Hand therapy device

Abstract

A therapy device includes a hand engaging element configured to engage with a hand, and configured to at least partially distribute a force. At least one pulling cord having a first end is configured to be connected to the hand engaging element, and having a second end which is configured to be pulled. A force redirecting element is configured to be connected to a back of the hand or a back of a wrist, and is configured to redirect a pulling force exerted on the second end. The pulling force directed to be able to extend the hand.

1 . A hand therapy device comprising: 
 a hand engaging element configured to engage with a hand, and configured to at least partially distribute a force;    at least one pulling member having a first end configured to be connected to the hand engaging element, and having a second end configured to be pulled; and    a force redirecting element configured to be connected to a back of the hand or a back of a wrist, and configured to redirect a pulling force exerted on the second end the pulling force directed to be able to extend the hand.    
   
   
       2 . The hand therapy device of  claim 1  further comprising a fabric configured to fit on a hand, the hand engaging element and the force redirecting element configured to be connected to the fabric.  
   
   
       3 . The hand therapy device of  claim 2  wherein the at least one pulling member is configured to be selectively moved to engage with the hand at different locations.  
   
   
       4 . The hand therapy device of  claim 3  wherein the different locations are located on the back of each of the fingers.  
   
   
       5 . The hand therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the hand engaging element is one selected from the group consisting of: 
 an elongate board;    a first elongate board configured to be secured at one side of the fingers of the hand and a second elongate board configured to be secured to an opposite side of the fingers and configured to be connected to the first elongate board;    one or more rings configured to fit on one or more fingers each connected to the first end of the at least one pulling member;    a reinforced fabric arranged on the fingers connected to the second end of the at least one pulling member; and    one or more attachment members on each of the fingers configured to be selectively attached to the at least one pulling member.    
   
   
       6 . The hand therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one pulling member includes two cords connected to the hand engaging element at two spaced apart locations.  
   
   
       7 . The hand therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the force redirecting element is one selected from the group consisting of: 
 a loop made from a resilient material configured to stretch as the at least one pulling member is pulled, or the hand is extended, or both;    a lever arm configured to pivot about an axis near the back of the wrist, the at least one pulling member configured to be connected to the lever arm a distance from the axis;    a ring connected to the fabric with a resilient connection the at least one pulling member being configured to pass through the ring; and    a ring connected to the fabric with a non-resilient connection, the at least one pulling member being configured to pass through the ring.    
   
   
       8 . The hand therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the pulling member is configured to be pulled in a direction sufficiently along a forearm, and at least a component of the pulling force is directed toward the forearm.  
   
   
       9 . The hand therapy device of  claim 1  further comprising a handle connected to the second end of the pulling member, the handle being one from the group consisting of: 
 a rigid cylinder disposed to be grasped in a hand opposite the hand the therapy device is engaged with;    a ring disposed to be grasped in a hand opposite the hand the therapy device is engaged with; and    an interlocking element disposed to be attached to a similarly configured therapy device arranged on an opposite hand such that each hand may be extended alternately.    
   
   
       10 . The hand therapy device of  claim 2  further comprising a rigid member configured to be positioned at the back of a hand to provide rigidity to the fabric at the back of the hand.  
   
   
       11 . The hand therapy device of  claim 1  further comprising a timing device configured to be connected to the fabric and configured to remind a user of the therapy device to effect an extension of the hand.  
   
   
       12 . The hand therapy device of  claim 1  further comprising an object configured to be squeezed by the hand when contracted.  
   
   
       13 . The hand therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the hand engaging element is one or more connections on each finger of the hand, the at least one pulling member is a pulling member configured to be selectively connected to each of the one or more connections.  
   
   
       14 . The hand therapy device of  claim 13  wherein each of the at least one pulling members is joined at a junction, and configured to be pulled by the pulling force via the junction.  
   
   
       15 . The hand therapy device of  claim 14  wherein the junction is a ring, the ring is connected to a second pulling member configured to be pulled  
   
   
       16 . A therapy device for a hand comprising: 
 a hand engaging element connected to the fingers above the third knuckle;    at least one pulling cord connected to the hand engaging element disposed to be connected to the hand engaging element at first end and disposed to be pulled at a second end.    
   
   
       17 . A method comprising: 
 pulling a cord at a second end with a pulling force in a direction substantially along an arm, the cord having a first end connected to a hand engaging element;    redirecting the pulling force by passing the cord through a force redirecting element such that the pulling force is directed to have a component toward a wrist, the force redirecting element being connected to a back of the hand or a back of a wrist; and    extending the hand backward with the pulling force.    
   
   
       18 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a hand enveloping fabric sized and shaped to be worn on a hand;    a hand engaging element sufficiently rigid to distribute a pulling force disposed to be connected to the fabric; and    at least one pulling cord attached to the hand engaging element.    
   
   
       19 . A therapy device comprising: 
 a fabric configured to at least partially enclose a hand;    a hand engaging element configured to engage with the hand, and configured to at least partially distribute a force, and configured to be connected to the fabric;    at least one pulling cord having a first end configured to be connected to the hand engaging element, and having a second end configured to be pulled;    a cord directing element configured to be connected to the fabric, and configured to be positioned at one of a back of the hand or a back of the wrist, and configured to redirect a pulling force exerted on the second end.