U.S. patent application number 13/412330 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-16 for exercise grip device.
Invention is credited to Robert William Graham, James Hartman.
Application Number | 20120208683 13/412330 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46637336 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120208683 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hartman; James ; et
al. |
August 16, 2012 |
Exercise Grip Device
Abstract
An exercise grip device includes a jaw member which is of a
sufficient width to permit grasping thereabout with one's hand,
wherein the jaw member includes a spring aspect which is preformed
to an open position to permit receiving a bar and is compressible
to a closed position enabling engagement of the jaw member with the
bar in a manner to prevent sliding movement therebetween and while
compressed exerts a force on one's hand and forearm muscles.
Inventors: |
Hartman; James; (Franklin,
OH) ; Graham; Robert William; (Dayton, OH) |
Family ID: |
46637336 |
Appl. No.: |
13/412330 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12957591 |
Dec 1, 2010 |
8128542 |
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13412330 |
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12365633 |
Feb 4, 2009 |
8128541 |
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12957591 |
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12025163 |
Feb 4, 2008 |
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12365633 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/30 20151001;
A63B 2214/00 20200801; A63B 21/0004 20130101; A63B 23/12 20130101;
A63B 60/14 20151001; A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 21/028 20130101;
A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/072 20130101; A63B 15/00 20130101;
A63B 21/0724 20130101; A63B 23/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/139 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise grip device, which includes: a generally C-shaped
tube-like member with a lengthwise opening defined between two ends
and wherein said member has a width to permit grasping thereabout
with one's hand and said tube-like member includes a curved spring
having an opening defined therethrough which is preformed to an
open position having a relaxed inner diameter and is compressible
to a closed position to exert a force on one's hand and arm muscles
and which includes an outer covering comprising non-metal, wherein
when said grip device is in the closed position engages a bar
without interference by said ends such that said C-shaped tube-like
member ends are adjacent one another and said tube-like member
assumes an inner diameter of about an inch which is substantially
less than the relaxed inner diameter to prevent sliding movement
therebetween by virtue of said outer covering to bar contact of
said grip device with the bar and while engagable by one's hand in
a continuous compressed manner prevents sliding movement through
said outer covering to bar contact and concurrently works one's arm
muscles throughout exercise employing said device in such
manner.
2. The exercise grip device of claim 1, wherein said tube-like
member includes a spring formed within said outer covering.
3. The exercise grip device of claim 1, wherein in said open
position readily permits the bar to pass in and out
therethrough.
4. The exercise grip device of claim 1, wherein said spring is
formed within said outer covering and generally spans therethrough
to provide resistance.
5. The exercise grip device of claim 1, wherein said exercise grip
device is connected to a weightlifting bar.
6. The exercise grip device of claim 1, wherein said outer covering
forms a pad having an outward gripping surface.
7. The exercise grip device of claim 6, wherein said outer covering
has an inner bar gripping surface opposing said outward gripping
surface wherein said inner gripping bar
8. The exercise grip device of claim 1, wherein said outer covering
includes one of a smooth and textured surface.
9. The exercise grip device of claim 1, wherein the device includes
a thickness of between about 1 cm and 1.3 cm such that when said
exercise device is operably disposed thereabout in a completely
engaged manner about the bar provides an in use outer diameter
thickness of about 2 to 3 inches to provide a "Fat Bar" feel.
10. An exercise grip device, which includes: a tube-like member
with a lengthwise opening defined between two ends and wherein said
member has a width to permit grasping thereabout with one's hand
and said tube-like member includes a curved spring having an
opening therethrough which is preformed to an open position having
a relaxed inner diameter to readily receive a weightlifting bar
having a given handle bar outer diameter and is compressible to a
closed position such that when so disposed on the weightlifting bar
said ends are adjacent one another and said tube-like member
assumes an inner diameter approximately that of said given bar
outer diameter such that said grip device has an inner non-metal
bar gripping surface substantially entirely disposed on the
weightlifting bar without interference by said ends enabling
engagement of said tube-like member with the weightlifting bar and
while so engaging the weightlifting bar by one's hand in a
continuous compressed manner prevents sliding movement through said
inner non-metal bar gripping surface to bar contact and
concurrently works one's hand and arm muscles by exerting outward
force on one's hand and in turn on one's arm muscles throughout
exercise employing said grip device in such manner.
11. The exercise grip device of claim 10, wherein said spring
includes an inner surface having protrusions.
12. The exercise grip device of claim 10, wherein said tube-like
member includes an outer covering including one of rubber and
polyfoam.
