Grip assist apparatus with insert

Abstract

A grip assist apparatus that may be worn on either hand that includes a gripping portion that includes an insert designed to prevent lifting bars to come into contact with an area of vulnerability in the center of the palm, which is prone to injury.

Claims

1. A grip assist apparatus for weight lifting, wherein said grip assist apparatus is dimensioned to cover a palm of a hand of a user from at least one finger to below a wrist joint such that movement of a thumb of the user is not impeded, wherein said hand comprises a thumb fat pad, a pinky fat pad, a metacarpal fat pad series, and an area of vulnerability therebetween, said grip assist apparatus comprising: a gripping portion formed by affixing first and second halves of flat material of a same shape and size to one another such that said first and second halves are flush, said gripping portion comprising: a finger end, said finger end comprising a first gripping portion edge; a wrist end opposite from said finger end, said wrist end comprising first and second wrist end bearings; a first attachment edge disposed adjacent to said first wrist end bearing of said wrist end; a second attachment edge disposed adjacent to said second wrist end bearing of said wrist end; first and second sides extending between said first and second attachment edges and said finger end, wherein each of said first and second sides comprises concave contouring proximate to said first and second attachment edges, such that when said grip assist apparatus is worn over the palm as intended, movement of the thumb of the user is not impeded; said first side comprises a second gripping portion edge and said second side comprises a third gripping portion edge; the periphery of the gripping portion being defined by the first gripping portion edge, the second gripping portion edge, the third gripping portion edge, the first attachment edge, the second attachment edge, the first wrist end bearing, and the second wrist end bearing; a U-shaped insert disposed between said first and second halves comprising a gap, wherein when said U-shaped insert is disposed between said first and second halves: said gripping portion comprises three layers comprising said first half, said insert, and said second half in all locations of said gripping portion except where said gap of said insert is disposed between said first and second halves; said gripping portion comprises only two layers comprising said first and second halves where said gap of said insert is disposed between said first and second halves; and when said grip assist apparatus is worn over the palm as intended, said gap is disposed on top of at least a portion of the area of vulnerability proximate to the metacarpal fat pad series and extending from the metacarpal fat pad series towards the pinky fat pad and the thumb fat pad; and wherein said U-shaped insert comprises: a first U side, comprising: a first U outer side; a first U inner side opposite from said first U outer side; and a first U top connecting said first U outer and inner sides; a second U side, comprising: a second U outer side; a second U inner side opposite from said second U outer side; and a second U top connecting said second U outer and inner sides; a connecting portion connecting said first and second U sides, comprising: a wrist end side, wherein said wrist end side intersects with said first and second outer U sides of said first and second U sides; and a gap side, wherein said gap side intersects with said first and second inner U sides of said first and second U sides; and said gap formed between said first and second U sides; wherein, when said grip assist apparatus is worn over the palm as intended: said wrist end side of said connecting portion is proximate to said wrist end of said gripping portion; said first U outer side follows said contouring of said first side of said gripping portion; said second U outer side follows said contouring of said second side of said gripping portion; at least a portion of said first and second U tops are disposed on top of at least a portion of the metacarpal fat pad series; at least a portion of one of said first and second U sides is disposed on top of at least a portion of the pinky fat pad; at least a portion of the other of said first and second U sides is disposed on top of at least a portion of the thumb fat pad; and at least a portion of said connecting portion is disposed on top of at least a portion of the pinky fat pad and the thumb fat pad; a wrist portion comprising a first strap and a second strap, wherein: each of said first strap and said second strap comprises an attachment end and a free end; said attachment end of said first strap extends from said first attachment edge of said gripping portion; and said attachment end of said second strap extends from said second attachment edge of said gripping portion; and a releasable wrist fastener attached to said first and second straps, said wrist fastener being dimensioned and shaped to fasten said first strap to said second strap such that said grip assist apparatus is secured around a wrist of the user.

2. The grip assist apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flat material from which said gripping portion is formed comprises first and second flat material sides and at least one of said first and second flat material sides is non-slip.

3. The grip assist apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an end piece disposed between said first and second halves at said finger end of said gripping portion.

4. The grip assist apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising stitching to hold said first and second halves against one another and to hold said U-shaped insert in place between said first and second halves, wherein said stitching comprises at least: a first outer section between said first side of said gripping portion and said first U outer side of said first U side of said U-shaped insert, wherein said first outer section follows said contour of said first side of said gripping portion and stitches through said first and second halves only; a second outer section between said second side of said gripping portion and said second U outer side of said second U side of said U-shaped insert, wherein said second outer section follows said contour of said second side of said gripping portion and stitches through said first and second halves only; a first inner section parallel to said first outer section, wherein at least a portion of said first inner section stitches through said first and second halves and said first U outer side of said first U side of said U-shaped insert; a second inner section parallel to said second outer section, wherein at least a portion of said second inner section stitches through said first and second halves and said second U outer side of said second U side of said U-shaped insert; first and second top sections above said first and second U tops of said first and second U sides of said U-shaped insert, wherein said first and second top sections stitch through said first and second halves only; and a gap defining section adjacent to said first and second inner U sides of said first and second U sides and said gap side of said connecting portion of said U-shaped insert, wherein said gap defining section stitches through said first and second halves only.

5. The grip assist apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second attachment edges of said gripping portion are angled such that when said first strap and said second strap of said wrist portion are secured about the wrist of the user via said wrist fastener, said first and second straps and said gripping portion form a funnel-shaped enclosure around the wrist and base of the hand, said enclosure having an opening that is larger at a distal end than at a proximal end.

6. The grip assist apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first strap and said second strap of said wrist portion are each substantially rectangular in shape.

7. The grip assist apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gripping portion has a rigidity such that said gripping portion is self-supporting and will remain extended in front of the palm and of the fingers to allow said gripping portion to be manipulated by the human hand on which said grip assist apparatus is worn, and wherein said gripping portion is sufficiently flexible to allow said gripping portion to be easily wrapped around a lifting bar using only the tip of said at least one finger of the human hand on which said grip assist apparatus is worn.

8. A grip assist apparatus for pushing and pulling exercises, wherein said grip assist apparatus is dimensioned to cover a palm of a hand of a user from at least one finger to below a wrist joint such that movement of a thumb of the user is not impeded, said grip assist apparatus comprising: a gripping portion formed by affixing first and second halves of flat material of a same shape and size to one another such that said first and second halves are flush, said gripping portion comprising: a finger end, wherein said finger end comprises a first gripping portion edge of said gripping portion; a wrist end opposite from said finger end, said wrist end comprising first and second wrist end bearings; a first attachment edge disposed adjacent to said first wrist end bearing of said wrist end; a second attachment edge disposed adjacent to said second wrist end bearing of said wrist end; first and second sides extending between said first and second attachment edges and said finger end, wherein said first side comprises a second gripping portion edge and said second side comprises a third gripping portion edge; the periphery of the gripping portion being defined by the first gripping portion edge, the second gripping portion edge, the third gripping portion edge, the first attachment edge, the second attachment edge, the first wrist end bearing, and the second wrist end bearing; a U-shaped insert disposed between said first and second halves, wherein: said gripping portion comprises three layers comprising said first half, said U-shaped insert, and said second half where said U-shaped insert is disposed between said first and second halves; said U-shaped insert comprises: a first U side; a second U side; and a connecting portion connecting said first and second U sides, wherein said connecting portion is disposed proximate to said wrist end of said gripping portion and said first and second U sides extend between said connecting portion and said finger end of said gripping portion, such that said first U side follows said first side of said gripping portion and said second U side follows said second side of said gripping portion; a gap disposed between said first U side, said second U side, and said finger end, wherein said gripping portion comprises only two layers comprising said first and second halves where said gap is disposed; a wrist portion comprising a first strap and a second strap, wherein: each of said first strap and said second strap comprises an attachment end and a free end; said attachment end of said first strap extends from said first attachment edge of said gripping portion; and said attachment end of said second strap extends from said second attachment edge of said gripping portion; and a releasable wrist fastener attached to said first and second straps, said wrist fastener being dimensioned and shaped to fasten said first strap to said second strap such that said grip assist apparatus is secured around a wrist of the user.

