FLEXIBLE GRIPS

Abstract

The invention provides a flexible grip for use in weightlifting and weight bearing exercises. More particularly, the flexible grips herein mold to a user's hands and enable secure grip of weights, bars with weights and bars for pulling or lifting.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a flexible grip for use in weight lifting. More particularly, the flexible grips herein mold to a user's hands and enable secure grip of weights, bars with weights and bars for pulling or lifting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Weight bearing exercise has been known from the time of antiquity to increase strength, stamina, bone density and life itself. As long as mankind has existed, the drive to become stronger and bigger has pushed men and women to create many and varied strength training regiments involving the use of weights. Ancient societies including the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and more documented their exercise regimes including weight lifting.

As exercise science has advanced, innovators have sought ways to both improve exercise maximizing efficiency and also protect exercisers in their workouts. Weight lifting in particular is known to be rough on the hands and joints. Callouses often occur when gripping bars and weights that are heavy. Callouses on the hand are a natural response to protect key pressure points on the inside of an exercisers hands hear the base of her fingers.

In modern times, exercisers use all manner of devices to protect their hands while lifting weights. For example, exercisers know the benefits of using gloves to lift weights. Exercisers have even used various kinds of grips to lift, in particular, heavy weights.

Use of such devices has been important both to preserve one's hands but also to increase safety while lifting weights. Whether by glove or grip, protecting one's hands while also providing better grip when lifting is important. What remains, however, is the production of a grip that provides maximum protection to an exerciser's hands while also giving optimal safe usage while lifting weights. The embodiments herein describe such a useful grip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention provides a flexible grip for grasping a cylindrical object for lifting weights that comprises a hand section having a hand side and a grip side positioned oppositely to the hand side. The hand side of the hand section also comprises a palm section and a finger section connected to and extending from the palm section. The palm section covers substantially all of a user's palm.

The grip herein further comprises a securing portion positioned oppositely to the strap portion. The strap portion is securable to the securing portion about the wrist of a user. That is, the strap portion herein wraps, preferably, at least two times about a user's wrist. Further, the strap portion herein has a wrapping portion positioned about the securing portion. In practice, the grip herein provides substantially full coverage to a user's palm and fingers when the user wears it and curls the grip around a cylindrical object connected to a weight.

The grip's finger section herein substantially covers all of a user's fingers when the grip is in a pre-grip position. Also, the finger section substantially covers all of a user's fingers when the grip is in a post-grip position. In a preferred embodiment herein, the finger section fully covers all of a user's fingers when the grip is in a post-grip position.

In another embodiment of the invention herein, the grip's finger section comprises an additional grip portion for gripping a cylindrical object connected to a weight or that is itself a weight. The additional grip portion provides an even more secure grip for a user when a weight or weighted object is grasped and lifted by the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the grip herein, the grip side of the hand section comprises a gripping surface. The gripping surface increases grip-ability of the grip to a cylindrical object connected to a weight.

In best practice herein, the grip's strap portion and securing portion uses a hook and loop mechanism to effect attachment of the strap portion to the securing portion. Additional attachment means that are well known by persons of skill in the art are also useful. When applied, the securing portion braces and supports the wrist of said wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a two-dimensional view of the grip positioned onto the front side of a user herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a user's hand cupping the grip of FIG. 1 herein;

FIG. 3 is a two-dimensional view of a user's hand covering the grip of FIG. 1 herein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a user in a squatted position behind a bar using the grips herein in preparation for a dead lift maneuver; and

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a user's hand cupping the grip of FIG. 1 herein while also holding a bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a flexible grip for grasping a cylindrical object for lifting weights that comprises a hand section having a hand side and a grip side positioned oppositely to the hand side. The hand side of the hand section also comprises a palm section and a finger section connected to and extending from the palm section. The palm section covers substantially all of a user's palm.

The grip herein further comprises a securing portion positioned oppositely to the strap portion. The strap portion is securable to the securing portion about the wrist of a user. That is, the strap portion herein wraps, preferably, at least two times about a user's wrist. Further, the strap portion herein has a wrapping portion positioned about the securing portion. In practice, the grip herein provides substantially full coverage to a user's palm and fingers when the user wears it and curls the grip around a cylindrical object connected to a weight.

The grip's finger section herein substantially covers all of a user's fingers when the grip is in a pre-grip position. Also, the finger section substantially covers all of a user's fingers when the grip is in a post-grip position. In a preferred embodiment herein, the finger section fully covers all of a user's fingers when the grip is in a post-grip position.

In another embodiment of the invention herein, the grip's finger section comprises an additional grip portion for gripping a cylindrical object connected to a weight or that is itself a weight. The additional grip portion provides an even more secure grip for a user when a weight or weighted object is grasped and lifted by the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the grip herein, the grip side of the hand section comprises a gripping surface. The gripping surface increases grip-ability of the grip to a cylindrical object connected to a weight.

In best practice herein, the grip's strap portion and securing portion uses a hook and loop mechanism to effect attachment of the strap portion to the securing portion. Additional attachment means that are well known by persons of skill in the art are also useful. When applied, the securing portion braces and supports the wrist of said wearer.

