U.S. patent application number 14/213245 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for deformable grip pad with bistable spring bands and methods of use.
The applicant listed for this patent is David R. Newman, Nicholas Leighton Ordway. Invention is credited to David R. Newman, Nicholas Leighton Ordway.
Application Number | 20140274614 14/213245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51529730 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140274614 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newman; David R. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
DEFORMABLE GRIP PAD WITH BISTABLE SPRING BANDS AND METHODS OF
USE
Abstract
A grip pad with bistable spring bands embedded therein is
provided for snapping onto a bar to improve a user's grip of the
bar. The grip pad is configured with specialized material such as
neoprene with textured patterns on both top and bottom sides of the
grip pad so that the grip pad securely grips the bar and the user
securely grips the grip pad. The grip pad is removably attached to
the bar so that a user can easily snap the grip pad into a
cylindrical-shaped wrapped position around the bar and remove the
grip pad by opening the grip pad from its wrapped position to its
bistable straight position. An attachment mechanism may be
configured at one end of the grip pad to detachably secure the grip
pad around the bar in the wrapped position.
Inventors: |
Newman; David R.; (El Cajon,
CA) ; Ordway; Nicholas Leighton; (El Cajon,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Newman; David R.
Ordway; Nicholas Leighton |
El Cajon
El Cajon |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51529730 |
Appl. No.: |
14/213245 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61794765 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0726 20130101;
A63B 21/0724 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/139 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00 |
Claims
1. A deformable grip pad, comprising: an upper layer of flexible
material in attachment with a bottom layer of the flexible material
to form a cavity therebetween which is substantially enclosed; at
least one bistable spring band positioned within the cavity,
wherein the bistable spring band is configured to alternate the
shape of the grip pad between a flat, straight configuration and a
cylindrical, wrapped configuration.
2. The deformable grip pad of claim 1, wherein the flexible
material is a textured neoprene.
3. The deformable grip pad of claim 2, wherein the flexible
material is approximately 1 millimeter in thickness.
4. The deformable grip pad of claim 1, wherein a plurality of
bistable spring bands are arranged in parallel within the
cavity.
5. The deformable grip pad of claim 1, wherein three bistable
spring bands are located in the cavity.
6. The deformable grip pad of claim 1, wherein cushion material is
placed between the upper layer and bottom layer of flexible
material.
7. The deformable grip pad of claim 1, which has an attachment
device on each end.
8. The deformable grip pad of claim 1, wherein the flexible
material is elastomeric.
9. A method of enhancing and cushioning hand gripping of a bar or
bar-like apparatus by a user comprising the steps of: a. providing
a deformable grip pad for one or both hands of the user, deformable
grip pad, comprising: i. an upper layer of elastomeric material in
attachment with a bottom layer of the elastomeric material to form
a cavity therebetween which is substantially enclosed; and ii. at
least one bistable spring band positioned within the cavity,
wherein the bistable spring band is configured to alternate the
shape of the grip pad between a flat, straight configuration and a
cylindrical, wrapped configuration. b. attaching one deformable
grip pad for each hand of the user to the bar or bar-like apparatus
by use of the bistable spring band; and c. grasping the bar or
bar-like apparatus around each of the deformable grip pad.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the elastomeric material is a
textured neoprene.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein cushion material is placed
between the upper layer and bottom layer of flexible material.
12. The method of claim 9, which has an attachment device on one or
both ends.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/794,765, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a grip pad which can be
removably attached to a bar or bar-like apparatus, and more
specifically to a grip pad with at least one bistable spring band
that snaps the grip pad around the bar.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] During numerous fitness activities, a user may be required
to tightly grasp an exercise bar, which may be in the form of
horizontal bars from which the user pushes upwardly, overhead bars
from which the user pulls and swings his body weight, as well as
bar bells and dumb bells which are hand grasped by a cylindrical
center portion thereof. Many multi-function exercise apparatus
incorporate several cylindrical bars as well.
[0004] However, those who exercise and train using one of the many
forms of a cylindrical elongated exercise bar quickly realize that
inadequate sureness of one's hand grip significantly diminishes the
effectiveness of such exercise and training. Due to the amount of
weight involved, the user must be careful to properly grasp the bar
cushion and protect the users hands, and avoid having the bar slip
out of their hands. Serious injuries have been known to occur if
the bar slips out of the user's hands and the weights fall on the
user or other users in the vicinity.
