Hand exerciser

Abstract

A hand exerciser device, comprised of a body having a thumb opening, a plurality of finger openings spaced apart from the thumb opening, and a central enlarged portion interposed between the thumb opening and the finger openings where the body is fabricated from a gelatinous elastomeric composition having both sufficient stretchability for extension of the hand exerciser device by opposing pressures applied by the thumb and at least one finger and sufficient resistance for compression of the hand exerciser device by cooperating pressures applied by the thumb and at least one finger and also returning to the original shape with release of the pressures, even after extensive repeated extending and/or flexing.

1 . A hand exerciser device, comprising:
 a body having a thumb opening, a plurality of finger openings spaced from said thumb opening, and a central enlarged portion interposed between said thumb opening and said finger openings,
 wherein said body being fabricated from a polymeric material having both sufficient stretchability for extension of said hand exerciser device by opposing pressures applied by a thumb and at least one finger and sufficient compressibility for compression/flexion of said hand exerciser device by cooperating pressures applied by the thumb and at least one finger and also returning to the original shape with release of said pressures, even after extensive repeated extending and/or flexing. 
   
   
   
       2 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1  wherein said polymeric material being a thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group comprising: a chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), an ethylene polysulfide (ET), an ethylene-propylene copolymer ((EPM); an organopolysiloxane (SI), a polybutadiene (BP), a polyisoprene, a polyurethane (PUR), or a styrenic block copolymer. 
   
   
       3 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1  wherein said polymeric material being a gelatinous elastomeric composition being a mixture of a styrenic block copolymer selected from the group comprising: SBS (styrene butadiene styrene), SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene), SEPS (styrene ethylene/propylene styrene), SEBS (styrene ethylene/butylene styrene), SEEPS (styrene ethylene/ethylene-propylene-styrene), or combinations thereof; and an oil (or plasticizer) being selected from the group comprising: a mineral oil, a silicone oil, a vegetable oil, or a fish oil; said oil being in excess, by weight, of said copolymer. 
   
   
       4 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1  wherein said polymeric material being a gelatinous elastomeric composition being a mixture of one or more styrenic block copolymers selected from the group comprising: SBS (styrene butadiene styrene), SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene), SEPS (styrene ethylene/propylene styrene), SEBS (styrene ethylene/butylene styrene), SEEPS (styrene ethylene/ethylene-propylene-styrene), or combinations thereof; and at least two oils (or plasticizers) being selected from the group comprising: a mineral oil, a silicone oil, a vegetable oil, or a fish oil. 
   
   
       5 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1  wherein said polymeric material being a gelatinous elastomeric composition being a mixture of a styrenic block copolymer selected from the group comprising: SBS (styrene butadiene styrene), SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene), SEPS (styrene ethylene/propylene styrene), SEBS (styrene ethylene/butylene styrene), SEEPS (styrene ethylene/ethylene-propylene-styrene), or combinations thereof; and an oil mixture comprising a first oil and a second oil each being selected from the group comprising: a mineral oil, a silicone oil, a vegetable oil, or a fish oil; said first oil having a viscosity greater than a viscosity of said second oil and said second oil being used in excess of said first oil. 
   
   
       6 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1  further comprising an antimicrobial agent incorporated into said gelatinous elastomeric composition to prevent or minimize bacterial growth on or within said hand exerciser device. 
   
   
       7 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1  having a durability to sustain at least 400,000 extensions and/or compressions. 
   
   
       8 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1 , wherein said thumb opening and said finger openings provide sufficient grip on a users thumb and fingers as to prevent accidental release and dropping of said hand exerciser device. 
   
   
       9 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1 , further comprising a core disposed in said central enlarged portion. 
   
   
       10 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1  having a Shore OO durometer of between 6 and 30. 
   
   
       11 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1  wherein said device being tear and/or break resistant, even when damaged. 
   
   
       12 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 1 , wherein said exerciser being adapted to be attached to a stationary device to support additional exercising techniques involving the arms and shoulders. 
   
   
       13 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 2 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises 40 centistoke viscosity medical grade mineral oil, Kraton 1651 thermoplastic rubber, and Irganox HP2215FF. 
   
   
       14 . A hand exerciser device, comprising:
 a body having a thumb opening, a plurality of finger openings spaced from said thumb opening, a central enlarged portion interposed between said thumb opening and said finger openings, and a core disposed in said central enlarged portion;
 wherein said body being fabricated from a polymeric material having both sufficient stretchability for extension of said hand exerciser device by opposing pressures applied by the thumb and at least one finger and sufficient compressibility for compression/flexion of said hand exerciser device by cooperating pressures applied by the thumb and at least one finger and also returning to the original shape with release of said pressures, even after extensive repeated extending and/or flexing;
 said polymeric material being a gelatinous elastomeric composition being a mixture of at least one styrenic block copolymer selected from the group comprising: SBS (styrene butadiene styrene), SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene), SEPS (styrene ethylene/propylene styrene), SEBS (styrene ethylene/butylene styrene), SEEPS (styrene ethylene/ethylene-propylene-styrene); and at least one oil (or plasticizer) being selected from the group comprising: a mineral oil, a silicone oil, a vegetable oil, or a fish oil; 
 said thumb opening and said finger openings providing sufficient grip on a users thumb and fingers as to prevent accidental release and dropping of said hand exerciser device; 
 said hand exerciser device having a Shore OO durometer of between 6 and 30 and a durability to sustain at least 400,000 extensions and/or compressions. 
 
   
   
   
       15 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 13  further comprising an antimicrobial agent incorporated into said gelatinous elastomeric composition to prevent or minimize bacterial growth on or within said hand exerciser device. 
   
   
       16 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 13  wherein said device being tear and/or break resistant, even when damaged. 
   
   
       17 . The hand exerciser device of  claim 13 , wherein the exerciser is adapted to be attached to a stationary device to support additional exercising techniques involving the arms and shoulders.