9. The grip assist apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said first and second sides comprises concave contouring.

10. The grip assist apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said contouring is such that said gripping portion comprises: a narrowing between said finger end and said wrist end; a first widening between said narrowing and said finger end; and a second widening between said narrowing and said wrist end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a skeletal depiction of a human hand.

(2) FIG. 2 is a diagram of a human hand depicting the approximate location of the hand's fatty pads.

(3) FIG. 3A is a front perspective of the grip assist apparatus of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3B is an isolated view of the U-shaped insert shown in FIG. 3A.

(5) FIG. 4 is a view of the gripping portion unfolded.

(6) FIG. 5 is a view of the gripping portion superimposed over a hand.

(7) FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the stitching of the gripping portion.

(8) FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating the funnel-like opening of the grip assist apparatus of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 8A is a front view of a human hand loosely holding a bar with the grip assist apparatus of the present invention between the bar and the user's hand.

(10) FIG. 8B is a front view of a human hand loosely holding a bar with the bar between the user's hand and the grip assist apparatus of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 9A is a side view of a human hand curling the finger end of the grip assist apparatus of the present invention as shown in FIG. 8B around the bar toward the hand.

(12) FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a human hand gripping the grip assist apparatus of the present invention as shown in FIG. 9A.

(13) FIG. 10 is front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the gripping portion is integrated into a weightlifting glove worn on a human hand.

(14) FIG. 11A is an assembled view of a gripping portion formed by adhering two layers of material together with the insert disposed therebetween.

(15) FIG. 11B is an exploded unassembled view of a gripping portion formed by adhering two layers of material together with the insert disposed therebetween.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) Referring first to FIG. 3A, the preferred grip assist apparatus 10 of the present invention is depicted. The preferred grip assist apparatus 10 includes gripping portion 12, wrist portion 28, and wrist fastener 36. It is understood that the embodiments shown are the preferred embodiments, but not all features shown are necessary for the basic embodiment of the present invention.

(17) Gripping portion 12 is dimensioned to cover a human hand from the fingers to below the wrist joint, without impeding the thumb's movement. Although flexible enough to be easily wrapped around a lifting bar with only the fingers of the hand on which the grip assist apparatus 10 is worn, gripping portion 12 preferably has a rigidity so that it is self-supporting and will remain extended in front of the palm and fingers if not manipulated by the hand on which grip assist apparatus 10 is worn.

(18) In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3A, gripping portion 12 includes finger end 18, wrist end 70, first attachment edge 72, second attachment edge 74, first side 76, and second side 78. Finger end 18, first side 76, and second side 78 are also labeled as first, second, and third gripping portion edges 706, 708, 710 indicating that these are edges of gripping portion 12, i.e. that gripping portion 12 does not extend further than these edges 706, 708, 710 and is not connected to other structures at these edges 706, 708, 710. Finger end 18 and wrist end 70 are opposite from one another at the top and bottom of gripping portion 12, respectively. Wrist end 70 has first wrist end bearing 500 on its side toward first strap 30 and second wrist end bearing 502 on its other side toward second strap 31. It is understood that first and second wrist end bearings 500, 502 denote either side of wrist end 70. Bearing is being used in this context as a synonym for side, but the inventor, acting as his own lexicographer, has chosen to use bearing here so as to avoid confusion with the word side used in other contexts herein. First and second attachment edges 72, 74 are disposed adjacent to first and second wrist end bearings 500, 502 of wrist end 70. First and second sides 76, 78 extend between finger end 18 and first and second attachment edges 72, 74. First and second sides 76, 78 each include contouring 16, which accommodate the user's thumb. Contouring 16 results in a narrowing 702 in first and second sides 76, 78; a first widening 700 between narrowing 702 and finger end 18; and a second widening 704 between narrowing 702 and wrist end 70. As will be discussed in more detail below, first and second attachment edges 72, 74 are where first and second straps 30, 31 extend from gripping portion 12.

