US20230036634A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20230036634A1
Application number: US17/388,701
Authority: US
Inventors: Alvin Kirby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-07-29
Filing date: 2021-07-29
Publication date: 2023-02-02

Abstract

A grasping assist device for facilitating grasping of an article includes a sleeve, which has an opening positioned in a respective opposed side of the sleeve. A hand of a user can be inserted into a first end of the sleeve such that a thumb of the hand protrudes through the opening and fingers of the hand protrude through a second end of the sleeve. A first fastener is engaged to the sleeve and overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user. A second fastener is selectively engageable to a respective article, such as a cup, a pouch, or the like. The second fastener is complementary to the first fastener so that the first fastener is positioned to selectively engage the second fastener to removably engage the respective article to the palmar side of the hand of the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSNot ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot ApplicableTHE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENTNot ApplicableINCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEMNot ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTORNot ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to assist devices and more particularly pertains to a new assist device for facilitating grasping of an article. The present invention discloses an assist device comprising a sleeve into which a hand can be inserted and to which is engaged a first fastener. A second fastener is configured to be engaged to any number of different articles, positioning the user to engage the first fastener to the second fastener to engage the article to a palmar side of their hand.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to assist devices. Prior art assist device comprising devices in the form of sleeves, gloves, mittens, and the like are intended solely for use in bathing. What is lacking in the prior art is an assist device comprising a sleeve into which a hand can be inserted and to which is engaged a first fastener. A second fastener is configured to be engaged to any number of different articles, positioning the user to engage the first fastener to the second fastener to engage the article to a palmar side of their hand.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a sleeve, which has an opening positioned in a respective opposed side of the sleeve. A first end of the sleeve is configured for insertion of a hand of a user such that a thumb of the hand protrudes through the opening and fingers of the hand protrude through a second end of the sleeve. A first fastener is engaged to the sleeve and overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user. A second fastener is selectively engageable to a respective article, such as a cup, a pouch, or the like. The second fastener is complementary to the first fastener so that the first fastener is positioned to selectively engage the second fastener to removably engage the respective article to the palmar side of the hand of the user.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG.1 is an isometric perspective view of a grasping assist device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.3 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.4 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.5 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.6 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.7 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular toFIGS.1 through7 thereof, a new assist device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by thereference numeral10 will be described.

As best illustrated inFIGS.1 through7, thegrasping assist device10 generally comprises asleeve12, which has anopening14 positioned in a respectiveopposed side16 of thesleeve12. Afirst end18 of thesleeve12 is configured for insertion of a hand of a user such that a thumb of the hand protrudes through theopening14 and fingers of the hand protrude through asecond end20 of thesleeve12. Thesleeve12 is resiliently stretchable so that thesleeve12 is form fitting. Thesleeve12 may comprise stretch fabric. Thesleeve12 also may be configured as a glove, a fingerless glove, a half finger glove, a mitten, or the like (not shown).

Afirst fastener22 is engaged to thesleeve12 and overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user. Thefirst fastener22 may be substantially rectangularly shaped, as shown inFIG.2, or alternatively shaped, such as circularly shaped, ovally shaped, and the like. Asecond fastener24 is selectively engageable to arespective article26, such as acup28, as shown inFIGS.4 and6, apouch30, as shown inFIGS.5 and7, or the like. Thesecond fastener24 is complementary to thefirst fastener22 so that thefirst fastener22 is positioned to selectively engage thesecond fastener24 to removably engage therespective article26 to the palmar side of the hand of the user. Thefirst fastener22 and thesecond fastener24 may comprise afirst element32 and asecond element34 of a hook andloop fastener36, respectively, or other fastening means, such as, but not limited to, suction cups, pressure sensitive adhesives, and the like. The present invention is anticipated to be useful for a user who is otherwise unable to grasp anarticle26.

Aslit38 is positioned in thesleeve12 and extends between thefirst end18 and thesecond end20. Theslit38 is positioned on a dorsal side of the hand when the thumb is inserted through theopening14. Theslit38 is configured to facilitate positioning of thesleeve12 on the hand of the user. Thesleeve12 can be positioned on a surface and the thumb inserted through theopening14. Thesleeve12 then can be wrapped around the hand to bring together afirst side40 and asecond side42 of theslit38.

A closure44 is engaged to thesleeve12 and is positioned to selectively close theslit38 so that thesleeve12 is positioned around and engaged to the hand of the user. The closure44 may comprise afirst piece46 and asecond piece48 of a hook and loop fastening strip50, as shown inFIG.3, or other closing means, such as, but not limited to, zippers, buttons, snaps, and the like. Thefirst piece46 and thesecond piece48 extend along thefirst side40 and thesecond side42 of theslit38, respectively.

In one example, thearticle26 comprises thecup28 to which thesecond fastener24 is engaged. Thesecond fastener24 comprises a set of threesecond elements34, with eachsecond element34 being configured as astrip52 extending from proximate to atop54 to proximate to abottom56 of thecup28. Thesecond elements34 are positioned to selectively engage thefirst element32 of the hook andloop fastener36, which is engaged to thesleeve12.

In another example, thearticle26 comprises thepouch30, which has afirst edge58 that is open. Thepouch30 is configured for insertion of a bar of soap. Thepouch30 is porous and thus is configured for entry of water and exit of suds. Aflap60 is engaged to and extends from thefirst edge58 of thepouch30. A first connector62 is engaged to afirst face64 of thepouch30 proximate to thefirst edge58. A second connector66 is engaged to theflap60. The second connector66 is complementary to the first connector62 and thus is positioned to selectively engage the first connector62 to retain the bar of soap in thepouch30. Thesecond fastener24 is engaged to asecond face68 of thepouch30 and is positioned to engage thefirst fastener22 to selectively engage thefirst fastener22, which is engaged to thesleeve12. The first connector62 and the second connector66 may comprise a first member70 and a second member72 of a hook andloop connection74, respectively, as shown inFIG.5, or other connecting means, such as but not limited to, zippers, buttons, snaps, and the like.