[0005] Further, bars are hard on the user's hands, or can be hot or
cold, and can cause injury or calluses to hands and fingers.
Unfortunately, most bars are made out of hard, smooth metal
materials to support the weight that is attached to the bar, but
which provide little friction or cushion between a user's hands and
the metal and are therefore difficult for a user to grasp. If the
user begins to sweat, as often happens during a fitness activity,
the sweat on the user's hands makes the metal surface of the bar
slippery, and it becomes even more difficult for the user to grip
the bar.
[0006] In order to prevent the bar from slipping out of the user's
hands, bars used for weightlifting, such as barbells and dumbells,
are formed with a raised pattern on a portion of the bar. However,
the raised pattern is still made out of metal and can still be
slippery when gripped by a user whose hands are wet. Furthermore,
the raised pattern is only placed on a portion of a bar, which may
not be where the user desires to grip the bar during the fitness
activity.
[0007] Some users will also wear specialized gloves which are
designed with materials and patterns on the palm surface which help
improve the friction and thus the grip on the bar as well as assist
cushioning the user's hands. However, wearing a pair of gloves
during a workout can be uncomfortable since the gloves cover the
entire hand. Furthermore, if the gloves are not needed for every
device used during a fitness activity, the gloves must be
continually removed and put back on, which users will find
difficult and inconvenient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Disclosed are grip pads designed to enhance hand gripability
to a bar or bar-like apparatus including but not limited to
exercise equipment, and tools. In various embodiments, the grip
pads are made from an elastiomeric material and are sized in length
and width to substantially cover the user's palm. The grip pads
disclosed herein include bistable spring bands which allows the
grip pad to resist slippage and circumvent the need for adhesive or
other attaching meant to maintain the postion and resilient shape
of the device around the apparatus.
[0009] Embodiments described herein provide a grip pad with
bistable spring bands embedded therein which are configured to snap
the grip pad into a cylindrical-shaped wrapped position around a
bar or bar-like apparatus. The grip pad is configured with an
elastomeric material such as neoprene, neogreen, rubber, suede,
leather, vinyl, latex, lycra, thermocline and the like.
[0010] In specific embodiments, the grip pad comprises textured
patterns on both top and bottom sides of the grip pad so that the
grip pad securely grips the bar and the user securely grips the
grip pad. The grip pad can have varying thicknesses of padding
depending on the user's needs. The grip pad is removably attached
to the bar so that a user can easily remove the grip pad by opening
the grip pad from its wrapped position to its bistable straight
position, where the user can then easily re-position the grip pad
on another bar. An attachment mechanism may be configured at one
end of the grip pad to detachably secure the grip pad around the
bar in the wrapped position.
[0011] From this description, in conjunction with other items, the
advantages of the said invention will become clear and apparent
more so based upon the hereinafter descriptions and claims, which
are supported by drawings with numbers relating to parts, wherein
are described in the following sections containing the relating
numbers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain
the objects, advantages, and principles of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 1A is a front view of a top side of the grip pad,
illustrating the textured material and an attachment material
positioned on an end portion of the grip pad, according to one
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 1B a front view of a bottom side of the grip pad,
illustrating the textured material and an attachment material
positioned on an end portion of the grip pad, according to one
embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a grip pad in a wrapped
position around a cylindrical bar, according to one embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the grip pad in the wrapped
position illustrating how a user's hand is positioned around a top
side of the grip pad, according to one embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a transparent illustration of the grip pad
illustrating the positioning of three bistable spring bands between
the top side and bottom side of the grip pad, according to one
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] After reading this description it will become apparent to
one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various
alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, all
the various embodiments of the present invention will not be
described herein. It is understood that the embodiments presented
here are presented by way of an example only, and not limitation.
As such, this detailed description of various alternative
embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth
of the present invention as set forth below.
[0019] Embodiments described herein provide a grip pad with
bistable spring bands embedded therein made of various thicknesses
which are configured to snap the grip pad into a cylindrical-shaped
wrapped position around a bar, bar-like apparatus, or handle stock.
The grip pad is configured with an elastomeric material or other
flexible material such as neoprene, neogreen, rubber, suede,
leather, vinyl, latex, lycra, thermocline and the like.
[0020] The grip pad can have additional padding between elastomeric
material layers with textured patterns on both top and bottom sides
of the grip pad so that the grip pad securely grips the bar and the
user securely grips the grip pad. The grip pad is removably
attached to the bar or other apparatus so that a user can easily
remove the grip pad by opening the grip pad from its wrapped
position to its bistable straight position, where the user can then
easily re-position the grip pad on another bar or apparatus. An
attachment mechanism may be configured at one end of the grip pad
to detachably secure the grip pad around the bar in the wrapped
position. In various embodiments, the attachment mechanism
comprises velcro, snap, latch or other attachment mechanism, as is
appreciated by one of skill in the art.
[0021] The grip pad is designed for any use in which a user needs
to improve their grip and hand cushion for a cylindricaly-shaped or
handle stock surface. Although the embodiments referred to herein
pertain to fitness-related activities, the grip pad is useful for
any activity where a user grips a cylindrical object, such as a
paddle, oar, broom, shovel, rake, wheel barrel, post hole digger,
handle, railing, tool, or the like. The grip pad helps the user
maintain a better grip on the object and also prevents discomfort
to the user when gripping the object by providing cushioning and
insulation between the user's hand and the cylindrical object. The
grip pad will therefore prevent calluses, bruises, cuts, abrasions
and general fatigue of the hand, as well as protect the user's hand
from excessive heat and cold, dirt or other contaminants on the
cylindrical object.
[0022] In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a grip
pad 100 includes a top layer 102 of elastomeric or other flexible
material and a bottom layer 104 of elastomeric or other flexible
material that are secured together at least around its periphery to
form a cavity therebetween. The cavity is substantially enclosed.
In alternative embodiments, the layers are secured to one another
by seweing, gluing, stapling, snapping or the like. A layer of
padding may also be placed between the top layer 102 and the bottom
layer 104 to provide additional cushion. One or more bistable
spring bands (not shown; see FIG. 4) may be arranged within the
cavity along a length of the grip pad.
[0023] In FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the bistable spring bands FIG. 4
(114) are in an open, straight configuration, which is one of the
two positions of the bistable spring bands. The bistable spring
bands 114 are configured to alternate the shape of the grip pad
between a flat, straight configuration and cylindrical or wrapped
configuration. The grip pad 100 as shown in FIG. 1 is in an open,
straight configuration. In this open configuration, the grip pad
100 can be easily placed on a cylindrical object such as a bar to
be attached, and can also be easily carried around or placed in a
bag or other container for storage.
[0024] In one embodiment, the grip pad is provided with a textured
grip on a top surface and a bottom surface. In one preferred
embodiment the grip has a "shark tooth" texture. The top surface
102 improves the grip of the user's hand by preventing the user's
palm and fingers from slipping or spinning while the user grasps
the grip pad 100. The bottom surface 104 improves the grip on the
cylindrical object by preventing the grip pad and thus the user's
hand from slipping or spinning around the bar.
[0025] An attachment mechanism 106A and 106B may be positioned on
one or more ends of the grip pad 100 and used to detachably attach
one end of the grip pad to the opposing end when the grip pad is in
its wrapped position (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 2).
[0026] In FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the attachment mechanism is a first
strip of hook and loop Velcro.RTM. 106A disposed laterally across a
first end of the top layer 102 of the grip pad 100, and which is
secured to the grip pad 100. A second strip of Velcro.RTM. 106B is
disposed on a second end of the bottom layer 104 of the grip pad
100 opposing the first end, such that when the grip pad 100 is in
its wrapped position (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), the first strip 106A
and second strip 106B meet and form a tight, but removable bond.
The Velcro.RTM. attachment mechanism 106A, 106B will help to fasten
the grip pad 100 tightly around the bar 108.
[0027] As illustrated in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG.
3, the Velcro.RTM. strip 106A and 106B is configured so that it
does not make contact with the bar 108 or the user's hand when the
grip pad 100 is wrapped around the bar 108, avoiding any user
discomfort and avoiding and risk of the grip pad slipping against
the potentially slick surface of one of the Velcro.RTM. strips. The
attachment mechanism could also be a snap, latch or other
attachment mechanism, as is appreciated by one of skill in the
art.
