Patent Publication Number: US-11033773-B1

Title: Handle finger stop protrusion and handle assembly using the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/476,614, entitled “Handle Finger Stop Protrusion And Handle Assembly Using The Same”, filed on Mar. 24, 2017. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally relates to a handle finger stop protrusion and handle assembly using the same. More particularly, the invention relates to a handle finger stop protrusion and handle assembly especially well-suited for exercise equipment, weight lifting equipment, or weight training equipment. 
     2. Background 
     Conventional handles and bars for weight training typically are round, and are usually formed from steel and range in diameter from one to two inches. The trainee grasps the handle or bar with his or hers fingers wrapping around the circumference of the bar. There are exceptions to this normal use of a round bar as in bench pressing and triceps exercises, such as the triceps push downs. A bench press is an exercise where the trainee lies on his back and grasps a weighted bar that is held in a rack. The trainee then grasps and lifts the bar to arm&#39;s length and then lowers it to his chest. He then pushes it from his chest back to arm&#39;s length. This comprises one repetition. A usual workout for the bench press would be a trainee doing ten repetitions and then pausing for a rest. This would be a set. Usually a trainee would do three to four sets of said exercise. Some trainees find that by putting their thumbs beside their index fingers and resting the bar in their palms that it is a more comfortable grip for them when doing a bench press routine. By doing the bench press with this type of grip on the bar, the possibility is created for the bar to roll out of the trainee&#39;s hand because the thumb is not in the position to keep the bar locked into the trainee&#39;s grasp/hand. This is capable of causing serious injury to the trainee as a heavy bar can fall to their chest. 
     Another common exercise and one related to the aforedescribed invention, is the triceps push down. With this exercise, a trainee grasps a round bar that is usually straight or V-shaped. The trainee stands in front of this bar, which is attached to a cable leading to a weight stack and is about chest high. He or she then grasps the bar with his palms facing downward and keeps his elbows at his side. The elbows will be bent at a 90 degree angle or greater in this position. He then pushes down with his hands and then straightens his arms. He then returns to the starting position. This comprises one repetition. Normally ten repetitions would comprise one set. As with the bench press, some trainees find it to be more comfortable to grasp the bar with their thumb beside their index finger. As with the bench press described above, this type of grip may result in the bar rolling from the trainee&#39;s hands, and thus cause serious injury. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a handle assembly with one or more handle finger stop protrusions that will provide a user with a safe, secure grip while using a weightlifting handle or bar. Moreover, a handle finger stop protrusion is needed that provides a buttress for the thumb to push against while grasping a weightlifting handle or bar. Furthermore, there is a need for a handle finger stop protrusion that is capable of forming a buttress on existing weightlifting handles or bars. In addition, what is needed is a handle finger stop protrusion that can be attached to an existing weightlifting handle or can be molded or fabricated into a new weightlifting handle. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a handle finger stop protrusion and handle assembly using the same that substantially obviates one or more problems resulting from the limitations and deficiencies of the related art. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a handle assembly configured to be attached to a movable or fixed device and upon which a hand of a user can perform gripping, pulling, and lifting movements. The handle assembly includes a handle body portion, the handle body portion including a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being oppositely disposed relative to the first surface, the first surface of the handle body portion configured to receive a palm of at least one hand of a user disposed thereon, the handle body portion further including a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being oppositely disposed relative to the first edge, the first edge configured to accommodate a plurality of fingers other than a thumb of the at least one hand of the user wrapped therearound; and at least one finger stop protrusion coupled to and extending outwardly from the first surface of the handle body portion, the at least one finger stop protrusion configured to receive the thumb of the at least one hand of a user pressing thereagainst so that the thumb of the user is configured to oppose the plurality of fingers of the at least one hand of the user wrapped around the first edge so as to create a secure and safe grip of the handle assembly by the user. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, the handle body portion is in the form of an elongate flat bar. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the first surface of the handle body portion is configured to receive the palms of both the right and lefts hands of the user disposed thereon, and wherein the first edge of the handle body portion is configured to accommodate pluralities of fingers other than thumbs from both the right and left hands of the user wrapped therearound. 
     In still a further embodiment, the at least one finger stop protrusion comprises a pair of spaced-apart finger stop protrusions, each of the pair of spaced-apart finger stop protrusions coupled to and extending outwardly from the first surface of the handle body portion, and each of the pair of spaced-apart finger stop protrusions configured to accommodate a respective thumb of a respective hand of the user. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the at least one finger stop protrusion has a cross-sectional body shape selected from the group consisting of: (i) circular, (ii) rectangular, (iii) square, (iv) elliptical, (v) flat bar shaped, and (vi) crescent shaped. 
     In still a further embodiment, the at least one finger stop protrusion is flat bar shaped, a longitudinal axis of the flat bar shaped finger stop protrusion being disposed at an acute angle relative to the second edge of the handle body portion so as to angularly orient the thumb of the user on the first surface of the handle body portion. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the at least one finger stop protrusion is fixedly secured to the handle body portion by welding or other similar means. 
     In still a further embodiment, the at least one finger stop protrusion is removably attached to the handle body portion. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the at least one finger stop protrusion comprises a main body portion and a connecting shaft extending outwardly from a side of the main body portion, the connecting shaft of the at least one finger stop protrusion configured to attach the at least one finger stop protrusion to the handle body portion by engaging with a recess or aperture disposed in the handle body portion. 
     In still a further embodiment, the connecting shaft of the at least one finger stop protrusion comprises a non-threaded section and a threaded section, the non-threaded section of the connecting shaft of the at least one finger stop protrusion configured to be received within the recess or aperture of the handle body portion, and the threaded section of the connecting shaft of the at least one finger stop protrusion configured to engage with a nut for securing the at least one finger stop protrusion to the handle body portion. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the non-threaded section of the connecting shaft of the at least one finger stop protrusion is circular in shape and the recess or aperture of the handle body portion has a corresponding circular shape so as to allow the at least one finger stop protrusion to be rotatably adjusted relative to the handle body portion by the user. 
     In still a further embodiment, the non-threaded section of the connecting shaft of the at least one finger stop protrusion is polygonal in shape and the recess or aperture of the handle body portion has a corresponding polygonal shape so as to allow the at least one finger stop protrusion to be incrementally adjustable in a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the handle body portion by the user, while preventing the at least one finger stop protrusion from being freely rotatable relative to the handle body portion. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the connecting shaft of the at least one finger stop protrusion comprises a plurality of external threads disposed thereon and the recess or aperture disposed in the handle body portion comprises a plurality of corresponding internal threads, the plurality of external threads on the connecting shaft of the at least one finger stop protrusion configured to be threadingly engaged with the plurality of internal threads of the recess or aperture disposed in the handle body portion so as to secure the at least one finger stop protrusion to the handle body portion. 
     In still a further embodiment, the handle assembly further comprises a connector member configured to attach the handle assembly to the movable or fixed device. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the connector member comprises a main body portion and a connecting shaft extending outwardly from a side of the main body portion, the connecting shaft of the connector member configured to attach the connector member to the handle body portion by engaging with a recess or aperture disposed in the handle body portion. 
     In still a further embodiment, the main body portion of the connector member comprises an aperture disposed therethrough for receiving a cable or chain for attaching the connector member to the movable or fixed device. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the connector member is in the form of an eye bolt. 
     In still a further embodiment, the connecting shaft of the connector member comprises a non-threaded section and a threaded section, the non-threaded section of the connecting shaft of the connector member configured to be received within the recess or aperture of the handle body portion, and the threaded section of the connecting shaft of the connector member configured to engage with a nut for securing the connector member to the handle body portion. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the non-threaded section of the connecting shaft of the connector member is polygonal in shape and the recess or aperture of the handle body portion has a corresponding polygonal shape so as to allow the connector member to be incrementally adjustable in a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the handle body portion by the user, while preventing the connector member from being freely rotatable relative to the handle body portion. 
     In accordance with one or more other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a handle finger stop protrusion configured to be coupled to a handle body portion of a handle assembly. The handle finger stop protrusion includes a main body portion, the main body portion configured to be coupled to and extend outwardly from a first surface of the handle body portion, the main body portion configured to receive a thumb of a hand of a user pressing thereagainst so that the thumb of the user is configured to oppose a plurality of fingers other than the thumb of the hand of the user wrapped around an edge of the handle body portion so as to create a secure and safe grip of the handle assembly by the user. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, the main body portion has a cross-sectional body shape selected from the group consisting of: (i) circular, (ii) rectangular, (iii) square, (iv) elliptical, (v) flat bar shaped, and (vi) crescent shaped. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the handle finger stop protrusion further comprises a connecting shaft extending outwardly from a side of the main body portion, the connecting shaft configured to attach the handle finger stop protrusion to the handle body portion by engaging with a recess or aperture disposed in the handle body portion. 
