EP0544935A1

EP0544935A1 - Grip handle for sport and physical exercise implements

Info

Publication number: EP0544935A1
Application number: EP91120767A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shaul Oren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-12-03
Filing date: 1991-12-03
Publication date: 1993-06-09

Abstract

There is proposed the provision of a grip handle for sport- and physical exercise implements which enables a person to maintain a certain freedom of manual movement at the time of firmly grasping and holding to the handle grips of the equipment provided for sportive activity and physical exercise. The handle grip comprises a hoop member (3) which is positioned in the bend of a bow- or similarly shaped element (1). The hoop is revolvable in the bow shaped element and has a diametrically extending grip rod (6) which is freely movable in the plane of the hoop.

Description

The present invention relates to a grip handle for certain sport implements and sport machines. More particularly the invention concerns such a grip which is part of and is connected to implements or certain machines for the performance of light athletic exercises in the course of which the exercising person takes hold and firmly grips with one or both hands a part, such as e.g. a hoop or ring which is in a suspended manner hanging from a fixed element, such as the ceiling of a room or a beam or girder extending horizontally at an elevated level. In the performance of such athletics or when using like implements or apparatus,the exercising person while gripping the said suspended hoop or ring or other parts whereat like conditions are present,has to perform a variety of movements with her or his hands turning the hand about the joint between the hand proper and the lowermost part of the arm. These movements are difficult to a certain degree when the generally known suspended hoop or rings or similar elements are used.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a grip assembly at the use of which an exercising person can firmly grip and hold a hand grip while at the same time having a sufficient degree of freedom of hand movement as is required by a specific exercise.
The said object is obtainable by the use of a hand grip according to the invention. The new hand grip comprises an allround closed circular hoop member which is held within the confines of a bow-shaped or similarl element revolvably about its diametrical axis, a diametrical grip rod extending within the said hoop member and being attached thereto.
According to a further feature of the invention, the said diametrical rod is held at both of its end in a circumferential groove at the inner circumference of the hoop shaped member.
According to an alternative embodiment the two ends of the diametrically extending rod are formed bifurcatedly and straddle with the so formed ends the body of the hoop shaped member.
These and further features of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description which has reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the new grip handle assembly in an elevational view.
Figs. 1a and 1b being fractional, sectional views of the ends of the said diametrical grip rod in connection with the said circular hoop.
Fig. 2 is a partly perspective view of the new grip assembly, seen from a different angle.
Figs. 3-5 are schematical views of the new grip assembly for use with different implements,

Turning first to Fig. 1, there is shown the new grip handle assembly comprising an outer bow shaped member 1 within the confines of which is located a circular hoop 3. The bow 1 and the hoop 3 fit into each other permitting revolution of the hoop within the bow. The bow 1 has at both of its end pins 2 which are directed towards the centre of the respective circle.
Within hoop 3 extends diametrically a handle grip rod 6 which is interconnected with hoop 3 in one of the ways shown in Figs. 1a or 1b; as seen in Fig. 1a the ends of rod 6 have a slightly curved flange 6' and a tooth 6'' which latter enters a circumferential groove 4 at the inner circumference of hoop 3. The second possibility of interconnection of rod 6 with the hoop 3 is seen in Fig. 1b. The ends of rod 6 are bifurcated and form a fork 6a which with it curved times embraces the profile of hoop 3. In both cases the rod 6 can be moved within hoop 3, always remaining in diametrical relation with the hoop.
As can be gathered by a glance at Fig, 2, the hoop 3 can revolve within the bow 1 about an axis extending between the two pins 2. Further rod 6 can freely move,within hoop 3, though always maintaining its diametrical position in relation thereto.
All movements of both the hoop 3 as well as of rod 6 are possible while the whole assembly of the grip handle is with its major extension in the vertical or in the horizontal plane or in any other plane intermediate the vertical and the horizontal.
Some practical examples of use of the new grip assembly are shown in Figs. 3-5.
In the example of Fig. 3 it is assumed that the whole exercising means is suspended by a cable (not shown) from a point at an elevated level, say the ceiling of a physical exercise room. The arrangement comprises two devices 0 which each include the parts shown in and described in connection with Fig. 1. The two devices 0 are connected with one another by a rigid or flexible connector 7. From each of the bows in each of devices 0 extends a bar 9 which near to its connection with the bow carries a collar 8 the purpose of which will be described. Onto each bar 9 are slid one or more weights, being of the well known type of discs with a central hole. It is assumed that the whole arrangement is fixedly connected to the above mentioned cable at the middle of connector 7. The cable is led over a pulley located above and is weighted at its free end by a load of whatever kind, preventing it from slipping away from the pulley over which it is led. The number of weights on bars 9 is prevented from knocking against the bow of the assembly by the collar 8. The exerciser grips the rods which extend in the hoops and performs prescribed exercising movements with both arms, activating muscle force against the bias of weights on bars 9.
According to Fig. 4 the two handle grips 0 are also suspended from a cable or chain attached to a connecting bar 10 at a point 11. Here again the exerciser grips the rod extending within the hoop and performs the prescribed movements, possibly hanging from the grip handles 0.
In the example of Fig. 5 the grip handle assemblies are also designed by 0 and are interconnected by plate 12, which in turn is attached at 13 to a device or apparatus for physical exercising, The exercising person grips the two assemblies 0 with both hands and performs the prescribed movements.
It can easily be understood that while gripping the hand grips 0 and performing whatever movements, these movements will be facilitated and follows the movements and turns of the exercising person's hands with the hoop 3 (Fig. 1) turning about the axis between pins 2 and the bar 6 (Figs. 1 and 2) assuming any one of diametrical positions within the hoop 3.

Claims

A grip handle for use with sport- and athletic implements or machines comprising an allround closed circular hoop member which is held within the confines of a bow or similarly shaped element revolvably about its diametrical axis, a diametrical grip rod extending within the said hoop member and being attached thereto.
The grip handle claimed in claim 1, wherein the two ends of the diametrically extending rod are formed bifurcatedly and straddle with the so formed ends the body of the hoop shaped member.
The grip handle claimed in claim 1, wherein the ends of the said diametrical rod are bifurcated and form a fork which with it curved tines embraces the profile of the hoop.
The grip handle claimed in claim 1, characterised thereby that the circular hoop has a circumferential groove in its outer circumference in which groove enter two pins at inner side of and at the two free ends of the bow shaped member.
Sport- and physical exercise implements or machines whenever equipped with grip handles claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
Grip handle for sport- and physical exercise implements or machines, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the annexed drawings.