US20060035751A1

US20060035751A1 - Pliable Ball Grip Handle with Applications

Info

Publication number: US20060035751A1
Application number: US10/905,146
Authority: US
Inventors: Constance Blair; Joseph LaBoy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-10
Filing date: 2004-12-17
Publication date: 2006-02-16

Abstract

The pliable ball grip handle is a spherical shaped handle which is grasped by at least two fingers and a thumb. The pliable ball grip handle has an attachment for cable machines, fixed resistance equipment and resistance tubing apparatus not including bars and dumbbells. The pliable ball grip handle sufficiently activates the muscles of the fingers and the palm of the hand relieving stress on joints and tendons of the hand, elbow and shoulder. The pliable ball grip handle is attached to cable machines, fixed resistance equipment and resistance tubing apparatus by various means at the end of an accessory strap end of the handle. The pliable ball grip handle applied to resistance tubing simplifies the resistance device as an upper body exercise apparatus.

Description

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise and, more particularly, to a solid pliable spherical shape exercise handle which provides an enhanced grip.

BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Previously the cylindrical handles for exercise apparatus, specifically for resistance apparatus and cable machines, as well as any other fixed resistance equipment, not including bars and dumbbells, create an abundance of stress on joints and tendons of the hand, elbow and shoulder due to insufficient hand grip. Spherical and ball grip handles which were utilized did not sufficiently activate the muscles of the fingers and the palm of the hand. Also employed were handles attached to elastic tubing. These handle types do not sufficiently activate the muscles of the fingers and the palm of the hand. Also, spherical handles which are solid create a static grip with no pliability to activate the muscles of the fingers and the palm of the hand.
In the search for exercise handles which are cylindrical the following was found. U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,416 to Davis issued Feb. 17, 2004, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,961 to Davis issued Dec. 1, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,214 to Riazi issued Sep. 15, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,578 to Ashkonen issued Dec. 31, 1991, D317032 to Eckler issued May 21, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,505 to Tee issued Mar. 20, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,527 to Ledbetter issued Jul. 12, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 3,510,132 to Holkesvick issued May 5, 1970, U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,171 to Oesau issued Nov. 28, 1967, U.S. Pat. No. 3,068,002 to Balne issued Dec. 11, 1962 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,623,671 to Frankenfeld issued Apr. 5, 1927.
In the search for spherical or ball grips the following was found. U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,386 to Muehl issued Nov. 15, 1988 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,730 to Dalton et al. issued Apr. 30, 1974.
Spherical handles which are solid are application 2004/0038784 to Huang, U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,085 to Cole issued Mar. 28, 1972, U.S. Pat. No. 1,638,003 to Neumann issued Aug. 2, 1927, U.S. Pat. No. 712,827 to Maxwell & White issued Nov. 4, 1902, U.S. Pat. No. 359,994 to Brunner issued Mar. 29, 1887.
Handles employed with elastic tubing are U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,494 to Santighian issued Jun. 7, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,734 to Lee et al. issued Apr. 26, 1977 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,204 to Dubach issued Jun. 29, 1976.
Cylindrical handles which are not pliable are U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,532 to Kropp issued Aug. 27, 1996 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,265 to Wieder issued Nov. 22, 1977.
The categories of exercise handles which are cylindrical create an abundance of stress on joints and tendons of the hand, elbow and shoulder due to insufficient hand grip. Non-pliable sphere or ball grips do not sufficiently activate the muscles of the fingers and the palm of the hand. More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,386 are hollow balls which do not have sufficient resistance and are too large which does not sufficiently activate the muscles in the hand. U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,730 is a dome shaped handle with semi spherical top and flat base which is too large to activate the muscles of the hand or fingers. In contrast, the patents which are spherical solid handles create a static grip with no pliability to activate the muscles of the fingers and palm. Handles which were found which are attached to elastic tubing do not sufficiently activate the muscles of the fingers and the palm. It was also found that these handles are too pliable and pinch the sides of the hand when pulled. Cylindrical handles are not pliable and do not sufficiently activate the muscles of the fingers and the palm.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the pliable ball grip handle with applications described in my patent, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
(A) The pliable ball grip handle will improve any exercise by activating the muscles in the fingers and hands which in turn activates all relative muscles for that specific exercise that employ a handle other than a barbell or dumbbell.
(B) The pliable ball grip handle when applied to cable or other fixed resistance equipment, not including barbell and dumbbells, will give the user the same benefit as when the pliable ball grip handle is used with resistance tubing.
(C) The pliable ball grip handle applied to a resistance tubing apparatus simplifies the device as an upper body exercise apparatus enabling use of the body as a fulcrum base for exercising the upper body and arms.
(D) The pliable ball grip handle application with the resistance tubing along with a tubing safety sleeve and a safety cord within the resistance tubing makes a safer apparatus for general use in exercising.
(E) The pliable ball grip handle used with resistance tubing is portable and can be used in minimal space which makes it an ideal exercise companion whether at work, traveling, at home or anywhere in between.
(F) The pliable ball grip handle with resistance tubing can be used for persons at any age or physical ability. Merely gripping the pliable ball grip handle will begin to activate the fingers, in turn strengthening the muscles regardless of repetition.
(G) The pliable ball grip handle with its simplicity and specific muscle targeting benefits is an apparatus that would substantially assist people with upper body physical rehabilitation concerns.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an overall cross sectional view of the pliable ball grip handle 10. FIG. 1 is the inventions preferred embodiment. The circumference of the solid pliable sphere 12 is approximately 5″-7″ in size. It is a closed celled foam rubber material. The strapping 14 is approximately ⅜″ wide and of a strapping 14 material. The strapping 14 is folded in half which creates a grip strap end 15 and an accessory strap end 22. The grip strap end 15 is the two ply strapping 14. This grip strap end 15 is inserted into the solid pliable sphere 12 at the strapping insertion 16 point. It continues through the solid pliable sphere 12 and through the strapping expulsion 18 point. At the strapping expulsion 18 point of the solid pliable sphere 12 the grip strap end 15 is looped in opposite directions coming back over the solid pliable sphere 12 to the strapping insertion 16 point. The strapping 14 is a single ply strap when encircling the solid pliable sphere 12. The grip strap end 15 is then secured together at the strapping insertion 16 point, forming the strapping connection 20. The strapping connection 20 is secured together to the accessory strap end 22 at the strapping insertion 16 point. The accessory strap end 22 loop of the accessory strap end 22 was made when the strap was folded in half. This accessory strap end 22 is available for exercise machine cables, fixed resistance equipment or elastic tubing 24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—Alternative Embodiments

