Exercise grip device and exercising method

Abstract

 An exercise grip device includes a jaw member (10) which is of a sufficient width to permit grasping thereabout with one's hand, wherein the jaw member includes a spring element (16) which is preformed to an open position to permit receiving a weightlifting bar (12) and is compressible to a closed position enabling engagement of the jaw member with the weightlifting bar in a manner to prevent s liding movement therebetween and while compressed exerts a force on one's hand and forearm muscles. A method includes weightlifting using the exercise grip device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] 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.

Related Art

[0002] 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.

[0003] 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.

[0004] 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.

[0005] 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. 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 invention

[0006] 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 of 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 or spring element core 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.

[0007] 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.

[0008] 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.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] Further aspects of the invention are evident from the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments and Drawings.

Brief description of drawings

[0012] In order that the invention may be well understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a exercise grip device;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the exercise grip device of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise grip device disposed around a portion of a bar in an open position;

[0016] 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;

[0017] FIG. 5 is top view of a second embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 6 is an end view of the embodiment in FIG. 5;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

[0020] FIG. 8 is top view of a spring element of the embodiment in FIG. 5;

[0021] FIG. 9 is an end view of the spring element in FIG. 8; and

[0022] FIG. 10 is a side view of the spring element in FIG. 8.

Description of embodiments

[0023] 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. The device is a tube-like member having an opening running axially lengthwise of the tube. The tube-like member can be formed of or contain a spring material and can take on geometric shapes which are suitable for practicing the invention.

[0024] The exercise grip device of the present invention comprises a jaw member that 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 the exercise grip device 10 can be used as a stand alone piece of equipment for exercising one's hands H and forearms F.

[0025] The exercise grip device 10 includes jaw sections 14 which are shown here as opposing generally arc shaped sections. The sections are formed as a single piece material construction. The device is constructed with an internal spring element so that it can be compressed in the sense that it changes diametrically when squeezed and then returns to its original position or shape upon release. The use of two materials allows for an outer comfort material such of rubber or foam, which alone would not provide sufficient resistance, and an inner core or spring element made of memory plastic or steel, which provides the resistance and spring-like return. The exercise grip device 10 is of a length L about the width of one's hand to permit grasping thereabout. The device could also be longer than the width of one's fist.

[0026] The jaw sections 14 incorporate 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 between the open sections 14. The jaw sections 14 and spring element 16 are compressible to a closed position as seen in FIG. 4 enabling engagement of the jaw sections 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.

[0027] In one embodiment, the jaw sections 14 comprise an outer covering 15 made of a polyfoam material and the spring element 16 is a spring metal formed therein, preferably within the polyfoam material during a moulding process. For example, the spring metal can be inserted into a mould in a manner to be held centrally such that a polyol and an isocyanate react to form a polyfoam about the spring element16. The covering 15 can have a smooth or textured surface.

[0028] Optionally, rubber or other polymer having memory can be used to perform the invention as a single component. The jaw sections 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 50 to 75 mm which together with a conventional weightlifting bar diameters of 25mm, 28mm or 32mm provide a "Fat Bar" feel. It is recognized that the thickness can be varied to accommodate user preference.

[0029] The resistance of the spring element can also be provided by an inner spring element core that is made of 5% PTFE LUBRICATED ACETAL COPOLYMER. In this embodiment the outer covering 15 is made of KRATON^® synthetic polymer manufactured by Kraton Polymers LLC and used as a synthetic replacements for rubber. KRATON^® polymers offer many of the properties of natural rubber, such as flexibility, high traction, and sealing abilities, but with increased resistance to heat, weathering, and chemicals. The inner core can be fibre reinforced with glass fibre or carbon fibre to give the required spring element resistance necessary to exercise the grip. In one example the core that provides the spring element is made of polypropylene with between 1 to 10% of fibreglass fibre to vary its flexibility and strength.

[0030] 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 and aesthetic purposes. The outer covering 15 and spring element 16 can be formed to provide a 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The embodiment seen in Figs. 5-10 employs a modified spring element 16 in a skeleton shape having a spine 17 and appendages 19. The appendages 19 include a recessed surface 21 which acts as a self retaining mechanism to keep the spring element 16 in position in its surrounding molded covering 15. The spring element 16 can be molded so that it is partially exposed through the covering of the device or covered. However, the element 16 can be recessed within the covering 15. FIGS. 8-10 show the skeleton shaped spring element 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 not only strength but also flexibility in the overall product and enables various materials to be employed to make this element, such as nylon or polymer blends or spring steel, for example.

[0033] 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 muscles. 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.

Claims

1. An exercise grip device comprising a jaw member (10) which is of a sufficient length to permit grasping thereabout with one's hand, wherein said jaw member includes a spring element (16) which is preformed to an open position to permit receiving a weightlifting bar (12) and is compressible to a closed position enabling engagement of said jaw member with the weightlifting bar and while compressed exerts a force on one's hand and forearm muscles.

2. An exercise grip device of claim 1, wherein said jaw member (10) includes a lengthwise opening (18) which readily permits the bar (12) to pass in and out therethrough.

3. An exercise grip device, comprising a generally C-shaped tube-like member (10) which is of a sufficient length to permit grasping thereabout with one's hand and has an opening (18) running axially lengthwise and said tube-like member having a spring element (16) which is preformed to an open position and is compressible to a closed position to exert a force on one's hand and forearm muscles.

4. An exercise grip device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said member (10) has a compressible outer covering (15).

5. An exercise grip device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the spring element (16) is a core (16) formed within said outer covering.

6. An exercise grip device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the member (10) is connected to a weightlifting bar.

7. An exercise grip device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said outer covering (15) forms a pad having an outward gripping surface (20).

8. An exercise grip device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said outer covering (15) has an inner bar gripping surface (22) opposing said outward gripping surface (20).

9. An exercise grip device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said member (10) is configured such that in said closed position engagement of said member (10) with a weightlifting bar (12) prevents sliding movement therebetween.

10. An exercise grip device as claimed in claim 4, 5,7 or 8, wherein said outer covering has a smooth or a textured surface.

11. An exercise grip device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spring element (16) has a skeleton shape having a spine (17) and appendages (19).

12. An exercise grip device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said appendages (19) include recessed surfaces (21) along an edge thereof.

13. A method of exercising which exercises one's hand and forearm includes the steps of:

(a) providing an exercise grip device having a generally C-shaped tube-like member which is of a sufficient length to permit grasping thereabout with one's hand and has an opening running axially lengthwise and said tube-like member includes a spring element which is preformed to an open position and is compressible to a closed position to exerts a force on one's hand and forearm muscle; and

(b) 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.

14. A method of weightlifting which exercises one's hand and forearm according to claim 13, which includes the step of disposing said exercise grip device onto a weightlifting bar during traditional weightlifting bar exercises during traditional weightlifting bar exercises and concurrently lifting the bar while performing step (b) to exercise other muscles of one's body.

Drawing