GB2508698A

GB2508698A - An anti-microbial transferable hand grip for weight training

Info

Publication number: GB2508698A
Application number: GB1316963.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Edward Marooth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-24
Filing date: 2013-09-24
Publication date: 2014-06-11
Also published as: GB201316963D0; GB201217049D0; GB2506189A

Abstract

A transferable hand grip comprising an elongate body 5 formed at least in part by resiliently deformable material, adaptable to surround a section of an elongate member having an anti-microbial means provided in, or on, the hand grip. The anti-microbial means may be a material, coating or additive and might include silver filings. Preferably the hand grip is adaptable to surround a bar, tube or cylinder in use on exercise equipment, such as Olympic bars, ez bars, laterals pull down bars, chin up bars, dumbbells or barbells. The resiliently deformable material may comprise rubber, silicone or other elastomer. The hand grip may comprise a core 2 that is more rigid than the outer 3. End collars 4 may be provided to prevent the users hands from slipping. The hand grip may deform to fit a variety of different diameter members, and may be split along a toothed or non-straight path 1 in order to deform and accept the member. The hand grip may alternatively comprise a hinged closure portion or a magnetic fastening portion.

Description

A HAND GRIP

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hand grip, more particularly but not exclusively, the invention relates to a hand grip for exercise machines or weight training equipment.

Background and Prior Art

As a result of growing affluence and decreasing open space increasing numbers of users are taking exercise in gymnasiums and more generally in indoor spaces. Such spaces typically provide or require exercise apparatus, machines or weight training equipment.

However although such exercise equipment is generally good for targeted exercises and training, often a requirement of balanced exercise regimes is multiple exercise, focussing on multiple muscle groups.

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* 20 In order to provide such a regime however gymnasiums, gyms or other exercise ** S *** ; spaces will need multiple pieces of equipment. Equipment can be costly, however simpler equipment such as bars for chin-ups and other similar are often poorly : equipped for exercise, for example being uncomfortable to use. *5.*

*:*.: 25 In addition or the alternative multiple use equipment may have uncomfortable handgrips, or hand grips that quickly become tarnished by other users.

In particular in addition or the alternative the handgrips on equipment may be incorrectly sited, wherein bad posture or asymmetric lifting of weight or use of equipment may lead to muscular strains or orthopaedic problems.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of equipping simpler bars or tubular members for comfortable repetitive exercise, and a means of providing personalised equipment.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a transferrable hand grip, comprising an elongate body formed at least in part by a resiliently deformable material, the hand grip being adaptable to surround a section of a piece of exercise equipment characterised in that an anti-microbial means is provided in, or on, the hand grip.

The benefit of the anti-microbial means is that it reduces the risk of cross infection between users and cross contamination of fungal or other transferable bacteria or viruses which may pass from one user to another. Furthermore the anti-microbial means will help prevent proliferation of harmful microbes on the hand grips that may accumulate between uses by the same user.

The hand grip may be equal in length to a width Of a user's hand. Preferred embodiments of the hand grip include collars distally, wherein said collars act to prevent displacement longitudinally of the user's hand or hands and prevent the users hands from slipping on the member or from the exercise equipment. Thereby the user is able to perform lifting, pulling, pushing or curling actions with optimal comfort and grip. * . . *

Advantageously the collars also enable the user to perform symmetrical lifting by guiding the hands to a particular position about the hand grip by bracing the user's *:* 25 hands against the collars.

In preferred embodiments the member comprises a bar, tube or cylinder in use on exercise equipment, wherein the hand grip may be used on a myriad of such equipment, providing a more comfortable, standardised, user-specific gripping area for the user.

Furthermore given that the hand grips may be moved on the member, an optimal distance and positioning may be set between the hand grips, for example wherein the hand grips may be placed a distance apart that allows any size or shape of user is enabled to grip the member and/or brace weights symmetrically.

For example the hand grip may be used on Olympic bars, ez barst, laterals pull down bars, tricep bars, chin up bars, rowing machines as well as many other pieces of gym equipment and exercise machines.

Ideally the user may use the hand grip on more than one piece of equipment within a single session of equipment use.

