WRIST ROTATION CONTROLLER FOR BOWLERS

Abstract

A device and method for restricting or enhancing wrist rotation uses an armband with an outer surface with loop or hook fasteners. An elongated flexible non-stretchable device wraps outwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent over-rotation of the wrist or wraps inwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent under-rotation of the wrist. The elongated device has an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and an inner surface with hook or loop fasteners. The elongated device can be removably and adjustably attached to the armband, and has a first connecting device affixed to the lower end portion. A gauntlet has a second connecting device affixed at the dorsal side of the thumb that is compatible with the first connecting device. The gauntlet may be constructed from material stretchable in a transverse direction of the hand but not stretchable in a longitudinal direction of the hand.

Claims

1. A wrist rotation controller for restricting or enhancing wrist rotation, comprising: an armband having an outer surface having one of loop fasteners and hook fasteners; an elongated flexible non-stretchable device adapted to be wrapped outwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent over-rotation of the wrist and to be wrapped inwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent under-rotation of the wrist, the elongated flexible non-stretchable device having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and an inner surface having one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners, the elongated flexible non-stretchable device being removably and adjustably attachable to the armband, and having a first connecting device affixed to the lower end portion; and a gauntlet having a second connecting device affixed at the dorsal side of the thumb and compatible with the first connecting device.

2. The wrist rotation controller of claim 1, wherein: the gauntlet is made of material stretchable in a transverse direction of the hand but not stretchable in a longitudinal direction of the hand.

3. The wrist rotation controller of claim 2, further comprising: a palm covering, a backhand covering, an expandable side panel, and a thumb gusset; wherein the second connecting device is affixed to the thumb gusset; and and wherein at least one of the palm covering, backhand covering, expandable side panel, and thumb gusset is stretchable in the transverse direction but not stretchable in the longitudinal direction.

4. The wrist rotation controller of claim 3, wherein: the palm covering, the backhand covering, and the thumb gusset form a thumb hole, and encompass the thumb metacarpal from the thumb carpometacarpal joint to and at least partially including the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint; the palm covering and the backhand covering form a first finger hole, and encompass the first finger metacarpal from the first finger carpometacarpal joint to and completely encompassing the first finger metacarpophalangeal joint; and palm covering, backhand covering, and expandable side panel form common second through fourth finger-hole, and progressively expose the second through fourth finger metacarpophalangeal joints.

5. The wrist rotation controller of claim 4, further comprising: at least one knuckle window having therein stretchable fabric located within the backhand covering.

6. The wrist rotation controller of claim 1, wherein: at least one of: the inner surface of the elongated flexible non-stretchable device being provided with low profile hook fasteners; the first connecting device being one of a buckle loop, a hook, a snap, and a clasp; the second connecting device being one of a buckle pin, an eye, a snap, and a clasp; the upper end portion of the elongated flexible non-stretchable device having a width of at least about two inches; and the lower end portion of the elongated flexible non-stretchable device tapering down to a width of about one inch.

7. The wrist rotation controller of claim 1, wherein: the armband further having at least one of: a two slot buckle; and an inner layer of stretchable fabric, a middle layer of stretchable, resilient, non-absorbent sponge-like material, and an outer layer of stretchable fabric material that includes the loop portion of hook and loop fastener.

8. A gauntlet for a wrist rotation controller for restricting or enhancing wrist rotation having an elongated flexible non-stretchable device adapted to be wrapped outwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent over-rotation of the wrist and to be wrapped inwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent under-rotation of the wrist, the gauntlet comprising: a connecting device affixed at the dorsal side of the thumb and operable to be connected to the elongated flexible non-stretchable device.

9. The gauntlet of claim 8, wherein: the gauntlet is made of material stretchable in a transverse direction of the hand but not stretchable in a longitudinal direction of the hand.

10. The gauntlet of claim 9, further comprising: a palm covering, a backhand covering, an expandable side panel, and a thumb gusset; wherein the connecting device is affixed to the thumb gusset; and and wherein at least one of the palm covering, backhand covering, expandable side panel, and thumb gusset is stretchable in the transverse direction but not stretchable in the longitudinal direction.

