Abstract
A set of angled grips for attachment to a weightlifting bar, such as a barbell bar or similar device, in order to provide an optimized gripping surface for a user's hands in terms of increased friction and comfort of the grips, thickness and circumference of the grips, and ergonomic angle of each grip surface relative to the bar.
Claims
1. A barbell grip comprising: a generally cylindrical main body having a longitudinal axis, an internal bore extending through said main body at an angle divergent from said longitudinal axis, a slit sectioning said main body from a first outer surface overlying said internal bore inward to connect with said internal bore, said slit disposed parallel to said longitudinal axis of said main body, and an indicator extending along a second outer surface of said main body and overlying said internal bore to indicate the location and angle of said internal bore relative to said longitudinal axis.
2. The barbell grip of claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises an elongated depression.
3. The barbell grip of claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises an external groove.
4. The barbell grip of claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises a textured surface.
5. The barbell grip of claim 1 further including a second indicator extending along a third outer surface of said main body and overlying said internal bore to indicate the location and angle of said internal bore relative to said longitudinal axis.
6. The barbell grip of claim 1 wherein said main body includes a generally circular first end and an opposing generally circular second end.
7. The barbell grip of claim 6 further including a first end flange extending circumferentially outward from said main body proximate said first end.
8. The barbell grip of claim 7 further including a second end flange extending circumferentially outward from said main body proximate said second end.
9. The barbell grip of claim 6 further including a first exterior end groove located around the circumference of said main body and proximate to and inward of said first end.
10. The barbell grip of claim 6 further including a second exterior end groove located around the circumference of said main body and proximate to and inward of said second end.
11. A set of barbell grips comprising: two generally cylindrical main bodies, each of said main bodies having a longitudinal axis, each of said main bodies having an internal bore extending therethrough at an angle divergent from their respective longitudinal axis, each of said main bodies having a slit sectioning therethrough from an outer surface thereof to their respective internal bore, whereby when said two main bodies are placed side by side with their longitudinal axes aligned and their slits facing the same direction outward, the angles of their internal main bores mirror one another.
12. The set of barbell grips of claim 11 further comprising indicators extending along the outer surfaces of each of said main bodies and overlying said internal bores to indicate the locations and angles of said internal bores relative to said longitudinal axes.
13. The set of barbell grips of claim 12 wherein said indicators comprise external grooves.
14. The set of barbell grips of claim 12 wherein said indicators comprise textured surfaces.
15. A set of barbell grips comprising: two generally cylindrical main bodies, each of said main bodies having a longitudinal axis, each of said main bodies having an internal bore extending therethrough at an angle divergent from their respective longitudinal axis, each of said main bodies having a slit sectioning therethrough from an outer surface thereof to their respective internal bore, whereby when said two main bodies are placed upon a bar, with their internal bores therefore in longitudinal alignment, and their slits facing the same direction outward, the angles of their longitudinal axes relative to said bar mirror one another.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is an enlarged, front, right perspective view of a barbell grip.
(2) FIG. 2 is a front, right perspective view of a pair or set of barbell grips having mirrored symmetry.
(3) FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the barbell grips of FIG. 2, showing a right barbell grip and a left barbell grip having mirrored symmetry.
(4) FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of the barbell grips of FIG. 3.
(5) FIG. 5 is an elevation of the left or distal end of the left barbell grip of FIG. 3.
(6) FIG. 6 is an elevation of the right or proximate end of the left barbell grip of FIG. 3.
(7) FIG. 7 is an elevation of the left or proximate end of the right barbell grip of FIG. 3.
(8) FIG. 8 is an elevation of the right or distal end of the right barbell grip of FIG. 3.
(9) FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the of the barbell grips of FIG. 3.
(10) FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the barbell grips of FIG. 3.
(11) FIG. 11 is an elevation of the barbell grips of FIG. 3 positioned and mounted in mirrored symmetry upon a weightlifting bar.
(12) FIG. 12 is a front, right perspective view an alternative embodiment of a pair of barbell grips having mirrored symmetry.
(13) FIG. 13 is a diagram of two barbell grips mounted upon a weightlifting bar.
(14) FIG. 14 is a cross sectional diagram of a barbell grip 100.
