WO2021136923A1

WO2021136923A1 - Hand grip comprising an arm portion

Info

Publication number: WO2021136923A1
Application number: PCT/GB2020/053166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gordon Mcintosh
Original assignee: Bikesenz Limited
Priority date: 2019-12-30
Filing date: 2020-12-10
Publication date: 2021-07-08
Also published as: GB2590717A; GB201919431D0

Abstract

A hand grip comprising an elongate body portion extending along an axis, and an arm portion extending radially outwardly of said axis, in which said hand grip comprises a hand grip first end and a hand grip second end, in which said arm portion comprises an undulating upper surface which in a direction from said hand grip first end to said hand grip second end comprises a first convex section, a concave section and a second convex section.

Description

Hand Grip Comprising an Arm Portion

The present invention relates to a hand grip comprising an arm portion, for use particularly, but not exclusively as a bicycle handlebar grip.

There are many known kinds of hand grip, for either transmitting a load to a user’s hand, or supporting the user’s weight. In many cases hand grips are just annular or some other geometric shape, but it is widely known to form them with ergonomic shapes to better interface with the user’s hand. It is also known to provide hand grips with resilient characteristics, so they deform under loading. These features can be to simply increase general comfort, but also to avoid injury, especially when a hand grip is used for a prolonged period of time or is subjected to a high load.

When riding a bicycle the user’s hands are applied to the handle bars in order to carry some of the user’s weight, and provide an important control interface. Traditionally bicycle handlebars have a generally tubular shape, and are provided with grips formed from padded tapes helically would onto the handlebars, or from annular tubes of a resilient plastics material fitted thereon. In these cases the only concession to comfort is the resilient nature of the handgrip material.

It is known however to provide hand grips with an ergonomic shape which corresponds to at least some extent with the shape of the palm of the hand when placed in a gripping position. This helps to prevent pressure points which can lead to blisters and the like after prolonged use. However, one problem with such ergonomic grip shapes is that while they provide support to the palm of the hand in a gripping position, they do not address problems associated with forming the hand into that gripping position itself. In particular, in a conventional bicycle handlebar gripping position all the user’s weight is applied to a narrow band of the palm of their hand, generally between the thumb and the fingers and over the lumbrical muscles. An ergonomically shaped grip helps to alleviate the effects of the pressure experienced in that vicinity, but it does not reduce the pressure applied. In addition to this, ergonomically shaped grips do not address the issue of the wrist being extended to an undesirable degree, which is a common position for a rider to adopt when riding a bicycle. If known ergonomically shaped grips are rotated forwards to provide support to the palm and move the wrist into a more neutral position, then they cease to function correctly because the intended force bearing surface area is parallel to the commonly encountered forces transmitted through the arm, with the result that the user’s hands slip off the grip. In other words, known ergonomically shaped grips are not designed to produce a good wrist posture.

Another problem with known ergonomic bicycle handlebar grips is that they can deform under pressure, and may lose their beneficial shape over time. This is generally as a result of such grips having a relatively weak construction, and in particular inadequate support under the irregular protruding parts of the ergonomic shape. This is usually because such grips are singularly constructed from one resilient plastics material.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the above described problems.

Therefore, according to the present invention a hand grip comprises an elongate body portion extending along an axis, and an arm portion extending radially outwardly of said axis, in which said hand grip comprises a hand grip first end and a hand grip second end, in which said arm portion comprises an undulating upper surface which in a direction from said hand grip first end to said hand grip second end comprises a first convex section, a concave section and a second convex section.

Thus, the present invention is a hand grip which features a radially outwardly extending arm portion for supporting a larger area of the user’s hand in use than the narrow band between the thumb and fingers. When used on a bicycle the arm portion is arranged rearward of the handlebars, so it extends in a proximal direction of the user. In this position the hand grip is arranged with the hand grip first end closest to the headstock of the bicycle. Depending on the angle of forward lean of the user on the bicycle in question, the arm portion can be rotationally angled on the axis so it supports the proximal end of the user’s palm at the angle it naturally assumes when the user reaches out their arms with their hands in line with their forearms. The result of this is that the user is forced to adopt a neutral wrist posture when holding the handlebars, in which a line drawn down the forearm bisects the approximate center of a closed fist.

The prevents over extension or over flexion of the wrist from occurring when the user grips the handlebars. Maintaining this wrist position also prevents any radial/ulnar deviation of the wrist from occurring. Therefore, the primary benefit of the hand grip of the present invention is this improvement in wrist posture, and the prevention of any over extension or over flexion. In addition, keeping the palm of the hand in this position prevents injury to the ulnar or medial nerves, which is something which can occur through repeated trauma resulting from overuse of known hand grips. It has been found that in many cases the hand grip of the present invention reduces postural defects to below threshold values identified in independent research as being relevant to the occurrence of injury, and conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

In addition to the above the arm portion reduces the pressure applied to the narrow band between the thumb and fingers and over the lumbrical muscles, and instead disperses it over a larger area of the user’s palm, in particular over the thenar eminence and the hypothenar eminence. At the same time, the upper surface of the arm portion has an ergonomic shape which corresponds with the shape of the user’s palm when placed in the relatively open gripping shape required to hold the hand grip.