[0028] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the grip pad 100 in a closed,
wrapped configuration after the bistable spring band or bands have
been snapped into place around a bar 108. Only the top layer 102 of
the grip pad is visible, since the bottom layer 104 is in contact
with the bar 108. The attachment mechanism 106 is visible with a
portion of the opposing end of the grip pad 100 covering it in
order to secure the ends of the grip pad 100 together.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the grip pad 100 in the
wrapped configuration with a user's hand 110 wrapped around the top
layer 102, so as to illustrate how the user's hand 110 fits around
the grip pad 100 during use. The attachment mechanism 106 is also
illustrated in contact with the opposing end of the grip pad 100 as
it secures the ends together.
[0030] In one embodiment, a single bistable spring band 114 may be
positioned within the cavity of the grip pad 100, or, as
illustrated in the embodiment in FIG. 4, more than one bistable,
here three, spring bands 114 may be positioned in parallel within
the grip pad 100. An adhesive glue or heat may be applied between
the top and bottom layers to seal the bistable spring bands inside
the cavity. In one embodiment, stitching may be used to reduce or
eliminate separation of the top and bottom layers and also hold the
bistable spring bands in place.
[0031] The grip pad 100 may be formed from a flexible, textured
material which is known to improve the friction between another
object in contact, specifically human skin.
[0032] The material should also be sufficiently thick to provide a
cushioning and insulation function while also being flexible enough
to conform to the shape of the bar.
[0033] In one embodiment, the grip pad is a textured material. In a
specific embodiment the grip pad is made from textured
neoprene.
[0034] In some embodiments, the grip pad has a thickness of
approximately 3 millimeters and where the grip pad of this
embodiment has two layers, each layer is approximately 1.5
millimeters thick. The grip pad can have a thickness ranging from 3
millimeters to 5 centimeters.
[0035] In another embodiment cushion material may be placed between
the two layers of textured material. The cushion material can
include rubber, cotton, nylon, canvas or other material. Other
rubber or polymer materials may be used as well. The overall
dimensions of the grip pad may change depending on the intended
use, and specifically the size of the cylindrical object that it is
being attached with.
[0036] In one embodiment, the grip pad is approximately 4 to 5
inches wide in order to accommodate the width of a user's hand, and
the length is approximately 3.5 inches in order to wrap around a
bar of approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter and provide
sufficient overlap for the attachment mechanism. However, the width
of the grip pad can range from 3 to 12 inches with a length which
can range from 3 to 12 inches. At this width and length,
approximately 2-3 bistable spring bands that measure approximately
1 inch by 3.5 inches and spaced approximately 1.25 inches apart may
be positioned between the top and bottom layers. In one embodiment,
a single bistable spring band of a larger width than that
previously described may be positioned between the layers, such
that only the single bistable spring band is needed.
[0037] In one embodiment, a method of using the grip pad includes
placing the grip pad in its opened, straight position onto a
cylindrical object such as a bar and pressing the grip pad down
onto the bar until the bistable spring bands snap the grip pad
around the bar and change into the wrapped position. The attachment
mechanism may automatically contact the opposing end of the grip
pad in order to secure the grip pad to itself around the bar, or
the user may need to manually secure the attachment mechanism to
the opposing end. The user can then grasp the grip pad and begin
whatever activity the user intended to complete with the grip pad
in place.
[0038] For a fitness activity such as weightlifting with a barbell,
two grip pads may be secured to the barbell (one for each hand) and
positioned at whatever spacing the user prefers. The user could
also just use one grip pad for expercise bars, or tools. The pair
of grip pads may be used on a pull-up bar, for example, or used in
other physical activities, including weightlifting, deadlifts,
cleans, jerks, presses, snatches, toes-to-bar or knees to elbows on
a pull-up bar, bar muscle-ups performed on a pull-up bar,
kettlebell swings, farmer walks with kettlebell or barbell, or the
like. When the activity is complete, the user can then easily
remove the grip pad or pads from the bar by detaching the
attachment mechanism and bending the grip pad back into its open,
straight configuration, where the bistable spring bands will snap
back into their open straight configuration to retain the grip pads
in that shape.
* * * * *