Method of protecting hand bones

Abstract

A method includes mounting an article to a hand, the article including a conformable elastic wrap which exerts a compressive force against the hand when extended, biased, or stretched; and a sleeve including an inner surface and an outer surface configured to slidably engage the top and bottom faces; mounting the first end to metacarpal I such that the bottom face engages the palm of the human hand, wrapping the conformable elastic wrap such that the bottom face is urged toward and around metacarpal V and between metacarpals I and II such that the elastic wrap defines a first compressive bandage or loop about the hand; urging the bottom face from between metacarpals I and II toward and around proximal phalange V; positioning the sleeve such that the outer surface overlies proximal phalanges II-V; and extending the wrap such that the sleeve is held in place by a compressive force.

1 . A method protecting a human hand in need of protection, the method comprising mounting an article to the hand, the article comprising a conformable elastic wrap comprising a top face, a bottom face, a first edge, a second edge, a first end, and a second end which exerts a compressive force against the hand when extended, biased, or stretched; and a sleeve comprising an inner surface and an outer surface configured to slidably engage the top and bottom faces; the method further comprising mounting the first end to metacarpal I such that the bottom face engages the palm of the human hand, wrapping the conformable elastic wrap such that the bottom face is urged toward and around metacarpal V and between metacarpals I and II such that the elastic wrap defines a first compressive bandage or loop about the hand; urging the bottom face from between metacarpals I and II toward and around proximal phalange V; positioning the sleeve such that the outer surface overlies proximal phalanges II-V; and extending the wrap such that the sleeve is held in place by a compressive force. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the conformable elastic wrap is a breathable conformable elastic wrap. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second end is secured about the hand such that the compressive force is maintained while the hand is in use. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises first and second portions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is a conformable resilient substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion overlies the top face. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion engages the bottom face. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion engages the hand about proximal phalanges II-V. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising wrapping the conformable elastic wrap over the first portion. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the need is hand protection during hand-to-hand combat, for example, boxing. 
     
     
         11 . The article as described in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A kit comprising the article of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The use of the article of  claim 1  to protect the hand.