In particular, the first convex section supports the user’s palm in the vicinity of the thumb knuckle. The concave section as it transfers into the second convex section supports the thenar eminence, and the second convex section generally provides support for the hypothenar eminence. This prevents any pressure points which might lead to blisters on the skin or trauma to underlying nerves and ligaments.

In line with this, preferably a lowest point of a lower surface of the arm portion can lie in a plane which intersects the axis, and a peak of the second convex section can be spaced from the plane a greater distance than a peak of the first convex section. In other words, the arm portion rises in a direction from the hand grip first end to the hand grip second end. This provides good support for the outside of the user’s palm and prevents any pronation of the forearm. In other words the undulating shape of the upper surface helps to prevent any radial deviation of the user’s hand and wrist.

Preferably the arm portion can comprise an inner end proximal to the axis and an outer end distal from the axis, and the upper surface can be convex in a direction from the inner end to the outer end. Therefore, the upper surface has a complex shape which undulates and rises in a direction from the hand grip first end to the hand grip second end, but which is also convex in a direction normal to this. The convexity from the inner end to the outer end provides ergonomic support for the arcuate gripping formation of the user’s hand in a distal direction thereof. In particular, it provides this support for the hand when the user’s wrist is in the beneficial neutral posture described above, which is something the known ergonomic grip shapes do not do. In particular, by being convex in this way the upper surface comprises areas which are directed to the normal forces applied through the proximal area of a user’s hand when the user adopts a neutral wrist posture. This makes the hand grip of the invention safe to use when such a wrist posture is adopted.

The convexity of the upper surface can merge smoothly into the annular shape of the body portion where the inner end of the arm portion meets the body portion. This provides a comfortable and supportive shape for the distal part of the user’s palm and their fingers. In use the user’s fingers wrap around the body portion in the known way. The lower surface of the arm portion can be concave in a direction from the inner end to the outer end. This arrangement provides space for the user’s fingertips. This is the case when a user is seated on the bicycle in the normal way, but it is also beneficially the case if a user changes their position on the bicycle, for example if they stand out of the saddle and the angle of their arms relative to the handlebars changes. The user’s fingertips slide further into the concave shape of the lower surface in such circumstances.

Preferably in a direction from the hand grip first end to the hand grip second end the second convex section can comprise a first rising part and a second rising part. The first rising part can extend away from the plane to a greater extent than the second rising part. In other words, as it extends away from the hand grip first end the second convex section initially rises more sharply, before levelling off. This shape generally corresponds with the shape of the user’s hand in the gripping formation, in which the thumb is opened away from the palm, causing the thenar eminence to protrude. The base of the thenar eminence is therefore generally supported by the first rising part, and the hypothenar eminence is generally supported by the second rising part.

In one embodiment the arm portion can comprise an arm portion first end proximal to the hand grip first end and an arm portion second end distal to the hand grip first end, and the arm portion first end can be spaced from the hand grip first end in the axial direction of the hand grip. With this configuration the body portion comprises a substantially annular thumb section adjacent to the hand grip first end, which is suitable for the user’s thumb to engage with in use as there is no arm portion in the way. This feature allows the user to achieve an encircling grip of the hand grip between the thumb and forefinger, much like on a regular hand grip. This helps to ensure the user can maintain a secure grip on the hand grip when they are subjected to the forces experienced when using a bicycle, which can be severe under certain circumstances. The arm portion then extends conveniently under the user’s palm. ln a preferred construction the arm portion first end can be rounded in a direction from the upper surface to the lower surface. As such, the arm portion first end can have an ergonomic shape which will not cause discomfort in use to the region of the hand between the thumb and the palm.

Furthermore, the arm portion first end can taper towards the hand grip first end in a direction from the outer end to the inner end. This also improves comfort by allowing the base of the user’s thumb in the vicinity of the thumb knuckle some free space to occupy in use.

The hand grip of the invention can be constructed from any suitable material, such as a resilient plastics material, or a rubber-based material or the like. As such, it can be a single moulded component created using any known manufacturing method. However, in a preferred construction the hang grip can comprise an inner substrate and an outer covering. The inner substrate provides sufficient structural strength to support the shapes described above, in particular the arm portion, while the outer covering can be more resilient to provide a softer feel to the user, and to allow its shape to be adjusted to suit the pressure applied by the user in use.

In particular, inside the arm portion the inner substrate can comprise a plurality of spaced apart support ribs which can extend radially in a direction away from the axis and which can provide triangulated support between the body portion and the arm portion. This structure ensures that the arm portion is sufficiently strong to support a user’s weight in use. The user’s weight is transmitted from the upper surface to the body portion via the ribs.

