JP2006526488A - Retainer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a holding device (10) that is detachably attached to a user's wrist so that the user can grip a handle. The holding device (10) has both ends (14, 16), an extended belt portion (12) wound around the wrist, and a holding structure (18) extending outward from the belt portion (12). is there.

Description

  This application is based on US Provisional Application No. 60 / 475,622, filed June 4, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference).

  The present invention generally relates to a holding device that is detachably attached to a user's wrist so that the user can hold the functional training device.

  It has long been known that regular functional training has important advantages for people with limited limb movements. Such individuals (injuries with spinal cord injury, cerebral infarction, multiple sclerosis (MS), muscular dystrophy (MD), or injuries or disorders that cause (temporary or permanent) impairment of motor function) They also understand that dysfunction has a significantly negative impact on functional training in other relatively unaffected body parts.

  Regular exercise in the majority of the body shows that it is necessary to promote people with such disabilities to a comfortable, healthy and satisfactory state. Failure to do so can result in pain, unhealthy and dangerous consequences. For example, by not moving, joints and tendons immediately become painful and stiff. Muscles that are not used for a long time and that are not fully utilized will atrophy. It has been shown that thrombus formation is significant. If it does not move for a long time, the entire cardiovascular system deteriorates.

  In contrast, when a disabled limb is regularly functionally trained (for example, a physiotherapist is repeatedly stretched by a gait), the joint becomes flexible, blood circulation improves, and atrophy occurs. Trends are improved, the heart works effectively, and patients no longer experience pain or discomfort. The benefits of such functional training are undisputed, but patients and assistants (therapists and volunteers) require considerable time and effort. In such a case, if a person with a physical disability tries to perform a truly efficient functional training, the power and stamina of the assistant will be significantly consumed.

  Problems also arise when many types of functional training devices require the user to hold the handle of the device. For users with injuries or illnesses where hand function is impaired (temporarily or permanently), it is difficult to grasp the handle, and such dysfunction significantly impairs functional recovery.

  In accordance with the present invention, a retainer that is removably attached to a user's wrist so that the user can grasp the handle comprises an extended belt portion wrapped around the wrist having both ends, and the belt portion. And a holding component extending outward.

  In accordance with the present invention, the elongated belt portion is generally formed from a strip of flexible material. The strip of flexible material consists of a material selected from the group consisting of leather, plastic and cloth.

  Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the holding component has a lower portion, an upper portion and a free end. The holding component has a lower portion located in the belt portion.

  Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the upper portion has a center line Ca-La that is angled with respect to a center line C-L passing through the lower portion of the holding component, in the range of about 2 to 30 degrees.

  Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the holding component is hard and relatively rigid. The holding component is formed from a material selected from the group of metals and plastics and is adjustable to change the angle between the lower and upper parts.

  Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the free end is configured integrally with the upper portion and has an end portion that curves from the upper portion and extends toward the belt portion.

  Furthermore, according to the invention, the lower part is located in a stop of flexible material forming the holding device.

  In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for detachably attaching a retainer to a user's wrist so that the user can grasp the handle. The method includes an extended belt portion wound around a wrist having both ends and a holding component extending outwardly from the belt portion, the holding component having a lower portion, an upper portion, and a partially curved end portion. And arranging the user's hand so that the side of the belt part of the holding device is placed on the lower neck of the user and the user's hand is along the curved end. Process.

  In accordance with the present invention, the method includes one end of the stretched belt portion to the back of the user's wrist so that the connecting strip of retaining material is located directly opposite the user's palm. A step of winding, and a step of winding the other end of the extended belt portion so that the strip made of the holding material to be connected overlaps and is connected to the strip made of the holding material to be connected.

  The details of the preferred embodiment of the invention are shown in the drawings. The drawings are for illustration and not for limitation. Although the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention to these preferred embodiments.

  The illustrated elements are sized for clarity of explanation. The cross section is drawn like an end face, but the exact cross section is clear from the figure.

  These and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a plan view 10 of the holding device. The retainer 10 has opposite ends 14 and 16, an elongated belt portion 12 wound around the wrist, and a retention component 18 extending outwardly from the belt portion 12 as shown in FIGS. including. The belt portion 12 is generally formed from two strips made of a material such as leather, plastic or cloth. The holding structure 18 has a lower part 18a, an upper part 18b and a free end part 18c. The lower portion 18a may be located between two strips forming the belt portion 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper portion 18b has an angle in the range of about 2 to 30 degrees, preferably about 15 to 25 degrees, with respect to the center line C-L passing through the lower portion 18a of the holding structure 18. It has a center line Ca-La marked with. Typically, the holding component or element 18a is stiff and relatively rigid. The upper portion 18b protrudes upward from the belt portion 12, is constant with the upper portion 18b, and has a free end 18c that draws a curve. The free end 18 c has an end 24 that faces the elongated belt portion 12 of the holding device 10. Although the curved portion of the holding component (element) is almost semicircular, this shape may take other shapes according to the user's preference and the shape of the handle to be gripped. Typically, the retention component 18 is comprised of a metal insert that is inserted and placed between two strips of flexible material of the retention device 10. When the retention component 18 is formed from a metal insert, the curvature between the upper 18b and the lower 18a and the free end 18c and the upper so as to accommodate differently shaped hands or various functional training instrument handles. The angle between 18b can be varied and adjusted. Typically, the radius of curvature r is about 1/2 inch (1.27 cm), preferably 3/4 inch (1.90 cm). The holding component (element) can be formed of a metal insert, but it can also be formed of a hard material such as plastic, covered with a plastic material, or extended from the belt portion 12 of the holding device 10. Range.

