Weighted bracelet for fine-motor activity

Abstract

A weighted bracelet for enhancing fine-motor activities such as writing, used by an individual with a fine-motor impairment, is disclosed. The bracelet provides a flexible string of predetermined length, with a plurality of magnetic beads disposed along the length of the string. A plurality of non-magnetic beads are interspersed along the string between the magnetic beads. When the bracelet is wrapped in a looping configuration about the forearm of the individual and proximal the wrist, the individual's fine-motor coordination is enhanced. Preferably, the bracelet is used for not more than two hours at one session, with at least a non-use period of twenty minutes before further usage. In preferred embodiments the non-magnetic beads are dispersed between adjoining magnetic beads in a ratio of two-to-one. In one embodiment, the total weight of the bracelet is about four ounces. In an alternative embodiment for smaller children, the bracelet has a total weight of three ounces.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to occupational therapy devices and more particularly to a bracelet for enhancing fine-motor coordination.BACKGROUND[0002]Writing and other fine-motor activities are particularly challenging for individuals with disabilities such as a hand tremor or diminished coordination. The result can be that individuals may be inhibited from performing such activities. Children with such disabilities may even be impeded from learning to write properly, leading to other educational difficulties. Some individuals present with poor sensory feedback in the proprioceptive system (receptors in muscles and tendons perceive contraction, compression and stretching), making it difficult to grade touch pressure in relation to objects, sense awareness of the body in space, have awareness of joint position, (position sense) and have awareness of movement (kinesthesia).[0003]One attempt to deal with this issue has been to provide a weighted ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing an aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, easily worn and secured bracelet for fine-motor activities such as writing. The bracelet provides a flexible string of predetermined length, with a plurality of magnetic beads disposed along the length of the string. A plurality of nonmagnetic beads are interspersed along the string between the magnetic beads. When the bracelet is wrapped in a looping configuration about the forearm of the individual and proximal the wrist, the individual's fine-motor coordination is enhanced. Preferably, the bracelet is used for not more than two hours at one session, with at least a non-use period of twenty minutes before further usage.

Problems solved by technology

Writing and other fine-motor activities are particularly challenging for individuals with disabilities such as a hand tremor or diminished coordination.

The result can be that individuals may be inhibited from performing such activities.

Children with such disabilities may even be impeded from learning to write properly, leading to other educational difficulties.

Some individuals present with poor sensory feedback in the proprioceptive system (receptors in muscles and tendons perceive contraction, compression and stretching), making it difficult to grade touch pressure in relation to objects, sense awareness of the body in space, have awareness of joint position, (position sense) and have awareness of movement (kinesthesia).

However, such attempts necessarily entail a psychological drawback.

The user is visually identified as using an article for a disability, thus potentially stigmatizing the individual and perhaps even causing the individual not to use the article.

In addition, hand patches may be uncomfortable to wear because of the accumulation of perspiration, chafing or the like around the edges.

Also the weighted gloves are difficult for children to don independently.

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