Patent Publication Number: US-2022232959-A1

Title: Grip reinforcement apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of manual devices and, more particularly, it relates to a grip reinforcement apparatus worn around the wrist of a user to provide grip support when grasping objects. 
     2. Background and Relevant Art 
     Humans, by virtue of their anatomy, have always used their hands to accomplish various tasks. One task humans use their hands for is to grip various physical objects to, for example, lift, push, pull, hold, or otherwise maintain a grasp on such objects. More specific contexts in which humans use their hands in this manner include weightlifting (e.g., powerlifting), physical therapy and rehabilitation (e.g., using a walking cane), or performing manual labor (e.g., using hand-held tools). However, human hands have certain physical limitations such that it can be too difficult to lift, push, pull, hold, or otherwise maintain a grip on certain objects solely by using the hands. Accordingly, various approaches have been developed to support and improve the grip that humans have above and beyond using their hands alone. 
     One general approach to supporting and improving the grip of the human hand has been to provide a wrist strap that fits around the wrist of a user and then extends a certain length to be wrapped or otherwise secured on the object the user is trying to grip. For example, the grip augmentation straps of U.S. Pat. No. 10,695,603 to Keith Lamping, issued Jun. 30, 2020, as well as the prior art discussed therein, describe various wrist straps that purportedly support and improve a user&#39;s grip. However, the disclosure of the &#39;603 Patent exhibits various problems with previous approaches to designing wrist straps that strengthen the grip of a user. 
     One problem with prior conventional wrist straps for gripping is inadequate frictional connection with the object being gripped. For example, the &#39;603 Patent illustrates wrist straps that oftentimes slip or otherwise move when attached to an object being gripped. The portions of such wrist straps that attach to an object to be gripped are usually made of textile webbing, plastic, or metal that exhibit an undesirable lack of friction in the grip on the objects. 
     Another problem with prior conventional wrist straps for gripping is a lack of comfort and protection. As an example, the &#39;603 Patent illustrates wrist straps that are uncomfortable to use and provide poor protection against injury. A particular example is FIG. 1 of the &#39;603 Patent which shows a classic lifting strap that goes around the wrist of a user and then extends to wrap around a bar or other object. This simplistic approach fails to take into account the comfort and protection of the user, as use of such wrist straps oftentimes causes abrasions, blisters, or other injury to the wrist or hand of the user. The &#39;603 Patent also shows lifting straps with open-ended hooks, some of which are rigid (e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4 of the &#39;603 Patent), while others are flexible (e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6 of the &#39;603 Patent). Such designs are likewise uncomfortable for users because the open-ended hooks cause discomfort in the form of a lack of control and feedback over the object being grasped. Moreover, open-ended hook designs can fail to protect a user from injury in the form of abrasions, blisters, or pinches, among others, not to mention injuries that can arise from unexpectedly dropping or otherwise mishandling the object being gripped. 
     Yet another problem with prior conventional wrist straps for gripping is that such straps do not desirably balance cost-effectiveness and durability. More specifically, some of the wrist straps disclosed in the &#39;603 Patent have characteristics of poor durability coupled with an inexpensive cost to manufacture, whereas others have characteristics of good durability, but at an expensive cost to manufacture. 
     Furthermore, an additional problem with prior conventional wrist straps for gripping is that such straps are cumbersome to use. The &#39;603 Patent discloses various wrist straps that typically require the user to use their free hand to secure their other hand that is attempting to use the strap to grip an object (e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2 of the &#39;603 Patent). 
     In view of problems such as those noted above, and others, it would be useful to provide a wrist strap for gripping in the form of a grip reinforcement apparatus that provides improved frictional connection with the object being gripped, greater comfort and protection of users, a balance of cost-effectiveness and durability, and better ease of use. Therefore, conventional wrist straps for gripping have various limitations that are desirable to overcome. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Examples extend to wrist straps for gripping, namely, in the form of a grip reinforcement apparatus. A grip reinforcement apparatus includes a loop at an end of the grip reinforcement apparatus and another end of the grip reinforcement apparatus sized to fit through the loop. The grip reinforcement apparatus also includes a wrist portion and a grip portion. The loop, wrist portion, and/or grip portion are at least partially flexible such that the grip reinforcement apparatus can either be extended elongated from the end to the another end of the grip reinforcement apparatus or the grip reinforcement apparatus can be looped by threading the another end through the loop. The wrist portion can also include a cushion. The grip portion can include an exterior surface intended to contact a grippable object. The grip portion is also at least partially flexible such that it can be extended or curled. Additionally, the grip reinforcement apparatus has a top side and a bottom side, as well as a first edge and a second edge. 
     In one aspect, the loop and wrist portion include a main strap having a first end and a second end, the main strap attached back onto itself to form the loop at the end of the grip reinforcement apparatus. The main strap can be attached back onto itself by one or more fasteners to form the loop. Furthermore, the wrist portion can include a cushion that includes a cushion strap having a first cushion strap end and a second cushion strap end, the cushion strap attached to the bottom side of the grip reinforcement apparatus. The cushion strap can be attached to the main strap by one or more fasteners proximate the first cushion strap end and the second cushion strap end, respectively. Moreover, the grip portion can include a grip strap having a first grip strap end and a second grip strap end, the grip strap attached to the bottom side of the grip reinforcement apparatus. The grip strap can further include a slip resistant exterior surface. Additionally, the grip portion of the grip reinforcement apparatus can include a portion of the main strap to enclose a bistable spring between the main strap and the grip strap of the grip portion. The bistable spring can be extended or curled, as the user desires, to thereby cause the grip portion to be either extended or curled. Also, the main strap, cushion strap, and grip strap can be attached to one another by one or more fasteners, such as widthwise and/or lengthwise fasteners. 
     In another aspect, the wrist portion can include a cushion that includes a cushion strap having a flap formed proximate the second cushion strap end such that when the grip reinforcement apparatus is looped (e.g., around the wrist of a user) the flap overlaps the loop. Additionally, when the grip reinforcement apparatus is extended the flap can instead overlap the grip portion (e.g., when elongated and not worn around the wrist of a user). 
     In yet another aspect, the loop, at least a portion of the wrist portion, and at least a portion of the grip portion can be formed by the main strap with a singular unitary piece of webbing. 
     In a further aspect, the wrist portion can include a main strap with an interior portion of the main strap attached back onto the main strap between an exterior portion of the main strap and the cushion by one or more fasteners. Further, the interior portion of the main strap can be attached between the exterior portion of the main strap and the grip strap. 
     This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Brief Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Additional aspects, features, and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice. The aspects, features, and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other aspects, features, and advantages will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by practice as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited aspects, advantages, and features can be obtained, a more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific implementations thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only some implementations and are not therefore to be considered limiting in scope, the implementations will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates an example view of a top side of a grip reinforcement apparatus in an extended state; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates an example view of a bottom side of the grip reinforcement apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in an extended state; 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates an example view of a right side of the grip reinforcement apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in an extended state, a left side of the grip reinforcement apparatus of  FIG. 1A  being a mirror image; 
         FIG. 1D  illustrates an example view of an end of the grip reinforcement apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in an extended state; 
         FIG. 1E  illustrates an example view of another end of the grip reinforcement apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in an extended state; 
         FIG. 1F  illustrates an example perspective view of the grip reinforcement apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in a looped state with a grip portion in an extended state; 
         FIG. 1G  illustrates an example perspective view of the grip reinforcement apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in a looped state with a grip portion in a curled state; 
         FIG. 1H  illustrates an example view of the grip reinforcement apparatus of  FIG. 1A  worn by a user in a looped state with a grip portion in an extended state; 
         FIG. 1I  illustrates an example view of the grip reinforcement apparatus of  FIG. 1A  worn by a user in a looped state with a grip portion in a curled state; and 
         FIG. 1J  illustrates an example view of the grip reinforcement apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in use by a user lifting a grippable object. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Examples extend to wrist straps for gripping, namely, in the form of a grip reinforcement apparatus. 
