US3714940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand brace
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-17
•
Granted: 1973-02-06
•
Expires: 1991-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A hand brace providing controlled individual flexion, extension, adduction and abduction tension of the digits particularly though not exclusively suited for post-operative use during formation of the fibrous joint capsule following metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joint implant arthroplasty and the like, includes a longitudinal member adapted to overlie the forearm and be releasably secured thereto and having a stabilizing pad for juxtaposition on the flat dorsal area of the ulna and radius just above the carpus with the proximal end terminating just short of the elbow and the distal end overhanging the hand and having means for engaging and positioning the metacarpophalangeal area and further adjustably supporting a transverse member in spaced relation above and/or below the hand which adjustably carries digit slings for effecting the flexion and/or extension movement of the digits. The slings are connected to the frame means by connectors permitting quick and simple adjustment by the surgeon and one hand adjustment by the patient. In addition to or in lieu of the slings, pressure pads may be mounted to engage the phalanges to position them as required. The brace may be folded flat for shipping or storage.
Inventors
- 👤 R Palmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
404 words
A hand brace for providing controlled individual digit tension comprising, in combination: a frame having a longitudinal portion adapted to extend along and overlie the dorsum of the forearm and metacarpal area of the hand and a transverse digit sling-carrying portion extending transversely of the longitudinal portion and adapted to be disposed in spaced relation from the hand, said longitudinal frame portion including a pair of inverted generally U-shaped rigid brackets disposed in spaced apart relation therealong and adapted to closely embrace the forearm and support the longitudinal portion of the frame in spaced relation above the dorsum of the forearm and metacarpal area of the hand such that such brackets provide the sole support of the longitudinal frame portion on the arm, one of said brackets adapted to be disposed at the proximal end of the forearm adjacent the elbow to prevent skewing of the brace, the other bracket adapted to be disposed at the distal end of the forearm and having a flat inside bight portion coextensive in width with the flat dorsum area of the forearm proximally adjacent the carpus and head of the ulna for juxtaposition on such flat dorsum to prevent rotation of the brace relative to the hand, said longitudinal portion of the frame including a third inverted generally U-shaped bracket disposed distally from the second mentioned bracket and adapted to closely embrace the dorsal metacarpophalangeal area of the hand and position the dorsal metacarpal area in determined spaced relation beneath the longitudinal portion of the frame, releasable strap means at each bracket adapted to circle beneaTh the forearm and hand to secure each bracket to the forearm and hand as aforesaid, a sling for each digit to be tensioned, a suspending cord secured at the end of each sling for each sling, and a locking slider on the transverse portion of the frame engaging each cord and adjusting its length and position along such transverse portion of the frame, said locking slider comprises a part slidably embracing said transverse portion of the frame, locking means mounted on the slider for reaction against said transverse portion of the frame to lock the slider thereon at adjusted positions therealong, and said suspending cord for the sling extending through said part and across the transverse portion of the frame to be gripped in adjusted positions thereagainst upon reaction of said locking means against said portion to lock the slider thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
404 words
A hand brace for providing controlled individual digit tension comprising, in combination: a frame having a longitudinal portion adapted to extend along and overlie the dorsum of the forearm and metacarpal area of the hand and a transverse digit sling-carrying portion extending transversely of the longitudinal portion and adapted to be disposed in spaced relation from the hand, said longitudinal frame portion including a pair of inverted generally U-shaped rigid brackets disposed in spaced apart relation therealong and adapted to closely embrace the forearm and support the longitudinal portion of the frame in spaced relation above the dorsum of the forearm and metacarpal area of the hand such that such brackets provide the sole support of the longitudinal frame portion on the arm, one of said brackets adapted to be disposed at the proximal end of the forearm adjacent the elbow to prevent skewing of the brace, the other bracket adapted to be disposed at the distal end of the forearm and having a flat inside bight portion coextensive in width with the flat dorsum area of the forearm proximally adjacent the carpus and head of the ulna for juxtaposition on such flat dorsum to prevent rotation of the brace relative to the hand, said longitudinal portion of the frame including a third inverted generally U-shaped bracket disposed distally from the second mentioned bracket and adapted to closely embrace the dorsal metacarpophalangeal area of the hand and position the dorsal metacarpal area in determined spaced relation beneath the longitudinal portion of the frame, releasable strap means at each bracket adapted to circle beneaTh the forearm and hand to secure each bracket to the forearm and hand as aforesaid, a sling for each digit to be tensioned, a suspending cord secured at the end of each sling for each sling, and a locking slider on the transverse portion of the frame engaging each cord and adjusting its length and position along such transverse portion of the frame, said locking slider comprises a part slidably embracing said transverse portion of the frame, locking means mounted on the slider for reaction against said transverse portion of the frame to lock the slider thereon at adjusted positions therealong, and said suspending cord for the sling extending through said part and across the transverse portion of the frame to be gripped in adjusted positions thereagainst upon reaction of said locking means against said portion to lock the slider thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
