Inflatable athletic wrist movement restraint

• US 4,168,063 A
• Filed: 04/19/1978
• Issued: 09/18/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George D. Rowland
• Original Assignee: George D. Rowland
• Inventors: Rowland, George D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oechsle, Anton O.
• Application Number:
  US05/897,729
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 273/54 B, 273/189 A, 2/161 A, 128/77, 128/87 R, 128/89 R, 128/DIG. 20
• US Class Current: 473/62
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/081 fluid-filled, e.g. air-filled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/20 Inflatable splint

Abstract

An athletic device for restraining hand movement about the wrist which allows for variably increasing or decreasing the relative stiffness of the restraining member that is adjustably coupled to the back and side of the hand and wrist. The device is used to prevent wrist "break" or undesired hand movement during the delivery of a bowling ball. The device includes a plurality of wrist and hand embracing straps coupled to an L-shaped housing that encloses a removeable, inflatable restraint chamber that is sized to reach from the first knuckle longitudinally past the wrist. The housing includes finger engaging loops. The firmness and individual comfort of the restraint may be adjusted by controlling the volume of air (air pressure) within the support member.

Claims

1. An athletic glove for preventing movement between the hand and the forearm while bowling or the like which prevents and restrains "breaking of the wrist" comprising:

an L-shaped flexible housing;

a plurality of finger receiving loops connected to the upper portion of said housing;

an adjustable strap connected to the upper portion of said L-shaped housing;

first and second fastening means connected to said strap and said upper portion of said housing for providing an adjustable connection to the upper portion of the housing;

an L-shaped pneumatic chamber mounted within said flexible housing;

a second strap connected to the lower part of said L-shaped housing;

third and fourth fastening means connected to said strap and said housing for adjustably connecting said lower strap to said housing;

said L-shaped housing lower portion being sized to cover the back side portion of a hand inserted in the finger receiving loops.

2. An athletic glove, as in claim 1, wherein:

said pneumatic chamber includes a plurality of elongated tubes connected in a side-by-side array, each of said tubes being in fluid communication with each other; and

a valve coupled to said chamber for inflating or deflating said chamber.