Glove
First Claim
1. A new and improved device adapted to be worn on the hand, distal forearm and wrist of a wearer manipulating a bench-top machine of the type including a computer mouse, a keyboard or the like, comprising, in combination:
- a tubular sleeve, the sleeve being in a generally cylindrical configuration when worn on the hand, distal forearm and wrist of the wearer and with a central axis adapted to be located in essentially parallel alignment with the median nerve of the wearer, the sleeve having an open proximal end positioned around the forearm of the wearer and an open distal end positionable around the hand of the wearer, the sleeve having a volar surface located between the ends and positionable over the palm of a hand, distal forearm and wrist of the wearer and a dorsal surface located between the ends and positionable over the back of a hand, distal forearm and wrist of the wearer, the sleeve having a radial region with a radial fold line located between the volar and dorsal surfaces and between the distal and proximal ends and an ulnar region with an ulnar fold line located between the volar and dorsal surfaces and between the proximal and distal ends, the radial and ulnar regions being at diametrically opposed locations and essentially parallel with the axis of the sleeve;
the sleeve being fabricated of an elastomeric material having greater elasticity in the circumferential direction than in the axial direction;
the sleeve having an axial length between the proximal and distal ends of between about four and eight inches with a circumference of between about four and ten inches;
an opening in the radial region adjacent the distal end for the passage of a thumb of the wearer; and
a pair of elongated load-bearing members secured to the volar surface, the load-bearing members being fabricated of a flexible and resilient material and having center lines positioned essentially parallel with each other and the axis of the sleeve, the load-bearing members being flexible in all directions off-axis from their respective center lines and along their respective lengths, the load-bearing members being between about three and eight inches in length, 1/4 and 3/8 inches in height, and 3/8 and 1/2 inches in width, the radial load-bearing member having a center line spaced between about 1/2 and 1 inch from the radial fold line and the ulnar load-bearing member having a center line spaced between about 1-1/4 and 2-3/8 inches from the radial fold line, the load-bearing members having widely spaced exterior edges and closely spaced interior edges at a distance of between about 3/8 and 1 inch, and separated whereby when properly positioned on the wearer, the load-bearing members will be laterally offset from the median nerve of the wearer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device adapted to be worn by a user to protect an elongated portion of the user'"'"'s body. The device comprises a support member positionable on a user'"'"'s body adjacent to the elongated portion of the user'"'"'s body to be protected. A pair of anatomically linear load-bearing members are included. The load-bearing members are coupled in laterally spaced relationship with respect to the support to define an elongated space therebetween. The load-bearing members and space therebetween are essentially parallel with each other and parallel with the elongated portion of the user'"'"'s body to be protected. Further included are retention means to maintain the support member in position on the user'"'"'s body with the space between the load-bearing members overlying the elongated portion of the user'"'"'s body to be protected.
135 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A new and improved device adapted to be worn on the hand, distal forearm and wrist of a wearer manipulating a bench-top machine of the type including a computer mouse, a keyboard or the like, comprising, in combination:
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a tubular sleeve, the sleeve being in a generally cylindrical configuration when worn on the hand, distal forearm and wrist of the wearer and with a central axis adapted to be located in essentially parallel alignment with the median nerve of the wearer, the sleeve having an open proximal end positioned around the forearm of the wearer and an open distal end positionable around the hand of the wearer, the sleeve having a volar surface located between the ends and positionable over the palm of a hand, distal forearm and wrist of the wearer and a dorsal surface located between the ends and positionable over the back of a hand, distal forearm and wrist of the wearer, the sleeve having a radial region with a radial fold line located between the volar and dorsal surfaces and between the distal and proximal ends and an ulnar region with an ulnar fold line located between the volar and dorsal surfaces and between the proximal and distal ends, the radial and ulnar regions being at diametrically opposed locations and essentially parallel with the axis of the sleeve; the sleeve being fabricated of an elastomeric material having greater elasticity in the circumferential direction than in the axial direction; the sleeve having an axial length between the proximal and distal ends of between about four and eight inches with a circumference of between about four and ten inches; an opening in the radial region adjacent the distal end for the passage of a thumb of the wearer; and a pair of elongated load-bearing members secured to the volar surface, the load-bearing members being fabricated of a flexible and resilient material and having center lines positioned essentially parallel with each other and the axis of the sleeve, the load-bearing members being flexible in all directions off-axis from their respective center lines and along their respective lengths, the load-bearing members being between about three and eight inches in length, 1/4 and 3/8 inches in height, and 3/8 and 1/2 inches in width, the radial load-bearing member having a center line spaced between about 1/2 and 1 inch from the radial fold line and the ulnar load-bearing member having a center line spaced between about 1-1/4 and 2-3/8 inches from the radial fold line, the load-bearing members having widely spaced exterior edges and closely spaced interior edges at a distance of between about 3/8 and 1 inch, and separated whereby when properly positioned on the wearer, the load-bearing members will be laterally offset from the median nerve of the wearer.
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2. A device adapted to be worn by a user to protect an elongated portion of the user'"'"'s body comprising:
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a support member positionable on a user'"'"'s body adjacent to the elongated portion of the user'"'"'s body to be protected; a pair of anatomically linear load-bearing members, the load-bearing members being flexible in all directions off-axis from their respective center, lines and along their respective lengths, the load-bearing members being coupled in laterally spaced relationship with respect to the support to define an elongated space therebetween, the load-bearing members and space therebetween being essentially parallel with each other and parallel with the elongated portion of the user'"'"'s body to be protected; and retention means to maintain the support member in position on the user'"'"'s body with the space between the load-bearing members overlying, the elongated portion of the user'"'"'s body to be protected, whereby when properly positioned on a wearer, the load-bearing members will be laterally offset from the median nerve of the wearer. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification