Segmented Hand Protector Skeleton for Impact Protection and Flexion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective equipment for hands in contact sports does not adequately protect the hand's digits, dorsal or palmar regions, wrist, and forearm from high-impact injuries, particularly in sports like lacrosse and hockey where balls and pucks can reach speeds over 100 mph, leading to serious injuries such as metacarpal bone fractures and nerve damage.

Innovation Solution

A reinforced hand protector with a main body and digit portions forming a digit-reinforcing skeleton, featuring an arcuate shell with edges that may wrap around the digits, providing protection and shock absorption using materials like metal, plastic, rubber, and foam rubber, and incorporating connections that allow for flexibility and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional protective equipment is used, then basic hand coverage is provided, but adequate protection against high-impact injuries is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidimpact injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is divided into multiple independent components including a wrist portion, main body, and multiple digit portions that can move independently. Each segment is designed to protect specific anatomical regions while maintaining overall flexibility and protection effectiveness against high-impact injuries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device utilizes composite material construction with rigid protective elements (such as plastic or metal components) combined with flexible materials (such as foam rubber or elastic substances). This composite approach provides both impact resistance and flexibility, resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and adaptability to hand movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If rigid protective structures are added to enhance protection, then impact resistance improves, but flexibility and movement capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidhand flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device incorporates dynamic characteristics through movable connections between the wrist portion, main body, and digit portions. These connections allow the structure to adapt to hand movements while maintaining protective integrity, enabling the device to transition between rigid protection and flexible movement states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device employs flexible shell structures and thin film materials that can deform under impact forces while maintaining protective coverage. These flexible elements allow hand movement without compromising the protective function, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive coverage including wrist and forearm is provided, then protection scope increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection scopeVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is designed as a multi-functional system where the wrist portion, main body, and digit portions work together to provide comprehensive protection across multiple anatomical regions. Each component serves multiple functions - for example, the wrist portion provides both structural support and protection, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining extensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reinforced hand protector effectively distributes impact forces, reducing the risk of fractures and nerve damage by enhancing protection for the hand's digits, wrist, and forearm, meeting the requirements of collegiate sports regulations.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating connections that allow for flexibility and movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

using materials like metal, plastic, rubber, and foam rubber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

a digit-reinforcing skeleton defines an arcuate shell with a plurality of edges which may or may not wrap around a portion of the end of the digit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce distribution: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12495849B2Reinforced hand protector

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 ATKINS WILLIAM H

AI summary

A reinforced support device suitable for the protection of a hand and its digits from impacts, particularly those found in contact sports. The support device providing an outer skeleton and/or selected reinforcement portion(s), protects the digits of the hand and permits flexion of the fingers and/or thumb. The reinforcement portions can be of various shapes, sizes, materials, and weights. They may also be connected in various ways to one another.