(15) FIG. 15 is a diagram of a rear view of a barbell grip with shading applied to indicate portions of the surface of the barbell grip that overlie the bore.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(16) As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
(17) FIG. 1 is an enlarged, front, right perspective view illustrating components of an embodiment of the barbell grip 100 of the present invention. The Main Body 110 of the barbell grip 100 is substantially cylindrical in shape with a diameter optimized to allow most adults to comfortably and securely wrap their hands at least partially or substantially around the barbell grip 100 when grasping or gripping it for use. Typically, the Main Body 110 has a large enough diameter relative to length so that the Internal Bore 120 can be at a 5 degree or greater angle to the exterior edge (or to the longitudinal axis) of the Main Body 110, with the Internal Bore 120 reaching from one end of the Main Body 110 to the other to present an opening at either end of the Main Body 110.
(18) The increased diameter of the Main Body 110 (in comparison to a barbell or other weightlifting bar) benefits the user by more evenly distributing weight in the hand, engaging more hand and forearm muscles, and encouraging a tighter grasp which engages other muscle groups and stabilizes joints. Note that barbell grips 100 of the present invention are often used in pairs, particularly on elongated bars with weights located proximate the ends of such bars, such as bench press or curling bars (see FIG. 13). Such pairs of barbell grips 100 are typically constructed so as to mirror one another's features, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, for example. While the barbell grips 100 may be used in any position desirable and comfortable to the user, the barbell grips 100 are typically positioned spaced apart upon a bar 125 at approximately shoulder width and in mirrored symmetry relative to one another, as shown in FIG. 11 or 13. It should be appreciated that although sometimes designated herein as right 100a or left 100b barbell grips, for ease and clarity of description when describing a cooperating, matched pair of barbell grips 100, the position of the barbell grips 100 may be reversed for certain uses if desired. It should be further appreciated that barbell grips 100 described herein may be referenced using reference numeral 100 when referred to in general (as earlier in this sentence) or when referring to a single barbell grip 100. When specifically referring to individual barbell grips 100a and 100b in a pair, reference numerals 100a and 100b may be used to distinguish between or otherwise identify the grips.
(19) FIG. 2 is a front, right perspective view of a pair or set of barbell grips 100a and 100b having mirrored symmetry to one another. FIG. 3 is a front elevation showing the right barbell grip 100a and left barbell grip 100b of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of the barbell grips 100a and 100b of FIG. 3.
(20) With further reference to the figures, and in particular the diagram in FIG. 14, the Internal Bore 120 in each barbell grip 100 is oriented at a 5 degree or greater angle to the exterior surface of the Main Body 110 so that the Internal Bore 120 runs diagonally through the Main Body 110 relative to both the exterior surface of the Main Body 110 and to the longitudinal axis of the Main Body 110. FIG. 14 is a cross sectional diagram of a barbell grip 100 illustrating that the Internal Bore longitudinal axis 170 (shown in a dotted line) deviates at angle from the Main Body longitudinal axis 180 (shown in a dashed line). In addition, the Slit 130 (not shown) is substantially coplanar with the Main Body longitudinal axis 180, and is not coplanar with the Internal Bore longitudinal axis 170, typically intersecting with the Internal Bore longitudinal axis 170 only at a point 185 generally midway along such axis 170. The angle of the Internal Bore 120 relative to the Main Body 110 allows the Main Body 110 to be oriented at the same angle to a weightlifting bar 125 (e.g. barbell, curling bar or bench press bar) to allow for a more neutral grip while performing weightlifting exercises, which helps to more naturally align joints to avoid unhealthy pain and stress.
(21) As may be most readily observed in FIGS. 4 and 15, the Slit 130 runs substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the Main Body 110 (and also to the longitudinal axis of the Main Body 110) and from one corner of the Internal Bore 120 on one end (when viewed in cross section), to a diagonally opposing corner of the Internal Bore 120 on the other end. The Slit 130 is oriented to the Internal Bore 120 at an angle so that the Main Body 110 remains securely attached to a bar 125 while in use.
(22) The Exterior Main Groove 140 overlies the Internal Bore 120, and indicates the direction and angle of the Internal Bore 120 so that the user can discern and visualize the location and angle of the Internal Bore 120, and thereby better understand how to attach the barbell grip 100 to the weightlifting equipment to achieve the desired grip angle. Typically, one such Exterior Main Groove 140 is located on each opposite side of the Main Body 110, so that each barbell grip 100 has two Exterior Main Grooves 140 (a first Exterior Main Groove 140a and a second Exterior Main Groove 140b) located on opposing sides of the Main Body 110, each indicating the location and angle of the underlying Internal Bore 120. This disposition of the Exterior Main Grooves 140 allows a user to readily align a barbell grip 100 in a desired and selected location upon a weightlifting bar regardless of the barbell grip 100 orientation. The first Exterior Main Grooves 140a are located on the front of the barbell grips 100, and the second Exterior Main Grooves 140b are located on the rear of the barbell grips 100 and are sectioned by the Slit 130, as shown in FIGS. 3-8. Exterior Main Grooves 140 also add texture to the exterior surface of the Main Body 110, thus reducing the possibility of the user's hand slipping during use of the barbell grip 100. FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the of the barbell grips 100a and 100b of FIG. 3, and FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of these barbell grips.
