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US 11,439,861 B1Granted
Sensory tool for self regulation, fine motor dexterity, and grip strengthening and method of using same
AssigneeJustGrowPlay, LLC
InventorEllen M. Cullen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensory tool, therapy putty, board, and method for using same. The sensory tool provides for self-regulation, fine motor dexterity, and grip strengthening through a series of imprints and features on its surface(s) that when pressed into resistive putty allows for impressions to be made. When this tool is combined with therapy putty it can be used to strengthen muscles, simulate functional tasks, and provide graded resistance that reinforces the sensorimotor experience to facilitate muscle memory and motor learning.
Claims21
A sensory tool for use with therapy putty, comprising:
- an elongate body extending in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end having a surface facing in the longitudinal direction, the surface at the proximal end having at least one protuberance extending outward therefrom in the longitudinal direction or at least one recessed portion extending inward therefrom in the longitudinal direction, the distal end of the elongate body having a surface disposed thereon, the surface facing in the longitudinal direction, the elongate body having a midportion disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the midportion being triangular in cross-section, the midportion having a plurality of ribs disposed thereon, the elongate body having a distal portion extending between the midportion and the distal end, the distal portion having a diameter that decreases between the midportion and the distal end.
A sensory tool kit, comprising:
- a sensory tool having an elongate body extending in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end having a surface with an opening defined therein, the surface facing in the longitudinal direction, the surface having at least one protuberance extending outward therefrom in the longitudinal direction or at least one recessed portion extending inward therefrom in the longitudinal direction, the distal end of the elongate body having a surface disposed thereon, the surface facing in the longitudinal direction, the elongate body having a midportion disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the midportion being triangular in cross-section, the midportion having a plurality of ribs disposed thereon, section and a distal portion extending between the midportion and the distal end, the distal portion having a diameter that decreases between the midportion and the distal end;
- a therapy putty capable of deforming when the sensory tool engages the therapy putty with a sufficient force;
- and,
- a putty board having a surface disposed thereon for supporting the therapy putty during engagement with the sensory tool.
1 more element
A method of using a sensory tool, comprising:
- providing a sensory tool having an elongate body extending in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end having a surface with an opening defined therein, the surface facing in the longitudinal direction, the surface having at least one protuberance extending outward therefrom in the longitudinal direction or at least one recessed portion extending inward therefrom in the longitudinal direction, the distal end of the elongate body having a surface disposed thereon, the surface facing in the longitudinal direction, the elongate body having a midportion disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the midportion being triangular in cross-section, the midportion having a plurality of ribs disposed thereon, and a distal portion extending between the midportion and the distal end, the distal portion having a diameter that decreases between the midportion and the distal end;
- providing a therapy putty capable of deforming when the sensory tool engages the therapy putty with a sufficient force;
- and,
- providing a putty board having a surface disposed thereon for supporting the therapy putty during engagement with the sensory tool.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.