     In still a further embodiment, the connecting shaft comprises a non-threaded section and a threaded section, the non-threaded section of the connecting shaft configured to be received within the recess or aperture of the handle body portion, and the threaded section of the connecting shaft configured to engage with a nut for securing the handle finger stop protrusion to the handle body portion. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the non-threaded section of the connecting shaft of the handle finger stop protrusion is circular in shape and the recess or aperture of the handle body portion has a corresponding circular shape so as to allow the handle finger stop protrusion to be rotatably adjusted relative to the handle body portion by the user. 
     In still a further embodiment, the non-threaded section of the connecting shaft of the handle finger stop protrusion is polygonal in shape and the recess or aperture of the handle body portion has a corresponding polygonal shape so as to allow the handle finger stop protrusion to be incrementally adjustable in a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the handle body portion by the user, while preventing the handle finger stop protrusion from being freely rotatable relative to the handle body portion. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the connecting shaft of the handle finger stop protrusion comprises a plurality of external threads disposed thereon and the recess or aperture disposed in the handle body portion comprises a plurality of corresponding internal threads, the plurality of external threads on the connecting shaft of the handle finger stop protrusion configured to be threadingly engaged with the plurality of internal threads of the recess or aperture disposed in the handle body portion so as to secure the handle finger stop protrusion to the handle body portion. 
     In accordance with yet one or more other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a handle assembly configured to be attached to a movable or fixed device and upon which a hand of a user can perform gripping, pulling, and lifting movements. The handle assembly includes a handle body portion, the handle body portion including a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being oppositely disposed relative to the first surface, the first surface of the handle body portion configured to receive a first portion of at least one hand of a user disposed thereon, the handle body portion further including a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being oppositely disposed relative to the first edge, the first edge configured to accommodate a second portion of the at least one hand of the user wrapped therearound; and at least one protrusion coupled to and extending outwardly from the first surface of the handle body portion, the at least one protrusion configured to receive a third portion of the at least one hand of a user pressing thereagainst so that the third portion of the at least one hand of the user is configured to oppose the second portion of the at least one hand of the user wrapped around the first edge so as to create a secure and safe grip of the handle assembly by the user. 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are merely exemplary and explanatory in nature. As such, the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the invention should not be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims in any sense. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a handle assembly with finger stop protrusions, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a first end view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a second end view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partially exploded perspective view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 , wherein one of the finger stop protrusions is shown exploded from the handle body portion, and wherein the handle assembly is shown attached to a cable; 
         FIG. 8  is another partially exploded perspective view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 , wherein the connector member and one of the finger stop protrusions are shown exploded from the handle body portion, and wherein alternative configurations of finger stop protrusions are illustrated; 
         FIG. 9 a    is another top plan view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 , wherein the finger stop protrusions are disposed at acute angles relative to an edge of the handle body portion; 
         FIG. 9 b    is yet another top plan view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 , wherein the finger stop protrusions are disposed generally parallel to an edge of the handle body portion; 
         FIG. 9 c    is a top plan view of a handle assembly with finger stop protrusions, according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view illustrating a user pulling down on the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is still another top plan view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1 , wherein a positioning of the hands of a user are depicted on the handle body portion of the handle assembly; 
         FIG. 12  is another top plan view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 9 c   , wherein a positioning of the hands of a user are depicted on the handle body portion of the handle assembly; and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a handle assembly with finger stop protrusions, according to yet another embodiment of the invention, wherein the finger stop protrusions are welded onto the handle body portion of the handle assembly. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the figures, the same parts are always denoted using the same reference characters so that, as a general rule, they will only be described once. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     A first illustrative embodiment of a handle assembly with finger stop protrusions is seen generally at  10  in  FIGS. 1-9   a ,  10 , and  11 . The handle assembly  10  is configured to be attached to a movable or fixed device (e.g., to a cable or chain of weightlifting or exercise equipment) and upon which a hand of a user can perform gripping, pulling, and lifting movements. Referring initially to  FIGS. 1, 3, 10, and 11 , it can be seen that the handle assembly  10  generally comprises a handle body portion  12 , the handle body portion  12  including a first surface  14  and a second surface  16  (see  FIG. 3 ), the second surface  16  being oppositely disposed relative to the first surface  14 , the first surface  14  of the handle body portion  12  configured to receive the palms  66  of the hands  64  of a user  62  disposed thereon (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ), the handle body portion  12  further including a first edge  12   a  and a second edge  12   b , the second edge  12   b  being oppositely disposed relative to the first edge  12   a , the first edge  12   a  configured to accommodate a plurality of fingers  68  other than the thumbs  70  of the hands  64  of the user  62  wrapped therearound (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ); and a pair of spaced-apart finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  coupled to and extending outwardly from the first surface  14  of the handle body portion  12 , the pair of spaced-apart finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  configured to receive the thumbs  70  of the hands  64  of the user  62  pressing thereagainst (see  FIG. 11 ) so that the thumbs  70  of the user  62  are configured to oppose the plurality of fingers  68  of the hand of the user  62  wrapped around the first edge  12   a  so as to create a secure and safe grip of the handle assembly  10  by the user  62  to prevent the hands of the user  62  from slipping off the handle. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, with reference to  FIGS. 1, 7, and 8 , it can be seen that the handle body portion  12  is in the form of an elongate flat bar. As explained above, the first flat surface  14  of the handle body portion  12  is configured to receive the palms  66  of the right and left hands  64  of the user  62  disposed thereon (refer to  FIGS. 10 and 11 ), while the first curved edge  12   a  of the handle body portion  12  is configured to accommodate pluralities of fingers  68  other than thumbs  70  from both the right and left hands  64  of the user  62  wrapped therearound (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the user  62  is exercising his arms  63  by pulling down on the handle assembly  10 , which may be attached to a stack of weights on a piece of weightlifting or exercise equipment by means of cable  60 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the flat bar-shaped handle body portion  12  may be formed from steel, and may have a thickness of approximately ¼ of an inch and a width of approximately 2.0 inches. Advantageously, the flat bar shape of the handle body portion  12  allows for the user  62  (e.g., a weight trainee) to push or pull a weight with more of his or her palm(s) engaged against the resistance. That is, the flat bar shape of the handle body portion  12  enables the user (i.e., the weight trainee) to use more of their hand surface area for a more comfortable grip. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1, 7, and 10 , in the illustrative embodiment, the handle assembly  10  further comprises a connector member  46  configured to attach the handle assembly  10  to the movable or fixed device (e.g., to the cable  60  of a piece of weightlifting or exercise equipment, as shown in  FIG. 10 ). Referring to the perspective view of  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the connector member  46  comprises a main body portion  48  and a connecting shaft  52  extending outwardly from a bottom side of the main body portion  48 . The connecting shaft  52  of the connector member  46  attaches the connector member  46  to the handle body portion  12  by engaging with an aperture  19  disposed in the handle body portion  12  (see  FIG. 8 ). Referring collectively to  FIGS. 1, 7, and 10 , it can be seen that the main body portion  48  of the connector member  46  comprises an aperture  50  disposed therethrough for receiving a cable connector  58  that attaches the connector member  46  to the movable or fixed device (e.g., to the cable  60  of a piece of weightlifting or exercise equipment—see  FIG. 10 ). That is, in the illustrative embodiment, the connector member  46  is in the form of an eye bolt with an aperture  50  that receives the cable connector  58  looped therethrough (see  FIGS. 7 and 10 ). As best illustrated in the perspective view of  FIG. 7 , the generally teardrop-shaped cable connector  58  attaches the cable  60  to the connector member  46  of the handle assembly  10 , thereby securing the handle assembly  10  to the cable  60  of the piece of weightlifting or exercise equipment. 
     Turning to  FIG. 8 , it can be seen that, in the illustrative embodiment, the connecting shaft  52  of the connector member  46  may comprise a non-threaded section  54  and a threaded section  56 . In the illustrative embodiment, the non-threaded section  54  of the connecting shaft  52  of the connector member  46  may be received within the aperture  19  of the handle body portion  12 , while the threaded section  56  of the connecting shaft  52  of the connector member  46  threadingly engages with a nut  32  for securing the connector member  46  to the handle body portion  12  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the non-threaded section  54  of the connecting shaft  52  of the connector member  46  may be polygonal in shape (e.g., hexagonal in shape) and the aperture  19  of the handle body portion  12  may have a corresponding polygonal shape (e.g., a corresponding hexagonal shape) so as to allow the connector member  46  to be incrementally adjustable in a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the handle body portion  12  by the user  62 , while preventing the connector member  46  from being freely rotatable relative to the handle body portion  12 . 
