Concentric Ring Hand Exerciser for Flexion and Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand exercisers do not effectively rehabilitate or strengthen fingers, thumbs, and hands, particularly after injuries or surgeries, while also improving flexibility and range of motion.
Innovation Solution
A hand exerciser comprising a resiliently deformable material with retentive memory, featuring concentric outer and inner rings with flexion and extension saddles for fingers and thumb, allowing for both flexion and extension exercises.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hand exercisers are used, then simple grip strength may be improved, but comprehensive rehabilitation of fingers, thumbs, and hands is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines both flexion and extension exercises in a single unit, with the outer ring providing flexion resistance and the inner ring providing extension resistance. This multi-functional design allows comprehensive hand rehabilitation without requiring multiple separate devices, directly addressing the limitation of conventional exercisers that only provide simple grip strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner ring is nested within the outer ring, with the inner ring's major diameter aligned coaxially with the outer ring's major diameter. This nested configuration allows both rings to operate simultaneously in the same space, enabling dual exercise modes (flexion and extension) without increasing device footprint or requiring separate components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a resiliently deformable material with retentive memory is used, then the device returns to original configuration after distortion, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the resiliently deformable material should have a Shore Durometer hardness between 20 and 80, with preference for 30-60. This parameter control ensures the material provides sufficient resistance while maintaining deformability and retentive memory, balancing performance requirements with material simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If concentric rings with multiple saddles are implemented, then comprehensive finger and thumb exercise is achieved, but device manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional zones: the outer ring with flexion saddles for fingers and thumb, and the inner ring with extension saddles for fingers and thumb. Each ring independently provides specific exercise functionality, allowing modular manufacturing and assembly while ensuring comprehensive exercise coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer and inner rings are positioned asymmetrically within the device body, with the inner ring's major diameter coaxially aligned but offset from the outer ring's center. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the mechanical advantage and resistance distribution for different finger and thumb movements, enhancing exercise effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hand exerciser effectively strengthens and flexes fingers, thumbs, and hands, promoting healing, improving range of motion, and enhancing motor skills, suitable for both children and adults.
Implementation Method 1
a body (10) formed of a resiliently deformable material that has a degree of retentive memory so that the body (10) tends to return to an original configuration (60) after being distorted from the original configuration (60)
Data Source
AI summary
A hand exerciser to strengthen and promote flexibility for both extension and flexion for the fingers, thumb and hand has a body defined by a resiliently deformable first outer ring and a resiliently deformable second inner ring that is concentric with the first outer ring. Flexion exercises utilize the first outer ring while extension exercises utilize the second inner ring.