404 words
A hand brace for providing controlled individual digit tension comprising, in combination: a frame having a longitudinal portion adapted to extend along and overlie the dorsum of the forearm and metacarpal area of the hand and a transverse digit sling-carrying portion extending transversely of the longitudinal portion and adapted to be disposed in spaced relation from the hand, said longitudinal frame portion including a pair of inverted generally U-shaped rigid brackets disposed in spaced apart relation therealong and adapted to closely embrace the forearm and support the longitudinal portion of the frame in spaced relation above the dorsum of the forearm and metacarpal area of the hand such that such brackets provide the sole support of the longitudinal frame portion on the arm, one of said brackets adapted to be disposed at the proximal end of the forearm adjacent the elbow to prevent skewing of the brace, the other bracket adapted to be disposed at the distal end of the forearm and having a flat inside bight portion coextensive in width with the flat dorsum area of the forearm proximally adjacent the carpus and head of the ulna for juxtaposition on such flat dorsum to prevent rotation of the brace relative to the hand, said longitudinal portion of the frame including a third inverted generally U-shaped bracket disposed distally from the second mentioned bracket and adapted to closely embrace the dorsal metacarpophalangeal area of the hand and position the dorsal metacarpal area in determined spaced relation beneath the longitudinal portion of the frame, releasable strap means at each bracket adapted to circle beneaTh the forearm and hand to secure each bracket to the forearm and hand as aforesaid, a sling for each digit to be tensioned, a suspending cord secured at the end of each sling for each sling, and a locking slider on the transverse portion of the frame engaging each cord and adjusting its length and position along such transverse portion of the frame, said locking slider comprises a part slidably embracing said transverse portion of the frame, locking means mounted on the slider for reaction against said transverse portion of the frame to lock the slider thereon at adjusted positions therealong, and said suspending cord for the sling extending through said part and across the transverse portion of the frame to be gripped in adjusted positions thereagainst upon reaction of said locking means against said portion to lock the slider thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
404 words
A hand brace for providing controlled individual digit tension comprising, in combination: a frame having a longitudinal portion adapted to extend along and overlie the dorsum of the forearm and metacarpal area of the hand and a transverse digit sling-carrying portion extending transversely of the longitudinal portion and adapted to be disposed in spaced relation from the hand, said longitudinal frame portion including a pair of inverted generally U-shaped rigid brackets disposed in spaced apart relation therealong and adapted to closely embrace the forearm and support the longitudinal portion of the frame in spaced relation above the dorsum of the forearm and metacarpal area of the hand such that such brackets provide the sole support of the longitudinal frame portion on the arm, one of said brackets adapted to be disposed at the proximal end of the forearm adjacent the elbow to prevent skewing of the brace, the other bracket adapted to be disposed at the distal end of the forearm and having a flat inside bight portion coextensive in width with the flat dorsum area of the forearm proximally adjacent the carpus and head of the ulna for juxtaposition on such flat dorsum to prevent rotation of the brace relative to the hand, said longitudinal portion of the frame including a third inverted generally U-shaped bracket disposed distally from the second mentioned bracket and adapted to closely embrace the dorsal metacarpophalangeal area of the hand and position the dorsal metacarpal area in determined spaced relation beneath the longitudinal portion of the frame, releasable strap means at each bracket adapted to circle beneaTh the forearm and hand to secure each bracket to the forearm and hand as aforesaid, a sling for each digit to be tensioned, a suspending cord secured at the end of each sling for each sling, and a locking slider on the transverse portion of the frame engaging each cord and adjusting its length and position along such transverse portion of the frame, said locking slider comprises a part slidably embracing said transverse portion of the frame, locking means mounted on the slider for reaction against said transverse portion of the frame to lock the slider thereon at adjusted positions therealong, and said suspending cord for the sling extending through said part and across the transverse portion of the frame to be gripped in adjusted positions thereagainst upon reaction of said locking means against said portion to lock the slider thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 1 characterized in that bumper means are provided secured to the frame and having a portion projecting beyond the distal end of the digits to prevent accidental bumping thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention defined by claim 1 further characterized in that said cord extends across the transverse portion of the frame between it and a confronting surface of the slider which is urged against said portion of the frame to grip the cord upon reaction of the locking means to lock the slider in adjusted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention defined by claim 3 characterized in that said locking means comprises a screw member threadedly engaging said part and extending perpendicularly toward said transverse portion of the frame to abut the same and having a head portion disposed outwardly of the slider for manual rotation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
DE306715C
Cited
GB112265A
Cited
DE312103C
Cited
CH242737A
Cited
US2438144A
Cited
US2520035A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |