Hand and finger-therapy device

This is a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/982,390, filed on Oct. 31, 2007, entitled, “foot therapy and toe-aligning device.” The present application also claims the benefit of priority of the following provisional applications: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/065,792, filed on Feb. 13, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/134,519, filed on Jul. 9, 2008; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/192,791, filed on Sep. 22, 2008.

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise tool and, more particularly, to a hand, finger, and wrist-therapy device that is devised to align, separate, treat, and stretch a user\'s finger, fingers, hand, or wrist.

(2) Description of Related Art

Therapy and exercise tools have long been known in prior art. Recently, such tools have been applied to not only stretch larger muscles, but also to those in the feet and toes. Several toe-stretching, exercising and aligning devices have been invented where a user places a toe stretcher (aligner) between the user\'s toes to stretch and treat the toes. While toe-stretching and aligning devices have been conceived, such devices have not been applied to treat the user\'s hands.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that a continuing need exists for a new and improved hand and finger-therapy, exercise and aligning device that allows for effective treatment of a user\'s fingers and hands.

The present invention relates to an exercise tool and, more particularly, to an exercise tool devised as a hand and finger-therapy device to align, separate, and stretch a user\'s fingers and hands.

In one aspect, the device includes a first finger separator that is sized and shaped to be positioned between a user\'s fingers to separate the fingers.

In yet another aspect, the present invention includes a second finger separator, with each of the finger separators including a top portion and a bottom portion. A top frame connects the top portion of the first finger separator with a top portion of the second finger separator.

In another aspect, a bottom frame connects a bottom portion of the first finger separator with a bottom portion of the second finger separator. Each of the first finger separator and the second separator is formed in a shape selected from a group consisting of a conical-shape and a wedge-shape.

In yet another aspect, an electronic device is connected with at least one of the finger separators and the bottom or top frame.

In another aspect, the present invention includes a frame sized and shaped to be positioned between a user\'s fingers to manipulate the fingers.

In yet another aspect, the frame is a band-shaped frame that is formed to interlace with the user\'s fingers and thereby form the finger separators.

In another aspect, the frame is an adjustable frame that is formed to interlace with the hand and fingers. The frame is adjustable such that it is operable for selectively adjusting between a first position and a second position and locking in the selected position.

In another aspect, the frame is a rigid frame that is formed to interlace with the hand and fingers.

In yet another aspect, wedge-shaped attachments are attached with the frame and formed to separate a user\'s fingers.

In another aspect, the first finger separator is a frame that is shaped like a tapered screw, with rails therein. The tapered screw has a unit of length and a plurality rails wrap around the tapered screw along the unit of length to constitute threads per unit of length. A number of rails wrapping around the tapered screw are varied to create a variation in the number of threads per unit of length.

Additionally, the present invention includes a frame upon which the first finger separator is mounted. An adjustable thumb attachment mechanism is also connected with the frame.