Electrically driven hand exerciser

Claim 2

A hand splint for repetitively flexing a finger of a human hand, comprising: a base adapted to substantially fully support the hand and the finger with the latter being disposed adjacent said base when in a normally extended condition; a movable element adapted to be selectively positioned and secured to the finger in a manner leaving the greater portion of the hand and finger exposed; and drive means operatively connected with said element for repetitively shifting the latter along a preselected path between a protracted position and a retracted position, said drive means having a single reciprocating power transmitting mechanism operatively coupling said element and said base to exert a reciprocable pulling force on the element wherein the finger is respectively naturally extended in said disposition and naturally folded toward the palm of the hand, said element and said mechanism cooperating to alternately shift the finger in A natural motion between said extended and folded position.

Claim 3

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, there being a separate element secured to each finger of the hand when the latter is supported on said base, said drive means being operatively connected with each of the elements whereby to synchronously shift said elements alternately between said protracted and retracted positions and all of the fingers between said extended and folded positions.

Claim 4

Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, said mechanism being adjustable relative to said base whereby said fingers may be selectively flexed.

Claim 5

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said power transmitting mechanism including a flexible cord secured to said element and said drive means.

Claim 6

Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, said element including a transverse ring adapted to be received on the finger and a circular end cap affixed to said ring and adapted to fit over the end of the finger.

Claim 7

Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, there being a clamp releasably fastened upon said cap to secure said cord between said cap and the clamp.

Claim 8

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said base including first and second vertically spaced supports adapted to engage opposite sides of the hand to hold the latter upon the said base.

Claim 9

Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, said power transmitting mechanism being coupled to said first and second supports.

Claim 10

Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, said power transmitting mechanism including a cord having first and second sections thereof extending from said element to spaced positions on said drive means and respectively coupled to said first and second supports, said drive means being operable to alternately drive said first section to shift said element to said retracted position and drive said second section to shift said element to said protracted position.

Claim 11

Appartus as set forth in claim 9, said drive means including first and second links and a power source for alternately reciprocally driving said first and second links, said first and second sections of cord being respectively secured to said first and second links.

Claim 12

A hand splint for repetitively flexing a finger of a human hand, comprising: a base adapted to support the hand; a movable element operatively coupled with said base and adapted to be secured to the finger; and drive means operatively connected with said element for repetitively shifting the latter along a preselected path between a protracted position and a retracted position wherein the finger is respectively naturally extended and naturally folded toward the palm of the hand, whereby to alternately shift the finger in a natural motion between said extended and folded positions; there being power transmitting means operatively connected with said drive means and said element for transmitting power from said drive means to said element, said power transmitting means being coupled to said base whereby to shift said element along said preselected path and thereby shift the finger in said natural motion, said power transmitting means being operable to couple said element to said base, said base including first and second vertically spaced supports adapted to engage opposite sides of the hand to hold the latter upon the said base, said power transmitting means being coupled to said first and second supports, said power transmitting means including a cord having first and second sections thereof extending from said element to spaced positions on said drive means and respectively coupled to said first and second supports, said drive means being operable to alternately drive said first section to shift said element to said retracted position and drive said second section to shift said element to said protracted position, said first support being a tranverse bar adapted to extend transversely across and engage the palm of the hand, said bar having an aperture longitudinally aligned with said elEment for receiving said first section of cord to guide the latter to shift said element along said preselected path.