13. The exercise grip device of claim 10, wherein said tube-like
member includes a lengthwise opening which readily permits the bar
to pass in and out therethrough.
14. The exercise grip device of claim 10, wherein said spring
generally spans through said outer covering to provide
resistance.
15. The exercise grip device of claim 10, wherein said exercise
grip device is connected to the weightlifting bar.
16. The exercise grip device of claim 13, wherein said outer
covering forms a pad having an outward gripping surface and an
opposing inner bar gripping surface.
17. The exercise grip device of claim 13, wherein said outer
covering includes one of a smooth and textured surface.
18. The exercise grip device of claim 10, wherein said spring
includes a skeleton having openings.
19. An exercise grip device, which includes: a tube-like member
with a lengthwise opening defined between two ends and wherein said
member has a width to permit grasping thereabout with one's hand
and said tube-like member includes a curved spring defining an
opening therein which is preformed to an open position and is
compressible to a closed position to exert a force on one's arm
muscles and which includes an inner surface having a non-metal
material which in the closed position engages a weightlifting bar
having a given outer handle bar diameter to prevent sliding
movement therebetween by virtue of said non-metal inner surface to
bar contact of said grip device with the bar without interference
by said ends such that when said tube-like member is forcibly
closed said ends are adjacent one another and said tube-like member
assumes an inner diameter which is approximate the outer handle bar
diameter and less than the relaxed inner diameter and while so
engagable by one's hand in a continuous compressed manner prevents
sliding movement thorough said non metal to bar contact and
concurrently works one's hand and arm muscles throughout such
exercise employing said grip device in such manner.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 12/957,591
filed Dec. 1, 2010 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.
12/365,633 filed Feb. 4, 2009 which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. Ser. No. 12/025,163 filed Feb. 4, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an exercise device, and more
specifically, to a hand exercise grip device that easily connects
about and is removed from an exercise bar. Further, this invention
relates generally to a method of exercising by providing a grip
strengthening device on a weightlifting bar and performing
weightlifting using the device to work out various muscles in one's
hands, arms and torso simultaneously.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Time is valuable in the field of fitness training as most
people feel the need to fit the maximum amount of workout in the
minimum amount of time. Trainers are often employed to aid in this
regard, particularly with persons attempting to stay at peak
performance and fitness.
[0006] It is felt that the grip is of a primary importance in
almost every sport. However, performing specific exercises for the
grip tends to take additional time which people do not usually take
in lieu of cardio or bulk muscle exercises and therefore goes
overlooked. There are eighteen forearm muscles to be worked to
increase grip strength.
[0007] The devices which exist in the field of weightlifting
relating to weightlifting bars deal principally with securing one's
grip. As such, grips are typically used to aid the user in holding
the equipment. A secure grip also allows the user to lift more
weight and to increase the number of repetitions performed during a
particular exercise. Maintaining a secure comfortable grip is thus
extremely important when operating or using various free or machine
weights. A secure grip is necessary to prevent accidents as a
result of dropping to the exercise equipment.
[0008] There also exist exercise devices designed to help a user
improve his or her grip strength and the muscles of the wrist and
forearm. One such device fit within a user's hand and is squeezed
by the user. Another device is a hand exerciser that has one or
more springs or elastic bands attached to a base and the user
applies force to stretch the springs/bands with his or her
fingers.
[0009] Simple squeeze grip exercise is not the answer because the
current equipment does not adequately work grip stability. Grip
stability is the resistance of unwanted motion, i.e., motion caused
from forces exerted from an opponent or weight lifted. It thus
requires working your wrist in all planes of motion while building
strong stability. Until the present invention, separate periods of
exercise were required for performing exercises using weightlifting
using bars and grip strength exercises. The present invention
overcomes these deficiencies in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object to improve weightlifting.
[0011] It is another object to improve the field of exercising.
[0012] Still another object is to improve grip stability.
[0013] It is a further object to provide a device for increasing
grip and forearm strength.
[0014] It is another object to provide a device which permits
enhanced exercises to be performed in the art of weightlifting.
[0015] It is still another object to provide a method of
weightlifting which exercises one's hand and forearm muscles during
traditional weightlifting bar exercises.