FIG. 2 is an overall cross sectional view of the pliable ball grip handle 10 applied to the elastic tubing 24. FIG. 2 is an additional embodiment of the invention. The accessory strap end 22, as described in FIG. 1, is attached to the elastic tubing 24. The stopper 28 is sandwiched in the accessory strap end 22. The accessory strap end 22 is inserted into the elastic tubing 24. The stopper and tubing crimping device 30 is positioned between the end of elastic tubing 24 and bulge of stopper 28. The stopper 28 creates a bulge in the elastic tubing 24 and is further accentuated by the stopper and tubing crimping device 30 when inserted into the elastic tubing 24. The stopper 28 and the stopper and tubing crimping device 30 are further secured by the elastic reverse overlap tubing 26. The elastic tubing 24 is approximately ¼″ inner diameter×approximately 1/16″ wall thickness and approximately 18″ long. The stopper 28 is of an approximate ¼″ diameter size and pliable. The stopper and tubing crimping device 30 is a comparative heavy duty cotton or nylon thread. The cord 32 is shown in the center of FIG. 2 within the cutout of the elastic tubing 24. The cord 32 is attached to the accessory strap end 22 underneath the stopper 28 prior to insertion into the elastic tubing 24. The cord 32 is a non-elastic material and a predetermined length as described in operation of FIG. 2 below. The sleeve 34 is shown covering the elastic tubing 24. The sleeve 34 covers the entire length of the elastic tubing 24 and is closed by hook and loop or similar fastening device. The sleeve 34 is a cloth or cushioned, pliable, non-elastic material.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the solid pliable sphere 12 and closable pouch 36. FIG. 3 is an additional embodiment of the invention. The closable pouch 36 is a durable material and is approximately 2″-3″ wider than the circumference of the solid pliable sphere 12. The attachment pouch strap 42 is shown attached to the center of the closable pouch 36 along the entire length. The solid pliable sphere 12 is placed in the center of the closable pouch 36 on the attachment pouch strap 42. The pouch belt cutouts 40 are shown equidistantly placed at the edge of the closable pouch 36. The pouch belt cutouts 40 are made by cutting an appropriate size slit in the closable pouch 36 to accommodate the pouch belting mechanism 38. The pouch belting mechanism 38 is shown inserted through the pouch belt cutouts 40. The attachment pouch strap 42 is of a strapping material and approximately 18″ long. The pouch belting mechanism 38 is a thin material and slightly longer than the circumference of the closable pouch 36 with hook and loop or other similar fastening closure.
FIG. 4 is the solid pliable sphere 12 enclosed in closable pouch 36. FIG. 4 is a closed view of the additional embodiment of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows the closable pouch 36 closed by tightening the pouch belting mechanism 38. The attachment pouch strap 42 is shown extending from the closable pouch 36.

