A HANDLE FOR AN EXERCISE DEVICE

Abstract: A handle for an exercise device, comprising a rod (1) and two-branch forks (2) at the ends of the rod. The branches (6, 7) of the fork are interconnected with a rod (3). The branches (6, 7) of the fork and the rod (3) form handles suitable for the different movements of the exercise device. The bent rod (1) also forms gripping handles for the different movements. The rod (1) is fixed to the exercise device by means of a sleeve (4) positioned in the middle of the rod, the rod being rotatable within said sleeve around the longitudinal axis thereof.

Description: A handle for an exercise device The invention relates to a handle with five different gripping alternatives. When training with gymnasium devices, the ex¬ erciser can use various handles which enable the per¬ formance of different movements. When the exercising movement is changed, the handle also has to be re¬ placed with one suited for the purpose. The degree of use of some handles may be very low, whereas others may be in constant use. The biggest drawback of prior handles is that they are mostly suited for the performance of a single movement, and when another movement is to be per- formed, the handle has to be changed as well. In most cases, the changing of the handle is relatively com¬ plicated and slow. When two persons exercise by turns with the same device, both using different handles, the constant changing of the handles makes the train- ing very inconvenient and slow. In addition, it is necessary to purchase plenty of different kinds of handles which for a major part of the time are out of use in a handle rack. The device according to the invention provides a decisive improvement with respect to the above draw¬ backs. For the achievement thereof, the device accord¬ ing to the invention is characterized by the disclos¬ ure of the characterizing portion of claim 1. The most important advantage of the invention is that various movements can be performed with one and the same handle. The handle need not be replaced when the movement is changed. Training by turns works well and no undesired breaks are left therebetween. Expensive handles are not kept out of use in a rack. In the following the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawing, wherein Figure 1 shows the handle as seen from the side of an end fork, and Figure 2 shows the handle as seen from the top of the fork. The mid portion of the handle according to the invention is formed by a rod 1 in the middle of which there is provided a sleeve 4. The rod 1 is rotatable around the longitudinal axis thereof within the sleeve 4. The sleeve is provided with a loop or the like 5 by means of which it is fastened to the exercise device. The rod 1 may be straight or so bent that it defines a similar wide angle opening in the same direction on both sides of the sleeve. Both ends of the rod are provided with two- branch fork-like parts 2 the branches 6 and 7 of which are interconnected by a rod 3. The branches 6, 7 of the fork form gripping handles for the different ove- ments. The branches 6 of the fork are positioned on the same side of the rod 1 and the direction thereof defines an oblique angle with respect to the longitu¬ dinal axis of the rod 1. The other branches 7 are positioned on the opposite side of the rod substan¬ tially in parallel with the rod 1. The rod 3 intercon¬ necting the branches is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod 1. The handle is primarily suited for the upper tackle, whereby the end fork and the transverse rod provided therein form gripping handles which are to be pulled so that the rod is rotated to the right posi¬ tion within the suspension sleeve. The straight or bent rod in the middle is suitable for the training of extensors in the upper tackle and for the training of flexors in the lower tackle. The handle according to the invention enables a versatile training of the muscles of the shoulder area, back, and arms with one and the same device.

Claims: Claims : 1. A handle for an exercise device, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the handle comprises a rod (1) in the middle of which there is a sleeve (4) pro¬ vided with a fixing loop or the like (5) so that the rod (1) is rotatable around the longitudinal axis thereof within the sleeve (4); and two-branch fork¬ like parts (2) at the ends of the rod, the branches (6, 7) of said part (2) being interconnected by rods (3). 2. A handle according to claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the branches (6, 7) of the fork form handles on the opposite sides of the rod (1) . 3. A handle according to claim 2, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that one branch (7) of the fork (2) is substantially parallel to the rod (1) and the other (6) defines an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod (1) , the rod (3) inter- connecting the branches being substantially perpen¬ dicular to the rod (1) . 4. A handle according to claim 3, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the branches (7) of the fork (2) parallel to the rod are positioned on the same side of the rod and the other branches (6) on the op¬ posite side. 5. A handle according to claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the rod (1) is so bent that it defines an angle opening in the same direction on both sides of the sleeve.

Inventors: ASKONEN ARTO AATOS, ASKONEN, ARTO, AATOS
Applicants: ASKONEN ARTO AATOS, ASKONEN, ARTO, AATOS
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A63B21
IPC codes: A63B21, A63B23