Hinged orthopedic device for holding tools
OwnerSamuel R. Vandeninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lightweight, orthopedic device is provided for a person with a hand or wrist dysfunction. The device is molded to fit over the person's hand and, optionally, the forearm. Two half shells form a clam shell, which are hinged together. The wearer can put the device on with one hand, using a strap with a refastenable closing system to hold the device onto the hand and forearm. Posts embedded in the device hold the ends of implements. A novel double-ended quick release coupling, which can provide angled connections, has two ends, one for coupling with the post and one for coupling with the end of an implement.
Claims14
An orthopedic device for a disabled person with a hand dysfunction comprising:
- a hollow body having an interior surface molded to fit around the person's hand and forearm, said hollow body being longitudinally split into a pair of half-shells;
- at least one hinge connecting the half-shells together in a clamshell configuration;
- a reclosable strap affixed to the hollow body for holding the half-shells closed around the hand and forearm;
- at least one post affixed to the hollow body;
- at least one implement removably attached to the post.
An orthopedic device for a disabled person with a hand dysfunction comprising:
- a hollow body having an interior surface molded to fit around the person's hand, said hollow body being longitudinally split into a pair of half-shells, a top half-shell and a bottom half-shell, each half-shell having a right side and a left side;
- four rectangular plates, each having a front end and a back end, the front end of a first pair of the plates being affixed to each of the right sides of each half-shell, and the front end of a second pair of the plates being affixed to each of the left sides of each half-shell, the pairs of plates being arranged to be substantially parallel to each other;
- at least one hinge connecting a pair of the plates together, allowing the hollow body to open and close in a clamshell configuration;
- a support strap having two ends, each of said ends being affixed to a back end of the plate having the front end attached to the side of the bottom half-shell;
- a reclosable strap affixed to a back end of one of the plates having the front end attached to the side of the top half-shell;
- at least one post affixed to the hollow body;
- at least one implement removably attached to the post.
A method of providing an orthopedic device for a disabled person with a hand dysfunction comprising:
- making a hollow body having an interior surface molded to fit around the person's hand and forearm;
- splitting the hollow body longitudinally into a pair of half-shells;
- connecting the half-shells together with one or more hinges to make a clamshell configuration;
- affixing a reclosable strap to the hollow body;
- affixing at least one post to the hollow body;
- opening the hollow body by separating the hinged half-shells;
- placing the person's hand and forearm inside one of the half-shells;
- closing the half shells of the hollow body around the hand and forearm;
- wrapping the strap around the hollow body and fastening it with a reclosable fastenable closing system;
- affixing at least one removable implement to the post.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.