Remedial deviation device for hand, wrist and forearm rehabilitation and training

Abstract

A hand, wrist and forearm remedial deviation roller device which allows for a complete therapeutic and training exercise program to build and increase the muscles of the hands, wrists, and forearms through relative rotation of perpendicular adjustable phased handle grips and which is portable, simple in design, and inexpensive to construct.

Claims

1. A remedial deviation training device, the device comprising: a central roller bar; a pair of handles adjustably affixed to the roller bar, where each one of the pair of handles is disposed at a respective distal end of the roller bar, and the pair of handles are configured to selectively move between a first configuration where the pair of handles are aligned with each other and a second configuration where the pair of handles are rotationally offset by 90 degrees, wherein the pair of handles have a substantially arcuate shape perpendicular to the roller bar optimally sized for remedial deviation training of a user's hands, wrists and forearms; and a spool affixed to the roller bar substantially central thereto, the spool structured and arranged to releasably secure a tether cord configured to hold a weighted object having a predetermined weight, wherein, upon a user's rotation of the pair of handles along a central axis of the roller bar, the spool rotates along with the roller bar and collects the tether cord in a rolled up manner so that the user may train his or her hands, wrists and forearms, by rotating the pair of handles in one direction to elevate the weighted object and then reverse the rotation of the pair of handles bar and lower the weighted object.

2. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 1, wherein the roller bar is a hollow cylinder having open ends.

3. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 2, wherein each one of the pair handles includes a mating portion for adjustably connecting with the open distal ends of the roller bar.

4. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 3, wherein the roller bar includes a set of bar notches proximally located near the distal ends thereof.

5. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 4, wherein the mating portion includes a set of adjustable protuberances for respectively mating with the set of roller bar notches.

6. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 5, wherein the set of bar notches and the set of adjustable protuberances are structured and arranged so that the handles can be releasably affixed to the roller bar out of phase relative to one another.

7. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 5, wherein the set of adjustable proturbances are spring loaded.

8. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of handles are formed of a malleable material.

9. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of handles include ergonomic finger grips.

10. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 1, wherein the pair handles are configured to be locked in the first configuration or locked in the second configuration.

11. A remedial deviation training device, the device comprising: a central roller bar that is a hollow cylinder having open ends; a pair of handles adjustably affixed to the roller bar and each of the pair of handles is disposed at a respective distal end of the roller bar, wherein each one of the pair handles includes a mating portion for adjustably connecting with the open distal ends of the roller bar, and a set of bar notches proximally located near the distal ends thereof, the pair of handles formed having a substantially arcuate shape perpendicular to the roller bar optimally sized for remedial deviation training of a user's hands, wrists and forearms; and a spool, releasably affixed to the roller bar substantially central thereto, the spool structured and arranged to releasably secure a tether cord designed to hold a weighted object having a predetermined weight, wherein, upon a user's rotation of the handles along a central axis of the roller bar, the spool rotates along with the roller bar and collects the cord in a rolled up manner so that the user may train his or her hands, wrists and forearms, by rotating the handles in one direction to elevate the weighted object and then reverse the rotation of the handles bar and lower the weighted object.

12. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 11, wherein the mating portion includes a set of adjustable protuberances for respectively mating with the set of roller bar notches.

13. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 12, wherein the set of bar notches and the set of adjustable protuberances are structured and arranged so that the handles can be releasably affixed to the roller bar out of phase relative to one another.

14. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 13, wherein the set of adjustable proturbances are spring loaded.

15. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 11, wherein the pair of handles are formed of a malleable material.

16. The remedial deviation training device according to claim 11, wherein the pair of handles include ergonomic finger grips.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, in a non-limiting fashion, the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the Figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the remedial deviation device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the remedial deviation device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of one of the handles external to the roller bar to one embodiment of the present invention; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a top-down view of the remedial deviation device with the handles in out phase position according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference the to the Figures in which an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The subject matter of this disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

(7) The present invention is related to portable specialized exercise equipment. More specifically, the present invention is a free-weight exercise device which targets and engages the muscles of the forearm through the application of a torsional force on the hands of the user. The resistance, i.e. torsional force, felt by the user is easily adjustable, thus allowing the user to create an exercise routine that is tailored to his or her needs and athletic ability. In addition to engaging the wrist and forearm of the user, the present invention also works as a simple adjustable free-weight, thus engaging additional muscle groups of the arm.