[0016] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the invention is directed to
an exercise grip device. The device includes a jaw member which is
of a length about that the width of one's hand to permit grasping
thereabout. The jaw member includes a spring element which is
preformed to an open position to permit receiving a weightlifting
bar. The jaw member is compressible to a closed position enabling
engagement of the jaw member with the bar to prevent sliding
movement therebetween and while compressed exerts a force on one's
hand and forearm muscles. In a preferred embodiment, the jaw member
can include an outer covering which is comprised of a polyfoam
material or soft rubber and includes a spring metal formed
therewith, preferably within the polyfoam material. The jaw member
can be formed to have an arcuate surface and include a lengthwise
opening which readily permits the bar to pass in and out
therethrough. The polyfoam material can provide a comfortable grip
as well as secure grip to the bar.
[0017] Another embodiment envisions the exercise grip device
connected to a weightlifting bar. The exercise grip device can be
removably connected or fixed to the bar. The polyfoam or rubber can
serve as a pad having a first outward gripping surface and an
opposing inner bar gripping surface. The polyfoam and spring can be
formed from in varying amount of compressibility and spring force
to accommodate user preferences. For example, rubber or polyfoam
can be used. It is envisioned that as applied to a weightlifting
bar, one or two exercise grip devices can be used.
[0018] A method of weightlifting which exercises one's hand and
forearm during traditional weightlifting bar exercises includes the
steps of (a) employing an exercise grip device having a spring
force onto a weightlifting bar and grasping the exercise grip
device in a manner to cause spring force to be exerted on one's
hand thereby exercising one's hand and forearm muscles, and (b)
concurrently lifting the bar while performing step (a) to exercise
other muscles of one's body.
[0019] The present invention is a method of exercising by providing
a grip strengthening device on a weightlifting bar and performing
weightlifting using the device to work out various muscles in one's
hands, arms and torso simultaneously. The gripping device is easily
secured to the bar and can be easily removed from the bar. The
gripping device can be readily lengthwise disposed to a desired
position on a bar and can be used on a variety of different bars
and dumbbells.
[0020] Further aspects of the invention are evident from the
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments and Drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a exercise
grip device of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the exercise grip device
of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise grip device
disposed around a portion of a bar in an open position in
accordance with the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exercise grip device
disposed around a portion of a bar in a closed position and forced
to conform with the cylindrical shape of the bar in accordance with
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is top view of another embodiment of the
invention;
[0026] FIG. 6 is an end view of the embodiment in FIG. 5;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0028] FIG. 8 is top view of a part of the embodiment in FIG.
5;
[0029] FIG. 9 is an end view of the embodiment in FIG. 5; and
[0030] FIG. 10 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0031] FIG. 11 is a perspective of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 12 is a perspective on another inner spring of the
instant invention.
[0033] The exercise grip device of the present invention solves the
problems associated with the prior art by providing the exercise
grip device which enables multiple and concurrent exercises of the
hands, arms and torso while providing a secure grip when using a
weightlifting bar. The exercise grip device is portable and easily
connected to and removed from an exercise bar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The invention is described in detail as preferred
embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the
present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the
principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad
aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The exercise
grip device of the present invention is generally designated by the
numeral 10 and can be used in connection with a weightlifting bar
12 to provide an improved exercise method and device for performing
concurrent exercises in one's hands H, arms A and torso T
simultaneously. However, it is contemplated that exercise grip
device 10 can be used as a stand alone piece of equipment for
exercising one's hands H and forearms F. The exercise grip device
10 includes jaw members 14 which are shown here as opposing
generally arc shaped members and can be formed as part of a single
piece material construction. The exercise grip device 10 is of a
length L about the width of one's hand to permit grasping
thereabout.
[0035] The jaw members 14 can include a spring element 16 which is
preformed to an open position as seen in FIG. 1-3 to permit
insertion of a weightlifting bar 12 therethrough. The jaw members
14 and spring element 16 are compressible to a closed position as
seen in FIG. 4 enabling engagement of the jaw members 14 with the
bar 12 to prevent sliding movement therebetween. While compressed,
the exercise grip device 10 exerts a force on one's hand H and
forearm F muscles.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the jaw members 14 can comprise
an outer covering 15 made of a synthetic rubber or polyfoam
material and the spring element 16 can include a spring metal
formed therein, preferably within the polyfoam material during a
molding process. For example, the spring metal can be inserted into
a mold in a manner to be held centrally such that rubber or polymer
form a about the spring 16.
[0037] Optionally, rubber or other polymer having memory can be
used to perform the invention as a single component. The jaw
members 14 can be formed to have an arcuate surface or other
desirable surface configuration which lends itself to
weightlifting. A lengthwise opening 18 readily permits the bar 12
to pass in and out therethrough. The exercise grip device 10 can
provide a comfortable grip as well as secure grip to the bar 12.
