Weighted bracelet for fine-motor activity

Abstract

A weighted bracelet for enhancing fine-motor activities such as writing, used by an individual with a fine-motor impairment, is disclosed. The bracelet provides a flexible string of predetermined length, with a plurality of magnetic beads disposed along the length of the string. A plurality of non-magnetic beads are interspersed along the string between the magnetic beads. When the bracelet is wrapped in a looping configuration about the forearm of the individual and proximal the wrist, the individual's fine-motor coordination is enhanced. Preferably, the bracelet is used for not more than two hours at one session, with at least a non-use period of twenty minutes before further usage. In preferred embodiments the non-magnetic beads are dispersed between adjoining magnetic beads in a ratio of two-to-one. In one embodiment, the total weight of the bracelet is about four ounces. In an alternative embodiment for smaller children, the bracelet has a total weight of three ounces.

1 . A weighted bracelet for use by an individual with a fine-motor impairment in a fine-motor manual activity, the bracelet comprising:
 (a) a flexible string having a predetermined length;   (b) a plurality of magnetic beads disposed along the length of the string; and   (c) a plurality of non-magnetic beads interspersed along the string between the magnetic beads in a ratio of two to one non-magnetic beads between adjoining magnetic beads,   such that when the bracelet is wrapped in a looping configuration about the forearm of the individual and proximal the wrist, the individual's fine-motor coordination is enhanced.   
   
   
       2 . The bracelet of  claim 1 , wherein the string has a first end and a second end and further including:
 (a) a first end magnet disposed on the first end of the string; and   (b) a second end magnet disposed on the second end of the string.   
   
   
       3 . The bracelet of  claim 1 , wherein the string presents a length-wise axis and each magnetic bead is substantially smooth and oblong, and presents a lengthwise axis co-linear with the string axis, each magnetic bead further presenting a bead length along the bead axis. 
   
   
       4 . The bracelet of  claim 3 , wherein each non-magnetic bead is substantially spherical, and presents a radius less than half the axial length of each magnetic bead. 
   
   
       5 . The bracelet of  claim 1 , wherein the string is made of a synthetic resin and presents a diameter of 1 mm. 
   
   
       6 . The bracelet of  claim 1 , wherein the bracelet has a total weight of about four ounces. 
   
   
       7 . The bracelet of  claim 1 , wherein the bracelet has a total weight of about three ounces. 
   
   
       8 . The bracelet of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the string is about 41 and ¾ inches. 
   
   
       9 . The bracelet of  claim 1 , wherein the total number of magnetic beads is 46. 
   
   
       10 . The bracelet of  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the bracelet is in a range between one and eight ounces. 
   
   
       11 . The bracelet of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the beads include printed indicia. 
   
   
       12 . A weighted bracelet for use by an individual with a fine-motor impairment in a fine-motor manual activity, the bracelet comprising:
 (a) a flexible, synthetic resin string having an unstretched length of 41 and ¾ inches, the string having a first end and a second end, the string presenting a length-wise axis;   (b) a plurality of smooth, oblong, magnetic beads disposed along the length of the string, each magnetic bead presenting a lengthwise axis co-linear with the string axis, each magnetic bead further presenting a bead length along the bead axis;   (c) a plurality of substantially spherical, non-magnetic beads interspersed along the string between the magnetic beads in a ratio of two non-magnetic beads between adjoining magnetic beads, each non-magnetic bead presenting a radius less than half the axial length of each magnetic bead;   (d) a first end magnet disposed on the first end of the string; and   (e) a second end magnet disposed on the second end of the string   such that when the bracelet is wrapped in a looping configuration about the forearm of the individual and proximal the wrist, the individual's fine-motor coordination is enhanced.   
   
   
       13 . The bracelet of  claim 12 , wherein the total number of magnetic beads is 46. 
   
   
       14 . A method of enhancing fine-motor coordination in an individual with a fine-motor impairment, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a bracelet, the bracelet including,
 a flexible string having a predetermined length, 
 a plurality of magnetic beads disposed along the length of the string, 
 a plurality of non-magnetic beads interspersed along the string between the magnetic beads with at least one non-magnetic bead between each set of adjoining magnetic beads; and 
   (b) wrapping the bracelet in a looping configuration about the forearm of the individual and proximal the wrist,
 whereby the individual's fine-motor coordination is enhanced. 
   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the period for use of the bracelet is no more than about two hours. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bracelet is used for up to two hours, then removed for at least about twenty minutes and then re-used for up to two hours.