WEIGHT LIFTING GRIP DEVICE

Abstract

A support for use with exercise equipment, the support configured to fit within the hand of a user between the hand the exercise equipment. A body of the support is configured to aid in filling the space between the palm of the user and the exercise equipment. The support provides added comfort to the user and aid in aligning the user with respect to the exercise equipment to reduce the chance for injury and to provide greater comfort during exercise.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/815,397, filed on Jun. 22, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to exercise equipment.

BACKGROUND

Weight lifting is a widely used and effective resistance training approach that may encompass both free weights as well as a variety of weight lifting machines. A common characteristic of these machines is to have a generally linear bar or lever which a user must grasp to perform a particular exercise. Often these bars or levers or at undesirable angles for a particular user working to perform a particular exercise in a particular fashion.

Some bars have angled portions, such as bicep and tricep bars which may include one or more segments angled to fit some common or average angle to which the particular user's hand may or may not conform. In addition, even if the user was physiologically consistent with the angles of the bar, the user may desire to space their hands at different distance apart along the bar. Users of different sizes, even if they all conform to the “average angle,” may all have different physiology which may dictate different hand spacing to accomplish the same exercise. Moreover, it is not uncommon for a weight lifter to change hand spacing along a bar or lever to alter the muscles being stressed in a particular exercise.

Improvements to existing weight lifting equipment to address these and other issues are desirable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a weight lifting grip support with a body having a first end adjacent a pinkie finger of a hand of a user and a second opposite end adjacent a thumb of the user's hand. A surface of the body is configured to fit within a palm of the user and extends from the first end to the second end. An open sided groove is formed in the body opposite the palm surface. The groove may be sized to receive a gripping portion of exercise equipment through the open side and releasably attach the support to the exercise equipment. A thumb groove may be formed in the body adjacent the second end and the body may be thicker adjacent the first end and narrower adjacent the second end.

The present invention further relates to a method of using a grip support to engage exercise equipment by hand and perform a pressing exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the figures is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a view of a weight lifting device according to the present disclosure positioned within a right hand of a user.

FIG. 2 is a view of a weight lifting device according to the present invention positioned between a left hand of the user and a bar.

FIG. 3 is a closer view of the weight lifting device of FIG. 2, with the user's left hand open and the device removed from the bar.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a right hand weight lifting device according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a first view of the right hand weight lifting device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a second view of the right hand weight lifting device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a third view of the right hand weight lifting device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a left hand weight lifting device according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a first view of the left hand weight lifting device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a second view of the left hand weight lifting device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a third view of the left hand weight lifting device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a third embodiment of a right hand weight lifting device according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In weight lifting, one of the challenges confronting users is the combination of large and small muscles that may be activated during any individual exercise. Often, the smaller muscles, such as but not limited to the muscles in the forearms and hands, are stressed and fatigued before the larger muscles, such as but not limited to the chest, back and shoulder muscles. Since many exercises require the use of all of a group of large and small muscles, fatigue and failure of the smaller muscles may prevent the larger muscles from being adequately exercised. Further, when the larger muscles are much stronger than the smaller muscles, efforts to exercise the larger muscles may cause injury to the smaller muscles if they are not adequately aligned or supported.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a weight lifting grip support 100 is positioned in a right hand 102 of a user. Support 100 includes a body 103 and is configured to fit within a palm 104 of hand 102 between a thumb 106 and the fingers 108. Support 100 is narrower and thinner between thumb 106 and index finger 108 and gets progressively thicker in conformance with the shape of palm 104 toward pinkie finger 108. A groove 110 is formed on a surface of support 100 away from palm 104. Groove 110 includes an open side 111 to receive a bar or lever of the weight lifting equipment being used into groove 110 and permit the weight lifting or exercise equipment to be removed from the groove.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a weight lifting grip support 200 which configured similarly to support 100 but includes a body 203 shaped for use in a left hand 202 of a user. Support 200 also includes groove 110 and FIG. 2 shows exercise equipment such as a weight lifting bar 112 positioned within groove 110 with fingers 108 curled over the bar to hold the bar within the groove.

Note that the configuration of supports 100 and 200 encourages the user to wrap thumb 106 about the bar to provide a more secure grip. It is not uncommon for users to place the thumb on the same side of the bar as the fingers, producing a potentially unstable grip that may suddenly and unexpectedly release, possibly causing damage to equipment or injury to the user. Support 100 may be shaped to encourage a more correct grip form with the thumb properly positioned opposite the fingers.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 7, a second embodiment of a weight lifting grip support 101 is similarly configured to support 100 and includes a first end 130 and a second end 132. As with support 100, support 101 is intended for use in the right hand of a user. Groove 110 extends between the first and second ends. A palm surface 120 is generally opposed to groove 110. Palm surface 120 may include a palm swell 122 that is intended to more fully engage the hand of a user by filling the natural central hollow the palm of a user's hand. A thumb groove 124 may be formed adjacent second end 132 to permit a user's thumb to extend about bar 112 within groove 110.

