Flexion-discouraging splint system, method and device

• US 7,470,244 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Search and Social Media Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Shelton E. Harrison Jr
• Inventors: Harrison, Shelton E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco; Patricia M
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACKSON, BRANDON LEE
• Application Number:
  US10/439,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20030209604A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,055 Days
• Field of Search: 602/5, 602 20- 22, 602 60- 64, 128/869, 128878- 8, 128893-894, 482 47- 48, 482/44, D29113-114, 215/9, 216/14, 216/17, 216/2, 2917-918, 292/0, 216/22
• US Class Current: 602/21
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 25/00 Indicating the time by other means or by combined means electric or electromechanical indicating G04C ; illumination of dials or hands G04B19/30; indicating the time by acoustic means G04B21/00; arrangements producing acoustic signals at preselected times G04B23/00; continuously indicating the time optically by electric means G04C19/00; producing acoustic time signals by electrical means G04C21/00; devices for cooking eggs A47J29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 17/00 Indicating the time optically by electric means G04C19/00 takes precedence; by mechanical means G04B19/00, G04B19/20
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/02 by selecting desired characters out of a number of characters or by selecting indicating elements the position of which represent the time, e.g. by using multiplexing techniques G04G9/0082 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/06 using light valves, e.g. liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10891 the scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen

Abstract

Disclosed is a wrist-wearable electronic interface movably mounted on an arm-attachment mechanism. Interface moves from under-sleeve wrist-adjacent position to palm-adjacent position where it can be manipulated by the hand of the arm wearing the device. Alternately adaptable to telephones, audio recorders, remote controls, auto ID equipment, telephone call-blocking, and more. Alternative embodiment provides a wrist-mounted docking station. Another alternative embodiment includes a superior carpal tunnel syndrome therapy device. The system also includes novel battery chargers: (1) window-mounted, solar-powered; (2) mounted in an automobile that also includes an improved odometer, license plate, and cabin air filtration system.

Claims

1. A physical therapy device comprising:

a splint member, said splint member being selected from the group consisting of (i) an inflatable splint and (ii) a non-inflatable splint;

at least one grasping member suitable for grasping a human finger, said grasping member being mounted upon said splint member and configured to release said finger when said finger is flexed; and

an attachment mechanism suitable for attaching said splint member to the forearm of a human.

2. The device in claim 1 wherein said at least one grasping member is configured to release said finger when sufficient pressure is applied through flexion of said finger.

3. The device in claim 1 wherein the device comprises a plurality of grasping members.

4. The device in claim 3 wherein said grasping members are spaced apart from each other so as to be suitable for retraining said hand and fingers to remain in an open position when at rest.

5. The device in claim 1 wherein said at least one grasping member is an open-sided ring.

6. The device in claim 1 wherein said grasping member comprises a flexible material and the flexibility of said flexible material allows said release of said finger when said finger is flexed.

7. The device in claim 1 wherein said attachment mechanism is removable.

8. The device in claim 1 wherein said attachment mechanism is spaced apart from said at least one grasping member so as to allow said at least one grasping member to grasp said human finger without said device making contact with the palm of the user'"'"'s hand.

9. The device in claim 4 wherein the device comprises five grasping members.

10. The device in claim 1 wherein said grasping member is selected from the group consisting of (i) a grasping member that is movably coupled to said splint and (ii) a grasping member that is immovably coupled to said splint.

11. The device in claim 1 wherein said at least one grasping member is positioned on said splint member such that a finger can leave the grasp of said grasping member through a space that is substantially opposite the splint member.

12. The device in claim 11 wherein said at least one grasping member is flexible.

13. A physical therapy device comprising:

a splint member, said splint member being selected from the group consisting of (i) a splint comprising an electronic device and (ii) a non-electronic splint;

an attachment mechanism suitable for attaching said splint member to a user; and

at least one grasping member suitable for grasping a human digit, said grasping member being mounted upon said splint member and configured to allow said digit to escape from said grasping member when said digit is flexed with sufficient force, thereby discouraging without preventing flexion of said digit, wherein;

said at least one grasping member is selected from the group consisting of (i) a grasping member that is movably coupled to said splint and (ii) a grasping member that is immovably coupled to said splint.

14. The physical therapy device in claim 13 wherein said digit is a finger.

15. The physical therapy device in claim 13 wherein said device comprises a plurality of grasping members.

16. The physical therapy device in claim 15 wherein said grasping members are spaced apart from each other so that, when said device is worn on a hand of said user, the fingers of the hand and thumb are held in an open position.

17. A physical therapy device comprising:

a splint member, said splint member being selected from the group consisting of (i) a splint comprising a prosthetic finger and (ii) a non-prosthetic splint;

a first attachment mechanism suitable for attaching said splint member to a user so that said splint member does not contact the palm of the user'"'"'s hand; and

a second attachment mechanism suitable for attaching to the user'"'"'s finger, said second attachment mechanism being flexible and being mounted upon said splint member, wherein said second attachment mechanism is configured to fit partially around said human finger but to allow flexion of said finger when sufficient pressure is applied.

18. The device in claim 17 wherein the device comprises five grasping members.

19. The device in claim 17 wherein said at least one grasping member is constructed to allow said finger to escape the grasp of said at least one grasping member by moving through a space that is substantially opposite the splint member.

20. The device in claim 19 wherein the flexibility of said at least one grasping member allows said finger to escape through said space.