     One or more aspects provide improved frictional connection with the object being gripped, greater comfort and protection of users, a balance of cost-effectiveness and durability, and better ease of use. 
     In general, a grip reinforcement apparatus includes a loop at an end of the grip reinforcement apparatus and another end of the grip reinforcement apparatus sized to fit through the loop. The grip reinforcement apparatus also includes a wrist portion and a grip portion. The loop, wrist portion, and/or grip portion are at least partially flexible such that the grip reinforcement apparatus can either be extended elongated from the end to the another end of the grip reinforcement apparatus or the grip reinforcement apparatus can be looped by threading the another end through the loop. The wrist portion can also include a cushion (e.g., a cushion strap) to provide greater comfort and protection to a user. The grip portion can include an exterior surface (e.g., a slip resistant exterior surface) intended to contact a grippable object, thereby improving the frictional connection between the grip reinforcement apparatus and the grippable object. The grip portion is also at least partially flexible such that it can be extended or curled. Additionally, the grip reinforcement apparatus has a top side and a bottom side, as well as a first edge and a second edge. 
     In one aspect, the loop and wrist portion include a main strap having a first end and a second end, the main strap attached back onto itself to form the loop at the end of the grip reinforcement apparatus. The main strap can be attached back onto itself by one or more fasteners to form the loop. Furthermore, the wrist portion can include a cushion that includes a cushion strap having a first cushion strap end and a second cushion strap end, the cushion strap attached to the bottom side of the grip reinforcement apparatus. The cushion strap can be attached to the main strap by one or more fasteners proximate the first cushion strap end and the second cushion strap end, respectively. Moreover, the grip portion can include a grip strap having a first grip strap end and a second grip strap end, the grip strap attached to the bottom side of the grip reinforcement apparatus. The grip strap can further include a slip resistant exterior surface, thereby providing an improved frictional connection with an object being gripped. Additionally, the grip portion of the grip reinforcement apparatus can include a portion of the main strap to enclose a bistable spring between the main strap and the grip strap of the grip portion. The bistable spring can be extended or curled, as the user desires, to thereby cause the grip portion to be either extended or curled, thereby improving the ease of use of the grip reinforcement apparatus, as a user can secure the grip portion of the grip reinforcement apparatus on one hand onto an object to be gripped without the assistance of another hand of the user. Also, the main strap, cushion strap, and grip strap can be attached to one another by one or more fasteners, such as widthwise and/or lengthwise fasteners. Such fasteners can improve the durability and cost-effectiveness of the grip reinforcement apparatus. 
     In another aspect, the wrist portion can include a cushion that includes a cushion strap having a flap formed proximate the second cushion strap end such that when the grip reinforcement apparatus is looped (e.g., around the wrist of a user) the flap overlaps the loop. Additionally, when the grip reinforcement apparatus is extended the flap can instead overlap the grip portion (e.g., when elongated and not worn around the wrist of a user). Accordingly, such a flap formed on the cushion can provide greater comfort and protection to users by, for example, preventing abrasive contact between the wrist of a user and the loop. 
     In yet another aspect, the loop, at least a portion of the wrist portion, and at least a portion of the grip portion can be formed by the main strap with a singular unitary piece of webbing. Such a design provides improved cost-effectiveness and durability by reducing the number of straps or webbing required in the manufacture of the grip reinforcement apparatus, as well as reducing the number of weak points where the grip reinforcement apparatus may wear out or otherwise fail. 