     Now, with particular reference to  FIGS. 1, 7, and 8 , the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  of the illustrative embodiment of the handle assembly  10  will be described in detail. In  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the first finger stop protrusion  20  is longitudinally spaced apart from the second finger stop protrusion  22  across the length of the handle body portion  12  of the handle assembly  10 . Each of the pair of spaced-apart finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  is coupled to, and extends outwardly from the first surface  14  of the handle body portion  12 . Also, as best illustrated in the top view of  FIG. 11 , each of the pair of spaced-apart finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  is configured to accommodate a respective thumb  70  of a respective hand  64  of the user  62 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , it can be seen that, in the illustrative embodiment, each of the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  comprises a main body portion  24  and a connecting shaft  26  extending outwardly from a bottom side of the main body portion  24 . The connecting shaft  26  of each finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  attaches the finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  to the handle body portion  12  by engaging with a respective aperture  18  disposed in the handle body portion  12 . Referring again to  FIG. 7 , it can be seen that, in the illustrative embodiment, the connecting shaft  26  of each finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  may comprise a non-threaded section  28  and a threaded section  30 . In the illustrative embodiment, the non-threaded section  28  of the connecting shaft  26  of each finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  is received within the aperture  18  of the handle body portion  12 , while the threaded section  30  of the connecting shaft  26  of each finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  engages with a nut  32  for securing each finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  to the handle body portion  12  (refer to  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the non-threaded section  28  of the connecting shaft  26  of each finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  may be polygonal in shape (e.g., hexagonal in shape) and the aperture  18  of the handle body portion  12  may have a corresponding polygonal shape (e.g., a corresponding hexagonal shape) so as to allow each finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  to be incrementally adjustable in a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the handle body portion  12  by the user  62 , while preventing the finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  from being freely rotatable relative to the handle body portion  12 . For example, as shown in a first angular orientation in  FIG. 9 a   , the longitudinal axis of each finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  may be disposed at an acute angle relative to the second edge  12   b  of the handle body portion  12  so as to angularly orient each thumb  70  of the user  62  on the first surface  14  of the handle body portion  12  (i.e., as shown in  FIG. 11 ). Alternatively, as shown in a second angular orientation in  FIG. 9 b   , the longitudinal axis of each finger stop protrusion  20 ′,  22 ′ may be disposed generally parallel to the second edge  12   b  of the handle body portion  12 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-9   b ,  10 , and  11 , each of the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  has a cross-sectional body shape that is generally flat bar shaped. In the handle assembly  10  of  FIG. 9 a   , the longitudinal axis of each flat bar shaped finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  is disposed at an acute angle relative to the second edge  12   b  of the handle body portion  12 , while in the handle assembly  10 ′ of  FIG. 9 b   , the longitudinal axis of each flat bar shaped finger stop protrusion  20 ′,  22 ′ is disposed generally parallel relative to the second edge  12   b  of the handle body portion  12 . In other illustrative embodiments, each finger stop protrusion alternatively may have a cross-sectional body shape that is circular, rectangular, square, elliptical, or crescent shaped (i.e., half-moon shaped). For example, as shown in the second illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 9 c    and  12 , the handle assembly  10 ″ may be provided with finger stop protrusions  34 ,  36  having a main body portion  38  with a circular cross-sectional shape. In this alternative embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 12 , it can be seen that, when the finger stop protrusions  34 ,  36  are provided with a circular main body portion  38 , the thumbs  70  of the user  62  are partially wrapped around the circular outer sides of the finger stop protrusions  34 ,  36  by the user  62 . In one or more embodiments, the handle assembly  10  may be provided with a plurality of different types of finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22 ,  34 ,  36  as part of a handle assembly kit  100  (e.g., as depicted in  FIG. 8 ). As shown in  FIG. 8 , like the flat bar-shaped finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  described above, the circular finger stop protrusions  34 ,  36  each comprise a main body portion  38  and a connecting shaft  40  extending outwardly from a bottom side of the main body portion  38 . The connecting shaft  40  of each circular finger stop protrusion  34 ,  36  attaches the finger stop protrusion  34 ,  36  to the handle body portion  12  by engaging with a respective aperture  18  disposed in the handle body portion  12 . Referring again to  FIG. 8 , as described above for the flat bar-shaped finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22 , the connecting shaft  40  of each finger stop protrusion  34 ,  36  may comprise a non-threaded