CA2939605A1

CA2939605A1 - A versatile, ergonomic grip structure consisting of parallel bars and method of use

Info

Publication number: CA2939605A1
Application number: CA2939605A
Authority: CA
Inventors: James T. Leoniak
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-08-19
Filing date: 2016-08-19
Publication date: 2016-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-19
Also published as: CA2939605C

Abstract

A versatile grip structure for an exercise device consisting of a pair of parallel bars where the source of tension is applied directly between the two bars by the use of a cable attachment placed between the bars or weight bearing rods attached to the ends of the device between the two bars. The bars can be used interchangeably as a grip or as a support. The trainee can grip the device with their hands in the supine or prone position with the grip bar in their hands and the support bar resting on their forearms below the wrist for improved muscle isolation and reduced wrist strain. This design also provides the trainee with the option to use a "traditional grip" and "fat grip" where they hold only one or both bars in their hands respectively. This grip structure can be used in barbells, dumbbells, cable attachments and machine attachments.

Description

DESCRIPTION
A Versatile, Ergonomic Grip Structure Consisting of Parallel Bars and Method of Use.
Background Of The Invention A. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of weight training, specifically, a grip system that consists of two identical parallel steel or metal bars (the bars) spaced far enough apart so that they engage the hand and forearm of the trainee in the prone or supine position.
When a trainee uses a traditional single bar grip device to perform an exercise, the centre of gravity is applied directly to the trainee's hands where they engage the device. This is particularly evident in the case of bicep curls, triceps extensions and straight arm pullovers where the trainee has to focus on keeping their wrists straight in order to isolate the targeted muscle. This can lead to wrist strain as well as under stimulation of the targeted muscle(s) due to the disproportionate effort required to keep the bar in the optimal position throughout the exercise.
These parallel bars place the centre of gravity (Primary source of tension) directly between them, behind the hand grip bar but in front of the support bar.
The centre of gravity is placed directly between the two parallel bars by the application of a rotating or static cable attachment placed between the two parallel bars, or in the case of barbells and dumbbells, through the use of weight supporting rods that are attached to the ends of the device directly between the two parallel bars.
This invention can be used in barbells, dumbbells, cable attachments and machine attachments. Although the bars are identical in width, they do not have to be the same length in some embodiments of the device.
Since the bars in this invention are identical in width, the trainee can use either as a grip or as a support. The grip bar being held by the hands with the support bar resting on the trainees forearm. The trainee can grip the device with their hands in the supine or prone position depending on the exercise they are performing.
These bars can be rubber coated or have removable foam sleeves for comfort.
Trainees would benefit from a device that not only reduces potential wrist strain but one that enables greater isolation of the targeted muscles by the use of two parallel bars with the centre of gravity and source of tension between them (the grip and support bars).
This device also provides trainees with the option of using the "Traditional Grip" by gripping only one of the bars in their hands as well as the option of using the "Fat Grip" by gripping both bars in their hands.
The barbell embodiment of this device can enable a trainee to more effectively perform barbell squats with the popular "Low Bar" technique. A trainee performs a "Low Bar" squat by placing the barbell across their upper back (Spine of the scapula) instead of on top of their shoulders as one would in the traditional "High bar" squat. When the two parallel bars can more effectively rest on the trainees' upper back, above and below the spine of the scapula, the trainee will experience greater thoracic stability which should reduce the chance of injury while they perform this complex, demanding movement.
The proposed device is very versatile and enables the performance of several exercises with multiple grip options.
B. Description of Prior Art As discussed below, no prior art discloses a device that consists of two parallel steel or metal bars with the centre of gravity and source of tension directly between them. There is also no other prior art that describes a grip structure that can be applied to barbells, dumbbells, cable attachments and machine attachments that can be used for multiple exercises while providing the trainee with several grip options.
In US Patent 4,018,442 to Galler of April 19th 1977, discloses a free standing, quadrilateral like symmetrical frame in which the trainee stands inside the frame and lifts it by gripping the parallel side bars. Weight plates are attached to the frame through weight supporting rods that are attached to the centre of the side gripping bars of the device.
This device is used to perform deadlifts and other movements with the trainee standing inside the device but the front and back parallel support bars are too far apart to use it in the manner claimed in this application.
In US Patent 5,118,097 to Cousins of June 2nd 1992, discloses a parallel rotation bar that consists of parallel bars forming a rectangular frame for gymnastics exercises. The two main support bars are far enough apart for a person to fit between them and not close enough to be used as a weight training device.
In US Patent 4,312,506 to Brennan of November 5, 1979, discloses a device in the form of a barbell or dumbbell intended for performing bicep curl exercises consisting of a parallel grip bar and rectangular support plate which moves the centre of gravity rearwardly away from the hand while being used. The grip bar and support plate are distinct items and cannot be used interchangeably.
In US Provisional Patent Application No. 61/803,328 to Grace of March 19, 2013 discloses a barbell that consists of a plate accepting bar with at least one longitudinally extending fulcrum bar that is positioned to contact the trainee's forearm during a curl movement creating a lever arm through the handle. The centre of gravity, however, is online with the grip bar and not behind it.
In US Patent 8,574,136 to Burstrom of November 5, 2013 discloses a barbell having a parallel engaging bar as an accessary for use with a barbell. This engaging bar is detachable and does not move the centre of gravity away from the trainee's hands during exercise.

