US2476518A

US2476518A - Exercising device

Info

Publication number: US2476518A
Application number: US665812A
Authority: US
Inventors: Underwood Rex
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-04-29
Filing date: 1946-04-29
Publication date: 1949-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 1966-07-19

Description

July 19, 1949. I u wo I 2,476,518

EXERCISING DEVICE Filed April 29, 1946 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Rx under 00d .5

Afiorney- July 19, 1949. R. UNDERWOOD EXERCISING DEVICE 2 Shects-Sheet 2 Filed April 29, 1946 r e 8 1m D 1U h A Rex Underwood Patented July 19, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,476,518 axsnorsme DEVICE Rex Underwood, Eugene, Oreg. Application April 29, 1946, Serial No. 665,812

14 Claims.

My invention relates to the art of kinesitherapy and has for its particular object the provision of an exercising appliance for the use of the hands and fingers so as to develop stretch between the several fingers and flexibility and muscular tone to the hands. My invention is particularly adapted for the use of musicians, such for example, as pianists and violinists, but it has substantial value in the art of physical therapy and in athletics. In connection with the latter use it might be said that my invention is particularly useful in developing flexibility and grip and spread of the hand and fingers, in the training of basketball, football and baseball players who must catch and throw.

To this end, my appliance comprises a base having a single large member adapted for engagement by and support of the palm and base of the hand and a plurality of trough-like finger glides diverging therefrom. Said hand support and said finger glides are resiliently joined together and to said base. Guideways are provided so as gradually to cause said finger glides to diverge as said hand and finger supports are moved from their initial point. The points of connection of the finger glides and the hand support are made upon flexible joints and the Palm support is resiliently mounted so that it may move about said base and, thus, the parts are adapted to accommodate themselves to the stretch and tension induced in the hands and fingers of the user thereof rather than to force said fingers and the hand into unnatural and distorted positions.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an appliance of this character which will promote stretch of the fingers and yet to support the remainder of the hand in a comfortable and relaxed position so as not to induce cramping of the hands and fingers.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of this character in which the parts may easily be adjusted and interchanged into a plurality of arrangements so as to promote selectivity, stretch and flexibility between the several fingers and the joints between said fingers and the hand generally.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which tends to produce a separation of the metacarpal joints and not merely a stretching of the webs between said fingers. V

Further and. other features of my invention and the modeof operation thereof are herein- 2 after described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a section taken on a line |l in Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of said appliance with one of the finger glides shown spaced more widely apart than the remainder; Fig. 3 is a View of said appliance showing the manner in which the users hand may be placed thereon with the palm supported by its appropriate support and with the fingers arranged in the finger glides;

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 1 with the palm support and the finger glides shown in extended position, said section being taken on the line 44 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the parts of said appliance shown extended; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the manner in which the users hand is arranged when said appliance is used to spread the forefinger and the middle finger more widely apart than the remainder.

An appliance embodying my invention comprises a base i which has a fiat top la. Said top is preferably quite smooth and polished because it is upon said top surface that the palm and finger supporting members are mo nted. Said base preferably is frusto-triangular in elevation. The palm supporting member 2 is arranged adjacent the portion of the base of lesser width and the trough-like finger supporting glides 3 diverge toward the broader portion of said base. A shouldered abutment 4 extends upwardly from the fiat top of said base and engages the heel of the palm supporting member 2. Projecting downwardly from said base are a pair of peas 5 which are adapted to engage the edge of a table 6 or other support. This prevents relative movement between said base and said table or support.

Joining the base and palm supporting member 2 is a looped elastic member I. This is joined to pins 8 secured in said base and hooks 9 secured in the undersurface of said palm supporting member 2 in the manner shown in Fig. 4. I preferably pass said elastic member through eyes l0 so as to keep the courses of said looped elastic member separated widely. This permits the palm supporting member ID to be drawn back to its initial position andv centered with respect to the shouldered abutment 4. I

It is to be noted that the forward edge I! of the palm supporting member 2 is formed upon a curve and thus the abuttingends of the finger glides may bear against said edge and slide relalid s, 3.

tively thereon so as to accommodate the finger glides in the position of the fingers when they are stretched in the manner shown in Fig. 6. Projecting upwardly from the fiat top of the base I are a plurality of pins I2 which are spaced upon a circular course adjacent the near or wide edge H of the appliance as it is viewed in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5. The spacing of said pins is greater than that of the inner ends of the finger glides abutting the palm supporting member 2. Thus, when said palm supporting member and the finger glides are pushed outwardly, as is shown in Figs. and 6, the outer ends of said glides which lie between the pins [2 are spaced apart a greater distance. This causes the fingers of the user to to be separated more distantly, as is shown in Fig. 6, to provide the stretch and exercise for which said appliance is designed.

