ERGONOMIC HAND AND WRIST SUPPORT DEVICE FOR YOGA

Abstract

An ergonomic hand and wrist support device for yoga includes a flat bottom surface having a circular perimeter and a curved top surface opposite the bottom surface. The top surface is connected to the bottom surface at the circular perimeter. The curved top surface has the shape of an oblate spheroid, the oblate spheroid defining a major axis perpendicular to a minor axis. The flat bottom surface is perpendicular to a minor axis of the oblate spheroid. A plurality of texture and/or alignment bumps are disposed on the curved top surface. The plurality of texture/alignment bumps are organized into a plurality of rows. The device has a Shore A hardness of equal to or between 35-75.

Claims

1. An ergonomic hand and wrist support device for yoga, the device comprising: a flat bottom surface having a circular perimeter; and a curved top surface opposite the bottom surface, the top surface connected to the bottom surface at the circular perimeter; wherein the curved top surface has the shape of an oblate spheroid, the oblate spheroid defining a major axis perpendicular to a minor axis; wherein the flat bottom surface is perpendicular to a minor axis of the oblate spheroid.

2. The device of claim 1, including a plurality of bumps disposed on the curved top surface.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of bumps are organized into a plurality of rows.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein there are at least 10 rows from the plurality of rows.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein there are at least 150 bumps from the plurality of bumps.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the circular perimeter has a diameter of 7 inches.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein an apex height is defined as a distance extending perpendicular from the flat bottom surface to the furthest point of the curved top surface and wherein the apex height is located at a center of the circular perimeter, wherein the apex is 1.5 inches or less.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the circular perimeter has a diameter D, and wherein an apex height A is defined as a distance extending perpendicular from the flat bottom surface to the furthest point of the curved top surface where the apex height A is located at a center of the circular perimeter, wherein the ratio of diameter D to apex height A is D:A, which is 7:1.5 or greater.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the circular perimeter has a diameter D, and wherein an apex height A is defined as a distance extending perpendicular from the flat bottom surface to the furthest point of the curved top surface where the apex height A is located at a center of the circular perimeter, wherein the ratio of diameter D to apex height A is D:A, which is 4:1 or greater.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a Shore A hardness of 35 to 55.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a Shore A hardness of 45 to 65.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a Shore A hardness of 50 to 70.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a Shore A hardness of 55 to 75.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[0030] FIG. 1 is a top view of the hand/wrist support device showing the dome support and texture bumps/alignment markers;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a right-side plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 5 is a left side plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

[0036] FIG. 7 shows the geometry of an ellipse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] FIGS. 1-6 show an embodiment of an ergonomic hand and wrist support device 10 of the present invention. The device has a flat bottom surface 12 having a circular perimeter 14. A curved top surface 16 is then opposite the bottom surface 12, where the curved top surface 16 is connected to the bottom surface 12 at the commonly shared circular perimeter 14.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 shows an ellipse 1. The ellipse 1 has a major axis 2 that runs through the center 3 and is its longest diameter. The ellipse 1 also has a minor axis 4 that runs through the center 3 and is its shortest diameter. Both the major and minor axes are perpendicular to one another. If the major and minor axes were of the same length, then the ellipse 1 would be a circle with a constant diameter/radius.

[0039] A semi-major axis is just half of the major axis 2 that runs from the center to one of the ends. Similarly, a semi-minor axis is just half of the minor axis 4 that runs from the center to one of the ends.

[0040] If one was to rotate the ellipse 1 about the major axis 2, the volume that is created is referred to as a prolate spheroid. In other words, it would look like a sphere was stretched. If one was to rotate the ellipse 1 about the minor axis 4, the volume that is created is referred to as an oblate spheroid. In other words, it would look like a sphere was squashed.

[0041] The shape of the device 10 can be made/formed by slicing a sphere, a prolate spheroid or an oblate spheroid. The slice is flat and straight and forms the flat bottom surface 12. The resulting curved top surface 16 is that of either the sphere, the prolate spheroid or the oblate spheroid. Referring again to FIG. 7, is one was to make a slice 5 through the prolate spheroid, the resulting left portion would form the shape of the present device 10. Similarly, if one was to make a slice 6 through the oblate spheroid, the resulting upper portion would then form the shape of the present device

[0042] In the inventors' experience, the optimal shape for the device 10 is the oblate spheroid shape. When a hand is at rest, it is naturally and slightly cupped. Rotate a hand at rest and it forms an oblate spheroid. A neutral hand when placed on a surface has connection with that surface, but it also has space (like a foot). This inner lift should be maintained. When using the device, the yogi can rotate the hands either longitudinally or latitudinally on the device to achieve the most comfortable and desirable position. The oblate spheroid is the optimal shape to provide the most anatomically correct support possible under the hands.

[0043] The device 10 can be made of a single material, such as silicone or urethane, or can be constructed as a composite, meaning it can be several different materials over molded upon one another. The device 10 has to hold its shape but also compress enough so it is comfortable to use and can form to the user's hands for optimal support. Therefore, the Shore A hardness may vary between 35 to 55, 45 to 65, 50 to 70, 55 to 75 or any combination thereof or in between.

[0044] The device may include a plurality of texture and/or alignment bumps 20 disposed on the curved top surface 16. As shown herein, there are a number of 250 texture (alignment) bumps. It will be understood that more or less texture (alignment) bumps may be used. For example, at least 50, 100, 150, 200 or 250 texture (alignment) bumps may be used.

[0045] The plurality of texture/alignment bumps 20 are organized into a plurality of rows 22. As shown herein, there are a number of 17 rows. It will be understood that more or less rows may be used. For example, at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or more rows may be used.

[0046] As shown herein, the circular perimeter 14 has a diameter D of 7 inches. Then, apex height A is defined as a distance extending perpendicular from the flat bottom surface to the furthest point of the curved top surface and wherein the apex height is located at a center of the circular perimeter, which would also correspond to the center 3 of the ellipse 1. In this embodiment the apex height A is 1.5 inches or less. These measurements can also be expressed a ratio of D to A, in other words D:A. Using the same values, the ratio can be expressed as 7:1.5 or greater, where the D can increase or the A can decrease. In other words, 7 divided by 1.5 is equal to approximately 4.667, so any value above this would be a greater ratio. In another embodiment, a ratio of 4:1 or greater may be used.

[0047] Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.