OPERATION—Preferred Embodiment

In FIG. 1 the pliable ball grip handle 10 is placed in the users palm and gripped with at least two fingers and a thumb. It is attached by the accessory strap end 22 to the preferred exercise machine cables, fixed resistance equipment or elastic tubing 24. The user grips the pliable ball grip handle 10 and initiates the exercise.
In FIG. 2 the user grips the solid pliable sphere 12 in the palm with at least two fingers and a thumb and grips the opposite solid pliable sphere 12 in the opposite palm in the same manner. Upon separating the pliable spheres and stretching the elastic tubing 24 the stopper 28 is anchored by the stopper and tubing crimping device 30 in the elastic reverse overlap tubing 26 enabling the user to stretch the elastic tubing 24 to achieve resistance. The cord 32 which is attached to accessory strap end 22 is pulled to a specific length with the elastic tubing 24. The cord 32 is a non-pliable material of a predetermined length. The length is determined by stretching the tubing and is approximately between 5′ and 7′. The cord 32 is a non-elastic material and prevents the elastic tubing 24 from overstretching. The cord 32 will prevent separation by relieving stress on the stopper and tubing crimping device 30 and the elastic reverse overlap tubing 26. In the event that the elastic tubing 24 should separate the cord 32 will assure the user that the elastic tubing 24 will travel along the path of the cord 32. The sleeve 34 encloses and is the same length as the elastic tubing 24 when it is not in use. The sleeve 34 is a cloth or cushioned, pliable, non-elastic material and acts as a safety cover to protect the user's body when using the body as a fulcrum base. Also, the sleeve 34 acts as a cover against accidental breakage of the elastic tubing 24 by creating a tunnel preventing the elastic tubing 24 from hitting the body of the user.
In FIG. 3 the solid pliable sphere 12 is placed in the center of the closable pouch 36. For operation, the closable pouch 36 is closed which is shown in FIG. 4.
In FIG. 4 the closable pouch 36 is tightened and closed. The placement of the pouch belt cutouts 40, as shown in FIG. 3, is designed to tighten the closable pouch 36, through the means of the pouch belting mechanism 38, in a circular motion around the edge of the closable pouch 36. The pouch belting mechanism 38 is placed through the pouch belt cutouts 40 and pulled through to bring the pouch belt cutouts 40 together to tighten the end of closable pouch 36 around the solid pliable sphere 12. The pouch belting mechanism 38 is provided with a fastening device such as a hook and loop or other closure device. The fastening device is located at the end of the pouch belting mechanism 38 and upon tightening secures closable pouch 36. The attachment pouch strap 42 extends from the closable pouch 36 for attachment to exercise machine cables, fixed resistance equipment or elastic tubing 24. The user grips the closable pouch 36 in the palm with at least two fingers and a thumb upon initiating exercise.

Claims

1. A pliable ball grip handle for exercising comprising:

means for gripping;

means for securely connecting to solid pliable sphere, securely attached to said means for gripping; and

means for connecting solid pliable sphere to exercise applications, a continuation of said means for securely connecting to solid pliable sphere.

2. The pliable ball grip handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for gripping comprises a solid pliable sphere.

3. The solid pliable sphere of claim 2, wherein said means for gripping having a plurality of colors, a plurality of symbols and a plurality of textured surfaces.

4. The solid pliable sphere of claim 1, wherein said means for gripping having a closable pouch for enclosing solid pliable sphere.

5. The closable pouch of claim 4, wherein said means for enclosing solid pliable sphere having a plurality of colors and symbols on its surface.

6. The closable pouch of claim 4, wherein said means for enclosing solid pliable sphere having an attachment pouch strap for attaching to exercise application.

7. The attachment pouch strap of claim 6, wherein said means for attaching the solid pliable sphere to exercise application having a plurality of colors and symbols on its surface.

8. The pliable ball grip handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for securely connecting to solid pliable sphere comprises a grip strap end.

9. The grip strap end of claim 8, wherein said means for securely connecting to solid pliable sphere having a plurality of colors and a plurality of symbols on its surface.

10. The pliable ball grip handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for connecting solid pliable sphere to exercise applications, a continuation of said means for securely connecting to solid pliable sphere comprises an accessory strap end.

11. The accessory strap end of claim 10, wherein a continuation of said means for securely connecting to solid pliable sphere having a plurality of colors and a plurality of symbols on its surface.

12. A pliable ball grip handle for exercising comprising:

a solid pliable sphere, for gripping;

a grip strap end, for securely connecting to solid pliable sphere, securely attached to said solid pliable sphere;

an accessory strap end, for connecting solid pliable sphere to exercise applications, a continuation of said grip strap end.

13. The pliable ball grip handle as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

an elastic tubing, for connecting to accessory strap end, securely connected to said accessory strap end.

14. The pliable ball grip handle as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

a non-rigid material cord, for preventing the elastic tubing from over extension, securely attached to said accessory strap end.

15. The pliable ball grip handle as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

a sleeve, for enclosing elastic tubing, circularly wrapped along the length to said elastic tubing.

16. The sleeve as recited in claim 15 further comprising: said sleeve having a plurality of colors and symbols on its surface.