Wrist support device

Abstract

A support device for protecting one or more portions of a user's hand or arm by limiting movement thereof includes a base surface for contacting a floor or other object adjacent to the device, a curved support surface extending from the base surface, and a plurality or orifices formed in the support surface. A user's fingers and thumb can be placed through the orifices to allow the palm of the hand to rest on a portion of the support surface, suspending the heel of the hand above the support device and aligning the user's wrist with the heel. The fingers may remain freely suspended within the device.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A support device for protecting fingers, a wrist, a forearm, or combinations thereof by limiting movement thereof, the support device comprising:
 a base surface adapted to contact an object adjacent to the support device;   a support surface extending from the base surface and comprising a curved shape, wherein the support surface is adapted to contact and support a hand of a user; and   a plurality of orifices formed in the support surface, wherein each of said orifices is adapted to receive a digit extending from the hand and suspend the digit between the support surface and the base surface while minimizing contact between the digit and the support surface and contact between the digit and the base surface.   
     
     
         2 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the base surface is angled relative to the plurality of orifices for directing a load applied by the hand in a forward direction relative thereto such that a force applied to a heel of the hand is reduced and a force applied to a palm of the hand is increased. 
     
     
         3 . The support device of  claim 2 , wherein the base surface is further angled such that a force is applied to metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand. 
     
     
         4 . The support device of  claim 2 , wherein the base surface is angled such that the heel of the hand is substantially suspended. 
     
     
         5 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the support surface comprises an angled dome shape. 
     
     
         6 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein a first orifice of the plurality of orifices is positioned posterior relative to each other orifice of the plurality of orifices for retaining a thumb. 
     
     
         7 . The support device of  claim 3 , further comprising padding positioned on the support surface, wherein the padding is adapted to contact the metacarpophalangeal joints. 
     
     
         8 . The support device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of orifices comprise an angled orientation to further direct the load in the forward direction for reducing extension of the wrist. 
     
     
         9 . The support device of  claim 6 , wherein the support surface comprises a centerline defining a front side and a back side of the support surface, and wherein each other orifice of the plurality of orifices is formed in the front side. 
     
     
         10 . The support device of  claim 2 , wherein the angle of the base is approximately 15 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the support surface is formed from substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         12 . A support device for receiving and supporting a hand, the support device comprising:
 a generally flat base surface;   an arcuate support surface extending from the generally flat base surface, wherein the arcuate support surface comprises a front side and a back side;   a first orifice formed in the back side of the arcuate support surface; and   at least one second orifice formed in the front side of the arcuate support surface,   wherein the first orifice is adapted for receiving a thumb associated with the hand, wherein said at least one second orifice is adapted for receiving fingers associated with the hand, and wherein a portion of the arcuate support surface between the first orifice and said at least one second orifice is adapted to contact and support a palm associated with the hand.   
     
     
         13 . The support device of  claim 12 , wherein the generally flat base surface, the first orifice, said at least one second orifice, or combinations thereof is angled to direct a load applied by the hand toward the front side such that a force applied to a heel associated with the hand is reduced and a force applied to a palm associated with the hand is increased. 
     
     
         14 . The support device of  claim 12 , wherein the arcuate support surface comprises an angled dome shape. 
     
     
         15 . The support device of  claim 12 , further comprising padding positioned in the portion of the support surface between the first orifice and said at least one second orifice, wherein the padding is adapted to contact metacarpophageal joints associated with the hand. 
     
     
         16 . The support device of  claim 13 , wherein the generally flat base surface, the first orifice, said at least one second orifice, or combinations thereof, is angled approximately fifteen degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The support device of  claim 12 , wherein the support surface is formed from substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         18 . A method for supporting and limiting movement of a hand comprising a thumb, a plurality of fingers, a palm, a heel, metacarpophageal joints, and a wrist, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a base of a support device against an adjacent object;   inserting the plurality of fingers in at least one first orifice formed in a front side of the support device;   inserting the thumb in a second orifice formed in the support device posterior to said at least one first orifice; and   contacting a support surface between said at least one first orifice and the second orifice with the palm and the metacarpophageal joints, thereby suspending the heel
 above the support device and aligning the wrist with the heel. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the steps of inserting the plurality of fingers and inserting the thumb comprise suspending the thumb and the plurality of fingers while minimizing contact between the support device and the thumb and the plurality of fingers. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of contacting the support surface comprises directing a force applied by the hand toward the front side of the support device.