Wrist Support With Rotating Hand Grip

Abstract

A wrist support device that includes a palm grip protection strap pivotably attached to a wrist support strap. The palm grip protection strap pivots between a first position in which it is generally perpendicular to the wrist support strap and provides palm protection and a second position in which it is generally parallel to the wrist support strap and out of the user's way. The device includes a fastening system for securing the palm grip protection strap in the second position.

Claims

1. A wrist support device, comprising: a first strap adapted to wrap around a user's wrist and having a first side and a second side; a first fastening system for securing the first strap to itself so that the first strap forms a loop; a second strap sized to extend from the user's wrist to the base of the user's fingers; and an attachment system attaching the second strap to the first strap, wherein the attachment system permits the second strap to pivot relative to the first strap between a first position in which the second strap is substantially perpendicular to the first strap and a second position in which the second strap is substantially parallel to the first strap.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second fastening system adapted to secure the second strap in the second position.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second fastening system comprises a two-component fastener, wherein a first component of the second fastening system is attached to the second strap and a second component of the second fastening system is attached to the first strap; and wherein the second strap has a first length measured from the attachment system to the first component of the second fastening system, and wherein the second component of the second fastening system is positioned on the first strap such that it is located a distance away from the attachment system equal to the first length when the first strap is secured around a user's wrist.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first fastening system comprises: a two-component fastener, wherein a first component and a second component of the first fastening system are both attached to the first side of the first strap; and a loop ring attached adjacent to an end of the first strap; and wherein the second component of the second fastening system is attached to the second side of the first strap.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the first fastening system comprises: a two-component fastener, wherein a first component of the first fastening system is attached to a first side of the first strap and a second component of the first fastening system is attached to the second side of the first strap; and wherein the second component of the second fastening system is attached to the first side of the first strap.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment system comprises at least one stitch line securing the first strap to the second strap and wherein the stitch line is positioned so that the second strap pivots between the first and second positions by folding over the stitch line.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment system comprises an opening formed in either the first strap or the second strap adjacent the wrist end of the second strap and a rod securable in the opening.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one stitch line comprises an arrangement of stitching comprising a triangular shape with a first stitch line substantially aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the first strap, a second stitch line substantially perpendicular to the first stitch line, and a third stitch line connecting the first and second stitch lines and over which the second strap folds.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one opening adjacent a finger end of the second strap adapted to receive at least one finger of the user when the second strap is in the first position.

10. A wrist support device, comprising: a first strap sized to wrap around a user's wrist; a second strap sized to extend from the user's wrist to the base of the user's fingers and having a wrist end and a finger end; and an attachment system comprising at least one stitch line securing the first strap to the second strap, wherein the stitch line is positioned such that the second strap can pivot relative to the first strap by folding over the stitch line between at least a first position in which the second strap is substantially perpendicular to the first strap and a second position in which the second strap is substantially parallel to the first strap.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one stitch line comprises an arrangement of stitching comprising a triangular shape with a first stitch line substantially aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the first strap, a second stitch line substantially perpendicular to the first stitch line, and a third stitch line connecting the first and second stitch lines and over which the second strap folds.

12. The device of claim 10, further comprising: a first fastening system for securing the first strap to itself in a loop; and a second fastening system for securing the second strap to the first strap in the second position, comprising a two-component fastener, wherein a first component of the second fastening system is attached to the second strap and a second component of the second fastening system is attached to the first strap.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the second fastening system comprises a fabric fastening system.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first or second components of the second fastening system comprises at least one magnet.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the first strap further comprises: a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end; and a loop ring attached adjacent the first end; and wherein the first fastening system comprises a two-component fastener in which both a first component of the first fastening system and a second component of the first fastening system are attached to the first side of the first strap.

