Forearm handle for disabled

• US 20060174449A1
• Filed: 01/24/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Outreach Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Outreach Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Hughes, Ronnie L.
• Application Number:
  US11/337,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20060174449A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/430
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 4/00 Methods or devices enabling patients or disabled persons to operate an apparatus or a device not forming part of the body operating or control means for prostheses A61F2/48, A61F2/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0118 for the arms, hands or fingers

Abstract

The forearm handle for the disabled is a device that allows a user to do many tasks with one arm that normally require two arms, such as raking, sweeping, or shoveling, while at the same time greatly reducing the stress placed on the wrist. The forearm handle is a frame that fits over either the right or left forearm of a user. The frame has two brackets extending along the sides of a user'"'"'s forearm. At the elbow end of the frame the brackets are connected by a first pivoting U-shaped member. At the hand end of the frame the brackets are connected by a D-shaped handle having a grip and a socket. A second pivoting U-shaped member, an elastic strap, and a hook and loop fastener strap are further placed between the brackets to provide additional support. The socket on the D-shaped handle is adapted for the attachment of brooms, sporting accessories, a crutch, or the like.

Claims

1. A forearm handle for disabled persons, comprising:

a first bracket and a second bracket adapted for being placed on opposing sides of a forearm, each bracket having an elbow end and a hand end;

a first U-shaped member pivotally attached between the elbow ends of the first bracket and the second bracket;

a D-shaped handle extending between the hand ends of the first and second brackets, the D-shaped handle having a removable grip and a socket extending opposite hand ends of the brackets, the socket being adapted to receive a pole-handled attachment; and

at least one flexible strap intermediately placed between the first bracket and the second bracket.

2. The forearm handle according to claim 1, wherein said first U-shaped member is pivotal over a range of 180°

.

3. The forearm handle according to claim 1, further comprising a second U-shaped member pivotally attached between said first bracket and said second bracket adjacent the hand ends of said brackets.

4. The forearm handle according to claim 3, wherein said first and second U-shaped members pivot to opposite sides of said brackets in order to support opposite sides of the forearm and wrist.

5. The forearm handle according to claim 3, wherein said second U-shaped member is pivotal over a range of 180°

.

6. The forearm handle according to claim 3, wherein one of said brackets has a first hook and loop fastener attached thereto disposed between said second U-shaped member and said D-shaped handle, said at least one flexible strap having a first end fixed to one of said brackets and a second end forming a second hook and loop fastener mating with the first hook and loop fastener for forming a loop around the wrist in combination with the second U-shaped member and continuously adjusting the diameter of the loop.

7. The forearm handle according to claim 3, wherein said second U-shaped member further comprises a cushioning pad attached thereto.

8. The forearm handle according to claim 3, wherein one of said brackets has a first slot defined therein adjacent the elbow ends of said brackets and a first hook and loop fastener adjacent the hand ends of said brackets, said at least one flexible strap comprising:

a first strap having a first end fixed to one of the brackets and a second end extending through the first slot, said first strap being formed from an elastic material and forming a loop in combination with said first U-shaped member adapted for encircling the forearm adjacent the elbow; and

a second strap having a first end fixed to one of the brackets and a second end forming a second hook and loop fastener mating with the first hook and loop fastener in order to form a loop in combination with said second U-shaped fastener adapted for encircling the forearm adjacent the wrist.

9. The forearm handle according to claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible strap comprises an elastic strap disposed adjacent the elbow ends of said brackets, said elastic strap forming a loop in combination with said first U-shaped member adapted for securing said brackets to the forearm.

10. The forearm handle according to claim 1, further comprising a foam thumb guard disposed between said grip and one of said brackets.

11. The forearm handle according to claim 1, further comprising a cup adapted for receiving a stump of a hand amputee, said cup being removably interchangeable with said grip.

12. The forearm handle according to claim 1, further comprising a combination broom and crutch having a pole handle attachable to said socket and a head attached to the pole handle, the head having bristles extending therefrom and at least one crutch tip extending between the bristles.

13. The forearm handle according to claim 1, further comprising a crutch implement having a pole end attachable to said socket and an opposite crutch end having a rubber tip and a crutch socket disposed in the rubber tip, the crutch socket being pivotally attached to the crutch end within the rubber tip.