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Hand strengthener

Hand and finger exercising devices are generally designed to strengthen the grip of the hand by exercising the muscles that cause flexion or extension of the fingers by opening or closing the hand against resistance. It has long been recognized that continuing use of the hands even utilizing very mild and non-strenuous exercise will improve and maintain the maximum possible flexibility and movement of the hands for persons suffering from arthritis or other less serious forms of ailments generally associated with advanced age. It is also well recognized that exercise is very beneficial for a person who has suffered an injury such as to the hand or wrist. Devices for exercising the arms ands hand of a human have been proposed in the past. Various types of devices including sponge rubber balls and pairs of relatively heavy steel balls have been used with various exercises to improve flexibility and hasten recovery of an ailment or an injury. For example, one such device includes an elongate spring-like member having outwardly extending ends on which are mounted hand-grip members for enhancing the ability of the operator to grip and compress the ends of the spring toward each other. Hand grips are commonly used as exercise devices to strengthen the hands and forearms of the user. One common form of hand grip is generally V-shaped and includes a resilient metal spring at the apex of the "V" and two grip elements of wood or plastic attached to the opposite ends of the wire spring, respectively. People who use their hands for prolonged periods on repetitive tasks, such as operating computers, writing, etc., sometimes develop repetitive stress injuries (RSI). A form of therapy which has been applied to people with RSI in their hands comprises stretching a thick rubber band between the fingers, and repeatedly spreading the fingers against the tension of the rubber band. Hand exercisers strengthen the wrist and forearm muscles by compressing a torsion spring. A hand strengthener may include a torsion spring connected between two hand grips that are used to compress the spring. Spring compression by a user requires a degree of force that eventually fatigues the wrist and forearm muscles, thus strengthening the noted muscles.

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