Patent Application
20250001241
The present invention relates generally to the field of barbell grip devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel barbell grip device that enables users to use different grips during exercises safely. In one embodiment, the device has ball bearings to slide along a length of the barbell and a resistance band can be attached to the grip for stability. In other embodiments, the device is designed for a suicide grip and includes a thumb portion having an opening for accommodating thumb. The device enables users to use unorthodox grips during exercises. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, barbell exercises are strength training exercises that involve the use of a barbell. A barbell is a long metal bar with weighted plates selectively and cumulatively attached to both ends. Barbell exercises are commonly used in weightlifting, powerlifting, and general strength training as users can lift heavier weights and engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Conventionally, individuals use different types of grips such as suicide grips and standard grips while doing barbell exercises.
A suicide grip, also referred to as thumbless grip, is a grip style where the thumb is placed on the same side of the barbell or dumbbell as the rest of the fingers, rather than wrapping the thumb around the bar. This grip reduces the ability to secure the weight in the hand and is therefore risky. Individuals who prefer using suicide grips desire a grip device that can improve the gripping force and reduce bar slips and roll out.
The standard grip, also known as the closed grip, is the traditional and safer way of gripping a barbell or dumbbell. In this grip, all fingers wrap around the bar, and the thumb is positioned on the opposite or opposing side of the other fingers. Individuals who use standard grips face less muscle contraction and may find standard grips boring. Such individuals desire grip devices that improve contraction and enable improved standard grips.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a barbell grip device that enables users to better grip a barbell during workout. There is also a long felt need in the art for a barbell grip device that enables a user to obtain better muscle contraction while pressing. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a barbell grip device that can be used with a suicide grip and a standard grip. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a barbell grip device that enables users to hold barbells for different exercises and at different positions. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a barbell grip device that enables a user to utilize unorthodox grips while barbell pressing.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a barbell grip device. The barbell grip device fits around a barbell rod, enabling users to better grip the barbell and provide improved muscle contraction. In one embodiment, the device includes two symmetrical portions, each portion is generally semicircular to wrap around the barbell for providing a secure grip during exercises like the chest press. The device contains ball bearings enabling easy sliding of the grip along the barbell and enabling users to adjust their hand positions smoothly without sticking or jerking. The barbell grip device is secured using a resistance band, wherein the resistance band is fastened to the grip device and a stopper. The stopper is removably placed near the end of the barbell rod. In another embodiment, the device is used for the suicide grip and has a thumb portion for accommodating thumb to improve the suicide grip.
In this manner, the barbell grip device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a barbell grip device that enables a user to obtain better muscle contraction and improved grip. The device, in one embodiment, can slide along a barbell and can be stabilized using a resistance band. In another embodiment, the device enables a user to safely press a barbell in a thumb-less grip and can be wrapped and tightened around the bar. The grip receives the fingers and thumb of a user such that the barbell cannot fall out of the hand of the user during use.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a barbell grip device. The barbell grip device fits around a barbell rod, enabling users to better grip the barbell and provide improved muscle contraction. The device includes two symmetrical portions which are joined along a common longitudinal edge. Each portion is semicircular to wrap around the barbell, providing a secure grip during exercises like the chest press. The device contains ball bearings enabling easy sliding of the grip along the barbell and enabling users to adjust their hand positions smoothly without sticking or jerking. The barbell grip device is secured using a resistance band, wherein the resistance band is fastened to the grip device and a stopper. The stopper is removably placed near the end of the barbell rod. The grip device can be used for performing exercise in both the standard grip position and the suicide grip position for improved contraction of muscles.
In yet another embodiment, the grip is designed for comfortable use and is made from durable, non-slip materials like rubber or silicone.
In another aspect of the present invention, a suicide grip device is disclosed. The suicide grip device is placed on a barbell to provide an improved suicide grip. The device includes an interconnected overbar portion and an underbar portion, the portions are interconnected at a common longitudinal edge, the overbar portion is configured to rest on a top of the barbell, while the underbar portion sits at a bottom of the barbell during use for a suicide grip. The grip device features a finger opening in the overbar portion and a symmetrical finger opening in the underbar portion for providing ergonomic support for the user's fingers during the suicide grip used for holding the barbell. The device has a thumb support portion that extends from the overbar portion and emulates the anatomy of a human thumb, the thumb support portion has a thumb opening to accommodate the thumb during the suicide grip.
A grip device for providing improved suicide grip of a barbell during a pressing exercise is disclosed. The grip device is wrapped and tightened around the barbell and includes a first portion positioned on top of the barbell and an interconnected second portion positioned at bottom of the barbell, both the portions contain a finger opening, a thumb portion extends from the first portion, wherein during use, fingers are passed through the finger opening of the second portion and then through the finger opening of the first portion to grip the barbell. The thumb is passed through a thumb opening disposed in the thumb portion for providing support to the thumb in the suicide grip to form a closed loop in the suicide grip.