16. A wrist support device, comprising: a first strap sized to wrap around a user's wrist; a second strap sized to extend from the user's wrist to the base of the user's fingers and having a wrist end and a finger end; a first fastening system for securing the first strap to itself so that the first strap forms a loop; an attachment system comprising at least one stitch line securing the first strap to the second strap, wherein the stitch line is positioned so that the second strap can pivot relative to the first strap by folding over the stitch line between at least a first position in which the second strap is substantially perpendicular to the first strap and a second position in which the second strap is substantially parallel to the first strap; and a second fastening system for securing the second strap in the second position, comprising at least one component attached to the second strap.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the second fastening system comprises a two-component fastener in which a first component of the second fastening system is attached to the second strap.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the first strap further comprises a loop ring attached adjacent to an end of the first strap; and wherein the first fastening system comprises a two-component fastener, wherein a first component and a second component of the first fastening system are both attached to a first side of the first strap.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the first fastening system comprises a two-component fastener, wherein a first component of the first fastening system is attached to a first side of the first strap and a second component of the first fastening system is attached to a second side of the first strap.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least one stitch line comprises an arrangement of stitching comprising a triangular shape with a first stitch line substantially aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the first strap, a second stitch substantially perpendicular to the first stitch line, and a third stitch line connecting the first and second stitch lines and over which the second strap folds.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c are views of the embodiment of FIG. 1 on a user's wrist.

[0029] FIG. 4 is an alternative view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 on a user's wrist.

[0030] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIGS. 7a and 7b are views of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a first embodiment of the present invention in the form of wrist support 10. Wrist support 10 comprises a first strap 11 and a second strap 12. The first strap 11 has a wrist pad 13 attached to it, as well as fastening system 14. In this embodiment, the fastening system 14 is a two-component fastener comprising a first component 14a and a second component 14b. In this embodiment, the fastening system is a hook-and-loop system (such as Velcro), in which component 14a is the hook portion and component 14b is the loop portion.

[0034] The first strap 11 also has a loop ring 15 attached to a first end 16 of the strap 11. The loop ring 15 is sized so that the second end 17 of the first strap can be fed through it and folded back onto itself. In this arrangement, the fastener components 14a and 14b can be secured to one another so that the first strap forms a loop. To achieve this, both of the components 14a and 14b of the first fastening system 14 are attached to the same side of the first strap 11. The first strap 11 has a length appropriate for wrapping around a user's wrist, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Different lengths of the first strap are used in different embodiments to accommodate different user wrist sizes. In this context, the length of the first strap refers to the distance between the first end 16 and the second end 17. The length of the first strap and the positioning of the fastener components 14a and 14b are selected to give the user the ability to adjust the tension of the device around his or her wrists and to accommodate multiple wrist sizes.

[0035] The width of the first strap is selected to provide adequate support for the user's wrist during weightlifting movements or other exercises. The width is varied in other embodiments to be appropriate for different amounts of support and/or different types of exercise.

[0036] The first strap 11 of the first embodiment comprises a flat webbing formed of a suitable material, such as nylon, polypropylene, cotton, or other material or blend of materials. In some embodiments, the strap is a woven webbing, in others it is a suitable unitary construction.

[0037] The second strap 12 is attached to the first strap via an attachment system 18. The second strap 12 is adapted to provide protection to a user's palm and/or to improve the ability of a user to grip an object with his or her hand. In the embodiment shown, the second strap 12 is similar to a gymnastics palm grip in material and construction. The strap 12 includes two finger openings 19 adapted to receive a user's fingers as shown in FIG. 3a. The second strap 12 has a wrist end 20 and a finger end 21 and is sized to extend from a user's wrist to the base of the user's fingers. In this context, the length of the second strap 12 refers to the distance between the wrist end 20 and a finger end 21.

[0038] In the embodiment shown, the second strap 12 is comprised of a leather material. In other embodiments, the second strap 12 is comprised of a synthetic leather, a suitable strap webbing material, or any other material that is suitable for use as a gymnastics palm grip. Such materials are sufficiently strong and resilient to withstand the significant friction created between a user's palm and a pull-up bar, for example, but are sufficiently soft and flexible so as not to create excess friction and chafing on the user's palm and/or fingers.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the pad 13 is comprised of a neoprene foam. Other foam types and other materials are used for the pad in other embodiments.

[0040] The attachment system 16 of the device 10 permits the second strap 12 to pivot relative to the first strap 11. The pivoting or rotating motion is illustrated by arrows 23 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c, the pivoting motion allows the second strap to move between: (1) a first position shown in FIG. 3a in which the strap 12 is substantially perpendicular to the first strap 11 and the second strap 12 provides protection to the user's palm; and (2) a second position shown in FIG. 3c in which the strap 12 is substantially parallel to the first strap 11 and the strap 12 is secured out of the user's way. In this context, the references to perpendicular and parallel refer to the relationship between the lengths of the first and second straps.