FIGS. 8 to 11 illustrate a second embodiment of a weight lifting grip support 201 similarly configured to support 200, above. Support 201 may also generally be a mirror image of support 101, above, with the same features configured to permit use in the left hand of a user as opposed to the right hand of the user.

The progressive thickness of supports 100, 101, 200 and 201 between first and second ends may be selected to not only provide better support for the smaller muscles and bones within the hand and forearm of the user. The progressive thickness may also be selected to aid in aligning the bones of the forearm into the desired orientation for the exercise to be performed. The palm filling shape of palm surface 120 also helps engage more of the user's hand during exercise, spreading the load over a greater surface area to improve comfort and aid in the prevention of injuries.

While the shape of the grip supports disclosed herein may be the primary contributor to the effectiveness of the supports, the material used to construct the supports may also contribute the effectiveness. It is desirable that the supports be made of a durable and resilient material that permits some degree of deformation to permit the supports to be placed about a bar or other piece of exercise equipment. As shown, groove 110 extends about more than one half of the circumference of a bar or lever sized to fit within the groove. To get a bar or lever into groove 110, a certain amount of deformation is necessary. Resiliency is desirable so that the support will resume its original shape when positioned about the bar or lever, or when removed from the bar or lever. While some degree of deformability and resilience are desirable, supports according to the present disclosure are desirably firm enough to not deform under the weight of exercise, as such deformation might defeat the improved alignment and improved support features desired from the support.

It is anticipated that groove 110 could be made to cover only half or less of the circumference of a bar or lever positioned within the groove and such a configuration would permit a support according to the present disclosure to be formed or constructed of a less deformable material. It is anticipated that some degree of deformation may be desirable, regardless of the groove configuration, to provide some degree of conformance to the hands of a user. However, it is also anticipated that certain users or uses for supports according to the present disclosure may also require little or no deformation in the material. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to solely constructing supports from materials with an appreciable amount of deformation. It is also anticipated that supports according to the present disclosure may include a groove configured to extend essentially or completely about the bar or lever being engaged within the groove. To accomplish this full-wrap option, the body adjacent the groove will preferably be made of a flexible material that still defines an open sided groove but provides enough flexibility to wrap about the bar or lever.

Palm swell 122 may be sized according the anticipated hand size of the intended user of a support according to the present disclosure. Larger handed users may find more voluminous swells to be desirable smaller handed users may find smaller swells more desirable. Alternatively, palm surface 120 may be configured without any appreciable palm swell or with a swell commonly sized for an average intended user.

Many bars or levers of exercise equipment have knurled surfaces or other surface features or treatments to enhance friction in a user's grip. An inner surface 140 (see FIGS. 7 and 11) may also include a surface treatment to match or complement the surface of the bars or levers. Inner surface 140 may also be adapted to maximize friction with smooth bars or levers as well. The material used to form inner surface 140 may also be selected to include characteristics to provide increased friction regardless of the surface treatment or texture, or the surface treatment or texture of bar or lever.

A similar or the same material may be used to form palm surface 120. During exercise, it is not uncommon for a user's hands to get sweaty and wet. Palm surface 120 may be selected to provide enhanced friction when grasped by a user with a wet hand. If such a material also provides enhanced friction for engaging the bar or lever of the exercise equipment, then the same material may be used on both the inner surface of groove 110 and the palm surface 120. It may be desirable to have the entire support made from a uniform material if such a material can be selected which provides the desired amount of friction for the user's hands and the bar or lever, as well as providing the desired amount of deformation and resiliency.

As it is anticipated that supports according to the present invention may be subject to contact with moisture during use, the supports may be made of a relatively non-porous material to reduce the amount of sweat or other moisture that might be drawn into the material, as long as the other material characteristics cited above are also provided.

FIG. 12 illustrates a third alternative embodiment of a weight lifting grip support 300 according to the present disclosure. Support 300 is configured similarly to support 101, above, and may include a releasable strap 304 for releasably securing the bar or lever of the exercise equipment within groove 110. Strap 304 may include hook-and-loop features to permit easy securing and releasing of the support to the exercise equipment, or may include any other suitable releasable attachment means. Support 300 may also include a strap 302 spanning all or a portion of palm surface 120 between the first and second ends. Strap 302 may be releasable, such as including hook-and-loop features to secure support 300 to the right hand of a user, or may be a generally continuous elastic strap, made from a stretchable material such as neoprene, rubber, or other suitable materials.