11. The gauntlet of claim 10, wherein: the palm covering, the backhand covering, and the thumb gusset form a thumb hole, and encompass the thumb metacarpal from the thumb carpometacarpal joint to and at least partially including the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint; the palm covering and the backhand covering form a first finger hole, and encompass the first finger metacarpal from the first finger carpometacarpal joint to and completely encompassing the first finger metacarpophalangeal joint; and palm covering, backhand covering, and expandable side panel form common second through fourth finger-hole, and progressively expose the second through fourth finger metacarpophalangeal joints.

12. The gauntlet of claim 11, further comprising: at least one knuckle window having therein stretchable fabric located within the backhand covering.

13. A method for restricting or enhancing wrist rotation, comprising the steps of: providing an armband with an outer surface having one of loop fasteners and hook fasteners; providing an elongated flexible non-stretchable device having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, an inner surface having one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners, and a first connecting device affixed to the lower end portion; removably and adjustably attaching the elongated flexible non-stretchable device being to the armband using the hook and loop fasteners; wrapping the elongated flexible non-stretchable device outwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent over-rotation of the wrist or inwardly around the forearm when in use to prevent under-rotation of the wrist; providing a gauntlet having a second connecting device affixed at the dorsal side of the thumb and compatible with the first connecting device; and connecting the first connecting device to the second connecting device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: making the gauntlet out of material stretchable in a transverse direction of the hand but not stretchable in a longitudinal direction of the hand.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: assembling the gauntlet to include a palm covering, a backhand covering, an expandable side panel, and a thumb gusset, at least one of the palm covering, the backhand covering, the expandable side panel, and the thumb gusset being stretchable in the transverse direction but not stretchable in the longitudinal direction; and affixing the second connecting device to the thumb gusset.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: forming a thumb hole using the palm covering, the backhand covering, and the thumb gusset, and encompassing therewith the thumb metacarpal from the thumb carpometacarpal joint to and at least partially including the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint; forming a first finger hole using the palm covering and the backhand covering, and encompassing therewith the first finger metacarpal from the first finger carpometacarpal joint to and completely encompassing the first finger metacarpophalangeal joint; and forming a common second through fourth finger-hole using the palm covering, the backhand covering, and the expandable side panel, and progressively exposing therewith the second through fourth finger metacarpophalangeal joints.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: providing at least one knuckle window having therein stretchable fabric within the backhand covering.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: providing the inner surface of the elongated flexible non-stretchable device with low profile hook fasteners.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein: at least one of: the first connecting device being one of a buckle loop, a hook, a snap, and a clasp; the second connecting device being one of a buckle pin, an eye, a snap, and a clasp; the upper end portion of the elongated flexible non-stretchable device having a width of at least about two inches; and the lower end portion of the elongated flexible non-stretchable device tapering down to a width of about one inch.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: providing the armband further with at least one of: a two slot buckle; and an inner layer of stretchable fabric, a middle layer of stretchable, resilient, non-absorbent sponge-like material, and an outer layer of stretchable fabric material that includes the loop portion of hook and loop fastener.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above-mentioned and other features of embodiments of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller, and the manner of their working, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a bowler's right forearm having an embodiment of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller, as described herein;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a bowler's right forearm supporting a bowling ball and having an embodiment of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller, as described herein;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a bowler's right forearm having an embodiment of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller, as described herein;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a bowler's right forearm having an embodiment of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller, as described herein; and

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller, as described herein.

[0026] Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, embodiments of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller 10 are shown. FIG. 2 shows the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller 10 in use with the bowler grasping a bowling ball 20, whereas FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 show the bowler wearing the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller 10 without the bowling ball 20. In FIGS. 1 through 4, an adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband 40 is snugly affixed to the forearm B just beneath the elbow A. The adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband 40 has an outer layer of elastic or stretchable fabric material having the fuzzy loop fastener portion of hook and loop fasteners 50.

[0028] An elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 (not shown in FIG. 3) has an upper end portion 62 having a width of at least about two inches, a lower end portion 64 that tapers down to a width of about one inch, an inner surface 66 (not visible in FIGS. 1-4), and an outer surface 68. The inner surface 66 of the elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 is provided with low profile hook fasteners 70 such as the Velcro Industrial StrengthLow Profile hook fasteners previously discussed (also not visible in FIGS. 1-4). The low profile hook fasteners 70 are engaged with the outer layer of elastic or stretchable fabric material having the fuzzy loop fastener portion of hook and loop fasteners 50 of the adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband 40. The elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 wraps outwardly around the forearm B when in use to prevent over-rotation of the wrist C (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4), or wraps inwardly around the forearm B when in use to prevent under-rotation of the wrist C. The elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 connects to a gauntlet 80 on the hand D of the bowler using a mating connector 72 on the elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 and a mating connector 104 on the gauntlet 80 at the dorsal side of the thumb K. The mating connector 72 and the mating connector 104 may be a buckle pin and loop arrangement, a hook and eye arrangement, snaps, or clasps.

