Hand grip orthosis

Abstract

A container handle engaging device is provided which has a first and a second panel formed of a core layer of resilient material, the first and second panel being folded along abutting inner edges to an operating position where the panels are mutually parallel, and wherein a handle may be captured in the fold. Third and fourth panels may be provided, in order to increase comfort and to promote the use of a proper gripping position for the hand. A method of distributing advertising materials at point-of-purchase locations, using the device, is also provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A handle engaging device for an object having a handle to be gripped comprising: 
 a first panel and a second panel formed from a core layer of resilient material of a predetermined thickness, said first and second panels abutting each other at an inner long-edge of each panel, and each having an outer short edge and two side edges defining a shape of the panel,    said first and second panels being capable of being folded at or about said abutting inner long edges to an operational position wherein said first and second panels are substantially mutually parallel with inner facing surfaces and outer exposed surfaces,    said first panel and said second panel being so constructed and arranged to capture handles of a bag therebetween when said first and second panels are folded into said operational position;    said device further having a thumb brace surface formed by side edges of each of said first and second panels.    
     
     
         2 . A device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said device, in said operational position, forms a brace portion for a heel of a hand said brace portion comprising said outer short edges of each of said first and second panels, which together form a substantially flat surface at an end of said device opposite said abutting inner long edges.  
     
     
         3 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said core layer of resilient material has a cover layer of flexible material covering said resilient layer.  
     
     
         4 . A device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein at least one outer exposed surface has indicia disposed thereon.  
     
     
         5 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said core layer of resilient material comprises ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam.  
     
     
         6 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said device has fastening means disposed on at least one panel, on an inner facing surface thereof, said fastening means being positioned to fasten said first panel to said second panel.  
     
     
         7 . A handle engaging device for an object having a handle to be gripped comprising: 
 at least a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel formed from a core layer of resilient material of a predetermined thickness,    said first and second panels abutting each other at an inner edge of each panel, and each of said first and second panels having an outer edge, said first panel terminating at its outer edge, and said outer edge of said second panel having said third panel extending from said outer edge,    said third panel being of sufficient length such that, when said first and second panels are folded into an operational position wherein said panels are disposed parallel to each other, and having said outer edges thereof substantially aligned, said third panel is sized to be capable of being wrapped over the outer edge of said first panel and of extending along an outer surface of said first panel for a predetermined distance.    
     
     
         8 . A device as recited in  claim 7  wherein said device, in said operational position, forms a brace portion for a heel of a hand, said brace portion comprising the portion of said third panel wrapped over said first panel.  
     
     
         9 . A device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said core layer of resilient material has a cover layer of flexible material covering said resilient layer.  
     
     
         10 . A device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein at least one outer exposed surface has indicia disposed thereon.  
     
     
         11 . A device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said core layer of resilient material comprises ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam.  
     
     
         12 . A device as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a fourth panel extending from an outer edge of said third panel, said fourth panel being of a length wherein said fourth panel is operable to wrap around said second panel in forming said device into said operational configuration.  
     
     
         13 . A device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a thickness of said core layer is in a range of about 1-10 mm.  
     
     
         14 . A device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein a thickness of said core layer is in a range of about 2-4 mm.  
     
     
         15 . A device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said core layer comprises a plurality of plies of said EVA form.  
     
     
         16 . A method for distributing advertising, comprising: 
 producing a handle engaging device having at least a first and a second panel formed from a core layer of resilient material, said first and second panels having abutting inner edges and outer edges said inner and outer edges joined by side edges, all inner, outer and side edges circumscribing planar inner and outer surfaces of said first and second panels, and wherein said first and second panels may be folded about said inner abutting edges and fastened in an operational position in which said first and second panels are substantially mutually parallel with said inner surfaces facing each other, and with said outer surfaces being exposed;    placing advertising indicia on at least one exposed surface of at least one of said panels;    distributing said handle engaging device to at least one retail merchant;    placing the device at a point-of-purchase location; and    positioning said handle engaging device in said operating position on a handle of an object to be delivered over to a customer, whereby said device captures a handle of said object, thereby leaving at least a portion of said advertising indicia exposed; and    relinquishing the object with said device attached thereto, to the customer.