IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,175,603
Granted Patent B2
US 7,175,603 · App. 10/950,937 · Granted Feb 13, 2007

Wrist brace

Assignee: Mueller Sports Medicine, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,175,603
App. No.
10/950,937
Granted
Feb 13, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wrist brace is provided for supporting a hand and a wrist of a wearer. The wrist brace includes first and second rigid support members that define a cavity therebetween for receiving at least a portion of the hand and the wrist of a wearer. A removable pillow is operatively connected to the first rigid support member to protect the wrist from possible discomfort due to the impact of the wrist with an external item.

Claims (52)

1. A wrist brace for supporting a wrist and a hand of an individual, the hand including a first side and a second opposite palm side, comprising:

a first panel having inner and outer surfaces, a forward end, a rearward end and first and second sides, the inner surface of the first panel positionable on the first side of the hand;

a second panel having inner and outer surfaces, a forward end, a rearward end and first and second sides, the inner surface of the second panel and the inner surface of the first panel defining a cavity for receiving the wrist of the individual;

a first generally flat rigid support disposed in the first panel and extending between the forward and rearward ends thereof;

a second rigid support disposed in the second panel and extending between the forward and rearward ends thereof, the second rigid support having a concave portion extending away from the first panel;

a pillow removably connectable to the outer surface of the first panel;

a hook and pile fastener for interconnecting the pillow to the outer surface of the first panel; and

a second pillow extending from the inner surface of the second panel adjacent to the forward end of the second panel.

2. A wrist brace for supporting a hand and wrist of a wearer the hand having a first side and a second, opposite side including a palm, comprising:

first and second rigid support members defining a cavity therebetween for receiving at least a portion of the hand and wrist of the wearer, the first rigid support member positionable on the first side of the hand and the second rigid support member positionable on the second side of the hand;

a removable pillow operatively connectable to the first rigid support member;

a hook and pile fastener for interconnecting the pillow to the outer surface of the first panel; and

a second pillow operatively connected to the second panel and extending into the cavity.

3. A wrist brace for supporting a hand and wrist of a wearer, comprising:

a first flexible panel having an inner surface, an outer surface, a forward end, a rearward end, and first and second sides;

a generally flat, first support disposed in the first flexible panel, the first support discouraging flexing of the first flexible panel;

a second flexible panel having an inner surface, an outer surface, a forward end, a rearward end, and first and second sides;

a second support disposed in the second flexible panel, the second support having a concave portion defining a recess for receiving a portion of the hand of the wearer;

a first rear web interconnecting the first side of the first panel and the first side of the second panel;

a first forward web for interconnecting the first side of the first panel and the first side of the second panel, the first rear web and the first forward web are axially spaced so as to define a thumb aperture therebetween;

a second rear web for interconnecting the second side of the first panel and the second side of the second panel;

a second forward web for interconnecting the second side of the first panel and the second side of the second panel, the second rear web and the second forward web being axially spaced so as to define a second thumb aperture therebetween; and

a connector for adjustably interconnecting the first side of the first panel and the first side of the second panel to vary the size of the cavity.

4. The wrist brace of claim 3 wherein the first panel includes an eyelet extending therethough adjacent the first side and wherein the connector extends through the eyelet and includes a first end interconnected to the first side of the second panel and a second end having a fastener connectable to the outer surface of the second panel.

5. The wrist brace of claim 4 further comprising a hook and pile fastener having a hooked portion and a pile portion, wherein one of the hooked portion and the pile portion is interconnected to the outer surface of the second panel and wherein the fastener includes the other of the hooked portion and the pile portion.

6. The wrist brace of claim 3 further comprising a pillow and a hook and pile fastener for removably interconnecting the pillow to the outer surface of the first panel.

7. The wrist brace of claim 3 further comprising a second pillow operatively connected to the second panel and extending into the cavity.

8. The wrist brace of claim 3 further comprising first and second connection tabs extending from the second panel; and a connection structure for removably connecting the first and second connection tabs to the first panel.

9. A wrist brace for supporting a wrist of an individual, comprising:

a first panel having inner and outer surfaces, a forward end, a rearward end and first and second sides;

a second panel having inner and outer surfaces, a forward end, a rearward end and first and second sides, the inner surface of the second panel and the inner surface of the first panel defining a cavity for receiving the wrist of the individual;

a first generally flat rigid support disposed in the first panel and extending between the forward and rearward ends thereof;

a second rigid support disposed in the second panel and extending between the forward and rearward ends thereof the second rigid support having a concave portion extending away from the first panel;

a first rear web interconnecting the first side of the first panel and the first side of the second panel;

a first forward web for interconnecting the first side of the first panel and the first side of the second panel, the first rear web and the first forward web are axially spaced so as to define a thumb aperture therebetween;

a second rear web for interconnecting the second side of the first panel and the second side of the second panel; and

a second forward web for interconnecting the second side of the first panel and the second side of the second panel;

wherein the second rear web and the second forward web are axially spaced so as to define a second thumb aperture therebetween.

10. A wrist brace for supporting a hand and wrist of a wearer, comprising:

first and second rigid support members defining a cavity therebetween for receiving at least a portion of the hand and wrist of a wearer,

the first rigid support member including:

a first flexible panel having an inner surface, an outer surface, a forward end, a rearward end, and first and second sides; and

a generally flat, first support disposed in the first flexible panel, the first support discouraging flexing of the first flexible pad;

the second rigid support member including:

a second flexible panel having an inner surface, an outer surface, a forward end, a rearward end, and first and second sides; and

a second support disposed in the second flexible panel, the second support having a concave portion defining a recess for receiving a portion of the hand of the wearer;

a first rear web interconnecting the first side of the first panel and the first side of the second panel;

a first forward web for interconnecting the first side of the first panel and the first side of the second panel, the first rear web and the first forward web are axially spaced so as to define a thumb aperture therebetween;

a second rear web for interconnecting the second side of the first panel and the second side of the second panel;

a second forward web for interconnecting the second side of the first panel and the second side of the second panel; and

a removable pillow operatively connectable to the first rigid support member;

wherein the second rear web and the second forward web are axially spaced so as to define a second thumb aperture therebetween.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2004
From: FRITSCH, JOHN; RASCHKA, HERBERT
To: MUELLER SPORTS MEDICINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 015843/0284 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060069335A1 · Mar 30, 2006