Elastic Finger Stretch Wedges for Unrestricted Hand Exercise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand exercisers for musicians are bulky, cumbersome, and restrictive, failing to provide continuous stretching force, secure hold, and unrestricted motion, often requiring specific hand positions and producing noise.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, portable device made of compressible material with contoured finger-stretch wedges and a connective base that applies continuous stretching force, allowing unrestricted motion and secure hold on the hand without user effort, using non-irritant foam, rubber, or gel for comfortable and quiet operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rigid rings connected to adjustable rigid or semi-flexible frame are used to stretch fingers, then finger stretching is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid frames and rings with a flexible glove comprising elastic material that stretches over the hand and fingers. This flexible shell approach provides the necessary stretching force while eliminating the bulk and weight of rigid structures, allowing the device to conform to the hand's shape and move naturally with the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses elastic material with varying degrees of stretch resistance to provide continuous stretching force. The elastic properties of the material allow it to exert force dynamically as the fingers move, providing consistent stretching without requiring heavy mechanical components for adjustment and regulation.
2Length of moving object
If adjustable rigid or semi-flexible frame with pegs is used to stretch fingers, then finger span is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible glove design eliminates complex adjustable mechanisms, pegs, and rigid frames. The elastic material inherently provides the stretching function through its material properties, simplifying the device structure while maintaining the ability to increase finger span through the natural elastic recovery of the material.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material in the glove automatically provides stretching force through its inherent elastic properties, eliminating the need for external adjustment mechanisms, motors, or complex mechanical systems. The device self-regulates the stretching force based on the degree of finger extension.
3Strength
If elastic material is used to exercise finger extension, then finger strengthening is achieved, but the device produces noise
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible glove made of elastic material provides a quiet exercise experience by eliminating rigid components that would produce clicking, clacking, or mechanical noise. The soft elastic material moves silently with the fingers, providing resistance and strengthening without generating harmful noise in quiet environments.
4Force
If rigid rings and adjustable frame are used to stretch fingers, then finger stretching is achieved, but the device restricts natural hand motion
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible glove design allows natural hand motion by conforming to the hand's shape and moving with it. The elastic material provides stretching force in the direction of finger extension while allowing the hand to move freely in all directions, unlike rigid structures that constrain natural motion patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material dynamically adapts to the hand's motion, providing stretching force only when fingers extend while allowing natural flexion and movement. The material's elastic properties enable it to stretch and recover continuously, accommodating the full range of natural hand motions without restriction.
5Strength
If compressible material is used for finger exercise, then finger strengthening is achieved, but continuous stretching force is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic material in the flexible glove provides continuous stretching force throughout the entire range of finger motion. As the fingers extend, the material stretches and continuously exerts restoring force, eliminating gaps in the stretching action and providing uninterrupted strengthening throughout the exercise motion.
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
Enables convenient, frequent, and effective finger, hand, and forearm exercise with controlled resistance, allowing natural and exaggerated motions, improving finger span and dexterity, and providing a fun and engaging exercise experience for musicians.
Implementation Method 1
a form of elastic material to be placed on or around the fingers to exercise and strengthen the extension of fingers through elastic resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A hand stretching and strengthening device comprised of a unitary form and of resilient, compressible material. The device comprises a plurality of thick finger-stretch wedges extending from a connective base. Each wedge can include a depression on each of its sides to provide comfort and hold. The base provides the foundation for the wedges to extend from and provides resistance to strengthen the hand and forearm. The device holds its position on a user's hand, provides a constant stretching force between the fingers, and provides increased stretching force between fingers as the user closes the hand. The device is small, lightweight, portable, quietly operated and can be worn indefinitely without effort. The device provides an engaging exercise experience by allowing the user to simultaneously stretch and strengthen the fingers, hand, and forearm while executing a wide range of unrestricted motions including motions that mimic playing a musical instrument.