Tensile exercising device and method of use

Abstract

A tensile exercising device characterized by a handle fitted with a tensile or elastic member or stretch cord having a hook at the extending end for attachment to a fixed object and exercising in various body positions against the tension in the tensile member. In a first preferred embodiment a shaped training grip handle mounts one end of the tensile member and is configured to provide superior gripping characteristics in the tensile exercising device. In another embodiment the handle replicates a tapered golf club handle to facilitate a selected golf club grip while using the tensile exercising device. Various body positions can be assumed for stretching the tensile member while gripping the handle with the opposite end of the tensile member attached to the fixed object, in order to exercise various muscles of the arms and wrists, as well as the rest of the body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference copending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/519,134, Filed Nov. 13, 2003.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tensile exercising devices and more particularly, to a tensile exercising device which is characterized by a shaped training grip handle or a tapered golf club handle which mounts on one end of an elastic member or stretch cord, with a hook provided on the opposite end of the elastic member for removable attachment to a fixed object such as a door knob or hinge or the like. One embodiment of the tensile exercising device is characterized by a training grip handle configured for superior gripping characteristics while exercising the arm, wrist and other muscles of the body. In another embodiment the handle replicates a tapered golf club handle to facilitate gripping the golf club handle in a selected manner by a golfer and stretching the elastic member to exercise the muscles of the arms and wrists, as well as rest of the body, while simulating a golf swing. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention a sleeve is provided on the elastic member to protect the elastic member against abrasion and facilitate storage of the device on a hook or the like, without marring furniture or other objects to which the device is attached. The tensile exercising device can be used to practice gripping and swinging of golf clubs, baseball bats, tennis and racquetball rackets and the like in various body positions, to develop sufficient muscle strength and coordination for strong, repeatable swings in the respective sports.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the tensile exercising device of this invention, wherein the elastic member of the device is equipped with a shaped grip club handle at one end and a hook at the opposite end;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the tensile exercising device illustrated in FIG. 1, with a training grip handle and a sleeve typically slidably provided on the elastic member;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hook-end of the elastic member, more particularly illustrating a typical hook and a preferred technique for engaging the hook with the sleeve and underlying elastic member illustrated in FIG. 2, for anchoring or storing the tensile exercising device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a typical sleeve for fixed or slidable mounting on the elastic member of the tensile exercising device; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tensile exercising device illustrated in FIG. 1, used by a golfer while gripping the golf club handle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 of the drawings, in a preferred embodiment the tensile exercising device of this invention is generally illustrated by reference numeral 1. The tensile exercising device 1 is characterized by a golf club handle 2, fitted with finger grips 3 (FIG. 1) that are deployed on the golf club handle 2 such that a training grip is facilitated thereon, as illustrated by the golfer 11 in FIG. 5. A handle end 5 of an elastic member 4 is attached by any convenient means known to those skilled in the art to the golf club handle 2, while the other end of the elastic member 4 receives a hook 7 at a hook end 6, as further illustrated in FIG. 1. The hook 7 can be of any selected design, including plastic, metal, fiberglass or the like, which is sufficiently rigid and strong to facilitate attachment to a fixed object 12 (FIG. 3) such as a bar or a door hinge or door knob and mount the hook end 6 of the tensile member 4 securely for exercising purposes, as hereinafter further described. The hook 7 can be attached to the hook end 6 of the elastic member 4 at a hook connection 8 by any convenient technique, further according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The elastic member 4 can be typically fashioned from a length of “bungee-cord”, solid rubber cord or other elastic material known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings, a sleeve 9 of selected length is fixed to or slidably disposed on the elastic member 4 and may be typically constructed of plastic or other non-abrasive material, for purposes which will be hereinafter further described. Accordingly, the sleeve 9 may be oversized to move up and down the elastic tensile member 4 throughout the full length of the elastic member 4 between the golf club handle 2 and the hook 7, as illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 2.

Referring again to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a conventional handle 10, which is typically shaped in the configuration of a tennis, racquetball or baseball bat grip or handle or the like, can be attached to one end of the elastic member 4 in the same manner as the golf club handle 2, illustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly, a user can use any desired finger and thumb configuration in gripping the conventional handle 10 while exercising using the tensile exercising device 1, as further hereinafter described.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings, in use, the hook end 6 of the elastic member 4 can be typically attached to any fixed object 12 by placing the hook 7 directly around the fixed object 12. Alternatively, if the fixed object 12 to be used as an anchoring member is too large for accommodation by the hook 7, the hook end 6 of the elastic member 4 can be configured substantially in a circle or loop, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and the hook 7 extended around the sleeve 9 or around the hook end 6 of the elastic member 4, to encircle the fixed object 12 and facilitate mounting the hook end 6 of the elastic member 4 for exercising purposes. When the hook end 6 is properly mounted to a fixed object 12, either in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 or by direct application of the hook 7 to the fixed object 12, the golf club handle 2 or the conventional handle 10 provided on the opposite end of the elastic member 4 is gripped and a desired sports position or body stance is assumed, wherein the arms are repeatably extended against the tension in the elastic member 4 in a desired swinging and exercising motion to stretch the elastic member 4 and exercise the arms and body against the tension. For example, the golf club handle 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 can be gripped with a conventional golf grip of selected finger and thumb configuration and a golf driving stance assumed by a golfer 11, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The conventional handle 10 is pulled downwardly to stretch the elastic member 4, simulate a golf swing and exercise the muscles used in coordinating and driving a golf ball, as further illustrated in FIG. 5. Various other exercises are possible using both the golf club 2 and the conventional handle 10 of the correspondingly equipped tensile exercising device 1 to exercise various other arm, shoulder, wrist and other muscles of the body. For example, the respective swing characteristics of a tennis or racquetball racket, a baseball bat and the like can be replicated using the tensile exercising device 1 by first mounting the hook 7 to a suitable fixed object 12 (FIG. 3) at an appropriate height; gripping the golf club 2 or conventional handle 10, or a handle simulating the baseball bat, tennis handle and racquetball handle; assuming the desired body stance; and repetitively pulling the handle against the tension in the elastic member 4.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the sleeve 9 may be fixed or slidably disposed on the elastic member 4 to protect the fixed object 12 from abrasion or marring when the tensile exercising device 1 is used. A sliding mount is preferred for easy adjustment of the sleeve 9 on the elastic member 4 to compensate for a fixed object 12 of varying size and shape.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described my invention with the particularity set forth above, what is claimed is:

Claims

1. A tensile exercising device comprising a handle; an elastic member having one end connected to said handle; and an engaging member connected to the opposite end of said elastic member from said one end for attachment to a fixed object and exercising against the tension in said elastic member while gripping said handle.

2. The tensile exercising device of claim 1 comprising a sleeve provided on said elastic member.

3. The tensile exercising device of claim 2 wherein said engaging member comprises a hook and said sleeve is sized to slidably engage said elastic member.

4. The tensile exercising device of claim 1 comprising a plurality of finger grips provided on said handle for enhancing the gripping of said handle in a training configuration.

5. The tensile exercising device of claim 4 comprising a sleeve provided on said elastic member.

6. The tensile exercising device of claim 5 wherein said engaging member comprises a hook and said sleeve is sized to slidably engage said elastic member.

7. The tensile exercising device of claim 1 wherein said handle is tapered and simulates a golf club handle.

8. The tensile exercising device of claim 7 comprising a sleeve provided on said elastic member.

9. The tensile exercising device of claim 8 wherein said engaging member comprises a hook and said sleeve is sized to slidably engage said elastic member.

10. A tensile exercising device comprising a training grip handle having a plurality of finger grips thereon; an elongated elastic member of selected length and tension having one end connected to said handle; and a hook connected to the opposite end of said elastic member from said one end for removable attachment to a fixed object and exercising against the tension in said elastic member responsive to gripping of said training grip handle.

11. The tensile exercising device of claim 10 comprising a sleeve provided on said elastic member.

12. The tensile exercising device of claim 11 wherein said engaging member comprises a hook and said sleeve is sized to slidably engage said elastic member.

13. A tensile exercising device comprising a tapered golf club handle; an elongated elastic member of selected length and tension having one end connected to said golf club handle; and a hook connected to the opposite end of said elastic member from said one end for removable attachment to a fixed object and exercising against the tension in said elastic member responsive to gripping of said golf club handle and assuming a driving altitude.

14. The tensile exercising device of claim 13 comprising a sleeve provided on said elastic member.

15. The tensile exercising device of claim 14 wherein said engaging member comprises a hook and said sleeve is sized to slidably engage said elastic member.

16. A method for exercising the arms and body in a sports participation or exercising stance comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a tensile exercising device having a handle, an elastic member extending from said handle and a hook attached to the elastic member opposite said handle;

(b) connecting the hook to a fixed object;

(c) assuming said sports participation or exercising stance while gripping the handle; and

(d) extending the handle with the arms against the tension in the elastic member for exercising the arms and body in said sports participation or exercising stance.

17. The method according to claim 16 comprising the step of providing a training grip handle on said elastic member.

18. The method according to claim 16 comprising the step of providing a golf club handle on said elastic member.

19. The method according to claim 16 comprising the step of providing a sleeve on said elastic member.

20. The method according to claim 18 comprising the step of providing a sleeve slidably deployed on said elastic member.