The examples above should not be interpreted as limiting, as the present invention anticipates thesecond fastener24 being engaged to a wide range ofarticles26 in addition to thecup28 and thepouch30, such as, but not limited to, toothbrushes, razors, combs, hairbrushes, phones, and the like.

In use, thesecond fastener24 is engaged to thearticle26. For example, with thesecond fastener24 comprising asecond element34 of a hook andloop fastener36, thesecond element34 can be adhesively engaged to thearticle26. Thesleeve12 then is positioned on the hand of the user and secured in place using thefirst piece46 and thesecond piece48 of the hook and loop fastening strip50 to close theslit38. The user is positioned to engage thefirst element32 of the hook andloop fastener36 on thesleeve12 to thesecond element34 of the hook andloop fastener36 on thearticle26 to engage thearticle26 to palmar side of their hand.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

I claim:

1. A grasping assist device comprising:

a sleeve;

an opening positioned in a respective opposed side of the sleeve, wherein a first end of the sleeve is configured for insertion of a hand of a user, such that a thumb of the hand protrudes through the opening and fingers of the hand protrude through a second end of the sleeve;

a first fastener engaged to the sleeve such that the first fastener overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user; and

a second fastener selectively engageable to a respective article, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener, such that the first fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the second fastener for removably engaging the respective article to the palmar side of the hand of the user.

2. The grasping assist device ofclaim 1, wherein the sleeve is resiliently stretchable, such that the sleeve is form fitting.

3. The grasping assist device ofclaim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured as a glove, a fingerless glove, a half finger glove, or a mitten.

4. The grasping assist device ofclaim 1, wherein the first fastener is substantially rectangularly shaped.

5. The grasping assist device ofclaim 1, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise a first element and a second element of a hook and loop fastener, respectively.

6. The grasping assist device ofclaim 1, further including:

a slit positioned in the sleeve and extending between the first end and the second end, such that the slit is positioned on a dorsal side of the hand when the thumb is inserted through the opening, wherein the slit is configured for facilitating positioning of the sleeve on the hand of the user; and

a closure engaged to the sleeve and being positioned for selectively closing the slit, such that the sleeve is positioned around and engaged to the hand of the user.

7. The grasping assist device ofclaim 6, wherein the closure comprises a first piece and a second piece of a hook and loop fastening strip, the first piece and the second piece extending along a first side and a second side of the slit, respectively.

8. A grasping assist system comprising:

a sleeve;

a first fastener engaged to the sleeve such that the first fastener overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user;

an article; and

a second fastener engaged to the article, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener, such that the first fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the second fastener for removably engaging the respective article to the palmar side of the hand of the user.

9. The grasping assist system ofclaim 8, wherein the article comprises a cup.

10. The grasping assist system ofclaim 9, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise a first element and a second element of a hook and loop fastener, respectively.

11. The grasping assist system ofclaim 10, wherein the second element comprises a set of three second elements, each second element being configured as a strip extending from proximate to a top to proximate to a bottom of the cup, such that the second elements are positioned for selectively engaging the first element of the hook and loop fastener engaged to the sleeve.

12. The grasping assist system ofclaim 8, further including:

the article comprising a pouch, the pouch having a first edge, the first edge being open, wherein the pouch is configured for insertion of a bar of soap, the pouch being porous, wherein the pouch is configured for entry of water and exit of suds;

a flap engaged to and extending from the first edge of the pouch;

a first connector engaged to a first face of the pouch proximate to the first edge;

a second connector engaged to the flap, the second connector being complementary to the first connector, such that the second connector is positioned for selectively engaging the first connector for retaining the bar of soap in the pouch; and

the second fastener being engaged to a second face of the pouch, such that the second fastener is positioned to selectively engage the first fastener, which is engaged to the sleeve.

13. The grasping assist system ofclaim 12, wherein the first connector and the second connector comprise a first member and a second member of a hook and loop connection, respectively.

14. The grasping assist system ofclaim 8, wherein the sleeve is resiliently stretchable, such that the sleeve is form fitting.

15. The grasping assist system ofclaim 8, wherein the sleeve is configured as a glove, a fingerless glove, a half finger glove, or a mitten.

16. The grasping assist system ofclaim 8, wherein the first fastener is substantially rectangularly shaped.

17. The grasping assist system ofclaim 8, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise a first element and a second element of a hook and loop fastener, respectively.

18. The grasping assist system ofclaim 8, further including:

19. The grasping assist system ofclaim 18, wherein the closure comprises a first piece and a second piece of a hook and loop fastening strip, the first piece and the second piece extending along a first side and a second side of the slit, respectively.

20. A grasping assist device comprising:

a sleeve, the sleeve being resiliently stretchable, such that the sleeve is form fitting, the sleeve being configured as a glove, a fingerless glove, a half finger glove, or a mitten;

a first fastener engaged to the sleeve such that the first fastener overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user, the first fastener being substantially rectangularly shaped;

a second fastener selectively engageable to a respective article, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener, such that the first fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the second fastener for removably engaging the respective article to the palmar side of the hand of the user, the first fastener and the second fastener comprising a first element and a second element of a hook and loop fastener, respectively;

a closure engaged to the sleeve and being positioned for selectively closing the slit, such that the sleeve is positioned around and engaged to the hand of the user, the closure comprising a first piece and a second piece of a hook and loop fastening strip, the first piece and the second piece extending along a first side and a second side of the slit, respectively.