2 In US Patent Application Publication (US 2003/0130096 Al) to LaCroce of July 10, 2003 describes a barbell apparatus made of a pair of hand gripping bars that enables the trainee to use several hand gripping positions in the "Thumbs up" position and not with the hands =
on the prone or supine position as in this device.
In US Patents 4,756,526 and 4,880,229 to Broussard on Jun 3, 1985 and Mar. 31, respectively, describe an exercise device comprising a pair of weight plates which can be mounted for rotation on a lifting bar with the plates' centers of gravity below the lifting bar and a leverage control bar, coupled to the plates for rotation positioned to contact the trainees forearm during a portion of the curling movement, to exert a relatively constant resistance during the movement. The centre of gravity and source of tension is below the grip bar and the grip/leverage control bar only makes contact with the trainees forearm during a portion of the exercise while the device described in this application applies the centre of gravity between the grip and support/leverage bar throughout the entire exercise and not portions of it.
In US Patent 5,637,064 to Olson and Towley on Oct- 13, 1995 describes an adjustable dumbbell that includes a main central handle which can be selectively connected to outer weights with four cross support bars. The trainees forearm may make contact with these support bars while exercising but the centre of gravity for the device is applied in the centre to the main central handle into the trainees' hands and not behind them as in the device described in this application.
Summary Of The Invention Briefly, the present invention comprises of a set of parallel bars forming part of a rectangular frame that can be used to perform a number of exercises including but not limited to: Bicep curls, triceps extensions and press downs, pullovers, presses, rows, squats, seated calf raises, forearm flexion and extension. This grip structure can be applied to barbells, dumbbells, cable attachments and machine attachments and enables the trainee to perform exercises with several grips.
Brief Description Of The Drawings The accompanying drawings display the invention in several forms. In such drawings:
FIG. 1 is a view of the invention as a closed end cable attachment that can be attached to a cable pulley machine, to a stationary biceps curl or triceps extension machine or to free weight plates through a cable or hook attached to the devices rotating or static attachment which contains a hole/eyelet which enables this.
FIG. 2 is a view of the invention as an open ended set of parallel bars joined in the middle with a rotating or static attachment which contains a hole/eyelet which enables the device to be attached to a cable pulley machine, to stationary biceps curl or triceps extension

