Forearm Extensor Training Device, etc

Description

This applications claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of my provisional patent application 63/833,520, filed Dec. 11, 2024, now pending as of the filing of the present application.

The invention relates to fitness exercise and therapy exercise devices, and is particularly directed to exercise apparatus for exercising the exterior muscles of the posterior forearm. Embodiments of this invention can be used in exercising the muscles for the wrist, fingers, and/or thumb that are responsible for finger extension and thumb abduction. These embodiments can be used in combination with common weight training devices such as dumbbells or hand weights, or with a barbell.

This device allows isolated targeting of the extensor muscles in the forearm and hand using an external load (e.g., a dumbbell or barbell). The device is made up of a hard piece of composite or rubber-like material that does have some flexibility, that is, hard enough to hold shape under load but flexible enough to be connected to a dumbbell. One possible material can be an injection-molded hard silicone plastic, but other materials can provide adequate results. The shape is made up of a row of finger loops, with 4-5 finger holes, that resembles brass knuckles. These finger loops are connected to a transverse generally cylindrical sleeve that can wrap around the shaft or handle of a dumbbell or barbell. The sleeve on the extensor training device can be tube-shaped with openings on both ends and have a small opening, e.g., a slot or gap, through the tube that will allow the device to be put on and taken off of a weight training implement. The external device allows it to attach to a weight training implement, but instead of wrapping the fingers around a bar of the weight (which would require the fingers to clench the bar in a flexed position), it allows for the fingers to hold the implement in their extended or stretched-out position (in finger extension). The shape of the device can also allow more isolated training of finger abductors and abductors via an isometric contraction; that can involve pushing fingers into the finger loops (i.e., the “brass knuckle shape implement”) or pulling fingers into the device finger loops.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various possible embodiments, this exercise training device is made of a tough, somewhat flexible material with a row or finger loops at its upper side, and below that a tubular sleeve into which a handle or horizontal shaft of an exercise weight can be inserted and retained. The hand is inserted, palm downward, with the affected fingers placed into some or all of the finger loops. The finger or fingers are lifted against the weight of the dumbbell or other hand weight that is retained in the cylindrical or tubular part of the device. The amount of weight can be changed by changing out the dumbbell for a heavier or lighter one.

The above exercises place a resistive force on the exterior muscle groups for the fingers being exercised. A physical therapist or occupational therapist can prescribe the weight to use as well as the proper number of repetitions.

To date, no simple exercise training device has been available to exercise the exterior muscles of the forearm for the extension of the wrist, thumb, and fingers, although exercises have been available for the flexor muscle groups to exercise the clenching power of the hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise training device of this invention, without a dumbbell or other exercise weight being attached.

FIG. 2 shows the exercise training device of this invention with a hand-weight contained in the cylindrical or tubular sleeve.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment with straps or ribbons added to help close the cylindrical or tubular sleeve over the handle portion of the hand-weight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the Drawing and initially to FIG. 1, the extensor training exercise device 10 of this invention, as shown is injection molded to incorporate a cylindrical sleeve 12, which as shown here has a circular opening 14 at each end and an elongated slot or gap 16 extending from one end to the other. A row of finger loops 18 are formed unitarily with the cylindrical sleeve 12, and here there are four finger loops, although other embodiments could have more or fewer. The material preferred for use for this device is an injection-molded silicone plastic, which is flexible enough for the gap or slot 16 to spread out when pushed onto the handle or bar of a hand weight, but stiff enough so that the hand weight is retained in the sleeve 12 during normal extensor exercises. Other material may also be used for this device. The sleeve 12 is shown here as being of circular cross section, but in other embodiments the sleeve may be of hexagonal, octagonal, or other shape.

The row of finger loops 14 provides a place for the subject to place one or up to four fingers for a given exercise, or to hold the thumb of he affected hand.

As shown in FIG. 2, a dumbbell 20 or similar hand weight can be pushed into the sleeve 12 with the handle 22 of the dumbbell 20 being retained in the cylindrical sleeve and the slot 16 having returned to the position as shown retaining the handle (or shaft) 22 of the dumbbell. When the subject needs to change to a greater or smaller weight, the dumbbell 20 can be pulled out, flexing the cylindrical sleeve at the slot or gap 16. Then the subject can select another hand weight of the proper weight, and press that into place in the sleeve 12.

An alternative construction of the extensor exercise device is shown in FIG. 3. Here, in addition to the cylindrical sleeve and finger loops, the unit has one or more lengths of a tape or ribbon 24 situated between successive finger loops 18, and reaching across the elongated gap 16. These can have fastener devices at the end of the length of tape to attach to a mating attachment means (not shown) on the sleeve 12 to hold the gap closed, and can be easily released when needed to remove or replace the dumbbell or other hand weight. This permits the device to use a softer or more flexible material. Embodiments of the extensor training exercise device may also be formed of a flat panel or sheet of the flexible material, cut or divided into individual portions to constitute the finger loops and the cylindrical sleeve. The individual portions then can be adhered or welded together into a single unit.

The invention is not to be limited to these precise embodiments, which are offered as examples. Rather the scope of this invention is to be measured in terms of the ensuing claims.