Patent Publication Number: US-2021170258-A1

Title: Exercise grip

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/594,581, U.S. Pat. No. 10,835,804, entitled “EXERCISE GRIP,” filed on Oct. 7, 2019, which is a continuation application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/589,354, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,576,356, entitled “EXERCISE GRIP,” filed on May 8, 2017, which application is a continuation application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/644,512, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,643,073, entitled “EXERCISE GRIP,” filed on Mar. 11, 2015, which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/951,872, entitled “EXERCISE GRIP,” filed Mar. 12, 2014. The disclosure of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This specification relates to an exercise grip. There are many different exercises performed on horizontal bars and gymnastics rings. During these exercises skin that is in contact with the bars or rings experience friction that can lead to injury. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in an exercise grip that includes a wrist strap; and a protective portion connected to the wrist strap at a wrist end of the protective portion, a finger end of the protective portion having three finger holes defined therein the protective portion having a length that extends from the finger end to the wrist end and a width that varies along the length of the protective portion, wherein the wrist end has a first width that covers an ulnar side of a wrist and is larger than a second width of the finger end, and wherein a width of the protective portion that is between the finger end and the wrist end has a third width that is smaller than the second width. The first width of the wrist end can be larger than the third width of the finger end. 
     These and other embodiments can each optionally include one or more of the following features. The three finger holes can include a middle finger hole, a ring finger hole and a pinky finger hole, and wherein the middle finger hole, ring finger hole, and pinky finger hole are defined at locations at which a middle finger, ring finger, and pinky finger are respectively received when the exercise grip is placed on a hand. 
     The middle finger hole can be at a first distance from the wrist end, the ring finger hole is at a second distance from the wrist end, and the little finger hole is at a third distance from the wrist end. The first distance can be larger than the second distance and the second distance is larger than the third distance. 
     The protective portion can be a continuous flexible material. The flexible material can be at least one of leather, neoprene, or rubber. 
     Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding methods for making an exercise grip. Methods can include the actions of forming a protective portion of an exercise grip, wherein the protective portion is formed to have a wrist end and a finger end, the finger end having three finger holes defined therein and the protective portion having a length that extends from the finger end to the wrist end, the protective portion having a width that varies along the length of the protective portion, wherein the wrist end has a first width that covers an ulnar side of a wrist and is larger than a second width of the finger end, and wherein a width of the protective portion between the finger end and the wrist end has a third width that is smaller than the second width; and connecting the protective portion to a wrist strap. 
     These and other embodiments can each optionally include one or more of the following features. Forming the protective portion can include forming the three finger holes in the finger end, the three finger holes comprising a middle finger hole, a ring finger hole, and a pinky finger hole. 
     Forming the three finger holes can include forming the middle finger hole, ring finger hole, and pinky finger hole at locations at which a middle finger, ring finger, and pinky finger are respectively received when the exercise grip is placed on a hand. 
     Forming the three finger holes can include forming the middle finger hole at a first distance from the wrist end; forming the ring finger hole at a second distance from the wrist end; and forming the little finger hole at a third distance from the wrist end. The first distance can be larger than the second distance and the second distance is larger than the third distance. The first width of the wrist end can be larger than the third width of the finger end. 
     Forming the protective portion can include forming the protective portion from a continuous piece of flexible material. The flexible material can be at least one of leather, neoprene, or rubber. 
     Methods can optionally include forming a fourth finger hole at a location of the protective portion at which an index finger is received when the grip is placed on a hand. 
     Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in an exercise grip that includes a wrist strap; and a protective portion connected to the wrist strap at a wrist end of the protective portion, a finger end of the protective portion having three finger holes defined therein the protective portion having a length that extends from the finger end to the wrist end and a width that varies along the length of the protective portion. 
     Another innovative aspect of the subject matte described in this specification can be embodied in an exercise grip including a wrist strap; and a protective portion connected to the wrist strap at a wrist end of the protective portion, a finger end of the protective portion having four finger holes defined therein the protective portion having a length that extends from the finger end to the wrist end and a width that varies along the length of the protective portion. The four finger holes can be formed at locations at which an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a pinky finger are respectively received when the grip is placed on a hand. 
     Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following advantages. Hand and wrist protection is provided by the exercise grip when worn on a hand. The protection provided can include protecting the hand and wrist from injury caused by friction when performing exercises on horizontal bars, pull up bars, and/or gymnastics rings. Gripping ability of a person wearing the exercise grip is increased by covering portions of the hand that contact bars or rings during exercise. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing of an example exercise grip on a hand. 
         FIG. 2  is another drawing of an example exercise grip. 
         FIG. 3  is a drawing of an example strap assembly for an exercise grip. 
         FIG. 4  is another drawing of an example exercise grip. 
         FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating use of an example exercise grip. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of an example process for making an exercise grip. 
         FIG. 7  is another drawings of an example exercise grip. 
         FIG. 8  is another drawing of an example exercise grip on a hand. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a drawing of an example exercise grip  10  on a hand  12 . The grip  10  is formed to protect the hand  12  and wrist  18  of an individual wearing the grip  10 , and enhances the individual&#39;s grip on a gymnastics bar or rings. As described in more detail below, the grip  10  includes three finger holes that receive a middle finger  16   a , ring finger  16   b , and pinky finger  16   c  of the hand  12  when the grip  10  is worn. In some implementations, the index finger  16   d  and thumb  16   e  of the hand  12  remain uncovered when the grip  10  is worn. In some implementations, the exercise grip can include an index finger hole, as described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 2  is another drawing of an example exercise grip  10 . The grip  10  includes a wrist strap  14  and a protective portion  20 . The protective portion  20  has a finger end  22  and a wrist end  24  that is connected to the wrist strap  14 . 
     The grip  10  has three finger holes  26   a ,  26   b , and  26   c  defined therein. The finger holes  26   a ,  26   b , and  26   c  are defined at the finger end  22  of the protective portion  20 . In some implementations, finger hole  26   a  is a middle finger hole that is defined at a location of the protective portion  20  at which a middle finger of a hand is received when the grip  10  is placed on the hand. The finger hole  26   b  is a ring finger hole that is defined at a location of the protective portion at which a ring finger of the hand is received when the grip  10  is placed on the hand. The finger hole  26   c  can be a pinky finger hole that is defined at a location of the protective portion at which a pinky finger of the hand is received with the grip  10  is placed on the hand. 
     The protective portion  20  can be formed from a continuous piece of flexible material. For example, the protective portion  20  can be made of a high-grade leather or other strong and flexible material allowing appropriate friction and protection. In some implementations, the protective portion  20  can be made of neoprene or a rubber material. 
     The grip  10  includes a wrist strap  14  for securing the grip  10  about the wrist of an individual. The wrist strap  14  includes a closure strap  30 , a cuff  38 , and an open loop  32  or wring. In some implementations, the closure strap  30  is located on a side of the grip  10  that will be on a radial side of the wrist when the grip  10  is placed on a hand and the loop  32  is located on a side of the grip  10  that will be on an ulnar side of a wrist when the grip  10  is placed on the hand. 
     The closure strap  30  can include a hook and loop fastener patch  34  which is adapted to be connected to a corresponding hook and loop fastener patch  36  secured to the portion of the cuff  38  or another portion of the wrist end of the protective portion  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the closure strap  30  can be fed through the open loop  32  and turned back onto itself to permit the grip  10  to be adjustably fastened to the individual&#39;s wrist upon mating the hook and loop fastener patch  34  with the hook and loop fastener patch  36 . 
       FIG. 4  is another drawing of an example exercise grip  10 , and shows various example lengths and widths of the protective portion  20  of the grip  10 . In some implementations, the three finger holes  26   a ,  26   b , and  26   c  are formed at different distances from the wrist end  24 . For example, the finger hole  26   a  can be formed at a first distance L 1  from the wrist end  24 , the finger hole  26   b  can be formed at a second distance L 2  from the wrist end  24 , and the finger hole  26   c  can be formed at a third distance L 3  from the wrist end  24 . In some implementations, the second distance L 2  is smaller than the first distance L 1  and the third distance L 3  is less than the second distance L 2 . Note that other lengths can be used. 
     As illustrated by  FIG. 4 , the length of the protective portion (e.g., as measured from the wrist end  24 ) varies along the width of the protective portion. For example, the protective portion  10  has a length of L 4  near the finger hole  26   a  and smaller length of L 5  near the finger hole  26   c . These varying lengths permit the proper articulation of the hand during exercise. 
     In some implementations, the protective portion  20  has a width that varies along the length of the protective portion  20 . For example, the wrist end  24  can have a first width W 1  that covers an ulnar side of a wrist when the grip  10  is worn. The finger end of the grip  10  can have a second width W 2  that is smaller than the width W 1  of the wrist end  24 . The protective portion  20  can also have a third width W 3  that is smaller than the width W 2 . Forming the protective portion  20  to have a width W 1  that is larger than each of W 2  and W 3  allows the wrist end  24  to protect the ulnar side of the wrist, while the width W 2  of the finger end permits adequate finger extension and protects the palm immediately under the middle, ring, and pinky fingers. Making the width W 3  between the finger end and the wrist end  24  smaller than W 1  and W 2  increases comfort of the grip  10  and facilitates articulation of the hand. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the grip  10  is shown donned on the hand  12  of an individual and being utilized to grip an object, such as a gymnastics ring or bar  40 . The construction of the grip  10  permits the individual to grip the ring or bar  40  without having to expend unnecessary energy, while also protecting the portions of the individual&#39;s hand  12  and wrist  18  most susceptible to injury, e.g., the area of the palm directly under the middle, ring and little fingers, the middle of the palm and the radial side of the wrist  18 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of an example process  60  for making an exercise grip. In some implementations, the process includes forming a protective portion of an exercise grip ( 62 ). The protective portion can be formed, for example, from a continuous piece of flexible material. For example, leather, neoprene, or rubber can be used to form the protective portion. 
     The protective portion of the exercise grip can be formed, for example, to have a wrist end and a finger end. The finger end can have three finger holes defined therein, as discussed above, or four finger holes defined therein as discussed in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 7 . For example, the finger end can be formed to have a middle finger hole, a ring finger hole, and a pinky finger hole. The locations of the middle finger hole, ring finger hole, and pinky finger hole can be formed at locations of the protective portion at which a middle finger, ring finger, and pinky finger will be respectively received when the protective portion is placed on a hand. When the finger end is formed to have four holes defined therein, the fourth hold can be formed at a location of the protective portion at which an index finger will be received when the protective portion is placed on the hand. 
     In some implementations, the middle finger hole is formed at a first distance from the wrist end, the ring finger hole is formed at a second distance from the wrist end, and the pinky finger hole is formed at a third distance from the wrist end. As discussed above, in three finger hole implementations, the middle finger hole can be at a largest distance from the wrist end (e.g., as measured to the center of the middle finger hole), the ring finger can be at a second largest distance from the wrist end (e.g., as measured from the center of the ring finger hole), and the pinky finger hole can be at the shortest distance from the wrist end (e.g., relative to the locations of the middle finger hole and the ring finger hole). In four finger hole implementations, the index finger hole can be further from the wrist end than the middle finger hole. Alternatively, the index finger hole can be formed at a same distance from the wrist end as the middle finger hole or formed at a distance from the wrist end that is between the distance from the wrist end of the middle finger hole and the ring finger hole. 
     The length of the protective portion extends, for example, from the finger end to the wrist end, and the width of the protective portion can be formed to vary along the length of the protective portion. For example, the protective portion can be formed to have a widest width at the wrist end. The finger end can have a width that is smaller than the width of the wrist end. The protective portion can be formed such that the width of the protective portion can vary between the wrist end and the finger end, with at least one portion of the protective portion having another width that is smaller than the width of the finger end (e.g., as measured at the pinky hole) and smaller than the width of the wrist end. 
     The process can also include attaching a wrist strap to the protective portion ( 64 ). A wrist strap similar to that discussed above with respect to  FIG. 3  can be attached to the protective portion. The wrist strap can be attached, for example, by sewing, gluing, or otherwise attaching the wrist strap to the protective portion. 
       FIG. 7  is a drawing of another example exercise grip  70 . The exercise grip  70  is similar to the exercise grips discussed above, but includes a fourth finger hole  72  that is formed at a location of the protective portion  74  at which the index finger of a hand will be received when the exercise grip  70  is worn. As illustrated by  FIG. 7 , the length of the protective portion  74  from the wrist end  75  can vary with the distance of the various finger holes. For example, the length of the protective portion  74  corresponding to the index finger hole is longer than the length of the protective portion  74  corresponding to the pinky finger hole  76 . As illustrated, the exercise grip  70  also includes a middle finger hole  78  and a ring finger hole  79 , which are both formed in a manner similar to that described above. 
       FIG. 8  is another drawing of an example exercise grip  80  on a hand  81 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the grip  80  has four finger holes through which the index finger  82   a , middle finger  82   b , ring finger  82   c , and pinky finger  82   d  are inserted. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the grip  80  does not include a thumb hole, and the thumb  82   e  remains outside of the grip  80 . The grip  80  includes a protective portion  83 , which is wider at a finger end  84  of the grip than the width of the wrist end  85  of the grip. 
     Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.