section  42  and a threaded section  44 . In the illustrative embodiment, the non-threaded section  42  of the connecting shaft  40  of each finger stop protrusion  34 ,  36  is received within the aperture  18  of the handle body portion  12 , while the threaded section  44  of the connecting shaft  40  of each finger stop protrusion  34 ,  36  engages with a nut  32  for securing each finger stop protrusion  34 ,  36  to the handle body portion  12  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     In the illustrated embodiments of the handle assemblies  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ described above, the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22 ,  34 ,  36  are removably attached to the handle body portion  12  by means of the threaded connections between threaded shaft sections  30 ,  44  and their respective nuts  32  so as to allow the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22 ,  34 ,  36  to be swapped out by the user  62  and/or selectively positioned at a particular angular orientation on the handle body portion  12 . In an alternative embodiment, the finger stop protrusions may be fixedly secured to the handle body portion  12  in a permanent manner by welding or other similar means. For example, as shown in the third illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 13 , the handle assembly  10 ′″ may be provided with finger stop protrusions  21 ,  23  permanently affixed to the handle body portion  12  by a welded base  25 . In this illustrative embodiment, similar to the first illustrative embodiment described above, each flat bar shaped finger stop protrusion  21 ,  23  is disposed at an acute angle relative to the second edge  12   b  of the handle body portion  12  (see  FIG. 13 ). 
     In one or more alternative embodiments, rather than the non-threaded sections  28  of the connecting shafts  26  of each finger stop protrusion  20 ,  22  having a polygonal shape as described above in conjunction with the first illustrative embodiment, the non-threaded sections of the connecting shafts  26  of the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  may be circular in shape and the aperture in the handle body portion  12  may have a corresponding circular shape so as to allow the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  to be rotatably adjusted relative to the handle body portion  12  by the user  62 . 
     Also, in one or more alternative embodiments, rather than utilizing nuts  32  for attaching the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  to the handle body portion  12 , the connecting shafts of the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  may comprise a plurality of external threads disposed thereon and the aperture disposed in the handle body portion  12  may comprise a plurality of corresponding internal threads. In these one or more alternative embodiments, the plurality of external threads on the connecting shaft of the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  are threadingly engaged with the plurality of internal threads of the aperture disposed in the handle body portion  12  so as to secure the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  22  to the handle body portion  12 . 
     In the illustrative embodiments described above, the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  34 ,  36  are provided as components of a handle assembly  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ″. However, it is to be understood that, in other embodiments of the invention, the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  34 ,  36  may be provided in a retrofit kit for modifying an existing handle member (e.g., an existing handle member of a piece of weightlifting or exercise equipment). For example, in one or more of these other embodiments, the finger stop protrusions may be welded or otherwise secured to the outer surface of an existing handle member (e.g., the finger stop protrusions may be welded to an existing inverted V-shaped handle member). 
     It is readily apparent that the aforedescribed handle assemblies  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″ and finger stop protrusions  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  34 ,  36  provided thereon offers numerous advantages. First, the handle assemblies  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″ described herein provide a user with a safe, secure grip while using a weightlifting handle or bar. The aforedescribed handle assemblies  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″ are particularly well adapted for use with weightlifting and exercise equipment where the achievement of a safe, secure grip is of upmost importance for achieving a beneficial workout. Secondly, the aforedescribed finger stop protrusions  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  34 ,  36  of the handle assemblies  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″ provide a buttress for the thumb to push against while a user is grasping a weightlifting handle or bar. Thirdly, the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  34 ,  36  described herein are capable of being used to form a buttress on existing weightlifting handles or bars. Finally, the finger stop protrusions  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  34 ,  36  described herein are advantageously capable of being attached to an existing weightlifting handle or can be molded or fabricated into a new weightlifting handle. 
     Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is apparent that this invention can be embodied in many different forms and that many other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. 
     Moreover, while exemplary embodiments have been described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the exemplary embodiments set forth above are merely illustrative in nature and should not be construed as to limit the claims in any manner. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents, and not, by the preceding description.