[0041] The embodiment shown also includes a second fastening system 22 which is used to secure the second strap 12 into its second position. In this embodiment, the second fastening system 22 comprises a two-component fastener with a first component 22a attached to the second strap 12 (shown in FIG. 1) and a second component 22b attached to the first strap 11 (shown in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the second fastening system 22 is a hook-and-loop system, in which the first component 22a is the hook portion and the second component 22b is the loop portion. The second component 22b is positioned so that it aligns with the first component 22a when the first strap is secured on a user's wrist and the second strap 12 is wrapped around the wrist into its second position.

[0042] FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c show the device 10 being worn by a user. In these figures, the first strap 11 is wrapped snuggly around the user's wrist to provide support to that joint for, especially, weightlifting movements involving a barbell or dumbbells. In FIG. 3a, the second strap 12 is in a first position to provide palm protection to the user. The user's fingers 24 have been placed through the finger openings 19 so that the second strap 12 is secure in first position and does not move while the user performs exercises that bear against the strap 12.

[0043] FIG. 3b shows the second strap 12 being pivoted about the attachment system 18. Arrows 25 indicate the path of movement that the attachment system enables for the second strap 12. Once the user no longer needs the palm grip protection provided by the second strap in its first position, he or she slips his or her fingers out of the finger openings 19 and then simply rotates the second strap either clockwise or counterclockwise. The user can secure the second strap out of his or her way by aligning it in parallel with the first strap and then wrapping the second strap around the first strap and pressing the components of the second fastening system together.

[0044] FIGS. 3c and 4 show the second strap 12 secured into its second position. As shown, the lengths of the first strap 11 and the second strap 12 are essentially parallel. FIG. 4 shows how the second fastening system 22 secures the second strap 12 in the second position. The first component 22a of the system, which is attached to the second strap 12, is pressed onto the second component 22b, which is attached to the first strap 11. The second fastening system secures the second strap out of the user's way so that it does not become a distraction or a danger while the user performs exercises that do not require palm grip protection.

[0045] In this embodiment, the second strap 12 is sized, and the second component 22b of the fastening system is positioned, such that the second strap should be wrapped around the wrist in the direction away from the loop ring 15 to ensure that the second fastening system functions.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the attachment system 18 used in this embodiment of the invention in relation to other components of the device 10. The second strap 12 has a reinforced portion 26 adjacent the wrist end 20. In this embodiment, the reinforced portion 26 comprises a double layer webbingi.e. a webbing folded over one end of the strap 12 and attached using a box stitch 27. The reinforced portion 26 of the second strap 12 includes an opening 28 in the form of a hole made through the reinforced portion 26. In this embodiment, the opening 28 includes a metal grommet 29. In other embodiments, the reinforced portion 26 is comprised of a leather, synthetic leather, or other sufficiently strong and resilient material. In other embodiments, other types of eyelets are used in place of grommet 29, such as other rivet-style components.

[0047] The first end 16 of the first strap 11 is also shown. It includes the webbing of the first strap folded over onto itself in order to attach the loop ring 15. An opening 30 is also formed in the first strap 11 adjacent to the first end 16. The opening 30 and the opening 28 are sized and located to receive the attachment system 18, which enables the second strap 12 to pivot relative to the first strap 11. The attachment system 18 comprises screw portion 31 and a base portion 32. The screw portion includes external threading that engages a complementary internal threading on the base portion 32. In this embodiment, the attachment system also includes a washer 33 disposed between the screw portion 31 and the first strap 11. To assemble the attachment system 18 and attach the first and second straps together, the base portion 32 is inserted into the opening 28 of the reinforced portion 26, then inserted into the opening 30, then the washer 33, and then the screw portion 31 is screwed into the base portion 32 until it is sufficiently snug.