Elastic members l3 join the palm supporting member 2 and the finger glides 3, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Said elastic members are carried by hooks I l projecting downwardly from the palm supporting member 2 and hooks I ia projecting downwardly from the outer or more distant ends, respectively, of the finger glides 3. Said elastic members also preferably pass through eyes l5 arranged at the end of said finger glides 3 adjacent the palm supporting member} so as to keep said elastic members arranged longitudinally of the finger glides 3. As is noted in the drawings, said elastic members 1 and is preferably are somewhat elongated to promote uniformity-in resistance throughout the entire operating stroke of the

members

2 and 3. That is, said elastic members are not of such limited elongation that theypromote increased tension asthe members are moved by the pressure of the hand from thep'osition they occupy in -F i gs. 1 to 3, inclusive, to that in which they occupyin Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive.

I preferably provide more Ways between the pins [2 than there are finger glides 3. This permits said finger glidesto be moved selectively between morethan onepf said pairs of said pins so that 'stretch may be directed between any two of the fingers to a greater degree than between the remainder. V

My exercising appliance may be used as follows: i V The base of said appliance is arranged fiatwise upon a table with the bottom supported by said tabletop and with the pegs 5 engaging one edge thereof. One o the hands is then arranged so thatthe palm thereof rests uponthe supporting member 2 and the fingers are arranged in the It is to be noted that said glides are quite'long so as to accommodate the entire length of the finger. I find that greater efiiciency is attained when the fingers are arranged fiatwise in said glides 3 but in some exercises for musicians, for example, the fingers are arranged in chord playing position. Except when the fingers are arranged in chord playing position the palm rests upon the member 2 which supports the weight thereof. Thus, the'fingers may be relaxed to minimize tension during the stretching operation. Then the palm supporting member is forced away from the shouldered abutment which will also push the finger glides 3 therewith, until the limit of stretch is attained. This may be done 'by pushing the palm supporting member 2 with the hand to be stretched. In some cases it is desirable to merely relax thehand and support it uponsaidrnember 2 and to push the 'hand'tobe'exercised bythe other hand, grasping the hand to be exercised by'the back and exerting all of the pushing force with the non-exercised hand. It is to be noted that the member 2 is only resiliently secured to the base and, thus, when the fingers are being stretched the member 2 may be waggled to and fro sideways to increase the stretch between the fingers and particularly through the metacarpal joints thereof. It is desirable that said stretching of the fingers be accomplished by anumber of easy strokes, each of which is extended only tothe point that stretch is accomplished. Uncomfortable tension is, thus, avoided. This promotes increased spread and flexibility without promoting undue strain in the joints of the hand and fingers thereof.

Because of the fact that the finger glides 3 and the palm supporting member 2 move away from the shouldered abutment 4, the latter may beused as a support about which the thumb may be hooked if it is desired to promote stretching between the thumb and the fingers. This may be accomplished in the 's'a'n'ie way by supporting the palm upon the member: and pushing it away from said shouldered abutment over which the thumb is hooked. Thus, simultaneously stretch is promoted between the thumb and That is, the forward end created or t e glides t is unconnected with thebase m ule may be lifted wardl a d. we a i ter e n e t cause a y. 2 .9? e. were t i s ie diea to promote stretch between said skipped Way's. 'b ui id $166 .1 may ea ly b d sengaged from their'elastic'niembers l3 merely by unhooking the elas'ti-c member from a hook [4, any of said glides-3 may be removed from the palm supporting m'ember 2 to promote greater or less stretch between anyof the fingers and disengagement of the remaining iingers with a s hu :rmo ne eii q nera fin e guides t a was Joe y. e. ma a n ne. stretch maybe provided between the thumb and the fingers fin specialized exercises, 'Also'any one sa li e 1 may be d h de i m ve promoting stretch between any'of the fingers or h hum ian any a e-fi rs. i