(19) In embodiments that may be worn on either hand, gripping portion 12 includes second line of symmetry 14. Second line of symmetry 14 is not a structure that would be readily apparent by looking at the gripping portion 12 but, rather, is an imaginary line that runs the length of gripping portion 12. The symmetry of the gripping portion 12 allows the preferred grip assist apparatus 10 to be worn on either hand. Although it is understood that there are at least two symmetries along second line of symmetry 14, including symmetry through the plane of gripping portion 12, it is understood that as used herein, second line of symmetry refers only to the symmetry that becomes apparent if one were to fold the gripping portion 12 along the second line of symmetry 14. It is further understood that although first features of gripping portion 12 are indicated on the right and second features of gripping portion 12 are indicated on the left, these designations are arbitrary, as gripping portion 12 is symmetrical and all first and second features of gripping portion 12 are mirror images of the other across second line of symmetry 14.

(20) Gripping portion 12 includes U-shaped insert 80, which is detailed in FIG. 3B. Although U-shaped insert 80 is the preferred shaped insert of the present invention, it is understood that any insert that includes a gap 104 that will be disposed on top of at least a portion of the area of vulnerability of a wearer of the grip assist apparatus 10 is sufficient for the present invention. U-shaped insert 80 is disposed between halves 71, 73 (shown most clearly in FIG. 4) of gripping portion 12. U-shaped insert 80 includes first and second U sides 82, 90, each of which include an outer U side 84, 92; an inner U side 86, 94; and a U top 88, 96. First and second U sides 82, 90 are connected by connecting portion 98, which has a wrist end side 100 near the wrist end 70 of gripping portion 12, and a gap side 102 near gap 104. The wrist end side 100 connects outer U sides 84, 92 of first and second U sides 82, 90. The gap side 102 connects inner U sides 86, 94 of first and second U sides 82, 90. Gap 104 is the space between first and second U sides 82, 90 and connecting portion 98. First and second U outer sides 84, 92 are contoured to follow contour 16 of first and second sides 76, 78 of gripping portion 12. First and second U sides 82, 90 and connecting portion 98 form the U-shaped insert 80 so that when U-shaped insert 80 is disposed between halves 71, 73, gripping portion 12 includes three layers of material at first and second U sides 82, 90 and connecting portion 98. At gap 104, gripping portion 12 only includes two layers of material, namely halves 71, 73.

(21) Gripping portion 12 includes finger end 18, which is the end of gripping portion 12 that covers the user's fingers. End piece 20 is disposed at finger end 18 of the preferred gripping portion 12. End piece 20 is preferably stiff, but flexible, and is preferably rectangular. End piece 20 is disposed within gripping portion 12 by any means commonly used in the art, but preferably by holding it in place between the layers of gripping portion 12 by stitching around end piece 20 and affixing it in place using an adhesive. However, in molded embodiments of the invention, such as is discussed below with reference to FIG. 4, the end piece 20 is molded integral to the gripping portion 12.

(22) When grip assist apparatus 10 is in use, wrist portion 28 securably and releasably wraps around the user's wrist. Wrist portion 28 includes first and second straps 30, 31, which are both preferably rectangular in shape. First strap 30 has free end 34 and attachment end 32, attached to first attachment edge 72 of gripping portion 12. Second strap 31 has free end 35 and attachment end 33, attached to second attachment edge 74 of gripping portion 12. Strap attachment ends 32, 33 may be attached to attachment edges 72, 74 by any means commonly used in the art, but preferably by inserting strap attachment ends 32, 33 between the halves 71, 73 of gripping portion 12 at the attachment edges 72, 74 and affixing strap attachment ends 32, 33 there by stitching and or gluing or other adhesion.