The exercise grip device 10 can have an in use diameter thickness
of about 2 to 3 inches which together with a conventional
weightlifting bar diameter of about 11/4 inch provide a "Fat Bar"
feel.
[0038] Thus, when in use on bar 12 of the type having a diameter of
about 1 inch as seen in FIG. 4, the exercise grip device 10
includes a radial cross-section R having radial length of at least
about one quarter inch thereby rendering an in use diameter
thickness in conjunction with the bar of about 2 inches and a
radial circumference C of about 2.PI. r or about 3.14 inches.
Likewise, the grip device 10 has an inner radial arc length aL
generally equating to the circumference C, however, in the device's
relaxed open state has a relaxed inner diameter of D+x. When so
disposed on bar 12 without ends 17 overlapping, the grip device 10
has its inner bar gripping surface 22 substantially entirely
disposed on the bar 12 and exerts a resistive force on one's hands
and forearms in a manner wherein the device 10 wants to spring open
to its relaxed position as seen in FIG. 3. While held in a
compressed position as seen in FIG. 3, the device 10 is compressed
to assume an inner diameter approximate diameter D and does so
without the ends 17 of jaw members 14 interfering with each other
to permit gripping surface 22 assuming position on bar 12 as
described above. As seen in FIG. 11, the device 10 can have a
thickness of between about 1-1.3 cm, an inner relaxed diameter of
about 3.7 cm, the lengthwise opening 18 of about between 2.2 cm at
its narrowest point to about 3 cm at its widest point. The device
has a length of about 4 inches. These measurements are to permit
the functional aspects described herein and use on various bar
applications. It is recognized that the thickness can be varied to
accommodate user preference.
[0039] FIG. 12 shows inner curved spring 160 having inner
protrusions 164. These protrusions 164 extend from an inner surface
of the spring to aid in locating the spring 160 during molding as
well as determining tension of the spring 160. The spring 160
includes an opening 166 and an opening 162 through which the
molding operation enables formation the rubber material around the
spring 160.
[0040] One embodiment of the invention envisions the exercise grip
device 10 connected to a weightlifting bar 12. The exercise grip
device 10 can be removably connected or fixed to the bar 12. The
outer covering 15 can serve as a pad having an outward gripping
surface 20 and an opposing inner bar gripping surface 22. The outer
covering 15 can be textured for functional an aesthetic purposes.
The outer covering 15 and spring 16 can be formed from in varying
amount of compressibility and spring force to accommodate user
preferences. For example, rubber or polyfoam can be used. It is
envisioned that as applied to a weightlifting bar 12, one or two
exercise grip devices 10 can be used.
[0041] A method of weightlifting which exercises one's hand and
forearm during traditional weightlifting bar exercises includes the
steps of (a) employing an exercise grip device having a spring
force onto a weightlifting bar and grasping the exercise grip
device in a manner to cause spring force to be exerted on one's
hand thereby exercising one's hand and forearm muscles, and (b)
concurrently lifting the bar while performing step (a) to exercise
other muscles of one's body.
[0042] The embodiment seen in FIGS. 5-7 modify the spring element
16 into a skeleton having a spine 17 and appendages 19. The
appendages 19 include a recessed surface 21 which aids for a self
retaining mechanism to keep the spring element 16 in position in
its surrounding molded covering 15. In the case where element 16 is
molded to be partially exposed this feature is exemplified.
However, the element 16 can be recessed within the covering 15.
FIGS. 8-10 show the skeleton 16 with spine 17 and appendages 19
having recessed surfaces 21 to aid in retaining the element 16 in
place. Further, the skeleton element 16 provides for not only
strength but also flexibility in the overall product and enables a
various materials to be employed to carry out this aspect such as
nylon or polymer blend or spring steel, for example.
[0043] By employing the instant invention, the problem of
developing proper grip stability is better achieved. The invention
provides for enhanced development of grip stability, grip, wrist,
elbow, shoulder, chest and latissimus dorsi. A benefit of the
invention is that the enhanced grip stability and overall strength
will lead to better endurance and decreased fatigue which would
otherwise be caused by high levels of lactic acid which provide
hydrogen ions causing the forearm to shut down.
[0044] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without markedly
departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention covers a
tube-like member having an opening running axially lengthwise
wherein the tube-like member can be formed with a spring material
and take on geometric shapes which are suitable for practicing the
invention. The scope of protection is thus only intended to be
limited by the scope of the accompanying claims. Thus, the breadth
and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of
the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined
only in accordance with the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *