Abstract:
A handle for a swing-type exercising device has an adjustable shaft extender connectable to a resistance as the handle is swung for exercise purposes. The handle can also have an offset extension that allows a resistance to apply a torque force to the handle shaft as a swing approaches a hitting region. Split grips on the handle can be independently adjustable for rotation or non-rotation relative to the handle shaft so that resistance to the torque can be assigned to different hands holding the independent grips.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   Many exercises involve moving a handle connected to an exercising resistance. In some cases, it is possible to vary the effort required to move the handle by extending from the handle a variable length of a handle shaft connected to the exercising resistance. An example of this is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,184, as applied to a swing exerciser that can be used by golfers. 
   The invention of this application adds exercisingly significant features to a handle for a swing exerciser. It makes the handle more effective in exercising the many muscles involved in a swing and also improves on the convenience and effectiveness of adjusting a handle to meet different exercise purposes. 
   SUMMARY 
   One feature that the invention adds to an exercising handle is a torque force to be resisted. The same resistance that works against the swing of the handle can also apply a torque that the person gripping the handle must overcome during the swing. The torque force is also preferably made variable. A preferred way of establishing the torque force is to connect the swing resistance to a position laterally offset from an axis of the handle shaft in a direction transverse to the swing as the swing approaches a hitting region. This tends to rotate the handle shaft, which the grip of the exerciser must overcome during a swing. The amount of the offset connection of the swing resistance can be varied to adjust the torque applied to the handle shaft during a swing. 
   The invention also adds a rotationally split grip to the handle and makes independent hand grips separately connectable rotationally to the handle shaft. One of the grips can be fixed to the handle shaft and the other grip made rotatable relative to the handle shaft so that one hand of the exerciser must work alone in overcoming the torque resistance. Preferably, both grips can also be rotationally locked to the handle shaft so that both hands can cooperate in overcoming the torque resistance. 
   The combination of features involving an extendible handle shaft, an offset resistance connection, and split and rotationally adjustable right and left hand grips allows the handle to perform several important exercising purposes in developing a swing for a sport such as golf. The invention is not limited to golf swing exercising, though, and can be applied to the swing of a hockey stick, baseball bat, polo mallet, etc. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  schematically shows a preferred embodiment of the inventive exercise extension handle; 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  schematically show partially cut-away views of a preferred embodiment of a locking collar shown in a locking position in  FIG. 2  and in an unlocking position in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partially schematic cross-sectional view, taken along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exercising handle having an extendible handle shaft with an axially offset connection to an exercising resistance to combine handle torque with swing resistance. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the handle shaft of  FIG. 5  taken along the line  6 - 6  thereof, and adding a ring for an offset connection to a resistance. 
       FIG. 7  is a fragmentary view of a handle shaft showing a preferred angularly adjustable offset connector. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a handle shaft and its extended axis, with an angularly adjustable offset connector establishing vectors representing variable amounts of offset torque. 
       FIGS. 9-11  are partially schematic views of a split grip handle showing a rotatable forward grip and a fixed rear grip in  FIG. 9 , a fixed forward grip and a rotatable rear grip in  FIG. 10 , and fixed forward and rear grips in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  are partially schematic and partially sectioned views of a forward grip and its adjuster showing a rotatable grip position in  FIG. 12  and a non-rotatable grip position in  FIG. 13 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Exercise handle  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a grippable handle  20 , a locking collar  30 , an extendible shaft element  40 , and a connector  50  to which one or more exercising resistances can be connected. Two such exercising resistances are shown schematically in  FIG. 1  by vector arrows  51  and  52  extending from connector  50 . Exercising handle  10  can be moved through a curved path to simulate a golf swing, or with different curved paths, handle  10  can simulate movement of a hockey stick, tennis racket, baseball bat, lacrosse stick, paddle ball racket, axe, etc. Curved lines  11  and  12  schematically illustrate the families of possible movements for handle  10 . 
   When an exercising resistance such as  51  or  52  is applied at a distance from handle  20  then effort must be applied to handle  20  in proportion to the distance between handle  20  and connector  50 . Extending this distance can increase the muscular effort needed to move the handle through the desired path, so that varying the extension of element  40  influences the muscles involved in the swing and the amount of effort required and thereby adjusts the handle to meet the exerciser&#39;s needs. In effect, varying the extension of shaft  40  changes a moment arm applied to handle  20  to work against the exercising resistance. 
   As shown by double headed arrow  31 , locking element  30  is preferably movable toward and away from handle  20  for respectively unlocking and locking the extension distance of element  40 . This allows a hand gripping handle  20  to pull or hold locking collar  30  in an unlocked position as shown in  FIG. 3  while the extension of handle shaft  40  is adjusted with another hand. Release of locking collar  30  preferably moves it away from handle  20  to a locking position shown in  FIG. 2 , but this motion can be reversed. 
   A schematically shown spring  32  is preferably contained within locking collar  30  and arranged to bias locking collar  30  to the locking position shown in  FIG. 2 . This moves a smaller diameter collar region  33  over locking balls  60  to hold or trap them within one of the grooves or detents  41  that are arranged along the length of extendible element  40 . When locking collar  30  is pulled or held toward handle  20 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , spring  32  compresses, and a larger diameter region  34  moves over locking balls  60  to release the balls from a groove  41 . This allows element  40  to be moved inward or outward to a desired extended position, as shown by the double headed arrow  42  in  FIG. 3 . 
   A sleeve  21  extends from handle  20  into locking collar  30  where sleeve  21  connects to ball cage  35  that loosely carries locking balls  60 . Ball cage  35  can also be formed as part of steeve  21 . The balls  60  are held in groove  41  of element  40  by the constraint exerted by the smaller diameter region  33  of collar  30 . A pair of cross bores  36  through ball cage  35  forms loose retaining pockets for balls  60 . These are free to move radially when released under larger diameter region  34  of locking collar  30 , and to move back into a groove  41  when required by the pressure of spring  32  and the reduced diameter region  33  of locking collar  30 . 
   In operation, a hand gripping handle  20  can use a thumb to pull locking collar  30  from the locked position illustrated in  FIG. 2  to the unlocked position illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Then another hand can move extension element  40  inward or outward to approach a desired extended position whereupon locking collar  30  can be released so that locking balls  60  will fall into the next groove  41  that they encounter along the axial movement of extendible element  40 . This locks element  40  in that extended position for exercise purposes. 
   The ball lock mechanism shown in  FIGS. 2-4  allows extendible element  40  to rotate relative to handle  20 , sleeve  21 , and locking collar  30 . This is possible because balls  60  are free to rotate around a groove  41  in which they are trapped. Leaving extension element  40  free to rotate relative to handle  20  simplifies the possible connections of resistance elements to connector  50 . Handle  20  can turn or change orientation as it moves through the path of an exercise swing, and while this is occurring, connector  50  can remain oriented or aimed in the direction of the exercising resistance to prevent any tangling or winding of exercising cords. Connector  50  can be the simple eye-ring illustrated, or can be made in many other ways such as holes, hooks, pins, and clamps. Exercising resistances can involve one or more cords or cables attached to connector  50 , and this can be accomplished with simple clips, hooks, rings, or pins. Freedom of choice in such connections is enhanced by the rotatable capacity of extension element  40 . 
   It is also possible, and even preferred for some exercising purposes, to make extendible handle shaft  40   a  non-rotatable relative to handle  20 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . This can take advantage of an axially offset connection of a resistance element to handle shaft  40   a  to provide a torque force tending to rotate shaft  40   a  and handle  20 . This torque force can then be overcome by-hands gripping handle  20  for exercising purposes. Such a torque-producing resistance connection is offset from an axis  46  of handle shaft  40   a , as shown in  FIG. 8 , and preferably the amount of the axial offset is variable and adjustable. The axial offset is also oriented transverse to a swing motion so that the offset distance to a resistance provides a moment arm applying torque to shaft  40   a  as a swing progresses. 
   One simple expedient, as shown in  FIG. 5  is an angularly offset projection or extension  70  that angles away from the longitudinal axis of shaft  40   a . This can be similar to the way a golf club head angles from a golf club shaft or the way a blade of a hockey stick angles away from its shaft. An exerciser can then keep offset extension  70  aligned transversely of a swing path in the same way that a golf club head should be transverse to the swing of a golf club shaft so that extension  70  is perpendicular to the direction of a hit at the bottom center of a swing. 
   Making extension shaft  40   a  non-rotatable relative to handle  20  can be done by making shaft  40   a  non-circular in cross-section, and forming locking collar  30   a  with a mating non-circular configuration. A simple way to accomplish this is by forming a flat  62  or a pair of opposing flats  62  on extendible shaft  40   a . Locking collar  30   a  can then have corresponding flats engaging surfaces  62  and can use two balls, rather than four balls, to lock in grooves  41 . 
   A resistance  71  connected to offset extension  70  can resist swing movement and also require an exerciser&#39;s hands to hold handle  20  and extendible element  40   a  against rotational torque. This can strengthen the muscles involved in resisting shaft torque and can improve an exerciser&#39;s swing. 
   The amount of offset that extension  70  provides from the longitudinal shaft axis of extendible element  40   a  is preferably adjustable. One simple way to accomplish this is with a series of holes  72  spaced at different distances from the axis of shaft element  40   a  so that exercising resistance  71  can be connected to any one of the holes. A ring  75  is shown as another form of connector in  FIG. 6 , but connectors can also be hooks, snap hooks, clevises, etc. Generally, the farther the resistance connection is from the shaft axis, the longer is the torque moment arm, and the more torque is applied to the handle shaft during an exercising swing. Since swing resistance applied to handle  20  is preferably variable, independent adjustment of offset torque resistance adds much versatility. Swing resistance can be made heavy while torque resistance is light or vice versa, to train the muscles that need strengthening to optimize a swing. 
   Another way of adjusting the offset of an element  70   a  by angular adjustment is shown in  FIG. 7 . Offset  70   a  can have a single connecting hole  73  near its distal end, and can be angularly adjustable on shaft  40   a  as shown by the broken line positions of element  70   a . Any desired angle for offset element  70   a  can be set by screw  74  or a clamp mechanism preferably arranged at the pivot axis of element  70   a.    
   The way angularly adjustable offset  70   a  varies the torque resistance  80  applied to extendible element  40   a  is illustrated in the vector diagram of  FIG. 8 . When offset  70   a  is nearly aligned with shaft axis  46 , a small vector  47 , and a correspondingly small moment arm, represents the torque applied from a resistance, and when the offset angle moves  70   a  farther from axis  46 , a larger vector  48 , and a correspondingly larger moment arm, represents an increased torque resistance. 
   A golfer or other exerciser who wishes to develop a torque-resistant grip on handle  20  can vary the distance that a resistance is spaced from shaft axis  46 , either by angularly adjusting element  70   a , or by using different connector positions of a fixed angular offset  70 . The exerciser can then work against weaker or stronger torque resistance to strengthen the muscles needed to hold handle  20  and shaft  40   a  in the correct orientation as a swing passes through a hitting region. The axially offset resistance connection can also be reversed between a connection above shaft  40   a  and a connection below shaft  40   a  to develop different sets of torque-resistant muscles. When a resistance is connected above shaft  40   a , the torque to be resisted is exerted clockwise on shaft  40   a  from the point of view of the exerciser. When handle  20  and shaft  40   a  are inverted so that an offset resistance connection is below shaft  40   a , then the torque to be resisted is counterclockwise from the point of view of the exerciser. 
   Torque resistance offered by offset extension  70  and  70   a , as shown in  FIGS. 5-8  can be exploited with split grip handles  90  as shown in  FIGS. 9-13 . Each split grip handle has a pair of independently adjustable grips  91  and  92  usable by the right and left hands, depending on whether an exerciser is right-handed or left-handed. Each grip has a corresponding grip adjustment sleeve  93  and  94  that allows each grip to be either rotationally fixed to handle shaft  95  or allowed to rotate relative to handle shaft  95 . 
   In the condition shown in  FIG. 9 , adjuster  94  has freed handle grip  92  to rotate in either direction, as indicated by the double headed arrow  96 , relative to handle shaft  95 . The opposite adjustment is shown in  FIG. 10 , where handle adjuster  93  is positioned to free grip  91  for rotating in either direction, as indicated by arrow  96 . In  FIG. 11 , both grip adjusters  93  and  94  are positioned to fix each of the grips  91  and  92  so that neither are rotatable relative to handle shaft  95 . The grip adjustments of  FIGS. 9 and 10  can be made to require one of the hand grips to resist the rotational torque of a resistance while the other grip, by being rotationally loosened, is unable to resist rotational torque. This can strengthen the hand that holds the non-rotating grip and force it to do rotation-resisting work during an exercising swing. The adjustment of  FIG. 11  allows both hands to work together for overcoming rotational torque, because both grips  91  and  92  are rotationally fixed on shaft  95 . In such a condition, handle  90  becomes a conventional handle allowing both hands to resist any rotational torque that is applied. Another possible adjustment is for both adjusters  93  and  94  to loosen their respective grips  91  and  92  rotationally on shaft  95 . This is not useful for overcoming rotational torque, but it can be used for an exerciser who does not want rotational resistance mixed in with swing resistance. 
   A preferred way of operating grip adjusters  93  and  94  is shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  relative to adjuster  94 . A similar arrangement can be made for the other end of handle  90  for grip adjuster  93 . Grip  92  is arranged on a sleeve  82  that is rotatable around handle shaft  95 , and a non-circular element, such as hex nut  83  is fixed to sleeve  82 . A similar hex nut  84  is fixed to shaft  95 , and adjuster  94  can be a cup shaped like a wrench socket that is movable axially to fit over hex nuts  83  and  84 . Cup or socket  94  preferably contains an O-ring  85  providing frictional resistance that holds adjuster  94  in either of the axially adjusted positions shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
   With adjuster  94  in the unlocked position shown in  FIG. 12 , grip  92  and its hex nut  83  are clear of adjuster  94  and are free to rotate around shaft  95 , as indicated by arrow  96 . In the locked position of adjuster  94 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , socket  94  grips both of the hex nuts  83  and  84  and locks them together. Since nut  84  is fastened to shaft  95  and nut  83  is rotationally locked to nut  84  in the position of  FIG. 13 , grip  92  is also rotationally locked on shaft  95 . A similar arrangement can be used for adjuster  93  on the other end of handle  90 . All that is then necessary for rotationally adjusting independent grips  91  and  92  is moving adjusters  93  or  94  axially between locked and unlocked positions. 
   Although wrench sockets and hex-shaped nuts are inexpensive and convenient, other arrangements can also achieve the adjustment that is preferred and schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11  so that the exerciser can independently adjust the rotatability of split hand grips for exercising purposes. These include different non-circular shapes that can be attached to handle shaft  92 , grip sleeve  82  and matching shaped adjuster  94 . 
   When grip rotation adjustments are combined with adjustable offset extensions  70  and  70   a  as described above, they make exercising handles  20  and  90  into effectively variable exercising elements to suit the many different needs of exercisers. Making handle shafts  40  or  40   a  adjustable in axial length also adds to the exercising versatility. The possibilities include training or educating muscles, teaching the nervous system to know the effects of different muscle activities, and strengthening muscles that contribute desired characteristics to a swing.