wrist providing limited support. Many of these devices also have limited ability to be adjusted to fit correctly further undermining any support they may provide. As the wrist moves in many directions, these versions leave the wrist open to injuries such as sprains from compression and over extending or hyperextending the wrist in different directions. Thus what is needed is a hand wrap or device better suited for the consumer involved in combative and recreational forms of boxing and martial arts, which is more convenient and easy to use than the traditional long cloth hand wrap and provides better support than the existing hand wrap. What is also needed is a device which is contoured, cushioned protected, comfortable and fully adjustable to form fit all types of consumers. What is further needed is a device which is easily slipped on for rapid employment, fastened easily and securely, unable to loosen on its own and drawn and tightened to one's own measure of support.

Additionally, a device is needed which will consistently maintain its shape and form. Moreover, a device is needed that is anatomically designed specifically for the demanding activities of boxing and martial arts providing effective protection to the wrist, hand, and knuckle areas. The present invention fulfils these needs and provides other related advantages.

Statement of Invention The present invention resides in a hand and wrist support device which is anatomically designed to conveniently slip-on the hand and wrap around the wrist. The device is comprised, generally, of a body having thumb and finger apertures, a metacarpal adjustable wrist support strap and fastener, a Scaphoid/Tfcc adjustable wrist support strap and fastener, a wrist fastener, two adjustable wrist support straps and fasteners for securing and adjusting the fit of the device.

In a first illustrated embodiment, the device body is comprised of a resilient material having an anatomical shape and generally uniform thickness. The device body includes a thumb aperture and a plurality of, finger apertures which are substantially aligned and adjacent to one another near an edge of the device body. The finger and thumb apertures are circular. Attached to the device body is an adjustable strap which wraps around the hand where the metacarpals are located, another adjustable strap wraps around the area of the hand where the Scaphoid/Tfcc is located. In addition to the wrist fastener which in itself provides wrist support this support is complemented with two additional adjustable wrist straps. Each strap is attached to the device and has a fastener which is fixed to a distal end of the strap. The fasteners may be in the form of many commercially available fasteners.

A second illustrated embodiment utilizes the structural elements of the first embodiment, and may include an integrated knuckle pad which is part of the wrap body near the finger apertures. The knuckle pad may include finger apertures which axially align with the finger apertures of the device body, allowing fingers to extend through the finger apertures of both the knuckle pad and the device body. Finger sleeves may protrude from the knuckle pad or from the main body through the finger apertures of the device body. The finger sleeves typically may cover a lower third portion of the user's fingers and act to protect the fingers from injury.

In use, the fingers and thumb are inserted through the thumb and finger apertures of the device body. The hand support straps are wrapped around the bottom and over the top of the hand to a desired tightness. The wrist fastener is pulled around the wrist and fastened in place. The wrist support straps are wrapped around the bottom and over the top of the wrist to a desired tightness This results in a hand and wrist supporting device which protects the fingers, hand, and wrist from injury when hitting objects.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

Brief Description of Drawings The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

In such drawings: FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a slip-on hand/wrist support device embodying the present invention; FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 1; Detailed Description As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is concerned with a slip-on hand device, generally referred to by the reference numeral (10), which replaces the traditional long cloth wrap.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the hand device (10) generally comprises of an anatomically shaped device body (12) having finger apertures (14) and a thumb aperture (16). A wrist fastening strap (1) and two wrist support straps (2) are attached to the device body (12) and extend around the wrist. The wrist support straps (2) may be attached to or integrally formed with the device body (12), and are looped through ioop (7) to come back in the opposite direction and attach to a corresponding wrist strap fastener (3a). The wrist support straps (2) have retaining loops (7) to prevent the straps entangling. A Scaphoid/Tfcc strap (4), which acts as a support for the Scaphoid/Tfcc area of the hand is also attached to or integrally formed with the device body (12) and ioops through a loop (11b) to come back in the opposite direction and attaches to strap fastener (3b). A metacarpal strap (5), which acts as a support for the metacarpal area of the hand is also attached to or integrally formed with the device body (12) and loops through a loop (11c) to come back in the opposite direction and attaches to strap fastener (3c).

The device body (12) is comprised of any resilient material that can be repeatedly stretched, is somewhat soft and will supply support and padding around joints. Preferably, a flexible rubber such as neoprene is used although other rubbers, foam, leather, nylon, vinyl, lycra, polyester, encapsulated gel, cotton, canvas and synthetic materials can also be used. For added comfort or strength, the resilient material of the device body may be laminated to other materials. Materials which are comfortable to the human skin, wick away moisture, and better withstand external forces may be laminated or otherwise attached to the device body (12). A breathable material (8) to cool the hand is located at the palm.

The device body (12) is designed specifically to anatomically conform to a human hand and wrist. The device body (12) includes a plurality of finger apertures (14) which are substantially aligned and adjacent to one another. The finger apertures (14) can be of various shapes and dimensions including, but not limited to, circular, elliptical and moonshaped. The finger apertures (14) can also be of varying diameters to fit a variety of finger sizes. Furthermore, the finger aperture (14) intended for the pinkie may be smaller than the other apertures (14). Due to the nature of the resilient deformable material of the device body (12), a one-size fits ali finger aperture (14) is also possible. Preferably, finger apertures (14) are slightly smaller than the width of the finger so that the device body (12) will stretch around the fingers, giving a snug fit when worn. A knuckle pad (9) is present for added shock absorption.