  As shown in FIG. 1 which shows the side 27 of the holding device 10, two strips 25 and 26 of holding material, for example Velcro type holding material, are provided. On the other end side of the holding device 10, two other strips 28 and 30 made of a Velcro type holding material are provided as shown in FIG.

  In order to attach the holding device 10 to the user's hand 30, first, one side 27 of the belt portion 12 of the holding device 10 is placed on the wrist, and the hand is placed along the curved free end 12c of the holding device. Put. Next, the end 16 of the stretched belt portion 12 is wrapped around the back of the user's wrist so that the connecting retaining strip 28 is positioned directly opposite the user's palm. Next, the other end 14 of the extended belt portion 12 is wound so that the strip 25 made of the connecting holding material is overlapped with the strip 28 made of the holding material to be connected. In order to securely hold the holding device 10 to the wrist, the remaining portion of the extended belt portion 12 is used so that the strip 26 made of the holding material is positioned on the strip 30 made of the holding material and can be detachably attached. Covering the part of the holding device 10 already wound around the wrist of the person.

  During use, the user's hand is very solid and firm, and by placing the holding device 10 on the handle of a device such as a functional training device, the machine can be operated.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes and modifications based on the description, the description of the claims, and the description. Regarding the various functions achieved by the elements described above, the terms (including means) used to describe the elements are not structurally equivalent to the structures achieving the functions in the illustrative examples of the present invention. , Corresponding to elements that achieve a particular function of the described element (ie, functionally equivalent). Furthermore, although specific features of the invention have been described in one of several embodiments, such features are preferred embodiments that have advantages over other preferred embodiments and specific applications. Can be combined with several.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the holding device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the holding device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the holding device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional view of a retainer partially attached to the user's wrist.

Claims (16)

A holding device 10 detachably attached to a user's wrist so that the user can grip the handle,
A holding device having an extended belt portion 12 wound around a wrist, having both end portions 14 and 16, and a holding structure portion 18 extending outward from the belt portion 12.   2. A retainer according to claim 1, wherein the elongated belt portion is formed from a strip of flexible material.   3. The holding device according to claim 2, wherein the strip made of a flexible material is made of a material selected from the group consisting of leather, plastic, and cloth.   2. A holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding component has a lower part 18a, an upper part 18b and a free end 18c.   5. Holding device according to claim 4, characterized in that the holding component has a lower part (18a) located in the belt part (12).   5. The upper part 18b has a center line Ca-La angled with respect to a center line C-L passing through the lower part 18a of the holding structure 18 with an angle in the range of about 2 degrees to 30 degrees. Holding fixture.   The holding device according to claim 4, wherein the holding component is hard and relatively rigid.   8. A holding device according to claim 7, wherein the holding component is formed from a material selected from the group of metals and plastics.   8. A holding device according to claim 7, wherein the holding structure is adjustable to change the radius of curvature r of the upper part 18b and the free end 18c.   8. A retainer according to claim 7, wherein the radius of curvature r is about 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) to 1 inch (2.54 cm).   11. The retainer of claim 10, wherein the radius of curvature radius r is about 3/4 inch (1.90 cm).   8. A holding device according to claim 7, wherein the holding arrangement is adjustable to change the angle between the lower part 18a and the upper part 18b.   The holding device according to claim 9, wherein the free end (18c) is formed integrally with the upper part (18b), and has an end part (24) that is curved from the upper part (18b) and extends toward the belt part (12).   5. A holding device according to claim 4, wherein the holding component is located in a strip of flexible material forming the holding device. A method of detachably attaching a holding device to a user's wrist so that the user can grasp the handle,
An extended belt portion 12 wound around the wrist having both ends 14, 16 and a holding component 18 extending outwardly from the belt portion 12, comprising a lower portion 18a, an upper portion 18b and a partially curved end portion 18c. And a side surface 27 of the belt portion 12 of the holding device 10 is arranged on the lower neck of the user, and the user's hand 31 is along the curved end 18c. And placing a user's hand.   Linking with the step of winding one end 16 of the elongated belt portion 12 to the back of the user's wrist so that the strip 28 of holding material to be connected is located directly opposite the palm of the user 16. A method according to claim 15, comprising the step of winding the other end 14 of the elongated belt portion 12 so that the strip 25 of holding material overlaps and connects to the strip 28 of connecting holding material.

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