[0029] The gauntlet 80 is constructed of a palm covering 90 and a backhand covering 94, and has a thumb-hole 100, a first finger-hole 106, and a common second through fourth finger-hole 108. The palm covering 90 and backhand covering 94 are stretchable in the transverse direction 38 of the hand D but not stretchable in the longitudinal direction 36 of the hand D. The palm covering 90 and backhand covering 94 terminate in the direction of the forearm B at a cuff 82. A cuff slit 84 allows for easy donning and removal of the gauntlet 80, which is snugly retained on the hand D using a cuff strap 86 having hook and loop fasteners 88 (not visible in FIGS. 1-4). An expandable side panel 98 (not visible in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) joins the palm covering 90 and the backhand covering 94 at the outer edge proximate to the fourth finger E4. The expandable side panel 98 may also be stretchable in the transverse direction 38 but not stretchable in the longitudinal direction 36 of the hand D. A thumb gusset 102, to which the mating connector 104 is attached, joins the inner edge of the palm covering 90 and the backhand covering 94. The thumb gusset 102 may also be stretchable in the transverse direction 38 of the hand D but not stretchable in the longitudinal direction 36 of the hand D.

[0030] The palm covering 90, the backhand covering 94, and the thumb gusset 102 together form the thumb-hole 100, thereby encompassing the thumb metacarpal M of the thumb K from the end of the cuff slit 84 near the thumb carpometacarpal joint L to and at least partially including the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint N. The palm covering 90 and the backhand covering 94 are again joined between the thumb K and first finger E1, and between the first finger E1 and the second finger E2, forming the first finger-hole 106. The palm covering 90 and the backhand covering 94 thereby may completely encompass the first finger metacarpophalangeal joint H1. The palm covering 90, the backhand covering 94, and the expandable side panel 98 together form the common second through fourth finger-hole 108, which may progressively expose the second through fourth finger metacarpophalangeal joints H2 through H4. In order to allow a degree of flexure of the finger metacarpophalangeal joints H1 through H4 notwithstanding the otherwise longitudinally non-stretchable palm covering 90 and backhand covering 94, knuckle windows 92 and 96 may be provided having therein stretchable fabric.

[0031] The longitudinally non-stretchable palm covering 90 and backhand covering 94, in conjunction with the thumb gusset 102 and the expandable side panel 98, thereby completely encompasses the thumb metacarpal M from the thumb carpometacarpal joint L to and at least partially including the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint N, and the finger metacarpals G1 through G4 from the finger carpometacarpal joints F1 through F4 to the first finger metacarpophalangeal joint H1, which may be completely encompassed, and to the second through fourth finger metacarpophalangeal joints H2 through H4, which may be progressively exposed, as noted previously. In this way, the gauntlet 80 better distributes the tension provided by the elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 over the thumb K and first finger E1, which are furthest from the longitudinal axis 30 of the wrist C and forearm B, thereby preventing unwanted over-rotation or under-rotation of the bowler's wrist C about the longitudinal axis 30. Rotation of the wrist C about the vertical axis 32 and about the lateral axis 34 remain relatively unimpeded.

[0032] As noted previously, the thumb carpometacarpal joint L and the thumb metacarpal M are limited in their articulation by the longitudinally non-stretchable palm covering 90, backhand covering 94, and thumb gusset 102 encompassing the thumb metacarpal M from the thumb carpometacarpal joint L to and at least partially including the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint N. The first finger carpometacarpal joint F1 and first finger metacarpal G1 are limited in their articulation by the longitudinally non-stretchable palm covering 90 and backhand covering 94 encompassing the first finger metacarpal G1 from the first finger carpometacarpal joint F1 to and fully including the first finger metacarpophalangeal joint H1. This prevents or limits the thumb metacarpal M, the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint N, the first finger metacarpal G1, and/or the first finger metacarpophalangeal joint H1 from translating in the direction of the palm relative to the rest of the hand D in order to overcome the tension provided by the elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 and allow the wrist to twist C about the longitudinal centerline 30 of the forearm B.