3 machines or to free weight plates through the use of a cable or hook. This embodiment does not have a second set of parallel bars as the rotating or static attachment that joins the two main bars performs this function and uses less material.
FIG. 3 is a view of the invention applied to a barbell where the source of tension is applied between the two parallel grip and support bars from the external plate loading rods which are attached mid-way between the two identical parallel bars.
FIG. 4 is a view of the invention in barbell format as in FIG. 3 except this embodiment has an additional rotating or static cable attachment that is used in the embodiment's displayed in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. This format of the device enables the trainee to perform exercises using resistance from cable pulley systems or free weight plates.
FIG. 5 is a view of the invention applied to a dumbbell where the source of tension is applied between the two parallel grip and support bars from the external plate loading rods which are attached mid-way between the two identical parallel bars. The trainee, however, will need two of these devices to form a pair of dumbbells in order to perform exercises although some exercises can be performed with only one dumbbell at a time.
FIG. 6 is a view of the invention applied in a pull-down bar format where one of the parallel bars is much longer than the other. This enables the trainee to perform wide grip pulldown exercises in addition to the exercises that can be performed in the other embodiments of the device.
Description Of The Preferred Embodiment An ergonomic grip structure and method of use that can be applied to barbells, dumbbells, cable attachments and exercise machines where a pair of parallel bars place the centre of gravity (Primary source of tension) behind the hand grip instead of within the hand grip.
This is accomplished by the use of two identical parallel bars 1 that are connected at the centre (FIG. 1,2 & 6) or at the ends (FIG. 3,4 & 5).
Since the bars are identical in width, the trainee can use either bar as a grip or a support.
The grip bar being held by the hands with the support bar resting on the trainees forearm.
This enables the trainee to apply more tension to the targeted muscle(s) since the centre of gravity (Primary source of tension) is no longer on their hand(s) while reducing potential wrist strain.
These bars can be rubber coated or have removable foam sleeves for comfort and can be used to perform several exercises for the arms, torso and lower body.
The centre of gravity is applied directly between the two parallel bars by the application of a rotating or static cable attachment placed directly between the two parallel bars 2 as seen in FIG. 1,2, 4 & 6.
In the case of barbells and dumbbells, weight supporting rods attached to the ends of the device mid-way between the two parallel bars keep the centre of gravity between the two parallel bars 3 as seen in FIG. 3,4 & 5.

4 While the invention has been described in several embodiments, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto and the scope should be interpreted in conjunction with the appended claims.

August 19, 2016 Attention: Commissioner of Patents The applicant, James Leoniak believes that in accordance with the Patent Rules, they are entitled to pay fees at the small entity level in respect of this application and in respect of any patent issued on the basis of this application.
Signed: James Leoniak r..,..,,i

Claims

CLAIMS: The Embodiments Of The Invention In Which An Exclusive Property Or Privilege Is Claimed Are Defined As Follows:
I claim:

1. An ergonomic exercise grip structure consisting essentially of: a first pair of parallel bars and a second pair of parallel bars, said first pair of parallel bars having a length greater than said second pair of parallel bars, said first pair of parallel bars, said first pair of parallel bars being joined at their ends by said second pair of parallel bars to form a rectangular frame or in the middle by a rotating or static cable pulley attachment. This grip structure can be used in a barbell, dumbbell, cable attachment or machine attachment.

2. The device in claim 1 wherein the first pair of parallel bars used interchangeably as grip or support are spaced so that there is adequate space so that when the trainee grips the first bar, the second parallel support bar rests on the trainees forearm below the wrist joint.

3. The device in claims 1 and 2 wherein said device has a pair of horizontally positioned outwardly extending weight plate loading rods mounted midway between said second pair of parallel bars. Said plate loading rods can be 1 inch to accommodate standard free weight plates or 2 inches to accommodate Olympic free weight plates.

4. The device in claims 1 and 2 wherein said device has a rotating or static cable attachment positioned midway between said first pair of bars enabling said device to be attached to cable pulley machines, fixed exercise machines such as seated curl and or triceps extension machines or to an attachment cable that enables the attachment of free weigh plates or dumbbells.

5. The device in claims 1 and 2 consisting of the embodiments of claim 3 where said device can attach weight plates on the outwardly extending loading rods with the additional option of claim 3 having the cable attachment.

6. The device in claims 1 and 2 in the form of a dumbbell consisting of the embodiments of claim 3.

7. The device in claims 1 and 2 in the form of a pulldown bar with the embodiments of claim 4.

8. The device in claims 1-7 where the trainee can grip the device as described in claim 2 while providing the trainee with the additional options to exercise by gripping only one of the two bars (Traditional Grip) and the option to grip both of the bars (Fat Grip).