(23) Straps 30, 31 are attached to gripping portion 12 at angle A, which is preferably about 120. Angle A may be greater or less than 120, however, depending on the user's hand. Angle A may be customized to best fit the user's hands and to ensure a comfortable fit on either hand. Although straps 30, 31 are not identical in the preferred embodiment, because of the symmetry of gripping portion 12, either strap 30, 31 may be attached to either attachment edge 72, 74. In the preferred embodiment, straps 30, 31 include cushioned pads 38 for the comfort of the user. Cushioned pads 38 are preferably formed of foam rubber covered by a low friction fabric. This is preferred because the fabric covering over the foam rubber allows the straps 30, 31 to slide over the cushioned pads 38 and prevents it from gripping onto the foam rubber.

(24) Straps 30, 31 also include a wrist fastener 36 to fasten wrist portion 28 about the user's wrist. Wrist fastener 36 preferably includes a first section 42 that includes a ring 44 at the strap free end 34 of one of first strap 30. Wrist fastener 36 also preferably includes a second section 46 on second strap 31, which may be inserted through ring 44 to secure wrist portion 28. Second section 46 preferably includes a first length 48 of loop-type fastener and a second length 50 of hook-type fastener so that when second strap 31 on which second section 46 is disposed is inserted through ring 44, first length 48 and second length 50 may be joined and releasably secured.

(25) Now referring to FIG. 4, the preferred gripping portion 12 before it is folded is illustrated. Gripping portion 12 is preferably made of a non-slip piece of material 40, such as chlorobutyl rubber, which provides a tacky, sticky surface to allow gripping portion 12 to adhere to the palm of the user's hand instead of sliding around while in use. Material 40 includes a first flat material side 504 and a second flat material side, the second flat material side being understood to be the opposite side of side 504 and therefore facing away from the viewer. The piece of material 40 is non-slip on at least the side that will face out when material 40 is folded. That is to say that the side of the material 40 that will be folded and flush against itself may or may not be non-slip material, but the side that faces out and will be in contact with the user's hand and/or bars 66 (as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B) is preferably non-slip. Gripping portion 12 is preferably formed by adhering two layers 71, 73 of appropriately sized and shaped non-slip material together, preferably by folding over one piece of non-slip material 40 at first line of symmetry 41, and stitching the two halves 71, 73 together. When first flat material side 504 is folded along first line of symmetry 41, both of layers 71, 73 will face out and second flat material side will face itself and not be visible. In such a scenario, first flat material side 504, facing out, is preferably non-slip. However, in one embodiment, the material is a moldable material, such as urethane, molded rubber or others, that is molded into the shape of at least the non-slip gripping portion 12. When folded along first line of symmetry 41, gripping portion 12 has a rigidity such that it is self-supporting and will remain extended in front of the palm and of the fingers to allow gripping portion 12 to be manipulated by the human hand on which grip assist apparatus 10 is worn. Despite this rigidity, gripping portion 12 is sufficiently flexible to allow itself to be easily wrapped around a lifting bar 66 using only the tip of a finger.