In this way the hand grip necessitates a means of attachment to said members that is multi-use, variable and easy to move from one piece of equipment to another.

More particularly said means of attachment requires the hand grip to be attachable to bars that are continuous and/or arcuate or otherwise inclusive of intermediate interruptions.

In some further embodiments the hand grip may be attachable onto or over existing equipment handles or grips, being deformable about said handles or grips.

Ideally therefore there is provided a means of attachment that allows attachment of the hand grip to a continuous member whilst providing the user with a clean and microbe free surface to grip. * * * ** *

In preferred embodiments this means of attachment is provided by or accompanies a * divide or split or hinge in the body. In preferred embodiments the body thereby is able to split apart, sufficiently so that the hand grip may be opened up and over a : 25 bar, piece of equipment or member.

The body may then be displaced at least in part in order to allow the hand grip to be placed onto or over the member.

In preferred embodiments therefore at least part of the body is resiliently deformable sufficient to bend open and/or there is provided a hinge so the body may be hinged into two parts to receive and close over the member.

Some embodiments may include a displaceable flap or hinged closure portion, which flap or portion may displace to allow the member to be inserted into the hand grip or body. Such a hinge is ideally covered or situate such that the user is not in contact with the hinge in use.

In yet further embodiments the hand grip may include a fastening portion, for example a magnetic fastening portion. In such embodiments the body in majority may be flexible, for example deformable without elasticity, and wherein the fastening portion may hold the body around the member. In such embodiments the hand grip is easily enabled to be modified to suit different diameter members.

Additionally, in such embodiments the fastening portion is covered or minimised so as to prevent discomfort, so that the fastening portion is ideally movable or slidable along at least one of the body distal ends.

In yet further embodiments a body portion may include or contain sprung tensioned or biased plates or plate, coiled appropriately to grip the member, in Order that the body is coiled in use about the member and accordingly grips a plurality of diameters, with smaller diameters causing overlap of the plate or body. ** ** * * * * *

The resiliently deformable material in some groups of embodiments comprises the body in totality, wherein the body may be deformed and/or opened so as to be closed ***.

about the member, having a longitudinal slit or parting.

In other embodiments the resiliently deformable material may comprise a covering over, or outer face of, the body, wherein for example the body is relatively rigid, and 25 for example hinged.

In both embodiments the resiliently deformable material provides a comfort surface for a user, wherein as the user exerts energy and force through using the equipment the user's hands will be cushioned in such use, and consequently the user will be able to continue use for longer periods, as well as maintaining better skin and reducing likelihood of callouses.

In some preferred embodiments the material may also include wicking properties, well disposed towards acceptance, absorption or wicking of moisture or sweat from the user's hands.

In such preferred embodiments in particular the material may be washable or parts may be detached that are cLeanable so that the user is enabled to ensure that smells and bacteria are not allowed to reside in the material.

For example in some embodiments there may be provided a washable, detachable or separable core, which core is a natural place for smells and bacteria to reside or migrate towards.

In further embodiments the hand grips include a layer of absorbent fabric over a core layer, for example wherein the fabric is provided on or supported by or provides or supports a layer of cellular foam structure, and is comprised by cotton or other fabric netting or mesh.

In preferred embodiments however the resiliently deformable material comprises rubber, silicone or other elastomer, wherein the material both cushions the user's grip and allows the hand grip to deform to accept the member.

Furthermore in such preferred embodiments it is preferable that the body dOforms about a split, wherein said split is dimensioned and described in a manner that is not * liable to unduly stress the body in deformation. For example, it is preferable that the split does not create a corresponding uniform bend or hinge line in an opposing face of the body.

Accordingly the split ideally follows a toothed, arcuate or deviated path so as to : 25 minimise splitting or cracking in other parts of the hand gip. In some further embodiments resilient strengthening ribs portions may also be included internally of the body, corresponding to teeth or deviations.

The collars may be formed of material equal or similar to the body, andlor may in some embodiments be formed as a whole with the body in manufacture.