[0033] Meanwhile, the knuckle windows 92 and 96 having therein stretchable fabric and the progressive exposure of the finger metacarpophalangeal joints H1 through H4 allows the finger metacarpophalangeal joints H1 through H4 to articulate to a progressively greater extent from the first finger E1 to the fourth finger E4, even while the metacarpals M and G1 through G4 and metacarpophalangeal joints N and H1 through H4 of the thumb K and fingers E1 through E4 are restricted from translating forward about the thumb and finger carpometacarpal joints L and F1 through F4. This allows the thumb proximal phalanx P and the finger proximal phalanges J1 through J4 sufficient motion for the thumb K and fingers E1 through E4 to properly engage the bowling ball.

[0034] Turning now to FIG. 5, the components of an embodiment of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller 10 are shown. An adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband 40 has an inner layer of stretchable comfort fabric 48, a middle layer of stretchable, resilient, and non-absorbent sponge-like material such as Neoprene 46, and an outer layer of elastic or stretchable fabric material having the fuzzy loop fastener portion of hook and loop fasteners 50. The adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband 40 also has a free end portion 42 having a section of the hook portion 44 of hook and loop fastener, and an opposite end portion 52 having a rigid rectangular two slot buckle 54, or tri-buckle, through one slot of which the opposite end portion 52 of the adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband 40 is looped and permanently sewn in place. In order to affix the adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband 40 to the bowler's forearm B (not shown), the free end portion 42 passed through the remaining free slot of the rigid rectangular two slot buckle 54, reversed back upon itself, and the section of hook portion 44 of the hook and loop fastener engaged with the fuzzy loop portion that is the outer layer 50 of the adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband 40. The rigid rectangular two slot buckle 54 thereby resists any tendency of the adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband 40 to twist.

[0035] An elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 again has an upper end portion 62 having a width of at least about two inches, a lower end portion 64 that tapers down to a width of about one inch, an inner surface 66, and an outer surface 68. The inner surface 66 of the elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 is provided with low profile hook fasteners 70 such as the Velcro Industrial StrengthLow Profile hook fasteners previously discussed. When in use, the low profile hook fasteners 70 are engaged with the outer layer of elastic or stretchable fabric material having the fuzzy loop fastener portion of hook and loop fasteners 50 of the adjustable elastic flexible multiple layer armband 40. When in use, the elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 wraps outwardly around the forearm B (not shown) when in use to prevent over-rotation of the wrist C (not shown), or wraps inwardly around the forearm B when in use to prevent under-rotation of the wrist C. The elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 again connects to a gauntlet 80 on the hand D (not shown) of the bowler using a mating connector 72 on the elongated flexible non-stretchable device 60 and a mating connector 104 on the gauntlet 80 at the dorsal side of the thumb K (not shown). The mating connector 72 and the mating connector 104 may be a buckle pin and loop arrangement, a hook and eye arrangement, snaps, or clasps.

[0036] The gauntlet 80 is again constructed of a palm covering 90 (not visible) and a backhand covering 94, and has a thumb-hole 100, a first finger-hole 106, and a common second through fourth finger-hole 108. The palm covering 90 and backhand covering 94 are again stretchable in the transverse direction 38 of the hand D but not stretchable in the longitudinal direction 36 of the hand D. The palm covering 90 and backhand covering 94 terminate in the direction of the forearm B at a cuff 82, again having a cuff slit 84 and a cuff strap 86 having hook and loop fasteners 88. An expandable side panel 98 again joins the palm covering 90 and the backhand covering 94 at the outer edge, and may also be stretchable in the transverse direction 38 but not stretchable in the longitudinal direction 36 of the hand D. A thumb gusset 102, to which the mating connector 104 is attached, again joins the inner edge of the palm covering 90 and the backhand covering 94, and may also be stretchable in the transverse direction 38 of the hand D but not stretchable in the longitudinal direction 36 of the hand D. The palm covering 90, the backhand covering 94, and the thumb gusset 102 again together form the thumb-hole 100. The palm covering 90 and the backhand covering 94 again form the first finger-hole 106. The palm covering 90, the backhand covering 94, and the expandable side panel 98 again together form the common second through fourth finger-hole 108. Knuckle windows 92 (not visible) and 96 may again be provided having therein stretchable fabric.

[0037] While the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the Improved Wrist Rotation Controller using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.