Claim 13

A hand splint for repetitively flexing a finger of a human hand, comprising: a base adapted to support the hand; a movable element operatively coupled with said base and adapted to be secured to the finger; and drive means operatively connected with said element for repetitively shifting the latter along a preselected path between a protracted position and a retracted position wherein the finger is respectively naturally extended and naturally folded toward the palm of the hand, whereby to alternately shift the finger in a natural motion between said extended and folded positions; there being power transmitting means operatively connected with said drive means and said element for transmitting power from said drive means to said element, said power transmitting means being coupled to said base whereby to shift said element along said preselected path and thereby shift the finger in said natural motion, said power transmitting means being operable to couple said element to said base, said base including first and second vertically spaced supports adapted to engage opposite sides of the hand to hold the latter upon the said base, said power transmitting means being coupled to said first and second supports, said power transmitting means including a cord having first and second sections thereof extending from said element to spaced positions on said drive means and respectively coupled to said first and second supports, said drive means being operable to alternately drive said first section to shift said element to said retracted position and drive said second section to shift said element to said protracted position, said first support being a tranverse bar adapted to extend transversely across and engage the palm of the hand, said bar having an aperture longitudinally aligned with said elEment for receiving said first section of cord to guide the latter to shift said element along said preselected path.

Claim 14

Apparatus as set forth in claim 11, said base including means for adjustably securing said first support relative to said second support.

Claim 15

Apparatus as set forth in claim 12, said securing means permitting selective, vertical and longitudinal adjustment of said first support relative to said second support.

Claim 16

A hand splint for repetitively flexing a finger of a human hand, comprising: a base adapted to support the hand; a movable element operatively coupled with said base and adapted to be secured to the finger; and drive means operatively connected with said element for repetitively shifting the latter along a preselected path between a protracted position and a retracted position wherein the finger is respectively naturally extended and naturally folded toward the palm of the hand, whereby to alternately shift the finger in a natural motion between said extended and folded positions, there being power transmitting means operatively connected with said drive means and said element for transmitting power from said drive means to said element, said power transmitting means being coupled to said base whereby to shift said element along said preselected path and thereby shift the finger in said natural motion, said power transmitting means being operable to couple said element to said base, said base including first and second vertically spaced supports adapted to engage opposite sides of the hand to hold the latter upon the said base, said power transmitting means being coupled to said first and second supports, said power transmitting means including a cord having first and second sections thereof extending from said element to spaced positions on said drive means and respectively coupled to said first and second supports, said drive means being operable to alternately drive said first section to shift said element to said retracted position and drive said second section to shift said element to said protracted position, said second support being a longitudinal plate extending along substantially the entire length of the finger when the latter is in said extended position.

Claim 17

A hand splint for repetitively flexing a finger of a human hand, comprising: a base adapted to support the hand; a movable element operatively coupled with said base and adapted to be secured to the finger; and drive means operatively connected with said element for repetitively shifting the latter along a preselected path between a protracted position and a retracted position wherein the finger is respectively naturally extended and naturally folded toward the palm of the hand, whereby to alternately shift the finger in a natural motion between said extended and folded positions, there being power transmitting means operatively connected with said drive means and said element for transmitting power from said drive means to said element, said power transmitting means being coupled to said base whereby to shift said element along said preselected path and thereby shift the finger in said natural motion, said power transmitting means being operable to couple said element to said base, said base including first and second vertically spaced supports adapted to engage opposite sides of the hand to hold the latter upon the said base, said power transmitting means being coupled to said first and second supports, said power transmitting means including a cord having first and second sections thereof extending from said element to spaced positions on said drive means and respectively coupled to said first and second supports, said drive means being operable to alternately drive said first section to shift said element to said retracted position and drive said second section to shift said element to said protracted position, said second support being a longitudinal plate extending along substantially the entire length of the finger when the latter is in said extended position.

Claim 18

Apparatus as set forth in claim 14, there being guide means secured to said plate and operatively engaging said second section of cord for guiding the latter to shift said element along said preselected path.

Claim 19

Apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said plate having a longitudinal slot extending substantially parallel to the finger, said guide means including a bushing passing through said slot, said bushing having an aperture therethrough for receiving said second section of cord.

Claim 20

Apparatus as set forth in claim 16, said bushing being adjustably positionable along said slot to a location longitudinally adjacent said element when the latter is in said protracted position, there being means for releasably locking said bushing to said plate in said location.