[0048] When the screw portion 31 is threaded into the base portion 32, they form essentially a rod around which the straps can pivot. In some embodiments, the base portion is integrally attached to one of the first or second straps. Other types of pivoting attachment systems are used in other embodiments, including more permanently attached pivoting rivet style attachments. In some embodiments, the screw portion, base portion, and other components of the attachment system are stainless steel. In other embodiments, these components are formed of other appropriate metals, composite materials, and thermoplastics, or combinations thereof.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. Device 110 comprises a two-piece first strap 111 and a second strap 112. The first strap 111 comprises a pad portion 113 and a strap portion 140. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the first strap 111 is sized and designed to wrap around a user's wrist to provide support during weightlifting exercises, or any movement for which the user desires additional support for the wrist joint.

[0050] The first strap 111 includes a first fastening system 114, with a first component 114a attached to the pad portion 113 and a second component 114b attached to the strap portion 140. The two components of the fastening system are on opposite sides of the first strap 111. This enables a user to simply wrap the first strap 11 around his or her wrist and press the second component 114b against the first component 114a to secure the strap in place. In this embodiment, component 114a is a loop portion of a hook-and-loop system, while component 144b is the hook portion. The length of the strap is again selected so that the user can adjust the tightness of the wrap and/or to accommodate different sized wrists.

[0051] The second strap 112 is attached to the first strap 111 via the rotating attachment system 118. In this embodiment, the attachment system comprises a thumb screw and a base for receiving the thumb screw. The thumb screw and base form the rod that fits through openings formed in both of the straps (not shown). This permits the second strap 112 to rotate relative to the first strap 111.

[0052] The device 110 also includes a second fastening system 122 for securing the second strap 112 to the first strap 111 in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 3c and 4. Second fastening system has two components: component 122a attached to the second strap 112 (in the form of two pieces of the hook portion of a hook-and-loop system) and component 122b attached to the first strap 111. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the second strap 112 can be pivoted so that it is substantially parallel to the first strap 111 and then secured in this position by pressing the components of the second fastening system 122 together. Advantageously in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the entire outside surface of the first strap 111 has the loop portion of a hook-and-loop system so that the second strap can be secured in the second position no matter how far the finger end 121 reaches around the first strap 111 when it is on a user's wrist. In this design, the first component 114a of the first fastening system and the second component 122b of the second fastening system are essentially one and the same component. That is, a single piece of loop fabric is used by both fastening systems.

[0053] The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 includes a single finger opening 119 instead of two finger openings as shown for the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5. The opening 119 is sized to accommodate two of the user's fingers. Of course, other embodiments employ different numbers of finger openings of varying size.

[0054] The fastening systems used in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 and FIG. 6 are hook-and-loop type systems. But, other types of fastening systems are used in other embodiments, such as buckles, snaps, buttons, or other types of fabric and/or touch fasteners. In some embodiments, fastening systems that use two components of the same kind are used, for example, 3M's DualLock system. In such embodiments, both components have the same design. In some embodiments, a magnetic fastening system is used. In such embodiments, at least one first magnet is used in conjunction with either a second magnet or a ferromagnetic material (such as certain metals) to which the first magnet is attracted. For example, the second fastening system in some embodiments comprises a first magnet attached to the second strap and a second magnet or ferromagnetic material attached to the first strap.

[0055] The spacing of the various parts attached to the first strap is important to the functioning of embodiments of the invention. For example, the second component of the second fastening system 22b, 122b must be placed on the first strap 11, 111 at a position that is appropriate for the distance between the pivot point of the second strap (i.e., the attachment system 18, 118) and the first component 22a, 122a of the second fastening system. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, this is achieved by ensuring that the second component 122b (or the combination of the component 114a and component 122b) extends to a distance from the attachment system 118 along the first strap 111 equal to the distance along the second strap 112 from the attachment system to the first component 122a. When this condition is true along both the pad portion 113 and the strap portion 140, the second strap 112 will always be able to be secured into its second position.

[0056] For embodiments in which the first strap utilizes a loop ring or another feature so that the first strap doubles back on itself to be secured, reference is again made to FIGS. 1 and 2. The first strap 11 has a first side 41 on which the components of the first fastening system are attached. The second component 22b of the second fastening system is attached to the second side 42. The second component 22b is sized and positioned so that it is the same distance from the attachment system 18 around which the second strap pivots as the distance along the second strap between the attachment system 18 and the first component 22a.