lidost of the exercises for producing stretch may be accomplished with the "palm of 'the ha nd resting upon the surface oi the member 2. Said device may also be usedwiththeback'of the hand bearing upon the u per surface of theimemb'er '2. "About one or more of the finger glides 3, 'I arrange an endless member I6, such for example, as a rubber band and place thereon a'rlng l1. Said ring may be engaged by the tip'of 'a'finger to be used in flexing exercises to promote the muscle tone of the individual fingers. I have found that if said, ring is 'given'a bright color it aids in concentrating when said ring is liftedor manipulated byxoneioi the'tfingers. Said ring may be shifted from one end of the lide 3.,to the other if desired and'may be pulled longitudinally thereof or laterally as in lifting exercises. The thumb may griponeoi the marginal edges o e p m ug e iin m mber? i a et hi exercise or may grip the marginal edge of the base or, as has been, ointedout, may he arranged in oneioijthe is He's '3 with l equal "facility 5 depending upon the exercise to be 'iirac'ticed.

Although I have described the structure and function of the various parts of my appliance in detail, it is to be'understood that these are cited merely by way of example and other and further uses and exercises :may be afforded to meet specific and individual-needs.

I claim: r

1. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the palm of the hand-and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base and said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member by resilient retracting elements.

2. An .exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base, and said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member by flexible resilient retracting elements.

3. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base and said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member and the latter to the base by flexible resilient retracting elements.

4. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base having a downwardly projecting abutment for engaging a support, a member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base, and said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member by resilient retracting elements.

5. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a, member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging trough-like finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base, and said finger glides bein joined to the palm supporting member by resilient retracting elements.

6. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base, said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member and the latter to the base by flexible resilient retracting elements, and the edge of said palm supporting member adjacent the finger glides being curved, said retracting elements tending to hold the finger glides in abutment therewith.

7. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base, said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member and the latter to the base by flexible resilient retracting elements, and the edge of said palm supporting member adjacent the finger glides being curved upon a circular sweep, said retracting elements tending to hold the finger glides in abutment therewith.

8. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base, said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member by resilient retracting elements, and a plurality of guide elements adapted for selective engagement by said finger glides at points spaced from said palm supporting member, said guide elements beingpositioned and arranged to define the path of travel of said finger lides.

9. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base, said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member by resilient retracting elements, and a plurality of guide pins adapted for selective engagement by said finger glides at points spaced from said palm supporting member, said guide pins being positioned and arranged to define the path of travel of said finger glides.

10. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base, said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member by resilient retracting elements, a plurality of guide elements adapted for selective engagement by said finger glides at points spaced from said palm supporting member, said guide elements being positioned and arranged to define the path of travel of said finger glides, said guide elements being spaced apart greater distances than the points of joinder of said finger glides with the palm supporting member, whereby when said palm supporting member and therewith the finger glides are slid upon the base, said finger glides are caused to separate progressively at increasing divergent angles.

11. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base, said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member and the latter to the base by flexible resilient retracting elements, a plurality of guide elements adapted for selective engagement by said finger glides at points spaced from said palm supportin member, said guide elements being positioned and arranged to define the path of travel of said finger glides, said guide elements being spaced apart greater distances that the points of joinder of said finger glides with the palm supporting member, whereby when said palm supporting member and therewith the finger glides are slid upon the base, said finger glides are caused to separate progressively at increasing divergent angles, and the flexibility of the connections between the finger glides and palm supporting members accommodating differential spreading and stretching of the several fingers.

12. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the palm of the hand and a plurality of diverging finger glides, said palm supporting member and finger glides being slidably mounted upon said base, said finger glides being joined to the palm supporting member and the latter to the base by fiexible resilient retracting elements and means for fixing the initial position of said palm supporting member and therewith the fin er lide '13. An exercising appliance for the hands and fingers comprising a base, a member for supporting the p m f the hand an a plurality of; diverging finger glides, said palm supporting memer an fi er glides being slidably mounted upo said base said finger glides being joined to the said base,--said ting'erglides being joined to the palm supporting member and the latter to the base by'fiexible resilient retracting elements, and said palm supporting member being free of guides updn said base to permit said palm supporting member to move freely andindep'endently of the paths of travel of said finger glides.

REX UNDERWOOD.

aEFEizaNc'Es CITED :The follewin'g references are of record in the ma o'f patent:

antes mrarrrr's-