(26) Now referring to FIG. 5, gripping portion 12 is shown superimposed over a hand. For the sake of clarity, wrist portion 28 has not been included in FIG. 5, but is understood to be present as shown in FIG. 3A. Although it is understood that U-shaped insert 80 is disposed between halves 71, 73, it is outlined to indicate its position within gripping portion 12. Comparing FIGS. 2 and 5, it is clear that when gripping portion 12 is placed over a palm as intended, the following will be true: at least a portion of first and second U tops, 88, 96 will be disposed over at least a portion of metacarpal fat pad series 204; at least a portion of first U side 82 is disposed on top of at least a portion of pinky fat pad 202; at least a portion of second U side 90 is disposed on top of at least a portion of thumb fat pad 200; and at least a portion of connecting portion 98 is disposed on top of at least a portion of both pinky fat pad 202 and thumb fat pad 200. Again, it is arbitrary as to whether it is the first or second U side 82, 90 that is disposed on top of the thumb or pinky fat pad 200, 202, as gripping portion 12, including U-shaped insert 80 is symmetrical along second line of symmetry 14. Additionally and importantly, at least a portion of gap 104 is disposed on top of at least a portion of area of vulnerability 206. These placements of the various parts of U-shaped insert 80 ensure that more pressure is placed on the fattier parts of the hand, namely the thumb fat pat 200, pinky fat pad 202, and metacarpal fat pad series 204. Gap 104, surrounded by the area reinforced by U-shaped insert 80, will keep bar 66 from coming into contact with area of vulnerability 206, thus eliminating pressure on this unprotected and uncushioned portion of the hand and preventing injury.

(27) Now referring to FIG. 6, preferred stitching 106 is illustrated. Stitching 106 is the preferred method for securely affixing halves 71, 73 to one another. Other commonly used methods of affixation, such as gluing or other adhesive may also be used. In embodiments where gripping portion 12 is a singled molded piece, no such affixation is necessary. In FIG. 6, except for the perimeter of gripping portion 12, solid lines indicate lines of stitching 106. Dotted lines indicate second line of symmetry 14, the position of end piece 20, the position of U-shaped insert 80, and first and second straps 30, 31. Stitching 106 includes at least first outer section 108, second outer section 110, first inner section 112, second inner section 114, first top section 116, second top section 118, and gap defining section 120. As shown, it is also preferred that first and second outer sections 108, 110 extend downward and meet near wrist end 70 of gripping portion 12 and that additional stitching is included to secure straps 30, 31 to first and second attachment edges 72, 74. First and second outer sections 108, 110 follows contour 16 of first and second sides 76, 78 of gripping portion 12, extending up toward finger end 18 and down toward first and second attachment edges 72, 74 and wrist end 70. First outer section 108 is between first side 76 of gripping portion 12 and first U outer side 84 of U-shaped insert 80. Therefore first outer section 108 is stitching through only first and second halves 71, 73. Second outer section 110 is between second side 78 of gripping portion 12 and second U outer side 92 of U-shaped insert 80. Therefore second outer section 110 is stitching through only first and second halves 71, 73. First inner section 112 is inside of first U outer side 84 of U-shaped insert 80. Therefore first inner section 112 is stitching through first and second halves 71, 73, as well as U-shaped insert 80. Second inner section 114 is inside of second U outer side 92 of U-shaped insert 80. Therefore second inner section 114 is stitching through first and second halves 71, 73, as well as U-shaped insert 80. First and second top sections 116, 118 are stitching just above the tops of first and second U tops 88, 96, respectively, and are therefore stitching through only first and second halves 71, 73. Finally, gap defining section 120 follows first U inner side 86, gap side 102, and second U inner side 94, just within gap 104, so that gap defining section 120 is also stitching through only first and second halves 71, 73. The combination of stitching sections 108-120, particularly with first and second inner sections 112, 114 being through U-shaped insert 80 as well as halves 71, 73, while all other sections are through halves 71, 73 only, holds U-shaped insert 80 in place, securely holds halves 71, 73 against one another, and clearly defines gap 104.