(23) An End Flange 150 is located on each end of the Main Body 110, and is raised or flared to have a larger diameter than the portion of the Main Body 110 located between the End Flanges 150 (or to have a larger diameter than the average diameter of the Main Body 110), to help ensure that the user's hands remain in place while performing exercises. When the barbell grip 100 is in use, the user's index and pinky fingers will typically rest near or against the inside of each End Flange 150, and often upon the Exterior End Grooves 160 described below. The barbell grips 100 have first End Flanges 150a located at the first, proximate ends 115 and have second End Flanges 150b located at second, distal ends 117, as indicated in FIG. 3.
(24) FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate left and right ends of each of the left 100b and right 100a barbell grips shown in FIGS. 2-4. Each barbell grip 100 comprises a substantially circular first end and an opposing substantially circular second end. For purposes of clarity, and with reference to the orientation shown in FIGS. 2-4, the first ends will be referred to as proximate ends 115 and the second ends will be referred to as distal ends 117, as they are positioned relative to one another in FIGS. 2-4 and also FIGS. 9-11. FIG. 5 is an elevation of the left or distal end 117 of the left barbell grip 100b of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is an elevation of the right or proximate end 115 of the left barbell grip 100b of FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is an elevation of the left or proximate end 115 of the right barbell grip 100a of FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is an elevation of the right or distal end 117 of the right barbell grip 100a of FIG. 3.
(25) Exterior End Grooves 160 are located along the circumference of the Main Body 110 proximate and inward of the End Flanges 150. Exterior End Grooves 160 also help ensure that a user's hands remain in place while performing exercises. When the barbell grip 100 is in use, a portion of the user's index and pinky fingers will typically rest within the Exterior End Grooves 160. The Exterior End Grooves 160 typically wrap all the way around the circumference of the Main Body 110, but in certain embodiments may only partially wrap around the entire circumference or be broken or interrupted by other Main Body 110 structures. The barbell grips 100 have first Exterior End Grooves 160a located inward of the first End Flanges 150a and have second Exterior End Grooves 160b located inward of the second End Flanges 150b, as indicated in FIG. 3.
(26) FIG. 12 is a front, right perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pair of barbell grips 200a and 200b having mirrored symmetry. As shown, the End Flanges 250 of these grips are not flared as are the End Flanges 150 of the previously described embodiment, but rather are of similar or identical diameter to a substantial portion of the rest of the Main Body of these grips 200a and 200b.
(27) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing two barbell grips 100 (shown in solid lines) attached in spaced apart arrangement upon a weightlifting bar 125 having a plate weight 127 mounted on either end (shown in phantom lines). As shown, the barbell grips 100 are not identical but have mirrored horizontal symmetry, whereby, although the Internal Bore 120 is not visible in this figure, its position (and the position of the barbell grips 100 upon the bar 125) is clearly indicated by the Exterior Main Grooves 140. By mirrored horizontal symmetry, the inventor means that two paired barbell grips 100 typically have mirrored features relative to one another if viewed next to one another and positioned so that the barbell grip 100 longitudinal axes are aligned horizontally and with one another.
(28) As shown in FIG. 15, sections of the Main Body 110 of the grip 100 that overlie the Internal Bore 120 and are separated from one another by the Slit 130 may be described as flaps 190 that cooperate to cover a bar held within the Bore 120. Because of the novel design of the flaps 190, which further distinguishes the grip 100 from the prior art, a portion of each flap extends to cover a substantial width of a bar 125 held within the Bore 120, and often covers in excess of the radius of the bar 125 (which is typically closely approximate to the radius of the Bore 120). Because the Slit 130 traverses (transits/extends) over the Bore 120 and bar 125 at angle to the longitudinal axis of each, which creates these flaps 190 having more extended coverage of the underlying surface of the bar, a system is created that locks the barbell grip 100 to the bar 125 whether the barbell grip 100 is positioned with the flaps 190 covered by the palm of the user's hand or (more typically) by the fingers of the user.
(29) It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable equivalents thereof.