FIG. 1 is a two-dimensional view of grip 10 positioned onto the front side of a user's hand 5 herein. As is shown, hand side 20 of grip 10 directly covers and is adjacent to the palm of user's hand 5. As seen, grip 10 is divided into three major portions: finger section 25; palm section 27; and securing portion 40.

Finger section 25 is held adjacent to a user's fingers on hand 5 and is meant to cover a substantial portion thereof. Full coverage of the fingers can occur, depending upon the size of hand 5, but it not necessary when grip 10 is in its straight, uncovered position. At curvature of grip 5 (i.e., when a user grips the bar of a weight or a weight itself), finger section 25 is configured to curve into a user's fingers and thereby provide full coverage or substantially full coverage of the user's fingers against a lifted weight.

Preferably, there is a provided additional grip portion 29 to finger section 25. Additional grip portion 29 protrudes from grip side 30 of grip 10. Additional grip portion 29 is configured to enable added grip ability to a bar or weight sought to be lifted.

Hand side 20 of palm section 27 rests upon the palm of hand 5. It substantially covers the palm side of user's hand 5. Whether hand 5 is open or curved, palm section 27 assumes the shape of whatever it holds. Thus, it as well as finger section 25 are pliable. This pliability is important because it aids in grip, enables use by hand 5 and does not restrict mobility of hand 5.

Securing portion 40 secures, literally, grip 10 to user's hand 5. Preferably, it comprises strap portion 45 which is configured to wrap around a user's wrist thereby serving to anchor the remainder of grip 10 (i.e., palm section 27 and finger section 25) to hand 5. In practice, strap portion 45 maintains a firm connection of grip 10 to a user thereby enabling full and unfettered use of grip 10 without fear of displacement or of it falling off.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective side view of a user's hand cupping grip 10. This is grip 10 of FIG. 1 herein. As noted hereinabove, finger section 25 and palm section 27 are curvable and configurable within a user's curved hand 5. This is an important and necessary feature. This feature enables contoured use of grip 10 so that the maximum surface area of user's hand 5 can be used. If grip 10 could not be contoured, grip 10 would be much less effective and less useful for multiple kinds of athletic and weight bearing exercises.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a user's hand covering grip 10 of FIG. 1 herein. It provides of the reverse side of FIG. 1. Clearly shown are the top side of hand 5 with the palm not shown and securing portion wrapped around a user's wrist. In such wrapping, strap portion 45, which is the preferred but not only, securing device for grip 10 is clearly shown secured to the user's wrist. Persons of skill in the art will readily recognize the form and components of the preferred securing portion 40 herein and also recognize many of the variations thereof.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of user 50 in a squatted position behind bar 100 using grips 10 herein in preparation for a dead lift maneuver. As shown, grips 10 are firmly and securely attached to user 50′s wrists. In his crouched position, user 50 is preparing to make the standard, well-known dead lift of the bar and weights 100 shown. Herein, grips 10 ensure that he does not lose grip of the bar and that his wrists remain in the position necessary to lift weights 100. Such proper lifting technique as enabled by grips 10 also helps to reduce injury to user 50. This is especially true for high weight lifts and motions as the one shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a user 50′s hand 5 cupping grip 10 of FIG. 1 herein while also holding bar 100 of FIG. 4. As shown, grip 10 is fully contoured within hand 5 and therefore allows maxim surface area acquisition of the bar of weight 100. Such extensive and effective grip ability enables hand 5 a proper and full grip and increases a user's safety from injury during weight bearing exercises and lifts, especially heavy lifts.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A flexible grip for grasping a cylindrical object for lifting weights, comprising:

a. A hand section having a hand side and a grip side positioned oppositely to said hand side, said hand side of said hand section also comprising a palm section and a finger section, said palm section covering substantially all of the palm of a user, said finger section extending from said palm section;

b. A securing portion positioned oppositely to said strap portion, said strap portion being securable to said securing portion about the wrist of a user; and

c. A strap portion connected to said hand section, said strap portion having a wrapping portion about said securing portion, Said grip providing substantially full coverage to a user's palm and fingers when said user wears said grip and curls said grip to grab a cylindrical object connected to a weight.

2. The grip of claim 1 wherein said finger section substantially covers all of a user's fingers when said grip is in a pre-grip position.

3. The grip of claim 2 wherein said finger section substantially covers all of a user's fingers when said grip is in a post-grip position.

4. The grip of claim 3 wherein said finger section fully covers all of a user's fingers when said grip is in a post-grip position.

5. The grip of claim 1 wherein said finger section further comprises an additional grip portion for gripping said cylindrical object connected to said weight.

6. The grip of claim 1 wherein said grip side of said hand section comprises a gripping surface.

7. The grip of claim 6 wherein said gripping surface increases grip-ability of said grip to a said cylindrical object connected to a said weight.

8. The grip of claim 1 wherein said strap portion and said securing portion use a hook and loop mechanism to effect attachment of said strap portion to said securing portion.

9. The grip of claim 1 wherein said securing portion braces and supports the wrist of said wearer.