(28) Now referring to FIG. 7, because straps 30, 31 are attached to gripping portion 12 at angle A (shown in FIG. 3A), they form a funnel-like opening 60 when attached to one another. Funnel-like opening 60 serves to grab the user's wrist in order to provide a firm support during strength training. Funnel-like opening 60 has a distal end 62 positioned around the base of the user's hand and a proximal end 64 positioned around the user's wrist. As distal end 62 is larger than proximal end 64, chafing of the base of the hand is prevented. Moreover, the nature of funnel-like opening 60 prevents circulation from being restricted in the user's hand while enabling grip assist apparatus 10 to be firmly attached to the user's wrist. It is noted that positioning the funnel like opening 60 about the base of the hand is preferred when the gripping apparatus is used during pulling exercises. However, when performing pushing exercises, the funnel like opening 60 is preferably positioned about the user's wrist and tightened to provide wrist support.

(29) Now referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, front views of a human hand loosely holding a bar with the grip assist apparatus 10 are provided. In FIG. 8A, gripping portion 12 is between the bar 66 and the user's hand 68. In FIG. 8B, bar 66 is between gripping portion 12 and the user's hand 68. Thus the user may customize his use of grip assist apparatus 10 to what is most comfortable for him. In particular, the use shown in FIG. 8A may be more comfortable for pushing exercises, such as the bench press or chest press. The use shown in FIG. 8B may be more comfortable for pulling exercises, such as a chinup or the lat pulldown.

(30) Now referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a progression of use from FIG. 8B are provided. In FIG. 9B, a side view of a human hand 68 curling the finger end 18 of gripping portion 12 around the bar 66 toward the hand 68 is provided. In FIG. 9B, a perspective view of a human hand 68 gripping the gripping portion 12 around the bar 66 after the position shown in FIG. 9A is provided. It is understood that a similar progression of use may occur starting with the use shown in FIG. 9A with the gripping portion 12 between bar 66 and hand 68. In other words, the user has the option of gripping bar 66 with gripping portion 12 curling away from hand 68, as suggested by FIG. 8A, or curling toward hand 68, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

(31) Referring now to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in which the gripping portion 12 is integrated into a weightlifting glove 300. In such embodiments, the wrist portion of other embodiments is eliminated and is replaced by a glove 300 made of a flexible material that is shaped and dimensioned to cover the user's palm and at least a portion of each finger. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the glove is a

(32) In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the glove material 302 covering the user's palm forms the first layer of the gripping portion 12, the insert 80 is outlined to indicate its position within gripping portion 12 and is positioned upon this layer of glove material 302 and secured in position thereon by an outer layer 43. Comparing FIGS. 2 and 10, it is clear that when the glove 300 is worn, the gripping portion 12 is disposed over a palm such at least a portion of first and second U tops, 88, 96 will be disposed over at least a portion of metacarpal fat pad series 204; at least a portion of first U side 82 is disposed on top of at least a portion of pinky fat pad 202; at least a portion of second U side 90 is disposed on top of at least a portion of thumb fat pad 200; and at least a portion of connecting portion 98 is disposed on top of at least a portion of both pinky fat pad 202 and thumb fat pad 200, and at least a portion of gap 104 is disposed on top of at least a portion of area of vulnerability 206. These placements of the various parts of U-shaped insert 80 ensure that more pressure is placed on the fattier parts of the hand, namely the thumb fat pat 200, pinky fat pad 202, and metacarpal fat pad series 204. Gap 104, surrounded by the area reinforced by U-shaped insert 80, will keep bar 66 from coming into contact with area of vulnerability 206, thus eliminating pressure on this unprotected and uncushioned portion of the hand and preventing injury.

(33) Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, in some embodiments in which the gripping portion 12 is integrated into a weightlifting glove 300, the gripping portion 12 is formed by adhering two layers 71, 73 of appropriately sized and shaped non-slip material together with the insert 80 disposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 11B, the outer layer 73 is manufactured from a wider sheet of material to allow it to be wrapped over the insert 80 and secured to the inner layer 71. Once so secured, the gripping portion 12 is attached to the glove material 302 in the position shown in FIG. 10. It is noted that FIGS. 10 and 11A show a U-shaped insert 80. However, it is understood that any of the insert shapes disclosed herein may be substituted to achieve similar results.

(34) Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the description should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.