The thumb hole (16) is also formed through the device body (12), and so spaced from the index finger aperture (14) so as to be anatomically consistent with and more naturally fit the hand. The thumb aperture (16), like the finger apertures (14), can be made in a variety of sizes.

Usually the thumb aperture (16) is just smaller in diameter than a thumb so that the device body (12) stretches around and fits tightly about the thumb. Both the thumb aperture (16) and the finger apertures (14) can be made by a variety of manufacturing processes including, but not limited to, drilling, punching, cutting and moulding.

Each wrist support straps, Scaphoid/Tfcc and the metacarpal straps (2), (4) and (5) have corresponding fastener (3a, 3b, 3c) fixed substantially near a distal end of the straps (2), (4) and (5). The wrist support strap fasteners (3a) and the hand fasteners (3b, 3c) are preferably comprised of Velcro, but may comprise a buckle, snaps, strap, or any other form of fastening which will tightly hold the wrist support straps (2), (4) and (5) in place. The fasteners (3a, 3b, 3c) may be comprised of the same material as the device body (12), but may also be comprised of any other material which provides support to the hand and wrist while being flexible and durable.

While exceeding the support provided by a properly wrapped long cloth wrap, the manner of using the device is significantly different than that of the long cloth wrap. The user first inserts his or her fingers and thumb through the finger apertures (14) and thumb aperture (16) while pulling the device body (12) tightly toward the wrist. The wrist support strap (1) is then pulled and tightly fastened around the wrist, as shown by the directional arrows in FIGS. 1 and 2. Wrist support straps (2) are fastened, followed by Scaphoid/Tfcc strap (4) and then metacarpal strap (5). The straps can be adjusted to the desired tightness. This results in a slip-on hand/wrist support device (10) which supports and protects the hand, wrist'and fingers while being very simple and convenient to use. There are many advantages to Using the present invention. The device provides additional biomechanical support in the areas typical injured namefy the metacarpals, scaphoid, TFCC, wrist, ulna and radius. Since the user can seif-adjust the device for desired tightness and support, the device (10) may be manufactured as a one-size-fits-all article or a small, medium and large article. The device (10) also lends itself to being produced in various colours to satisfy the aesthetic demands of the consumer.

Perhaps more importantly, the device (10) is designed to prevent injuries such as bruising, 5 inflammation, and hyperextension to the knuckle, hand and wrist caused by the shock of repetitive hits. This is accomplished through the use of the resilient materials used in the device body (12) and as well as the adjustability of the wrist fastening and support straps (1, 2) and hand support straps (4) and (5). The device (10) is anatomically designed to give adequate spacing, and padding, around and between the base of each finger, and completely surround each knuckle, to prevent long lasting injuries to those areas. The device (10) is aiso designed to absorb the shock to the soft tissue when the wearer strikes an object unevenly as occurs when the front of the fist is not flush with the surface plane being struck. The device (10) also provides a triple wrist support system, with each of the wrist fastening and support straps (1, 2), giving the wrist complete support and protection from the long lasting injuries due to hyperextension.

Unlike the long cloth wrap, the device (10) wiil not unravel. This is advantageous to both the skilled and unskilled user. The one-piece, slip-on nature of the device (10) particularly lends itself to the unskilled who may not be willing, or even know, how to correctly wrap their hands and wrists using the traditional long cloth wrap, but can easily and conveniently use the device (10) of the present invention. The proven additional biomechanical support is advantageous to even experienced users.

Although the description set forth above describes in detail several embodiments of the invention for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingty, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims (3)

1. Claims 5 1. A slip-on hand/wrist support device (10) comprising: an anatomically shaped device body (12) having finger apertures (14) and a thumb aperture (16); 10 a wrist fastening strap (1) and two wrist support straps (2) attached to the device body (12) with length to extend around the wrist, the wrist support straps (2) being attached to or integrally formed with the device body (12): wherein the wrist fasting strap (1) and the two wrist support straps (2) are looped through a loop (7) to come back in the opposite direction and attach to 15 a corresponding wrist strap fastener (3a), wherein the wrist support straps (2) have the retaining loops (7) to prevent the straps entangling; a Scaphoid/Tfcc strap (4), which acts as a support for the Scaphoid/Tfcc area of the 20 hand, also attached to or integrally formed with the device body (12): wherein the Scaphoid/Tfcc strap (4) loops through a loop (11b) to come back in the opposite direction and attaches to strap fastener (3b); a metacarpal strap (5), which acts as a support for the metacarpal area of the hand, also 25 attached to or integrally formed with the device body (12): wherein the metacarpal strap (5) loops through a loop (11c) to come back in the opposite direction and attaches to strap fastener (3c); a section of breathable material (8), to cool the hand, is located at the palm section of 30 the device body (12); a knuckle pad (9), for added shock absorption.
2. 2. , A slip-on hand/wrist support device (10) wherein: the anatomically shaped device body (12) is comprised of a resilient material, the anatomically shaped device body (12) includes a padding integrally formed with the wrap. the fasteners (3a, 3b, 3c) include, but are not limited to, Velcro fasteners.
3. 3. A slip-on hand/wrist support device (10) as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.