Abstract:
A hand exerciser device having a frame with a first and second rod on each end with a third rod being slidably mounted on the frame between the first and second rods, a biasing device forcing the third rod towards the second rod, an adjustment device for changing the distance between the first rod and third rod for exercising one hand. A disconnect connection between the first rod and frame to remove the first rod to provide a two-hand exerciser.

Description:
DESCRIPTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to an exerciser for developing the muscles of the hand, arm, and chest and increasing ease of movement in the hand. 
     2. Background Art 
     Many hand exercising devices are available today, including a rubber ball. Some hand exercisers are shown in the following patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 28,845; 689,652; 668,473; 965,284; 632,114; 938,348; 3,216,259, 2,205,161; 1,620,910; 3,442,132; and 3,129,939. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a hand exerciser which is adjustable to change the position of the movable inner hand grip with respect to the fixed outer hand grip to account for hand and finger size. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a hand exerciser in which the hand grips can be adjusted for use by two or more persons of varying hand sizes. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a hand exerciser which can be adjusted for doing different exercises with one hand size. 
     Another object of this invention is to remove the fixed hand grip and have an exerciser which can be used by both hands at once. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the hand exerciser showing the movable inner hand grip and fixed adjustable outer hand grip biased apart by the elastic bands and showing an adjustment screw and holes; 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of FIG. 1 showing the inner hand grip biased against an end stop rod and showing both adjustment screws; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the hand exerciser showing the movable inner hand grip forced against the fixed adjustable outer hand grip with one elastic band removed showing one end stop rod, and the other elastic band stretched; 
     FIG. 4 is an end view of FIG. 3 showing one end stop rod and both adjustment screws; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hand exerciser in FIG. 1 showing the countour of the slidable sleeves on the movable inner hand grip and showing an adjustable screw and holes. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     As illustrated in the drawings, a frame 2 is shown formed in a substantially rectangular shape. Two larger diameter rods 4 and 6 are located on each end, with their ends connected by smaller diameter rods 8 and 10. Rods 8 and 10 each have one end fixed in a hole 9 in each end of large rod 4 by use of a screw 11. While they have been releasably fixed in this manner, other known fixing means may be used. 
     The opposite ends of the rods 8 and 10 extend through holes 12 and 14, respectively, located near the ends of the rod 6. A short section 16 of the rod 6 extends outwardly from the hole 14 and a short section 18 of the rod 6 extends outwardly from the hole 12 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The ends of the rods 8 and 10 each have a plurality of adjustment holes 20 therein to align with a fixed positioning hole in each end of rod 6. One fixed positioning hole in rod 6 intersects the hole 12 while the other fixed positioning hole intersects the hole 14. The fixed positioning holes are located on opposite sides of the rod 6. An adjustment screw 22 is located in each fixed positioning hole, from each side of rod 6, to engage the desired adjustment hole 20 in each rod 8 and 10. This makes a rigid frame 2. As shown in the Figures, the adjustment screws 22 engage the second adjustment hole from each end of the rods 8 and 10. 
     A third large diameter rod 24 is mounted for slidable movement on rods 8 and 10 between rods 4 and 6. A sleeve 26 is fixed in each of two holes 28, spaced to receive the rods 8 and 10 and be slidable thereon. A short section 30 of the rod 24 extends outwardly from each hole 28 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. 
     A wide elastic band 32 is placed around short section 16 on rod 6 and aligned short section 30 on rod 24, and a wide elastic band 34 is placed around short section 18 on rod 6 and aligned short section 30 on rod 24. The action of elastic bands 32 and 34 biases rod 24 towards rod 6. Stop members, or rods, 36 project from the short sections 16 and 18 of rod 6 toward the short sections 30 on rod 24, under the wide elastic bands 32 and 34. These stop rods 36 limit the minimum distance between the rod 6 and rod 24 and limit the movement of the rod 24 from the rod 4. The rod 24 and rod 4 form, respectively, the movable inner hand grip and fixed adjustable outer hand grip. The rod 6 forms the fixed rod to which the rod 24 is connected by elastic bands 32 and 34 to resist movement of rod 24 away from rod 6. 
     In one-hand operation, one&#39;s hand extends around the movable inner hand grip rod 24 and fixed outer hand grip rod 4 to draw said rod 24 toward rod 4 and overcome the force of the elastic bands 32 and 34. The rods 24 and 4 can be adjustably spaced apart by placing adjustment screws 22 in the desired holes 20 to provide different spacing for: 
     (1) adjusting for a large or small hand of a person; 
     (2) adjusting for use by two or more people having different hand sizes; and 
     (3) adjusting for doing different exercises with one hand size. 
     The wide elastic bands 32 and 34 can be made stronger, or weaker, or a plurality of bands can be used on each side to increase forces holding rods 24 and 6 together. 
     For two-hand operation, the rod 4 can be removed with the rod 6 acting as a second hand grip with inner hand grip 24. One hand grasps rod 6 and the other hand grasps hand grip 24; as the hands are pulled apart the wide elastic bands 34 and 32 are stretched in the same manner as when the exerciser is used as a single hand exerciser. This action reaches muscles of the upper arm and chest.