In addition or the alternative the collars may include lacunae or spacing to allow the collar to be deformed in accordance with, and allow deformation of, the body. For example the collars may be split by a V shape distally to the body split and at the body split.

In some embodiments the collar, collars or further member may act to secure or fasten the hand grip over a member, for example being elastic, sprung or otherwise deformable or displaceable and subsequently in reformation or replacing providing grip over the body and around the member.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the hand grip; and Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, transferrable hand grip 10 comprises an elongate body 5 formed from a resiliently deformable rubber compound may be supported by or formed with the core 2 coated with an over moulded silicone surface 3. Anti-microbial substance may be formed with an over moulded silicone surface 3. * * ****

: The grip 10 is shaped and dimensioned to be able to surround a section of elongate member (not shown). The embodiment thereby provides adjustable hand grips that * are used on or over equipment such as barbells (not shown) and dumbbells (not shown) or more particularly members such as the handles of barbells and dumbbells.

The hand grip 10 helps to ensure that weights are lifted with good symmetry, and prevent injuries such as the development of skin abrasions and blisters and the risk of cross infection is reduced by the presence of the anti-microbial substance. The hand grips include collars 6 arranged distally at each end 4 which serve to position the user's hand during use and to prevent their hands slipping onto the exercise equipment.

The collars 6 are disc shaped having a wider diameter than the body 5 to aid with positioning the hands during use.

The embodiment provides adjustability to fit various thicknesses of weight bars and the prevention of injury to the user through material and texture.

In some other embodiments a plurality of hand grips may be used cumulatively to account for variation in member diameter.

The embodiment is furthermore easily fit and removed to the bar or member and is lightweight and ergonomic and for use on Olympic bars, lateral pull down bars, lock tricep bars; exercise machines, chin-up bars, and many other pieces of gym equipment.

The embodiment is manufactured from either silicone or a rubber mould being preferably twin shot moulded to provide a flexible, yet rigid core and a silicone moulded outer layer that deforms to the user's grip and hand position. The anti-microbial substance may be a material, coating or additive. For example SteriTouch (RTM) materials may be used to form the hand grips, coat the handgrips and/or impregnate the hand grips. For example the rubber may be formed with a SteriTouch additive such as silver filings so as to provide anti-microbial properties.

*..... * .

The embodiment thereby aids in lifting of members without injury and prevents *** * : blisters on user hands and in addition or the alternative encourages lifting weights in symmetry. * .*

*:f° The body of the grip deforms about a split 1. The split line 1 is dimensioned so as to : 25 not unduly stress the body in deformation. The split 1 does not create a corresponding uniform bend or hinge line in an opposing face of the body. The split I follows a deviated path so as to minimise splitting or cracking in other parts of the hand gip.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

The pictured embodiment includes the following: Split line 1 Rubber core 2 Over moulded silicone 3 * S S * * Ends4 * . 0** * : Body 5 Collars 6 * ** * S * S." * S* * S

Claims

Claims 1. Atransferrable hand grip, comprising an elongate body formed at least in part by a resiliently deformable material, the hand grip being adaptable to surround a section of a piece of exercise equipment, characterised in that an anti-microbial means is provided in, or on, the hand grip.
2. A transferrable hand grip as claimed in claim 1, in which the grip is equal in length to a user's hand.
3. A transferrable hand grip according to either of claims 1 and 2 wherein the section or piece of exercise equipment the hand grip surrounds in use comprises a bar, tube or cylinder.
4. A transferrable hand grip according to any preceding claim wherein the hand grip deforms to fit a variety of different diameter members.
5. A transferrable hand grip according to any preceding claim wherein the hand : grip includes a relatively more rigid core and relatively more malleable outer.S..... * 20
6. A transferrable hand grip according to any of the preceding claims wherein n the hand grip is split along a deviated line in order to deform and accept the member.a:. 25
7. A transferrable hand grip according to any preceding claim wherein distal ends of the body include a collar.
8. A transferrable hand grip with reference to the figures.
9. A method of providing personalised training equipment utilising a transferrable hand grip according to any preceding claim.
10. A piece of exercise equipment modified by inclusion of a transferrable hand grip according to any of claims ito 5.