(8) The present invention includes a remedial deviation device to provide a hand, wrist and forearm roller device that will allow for complete and comprehensive lower arm training and exercises that includes perpendicular distally opposed ergonomic grips to promote grip strength by placing a user's hands and fingers into a position to promote finger flexion. The present invention includes moveable hand grips phased 90 degrees to allow for finger dexterity, rotation and repetition in order to reduce muscle fatigue of finger and wrist flexors.

(9) An advantage and feature of the present invention also includes hand grips that allow a user's thumbs to be in respective positions of opposition which is an optimal and functional hand position for training for sports such as golf, tennis, baseball, lacrosse and other sports.

(10) Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown remedial deviation device 10 which includes roller bar 12 having handle grips 15a and 15b respectively disposed on the distal ends thereof. Spool 20 is centrally located on roller bar 12 and includes a releasably tethered cord 25 for spooling onto spool 20 by the rotating action of a user upon handle grips 15a and 15b. Cord 25 may have a spring lock clip 27 in order to engage a weight to be rolled up and down by the user as part of a training regimen. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that additional means of releasably affixing a weight to cord 25 are also applicable in order to take advantage of the portability features the remedial deviation device 10.

(11) Each handle grip 15 is movably affixed to roller bar 12 via a standard resalable affixing means through holes 17a and 17b. Handle grips 15a and 15b are movable in respective positions so that the handles can be set upon roller bar 20 in parallel or out of phase by up to 90 degrees or perpendicular. The relative angle of the handle grips 15 can be set according to a preferred training or therapeutic exercise to accomplish a user's strength or flexion goals.

(12) Handle grips 15 are preferably substantially perpendicular with an arcuate curvature to form an efficient and ergonomic design, providing ergonomic grips 15c and 15d. This allows for user to grasp and release the handle grips as the user is manipulating the device 10 during a training sessions.

(13) The preferred ergonomic grip of the invention promotes grip strength, and places a user's fingers into a position to promote finger flexion, at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and metacarpophalangeal (MIP) joint of the fingers which is not provided for in prior art devices.

(14) A reciprocal pattern of use for a training regimen including grip, release, grip allows for finger dexterity, range of motion and repetition. This process reduces muscle fatigue of the smaller muscle groups, such as the wrist and finger muscle. In addition, reciprocal motion reinforces a neurological motor plan. The arcuate grips in a offset phased positions allow a user's thumb to be located in more of a position of opposition which is an operational preferred functional hand position for training, rehabilitation and exercising the hand, wrist and forearm muscles.

(15) Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an exploded view of device 10 with handles 15 shown as external to the roller bar 12. As shown in FIG. 3 handles 15 include a lower portion 19 structured and arrange to mate with and slide into the ends of roller bar 12. Lower portion 19 includes apertures 16 located to align with holes 17a and 17b respectively to releasable affix handles 15 to roller bar 12. Multiple sets of apertures 16 and holes 17a and 17b are included so that user may affix the handles at 90 degrees relative to each other or inline depending upon a preferred training session.

(16) In some embodiments handles 15 are made from hard plastic or metal material and in some embodiments they are made from soft malleable materials ideal for form fitting to a user's hands. Likewise, roller bar 12 can be formed from a hard metallic or plastic material, and can include a form fitting malleable material, such as a Neoprene like material, according to the user's preferred training regimen.

(17) It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that described herein is a novel remedial deviation device as disclosed herein. While the invention has been described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments. The invention may be modified or varied in many ways and such modifications and variations as would be obvious to one of skill in the art are within the scope and spirit of the invention and are included within the scope of the following claims.