The grip device of the present invention can be made in different sizes and colors. Further, the device comes in different forms and can be used for different grips during pressing exercises. The devices reduce chances of slipping of barbell and eliminates any injury due to weak grips.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a barbell grip device that enables users to better grip a barbell during workout. There is also a long felt need in the art for a barbell grip device that enables a user to obtain better muscle contraction while pressing. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a barbell grip device that can be used with a the suicide grip and the standard grip. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a barbell grip device that enables users to hold barbells for different exercises and at different positions. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a barbell grip device that enables a user to utilize unorthodox grips while barbell pressing.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a suicide grip device. The suicide grip device is placed on a barbell to provide an improved suicide grip. The device includes an interconnected overbar portion and an underbar portion, the portions are interconnected at a common longitudinal edge, the overbar portion is configured to rest on top of the barbell, while the underbar portion sits at the bottom of the barbell during use for a suicide grip. The grip device features a finger opening in the overbar portion and a symmetrical finger opening in the underbar portion for providing ergonomic support for the user's fingers during the suicide grip used for holding the barbell. The device has a thumb support portion that extends from the overbar portion and emulates the anatomy of a human thumb, the thumb support portion has a thumb opening to accommodate the thumb during the suicide grip.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The first portion 104 includes a plurality of ball bearings 110 positioned between the free edge 112 and the common longitudinal edge 108 and across width of the first portion 104. The ball bearings 110 can be positioned in different sets 114 and the second portion 106 includes a plurality of corresponding ball bearing 116 positioned between the free edge 118 and the common longitudinal edge 108. The ball bearings 110, 116 enable the grip 100 to easily slide along a barbell for enabling an exerciser to position the hand grip 100 as per their preferences. The ball bearings 110, 116 make it easier for the user to adjust their hand positions during the bench press movement without experiencing any sticking or jerking.
The grip 100 is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of an exerciser's hand and the grips are typically made from durable and non-slip materials such as rubber, silicone and more to ensure a secure hold during the exercise. The two pieces 104, 106 are fastened together using clips or other fasteners at the opposite ends 120, 122 of the grip 100. The first ends 124, 126 of the portions 104, 106, respectively are fastened together and the second ends 128, 130 of the portions 104, 106 are fastened together. The grips in assembled or fastened position circumscribe and adheres to a portion of the barbell for providing an effective grip to an exerciser.
For providing additional variable resistance to the workout such as bench press exercise, a resistance band 132 as described in
The grips 100 are configured to slide laterally along length of the barbell 202 and a pair of stoppers 204, 206 are removably placed near the opposite ends 208, 210 of the barbell 202. The stoppers 204, 206 can be in the form of bar clips and enable to stop the movement of the grips 100 beyond them. The position of the stoppers 204, 206 can be changed as per preferences of an exercising user. The ball bearings of the grips enable the grips to easily slide along the barbell 202 without requiring the user to exert much effort.
An individual resistance band is used with each grip for providing the dual function of stabilizing the grip and providing additional variable resistance during workout. As illustrated, the resistance band 132 is used with the first grip 100 and the first end 134 of the band 132 is fastened to the grip 100 using a hook 212. The opposite end 136 of the band 132 is fastened to the stopper 204 thus, the band 132 helps in controlling lateral movement of the grip 100 during workout. Similarly, the first end 140 of the second resistance band 138 is fastened to the grip 102b using a second hook 214. The opposite end 142 of the band 138 is fastened to the stopper 206.
A finger opening 508 is disposed in the overbar portion 502 and a grip portion 510 is formed for supporting fingers of an exercising user. Similarly, a symmetrical finger opening 512 is disposed in the underbar portion 504. For supporting the thumb during the suicide grip of holding a barbell, a thumb support portion 514 extends from the overbar portion 502 and has a thumb opening 516 for accommodating the thumb. The thumb support portion 514 is designed to resemble anatomy of a thumb of a human for providing adequate support to the thumb while holding the barbell in a suicide grip.
The thumb portion 514 is integrated to the overbar portion 502 and extends laterally outwards therefrom. The suicide grip device 500 has a size that conforms to a normal user hand for effective grip without slipping and sliding. Further, the grip device 500 can be made in different colors and can have designs and logo.
During use on a barbell, the device 500 is positioned with the common edge 506 adheres and sits on the barbell with the overbar portion 502 positioned on top of the barbell (a portion of the barbell facing away from an exercising user doing chest press exercise) and the underbar portion 504 touches the bottom of the barbell as illustrated in
It should be noted that the devices 100, 500 of the present invention can be used for performing different types of barbell exercises including but not limited to barbell squat, barbell deadlift, barbell bent-over row, barbell shoulder press, and more.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “barbell grip device”, “grip device”, “grip”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the barbell grip device 100 of the present invention. Similarly, as used herein “barbell grip device”, “suicide grip device”, “grip device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the suicide grip device 500 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the barbell grip device 100 and the suicide grip device 500 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the barbell grip device 100 and the suicide grip device 500 as shown in the
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/523,462, which was filed on Jun. 27, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63523462 | Jun 2023 | US |