[0057] In general, the second component 22b extends about the same distance along the second side 42 from the second end 17 as the second component 14b extends along the first side 41 from the second end 17. The space 43 between the two components 14a and 14b is generally the space that permits the fit of the strap to be varied around the wrist of a user. This is the portion of the strap that can easily be moved within the loop ring 15.

[0058] The relationships between the length of the second component 22b, the length of the space 43, the distance between the attachment system 18 and the first component 22a, and the distance between the attachment system 18 and the far edge of the first component 14a in the embodiment shown are as follows: The ratio of the length of the second component 22b to the length of the space 43 is about 2.75:2.5. The ratio of the length of the second component 14b to the length of space 43 is about 3.25:2.5. The distance between the attachment system 18 and the second component 22a is about the same as the distance between the attachment system 18 and the far edge of the first component 14a. The ratio of the length of the second component 22b to the length of the second component 14b is about 2.75:3.25. When the device is sized up or down, preserving these ratios ensures that the second strap 12 can be safely secured in its second position while still allowing adjustability in the fit of the device. At a minimum, the second component 22b is sized and positioned such that, when the first strap is folded back onto itself through the loop ring, the second component 22b extends far enough that it can be reached by the first component 22a on the second strap. In other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the second component 22b and the space 43 is about 3:2, about 3:2.5, about 1:1, or about 2:1.

[0059] FIGS. 7a and 7b show an additional embodiment of the invention in which an alternative attachment system 218 is used to attach the first strap 211 to second strap 212. In this embodiment, the attachment system 218 comprises a stitching arrangement 250 in the shape of a right triangle. The stitching arrangement 250 is used to secure the first strap to the second strap. The triangular shape of the stitching arrangement 250 enables the first strap 212 to be folded over the stitch line that forms the hypotenuse of the triangle. This folding action permits the second strap 212 to pivot between a first position in which the strap 212 is substantially perpendicular to the first strap 211 and the second strap 212 provides protection to the user's palm; and (2) a second position in which the strap 212 is substantially parallel to the first strap 211 and the strap 212 is secured out of the user's way.

[0060] FIG. 7a shows the device in the configuration in which the second strap 212 is positioned to provide protection to a user's palm and is substantially perpendicular to the first strap 211. In the embodiment shown, the shorter leg of the triangle is substantially parallel with the hand, substantially parallel with the second strap, substantially parallel with a longitudinal dimension of the second strap, and substantially perpendicular to the first strap 211. The stitch line that forms the hypotenuse of the triangle is at about a 45 degree angle to the longitudinal dimensions of the first and second straps, which allows the second strap 212 to fold at a roughly perpendicular angle to attach to the first strap. The longitudinal direction of the straps refers to the long dimension of the strap.

[0061] FIG. 7b shows the device in the configuration in which the second strap 212 is wrapped around the first strap 211, and is substantially parallel to the first strap 211. The fold in the second strap 212 is shown at 251. In this embodiment, the second strap 212 includes a fastening system 222 for securing the second strap 212 in the second position wrapped around the first strap. In this embodiment, the fastening system 222 comprises a hook-and-loop fastener, and the hook portion is located on the second strap 212. In the embodiment shown, the second strap 212 is adapted to wrap over the loop ring on the first strap 211. In other embodiments, the second strap 212 is adapted to wrap in the other direction on the first strap 211away from the loop ring.

[0062] In other embodiments, only a single stitch line is necessary. In some embodiments, the stitch line is made at a 45 degree angle to the longitudinal direction of each of the first and second straps, similar to the hypotenuse stitch line shown FIG. 7a.

[0063] Thus, in some embodiments, the attachment system comprises at least one stitch line securing the first strap to the second strap and the stitch line is positioned so that the second strap pivots between the first and second positions by folding over the stitch line. In some embodiments, the at least one stitch line comprises an arrangement of stitching comprising a triangular shape with a first stitch line substantially aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the first strap, a second stitch line substantially perpendicular to the first stitch line, and a third stitch line connecting the first and second stitch lines and over which the second strap folds.

[0064] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of other features and embodiments can be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.