BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in wrist, hand, and finger exercise devices, which include those designed for use by musicians while playing a preferred instrument. Wrist, hand and/or finger exercise devices are well known in the art. Reference can be made to any of the U.S. Pat. Nos. 248,980 to Atkins, U.S. Pat. No. 272,941 to Gardner, U.S. Pat. No. 1,174,205 to Underwood, U.S. Pat. No. 1,256,004 to Finney, U.S. Pat. No. 1,472,906 to Gorrell, U.S. Pat. No. 1,743,264 to Breza, U.S. Pat. No. 1,796,216 to Pettersson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,606,316 to Krewer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,521 to Wendeborn, U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,314 to Columbo, U.S. Pat. No. 3,944,220 to Fasano, U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,243 to Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,608 to Bonasera, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,249 to Keating, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,630 to Curtis, U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,625 to Vonk, U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,436 to Gibney, U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,582 to Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,488 to Villepique, U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,520 to Grahm, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,923 as representative prior art.

[0003] The prior art reveals a few wrist, hand, and/or finger exercise devices which have been developed that are specifically designed for use by musicians. U.S. Pat. No. 1,472,906 to Gorrell illustrates and describes an enclosed box-like unit comprising elastic bands for exercising the digits of a musicians' hand. U.S. Pat. No. 1,743,264 to Breza discloses and claims a device composing a curve shaped metal spring to be used by musicians for exercising the digits of the hand. Neither are designed specifically for use while playing a musical instrument or otherwise engaged in an activity for which the exercise would be directed.

[0004] Some devices enable the user to exercise the wrist, hand, and/or fingers while playing a particular instrument or are otherwise engaged in an activity for which the exercise would be directed. These devices are typically cumbersome and impractical for casual use. They are also not applicable for use with different types of instruments or the handling of items for which an exercise would be directed. U.S. Pat. Nos.: 248,980, 272,951, and 4,765,608 present illustrations of such devices. Each of these devices when properly fitted is harnessed to the user's wrist. All three devices consist of a wrist harness to which the main body of the device is secured. The main body extends toward the tips of the user's fingers over the back of the hand. From here the unit is attached to the appropriate fingers of the hand by means of various component loops. All three devices essentially provide the user with the ability to exercise the wrist, hand, and/or fingers while playing an instrument or are otherwise engaged in an activity for which the exercise would be directed.

[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos.: 248,980 and 272,951, are devices wherein the best mode of practice is designed for use while playing keyboard instruments. U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,608, is a device wherein the best mode of practice is applicable to stringed instruments such as a guitar. All three devices are similarly inconvenient and difficult to assemble, to put on, to use, and to wear. They are also subject to frequent adjustments before and during use.

[0006] Other devices provide alternative means for exercising the wrist, hand and/or fingers but are not specifically designed for use by musicians, nor are these devices specifically designed to be used while playing a musical instrument or are otherwise engaged in an activity for which the exercise would be directed.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,521, illustrates a physical therapy device comprised of a series of joined elastic loops which when properly fitted encircle the base of the user's four fingers including the thumb. The device provides the user with the means for exercising the fingers and hand while performing common tasks. Although it is effective for physical therapy purposes the inclusion of the thumb harness and response member render it obstructive for use while playing a musical instrument or other activities requiring the palm area of the hand to be free of obstructions. For example the majority of musical instruments, surgical devices and tools, etc. need to be cradled in the hand while in use. The response member stretches from the thumb to the pinkie across the palm. It would obstruct the hand and fingers from gaining access to the item being grasped or manipulated in the hand. Furthermore, the thumb harness would prevent the thumb from resting in proper playing position in the playing of many musical instruments.

[0008] It is a primary object and advantage of the device now presented to be a more practical, effective and user friendly means of providing high impact training for a user's wrists, hands and fingers. Once applied onto the hand the user engages in the desired activity such as playing their instrument as they would normally. The device is designed to fit both right and left hand similarly. The user may wear the device on either a single or both hands where applicable, such as a pianist or classical guitarist which use fingers on both hands to play their instruments or a typist that would ordinarily type with both hands. It is not necessary to create a specifically right or left hand oriented device. Its manner of use is uncomplicated wherein it is simple to apply and use. No adjustment is necessary before, during or after use to obtain greater results from the device. The device in its fully manufactured form will be compact in size and lightweight. Wherein said, it shall be easily carried in a clothing pocket, travel bag or musical instrument carrying case.

[0009] While applied to the users' hand the outer joints and fingers of the hand are neither shackled or encumbered by the device. The harnessed fingers will maintain full natural muscular movement without obstruction of the proper form of the hand and when placed into a position for a desired activity, such as the playing of an instrument or working with tools, or typing, etc. In one embodiment of the device it is designed to encircle only the four fingers while leaving the thumb un-harnessed. This allows the thumb freedom to be in proper position for playing an instrument or other activities that require the freedom of the thumb. The non-obstructive design of said embodiment of the device makes possible practical application for its intended use to a variety of musical instruments which require repetitive individual or simultaneous movement of the fingers in order to properly operate. This embodiment of the device is versatile. It can be used while playing numerous instruments. It is as easy to use and effective for playing string and keyboard instruments as it is for woodwind and valve instruments. The user is not limited to specific movements. The device allows the user to perform scales on a keyboard or brass instrument as easily as chord shapes on a stringed instrument.

[0010] In another embodiment of this device it is designed to encircle all the fingers of the hand including the thumb. In activities where the hands and fingers form and move in generally one plane the thumb may be contained by the device including its musculature in the exercise activity, such as typing.

[0011] The device will be manufactured to suit various hand sizes, such as providing the user with a choice of small, medium or large fitting. The resistance that the device poses shall also be manipulatable. Each size could be produced with several degrees of resistance of the elastic material used. For instance a low, medium and high resistance available in each sizing. There by, offering the user a selection of devices which suit the specific size and strength of a hand.

[0012] Consistent use of the device will promote progressive strengthening of the wrist, hand and fingers. As the user gains strength they may advance from a low resistance to an increased resistance device. When used correctly and consistently the device will accelerate strength, speed and dexterity in the users' execution of intended movements of the hand and fingers. The device provides the user with the means for a higher impact workout of the wrist, hand and fingers, and may reduce the average length of practice sessions of musicians for instance. Furthermore, it is a fast and effective warm-up device for performers.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of this device the wrists, hands and fingers of one or more hands of a user are linked together in a glove-like embodiment of this device. This embodiment is very effective in exercising the entire wrist, hand and finger as an integral unit for tasks which often require handling objects firmly and carefully with strength and dexterity as in surgical procedures.

[0014] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims once filed.

[0015] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting in any way the scope of this invention or claims which will be made in a full patent application to follow.

[0016] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions and methods insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0017] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

[0018] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wrist, hand and finger exercise devise which has many of the advantages of the wrist, hand and finger exercise devises mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a wrist, hand and finger exercise devise which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art wrist, hand and finger exercise devise, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and novel wrist, hand and finger exercise devise which may be easily and efficiently manufactured, taught and marketed.

[0020] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and novel wrist, hand and finger exercise devise which is of a durable and reliable construction and method.

[0021] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel wrist, hand and finger exercise devise which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such wrist, hand and finger exercise devise economically available to the buying public.

[0022] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel wrist, hand and finger exercise devise which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

[0023] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, will be pointed out with particularity in the claims once the full application is filed. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.