Securing support 300 to a bar or lever with strap 304 may permit a user to maintain a consistent hand position between sets of exercises on the same piece of equipment or may provide a more secure connection between the support and the exercise equipment. Strap 302 may hold the support within a users hand while the user positions his or her hand to engage the exercise equipment and may help prevent accident dropping of the support or movement of the support within the user's hand during or between exercises. It is anticipated that strap 302 could be expanded to form a weight lifting or exercise glove with support 300 incorporated into the palm of the glove. It is further anticipated that strap 302 may be extended as a wrist strap for wrapping about and supporting the user's wrist during exercise. Support 300 may be formed with one or the other of straps 302 and 304, or may be configured as shown incorporating straps on both sides.

A non limiting list of exercises which the supports of the present disclosure may be suitable for include pressing exercises, such as bench press, incline or decline bench press, or shoulder press, and fly exercises. It is anticipated that supports according to the present disclosure may be used with barbells, dumbbells, Smith machines, cable pull machines, specialized exercise machines and equipment and other similar exercise implements and devices. This list is not intending to limit the extend to which supports according to the present may be used but is merely an illustrative list.

It is anticipated that a variety of sizes of supports according to the present disclosure may be created to permit a user to select the size of support that most closely matched the size and shape of their hand.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Thus, it is recognized that those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations, modifications, and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the invention, and should not limit the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A weight lifting grip support comprising:

a body with a first end adjacent a pinkie finger of a hand of a user and a second opposite end adjacent a thumb of the user's hand;

a surface of the body configured to fit within a palm of the user, the palm surface extending generally from the first end to the second end;

an open sided groove formed in the body generally opposite the palm surface, the groove sized to receive a gripping portion of exercise equipment through the open side and releasably attach the support to the exercise equipment, the groove extending generally from the first end to the second end;

a thumb groove formed in the body adjacent the second end;

the body thicker adjacent the first end and narrower adjacent the second end.

2. The support of claim 1, further comprising the groove including a surface treatment to enhance grip on the exercise equipment.

3. The support of claim 1, further comprising the palm surface including a palm swell.

4. The support of claim 1, wherein the groove is shaped to receive a round bar and the groove is sized to extend about more than half of the circumference of a bar within the groove, and further comprising the support made of a resilient deformable material which deforms to permit the bar to be positioned within the groove through the open side and removed from the groove through the open side.

5. The support of claim 1, further comprising a strap extending generally between the first end and the second end to releasably hold the support to the user's hand.

6. The support of claim 1, further comprising a strap extending across the open side of the groove, the strap releasable to selectively hold the exercise equipment within the groove and permit removal of the exercise equipment from the groove.

7. The support of claim 1, wherein the support is a first support and the body of the first support is configured to fit within a right hand of the user and further comprising a second support, the second support including a body configured to fit within a left hand of the user, but otherwise similarly configured to body of the first support.

8. A method of using exercise equipment, the method comprising:

providing a first support including a body with a palm side and an opposing groove for engaging the exercise equipment, the body further including a first end and a second opposite end, with the palm side and the groove extending generally from the first end to the second end, and a thumb groove formed on the palm side adjacent the second end;

a user engaging the first support in a right hand with the palm side adjacent a palm of the right hand and a thumb of the right hand extending within the thumb groove;

the user grasping the exercise equipment with the exercise equipment received within the groove of the first support, the body of the first support filling between the palm of the user's right hand and the exercise equipment, with the body thicker adjacent the first end than adjacent the second end, the user's fingers and thumb extending across the open side of the groove about the exercise equipment;

the user pushing the exercise equipment to perform an exercise;

the user removing the first support from the exercise equipment upon completion of the exercise.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing a second support similarly configured to the first support and generally a mirror image of the first support;

the user engaging the second support in a left hand with the palm side adjacent a palm of the left hand and a thumb of the left hand extending within the thumb groove;

the user grasping the exercise equipment with the exercise equipment received within the groove of the second support, the body of the second support filling between the palm of the user's left hand and the exercise equipment, with the body thicker adjacent the first end than adjacent the second end, the user's fingers and thumb extending across the open side of the groove about the exercise equipment;

the user performing an exercise with the exercise equipment;

the user removing the second support from the exercise equipment upon completion of the exercise.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the user engaging a piece of exercise equipment with the first support, performing a second exercise, and removing the first support from the exercise equipment upon completion of the second exercise.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the user releasably attaching the first support to the right hand prior to engaging the exercise equipment and the first support remaining attached to the user's right hand when the first support is disengaged from the exercise equipment.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first support is releasably attached to the right hand of the user by a strap extending over the palm surface generally between the first end and the second end.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising releasably attaching the first support to the exercise equipment prior to performing the exercise and releasing the first support from the exercise equipment upon completion of the exercise.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first support is releasably attached to the exercise equipment by extending a releasable strap across the open side of the groove after engaging the exercise equipment and performing the exercise.