     In a further aspect, the wrist portion can include a main strap with an interior portion of the main strap attached back onto the main strap between an exterior portion of the main strap and the cushion by one or more fasteners. Further, the interior portion of the main strap can be attached between the exterior portion of the main strap and the grip strap. Thus, the interior portion of the main strap on the wrist portion improves the comfort, protection, and durability of the grip reinforcement apparatus by providing cushioning to the wrist of a user and securing the main strap to the grip strap at multiple points. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates an example view of a top side of a grip reinforcement apparatus  100  in an extended state. As depicted, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes a main strap  110 . Main strap  110  is made of webbing, but other materials are also suitable. Main strap  110  has a loop  112  at an end of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  and a first end  114  at another end of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100 . Grip reinforcement apparatus  100  also includes a cushion strap  120 . Cushion strap  120  is made of neoprene, but other materials are suitable. Cushion strap  120  includes a first cushion strap end  122  and a second cushion strap end  124 . Furthermore, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes one or more fasteners that attach main strap  110  back onto itself to form loop  112  and attach main strap  110  to cushion strap  120 . In particular, in this aspect, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes a plurality of fasteners, for example, in the form of one or more widthwise fasteners and one or more lengthwise fasteners. More specifically, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes a first widthwise fastener  130   a,  a second widthwise fastener  130   b  (i.e., a fastener), a third widthwise fastener  132  (i.e., an additional fastener), a fourth widthwise fastener  134  (i.e., a further fastener), and a fifth widthwise fastener  136 , all of which run laterally across grip reinforcement apparatus  100 . Grip reinforcement apparatus  100  also includes a first lengthwise fastener  140  and a third lengthwise fastener  144 , both of which run longitudinally proximate a first edge of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 , and a second lengthwise fastener  142  and a fourth lengthwise fastener  146 , both of which run longitudinally proximate a second edge of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 . The first edge and the second edge can be alternatively referred to as the left side and the right side of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 , respectively. 
     As  FIG. 1A  illustrates, cushion strap  120  is wider than main strap  110 . For example, cushion strap  120  can be two inches in width, whereas main strap  110  can be one-and-a-half inches in width. As another example, cushion strap  110  can be two inches in width, whereas main strap  110  can be one inch in width. In alternative embodiments, cushion strap  120  and main strap  110  can have different dimensions, with cushion strap  120  being wider than main strap  110 . Preferably, cushion strap  120  is between twenty-five percent and one-hundred percent wider than main strap  110 , inclusively. Providing cushion strap  120  with a width greater than that of main strap  110  provides greater comfort and protection to a user by, for example, protecting the wrist of a user from the edges of main strap  110 . 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates an example view of a bottom side of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  in an extended state. As depicted, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes main strap  110  forming loop  112  and cushion strap  120  attached to main strap  110 , as previously discussed above. More specifically,  FIG. 1B  depicts cushion strap  120  attached to main strap  110  (i.e., on the bottom side of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 ) by second widthwise fastener  130   b  proximate the first cushion strap end  122  and by third widthwise fastener  132  proximate second cushion strap end  124 .  FIG. 1B  also depicts that grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes grip strap  150 . Grip strap  150  includes a first grip strap end  152  and a second grip strap end  154 . Grip strap  150  is attached to main strap  110  (i.e., on the bottom side of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 ) by fifth widthwise fastener  136  proximate the another end of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 . Grip strap  150  is also attached to main strap  110  by third lengthwise fastener  144  proximate the first edge of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  and by fourth lengthwise fastener  146  proximate the second edge of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 . 
     Also,  FIG. 1B  illustrates that grip strap  150  is separate from main strap  110  and therefore, grip strap  150  can be made of different material from main strap  110 , preferably material that provides improved frictional connection with an object being gripped such as woven rubber webbing, a rubber exterior surface, or other suitable material. In at least one embodiment, the woven rubber webbing of grip strap  150  can include one or more strips of a higher friction exterior surface running longitudinally along the exterior surface of grip strap  150 . For example, grip strap  150  can have five longitudinal strip portions on the exterior surface of grip strap  150 , with two of those longitudinal strip portions having a woven rubber exterior surface and the remaining three of those longitudinal strip portions without a woven rubber surface. As a more specific example, the five longitudinal strip portions on the exterior surface of grip strap  150  can be arranged such that the two longitudinal strip portions having woven rubber exterior surfaces are separated by the three longitudinal strip portions not having woven rubber surfaces. This can be accomplished in a alternating fashion with a first longitudinal strip portion without woven rubber exterior surface proximate the first edge of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 , a second longitudinal strip portion without woven rubber exterior surface proximate the second edge of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 , a third longitudinal strip portion without woven rubber exterior surface running down the middle of grip strap  150 , and then the fourth and fifth longitudinal strip portions having woven rubber exterior surfaces positioned between the first and third longitudinal strip portions and the second and third longitudinal strip portions, respectively. The one or more higher friction exterior surfaces provided on the grip portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 , namely grip strap  150 , offers an improved frictional connection to an object being gripped by a user, thereby reducing slippage and unwanted movement, as well as better comfort, protection, and ease of use by improving the feedback and control felt by a user when gripping an object using grip reinforcement apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 1C  illustrates an example view of a right side of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  in an extended state. As depicted, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes main strap  110  forming loop  112 . Loop  112  is formed by folding main strap  110  over itself at the end of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  and then attaching main strap  110  back onto itself. More specifically, first widthwise fastener  130   a  and second widthwise fastener  130   b  attach main strap  110  back onto itself to form loop  112 . Additionally, main strap  110  includes an interior portion  116  and a second end  118 . Interior portion  116  is positioned between the top side of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  (e.g, an exterior portion of main strap  110 ) and the bottom side of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  (e.g., cushion strap  120 ). Interior portion  116  is attached back onto main strap  110  by first widthwise fastener  130   a,  second widthwise fastener  130   b,  third widthwise fastener  132 , and fourth widthwise fastener  134 . Stated differently, fourth widthwise fastener  134  (i.e., a further fastener) therefore attaches together the exterior portion of main strap  110 , interior portion  116 , and grip strap  150  such that second end  118  of main strap  110  is between the exterior portion of the main strap  110  and grip strap  150 . Also, as depicted in  FIG. 1C , third widthwise fastener  132  (i.e., additional fastener) attaches together the exterior portion of main strap  110 , interior portion  116 , and cushion strap  120  such that at least a portion of interior portion  116  is between the exterior portion of main strap  110  and cushion strap  120 . Interior portion is also attached back onto main strap  110  by first lengthwise fastener  140  and second lengthwise fastener  142 . Moreover, second end  118  of main strap  110  is positioned between the top side of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  (e.g, an exterior portion of main strap  110 ) and the bottom side of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  (e.g., grip strap  120  proximate first grip strap end  152 ). 
       FIG. 1C  also illustrates that grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes cushion strap  120  having a flap formed proximate second cushion strap end  124 . As depicted, cushion strap  120  is attached to main strap  110  by second widthwise fastener  130   b  proximate first cushion strap end  122 . Cushion strap  120  is also attached to main strap  110  by third widthwise fastener  132  proximate the flap formed at second cushion strap end  124 . 
     Also, as  FIG. 1C  illustrates, interior portion  116  is longer than cushion strap  120  from proximate first and second widthwise fasteners  130   a  and  130   b  to proximate third widthwise fastener  132 . More specifically, interior portion  116  has a length greater than the length of the portion of cushion strap  120  such that it forms a void between interior portion  116  and cushion strap  120  when the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  is extended or elongated. However, when grip reinforcement apparatus  100  is worn by a user in a looped state, this void is eliminated as the circumference of interior portion  116  when looped is greater than the circumference of cushion strap  120  when looped. As an example, interior portion  116  can be seven-and-a-quarter inches in length, whereas cushion strap  120  can be five-and-a-half inches in length. As another example, interior portion  116  can be seven-and-a-quarter inches in length, whereas cushion strap  120  can be seven inches in length. In alternative embodiments, interior portion  116  and cushion strap  120  can have different dimensions, with interior portion  116  being longer than cushion strap  120 . Preferably, interior portion  116  is between three percent and thirty-three percent longer than cushion strap  120 , inclusively. Providing interior portion  116  with a length greater than that of cushion strap  120  provides greater comfort to a user by, for example, providing a better fit around the wrist of a user. 
       FIG. 1C  also illustrates that loop  112  has a circumference that is larger than the width of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 . More specifically, loop  112  has a circumference greater than the width of the another end of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 . For example, loop  112  can be five inches in circumference, whereas the another end of grip reinforcement apparatus  110  can have a width of one-and-a-half inches. In alternative embodiments, the circumference of loop  112  and the width of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 , particularly the grip portion such as defined by main strap  110  and grip strap  150 , can have different dimensions, with the circumference of loop  112  being greater so that the grip portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  can fit through loop  112  when in a looped state. Preferably, the circumference of loop  112  is between two-and-a-half and four times larger than the width of grip reinforcement apparatus  100 , inclusively. This provides improved ease of use when putting the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  into a looped state, as well as improved frictional impingement of the grip portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  by loop  112  when in a looped state used to grip an object. 
       FIG. 1C  further illustrates that grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes grip strap  150  attached to main strap  110  by third widthwise fastener  132 , fourth widthwise fastener  134 , and fifth widthwise fastener  136 . Grip strap  150  is also attached to main strap  110  by third lengthwise fastener  144  and fourth lengthwise fastener  146 . A bistable spring (not visible) is enclosed by main strap  110  and grip strap  150  extending along a length of grip strap  150 . Bistable springs are forms of bistable structures that have two stable equilibrium states, such as mechanical shapes. Thus, bistable springs can be resting in either or two states, extended (e.g., elongated) or curled (e.g., coiled). Oftentimes bistable springs are stabilized by different curvature axes. Bistable springs are typically elongated straps made of metal, such as stainless steel. However, bistable springs can also be made from other materials alternative to metal, such as plastic. Bistable springs can also be coated in fabric, rubber, or plastic. An example of a bistable spring is a slap bracelet. 
       FIG. 1D  illustrates an example view of an end of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  in an extended state. As depicted, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes main strap  110  forming loop  112  with cushion strap  120  attached to main strap  110 , the cushion strap  120  having first cushion strap end  122  and second cushion strap end  124 . 
       FIG. 1E  illustrates an example view of another end of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  in an extended state. As depicted, grip reinforcement apparatus includes main strap  110  having first end  114 . Main strap  110  is attached to cushion strap  120  and grip strap  150 . Cushion strap  120  includes second cushion strap end  124  having a cushion strap edge  124 . Grip strap  150  has a slip resistant exterior surface  150   a  and second grip strap end  154 . Grip strap  150  is made of webbing with at least a partially woven rubber webbing surface, but other materials are suitable as well. Accordingly, slip resistant exterior surface  150   a  is the woven rubber surface of the woven rubber webbing that forms grip strap  150 . In alternative embodiments, the entire exterior surface of grip strap  150  need not be a slip resistant exterior surface  150   a.  For example, only a portion of the exterior surface of grip strap  150  can be the slip resistant exterior surface  150   a,  to the extent that it improves the frictional connection with an object being gripped. 
     Accordingly, in one aspect and given the foregoing discussion of  FIGS. 1A-1E , a grip reinforcement apparatus includes a loop (e.g., loop  112 ), a wrist portion (e.g., the portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  that wraps around the wrist of a user, such as the portions of main strap  110  and cushion strap  120 ), and a grip portion (e.g., the portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  that wraps around a grippable object, such as the portions of main strap  110  and grip strap  150  that enclose a bistable spring). For example, a wrist portion is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F  by the portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  that spans the length of cushion strap  120  and a portion of the length of main strap  110  (e.g., the portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  110  from proximate first widthwise fastener  130   a  or second widthwise fastener  130   b  to proximate third widthwise fastener  132  or fourth widthwise fastener  134 ). As another example, a grip portion is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F  by the portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  that spans the length of grip strap  150  and a portion of the length of main strap  110  that encloses a bistable spring (e.g., the portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  110  from proximate third widthwise fastener  132  to proximate fifth widthwise fastener  136 ). 
     Moreover, in one aspect, a grip reinforcement apparatus  100  can be either extended elongated from an end to another end of the grip reinforcement apparatus or looped by threading the another end through the loop. Additionally, a grip portion of a grip reinforcement apparatus  100  can be either extended elongated from an end of the grip portion to another end of the grip portion or curled (e.g., by curling of a bistable spring enclosed within the grip portion). The grip portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  can either curl towards the palm of the hand of a user when used to grip an object, or alternatively, it can curl away from the palm of the hand of a user when used to grip an object. 
       FIG. 1F  illustrates an example perspective view of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  in a looped state with a grip portion in an extended state. As depicted, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes main strap  110  forming loop  112  and having first end  114 , interior portion  116 , and second end  118 . Grip reinforcement apparatus  100  also includes cushion strap  120  attached to main strap  110  proximate first cushion strap end  122  and second cushion strap end  124  such that the flap proximate second cushion strap end  124  overlaps loop  112  when grip strap  150  slides through loop  112  until an edge of loop  112  meets a fastener proximate second cushion strap end  124  that forms the flap (i.e., third widthwise fastener  132 ). This overlapping of the flap over loop  112  happens once an object is gripped by a user using grip reinforcement apparatus  100 . The overlapping of the flap of cushion strap  120  over loop  112  provides improved comfort and protection to a user. Grip reinforcement apparatus  100  further includes grip strap  150  attached to main strap  110 , the grip strap  150  having first grip strap end  152  and second grip strap end  154 . As  FIG. 1F  illustrates grip reinforcement apparatus  100  is looped by threading the another end of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  through loop  112 .  FIG. 1F  further illustrates grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes an extended grip portion. More specifically, the portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  that encloses a bistable spring, namely a portion of main strap  110  and grip strap  150 , is extended (i.e., the bistable spring is in a stable extended state such that grip strap  150  and a portion of main strap  110  are likewise in a stable extended state). 
       FIG. 1G  illustrates an example perspective view of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  in a looped state with a grip portion in a curled state. As depicted, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes main strap  110  forming loop  112  and having first end  114 , interior portion  116 , and second end  118 . Grip reinforcement apparatus  100  also includes cushion strap  120  attached to main strap  110  proximate first cushion strap end  122  and second cushion strap end  124 . Grip reinforcement apparatus  100  further includes grip strap  150  attached to main strap  110 , the grip strap  150  having first grip strap end  152  and second grip strap end  154 . As  FIG. 1G  illustrates grip reinforcement apparatus  100  is looped by threading the another end of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  through loop  112 .  FIG. 1G  further illustrates grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes a curled grip portion. More specifically, the portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  that encloses a bistable spring, namely a portion of main strap  110  and grip strap  150 , is curled (i.e., the bistable spring is in a stable curled state such that grip strap  150  and a portion of main strap  110  are likewise in a stable curled state). 
       FIG. 1H  illustrates an example view of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  worn by a user  160  in a looped state with a grip portion in an extended state. As depicted, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes main strap  110  forming loop  112  and having first end  114 . Grip reinforcement strap  100  also includes cushion strap  120  having first cushion strap end  122  and second cushion strap  124 . Moreover, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  is worn by user  160  in preparation for gripping a grippable object by looping at least a portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  around the wrist of user  160  and threading another end of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  through the loop  112 . With the grip portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  extended, user  160  is ready to slap the grip portion onto a grippable object in order to grip it. 
       FIG. 1I  illustrates an example view of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  worn by a user  160  in a looped state with a grip portion in a curled state. As depicted, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  includes main strap  110  forming loop  112  and having first end  114 . Grip reinforcement strap  100  also includes cushion strap  120  having first cushion strap end  122  and second cushion strap  124 . Moreover, grip reinforcement apparatus  100  is worn by user  160  to grip a grippable object by looping at least a portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  around the wrist of user  160  and threading another end of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  through the loop  112 . With the grip portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  curled, user  160  can grip a grippable object. 
       FIG. 1J  illustrates an example view of the grip reinforcement apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1A  in use by a user  160  lifting a grippable object  170 . As depicted, one or more grip reinforcement apparatuses  100  can be worn by a user  160  to lift a grippable object  170 . Accordingly, the grip of the user  160  is improved and supported. More specifically, the bistable spring (not visible) within the grip portion of grip reinforcement apparatus  100  provides better ease of use by allowing the user  160  to loop two grip reinforcement apparatuses  100  around each wrist and then slap the grip portion of each onto the grippable object  170  without having to use one hand or the other to support wrapping the grip portion of either of the grip reinforcement apparatuses  100  around the grippable object  170 . 
     The presently described aspects may be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirits or essential characteristics. The described aspects are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.