Inside the body portion the inner substrate can comprise a plurality of axially extending slots, and the outer covering can comprise a plurality of corresponding radially inwardly extending protrusions disposed in the slots. The purpose of this construction is to ensure that the outer covering is sufficiently attached to the inner substrate to prevent it moving unduly thereon when placed under pressure in use. In particular, it is desired to prevent the outer covering rotating on the axis about the inner substrate at any point.

In a preferred construction the slots can comprise a first slot located adjacent to a junction between the body portion and an inner end of the arm portion first end. This particular slot prevents undue movement of the outer covering on the inner substrate at the region of the hand grip which is grasped between the user’s thumb and forefinger, where the greatest pressure may be applied by the user in use. As the hand grip has an irregular shape in this area, this slot also ensures that the outer covering remains correctly fitted and secured thereat.

The slots can further comprise two second slots located on an opposite side of the body portion to the arm portion, as well as three third slots located on the body portion substantially perpendicular to the two second slots. Furthermore, the slots can comprise three fourth slots located on an opposite side of the body portion to the third slots. This array of slots provides for sufficient keying interconnection between the inner substrate and the outer covering.

In one version of the invention inside the arm portion the inner substrate can comprise an opening formed therein. The purpose of this opening would be to allow the outer covering a greater degree of flex in order to conform more closely to the shape of the user’s hand.

In one embodiment the hand grip second end can comprise a housing for receiving a bar-end component with which the hand grip is used. Many bicycle handlebars comprise bar-ends either to dampen vibration, or as an aesthetic improvement. They can also be in the form of additional hand grips which are shaped to provide an alternative hand position for the rider. The housing allows for such bar-ends, or additional hand grips, to be used with the hand grip.

However, in preference to the above, in one construction inside the body portion the substrate can comprise an inner area, and the outer covering can comprise an aperture at the hand grip second end. With this construction the hand grip can be moved further onto the handlebars with which it is used, leaving an exposed section of the handlebar extending out from the hand grip second end, to which something like a known bull bar can be attached. This is a known configuration with retro-fit bicycle hand grips.

It will be appreciated that the hand grip will also need to be securely fitted to bicycle handlebars in use. In order to provide for this, the hand grip first end can comprise a plurality of part annular mounting tabs for mounting to a tubular item with which the hand grip is used. In particular, the inner substrate can comprise a plurality of part annular mounting tabs for mounting to a tubular item with which the hand grip is used, and the mounting tabs can protrude from the outer covering at the hand grip first end. A clamp member can then be mounted circumferentially around the mounting tabs for applying an inner radial force to the mounting tabs to secure them to the tubular item.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand grip according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hand grip shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a second end view of the hand grip shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a first end view of the hand grip shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an inner substrate of the hand grip shown in

Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the inner substrate shown in Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is an underside view of the inner substrate shown in Figure 5;

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a hand grip 1 comprises an elongate body portion 2 extending along an axis A-A, and an arm portion 3 extending radially outwardly of the axis A-A. The hand grip 1 comprises a hand grip first end 4 and a hand grip second end 5, and the arm portion 3 comprises an undulating upper surface 6 which in a direction from the hand grip first end 4 to the hand grip second end 5 comprises a first convex section 7, a concave section 8 and a second convex section 9.

The body portion 2 is generally tubular in shape, but the arm portion 3 has a complex three dimensional shape which is designed to support the user’s palm in use, as explained in more detail below. In particular, the arm portion 3 has a complex shape in both an axial direction and a radial direction of the hand grip 1.

Referring to Figure 2, a lowest point 10 of a lower surface 11 of the arm portion 3 lies in a plane, indicated by hashed box B, which plane B intersects the axis A-A. A peak 12 of the second convex section 9 is spaced from the plane B a greater distance than a peak 13 of the first convex section 7. In other words, the arm portion 3 rises relative to the plane B in a direction from the hand grip first end 4 to the hand grip second end 5. This provides good support for the outside of the user’s palm and as described further below forces the user to adopt a neutral wrist posture when holding the handlebars of a bicycle to which the hand grip 1 is attached, which prevents over extension or over flexion of the wrist from occurring.

The particular axially extending convex shapes of the first convex section 7 and the second convex section 9 are illustrated in the Figures, and in Figure 2 in particular. From this it can be seen that the first convex section 7 is relatively shallow and its peak 13 is closer to the hand grip second end 5 than the hand grip first end 4. It therefore has a first side 14 which is axially longer than a second side 15. Relative to the plane B the second convex section 9 has its peak 12 adjacent to the hand grip second end 5. In the axial direction from the hand grip first end 4 to the hand grip second end 5 the second convex section 9 comprises a first rising part 16 which extends away from plane B at a first rate, and a second rising part 17 which rises away from plane B at a second rate which is less than the first rate. In other words, the second convex section 9 is initially steep and then generally levels off towards its peak 12.

The concave section 8 is formed by the second side 15 of the first convex section 7 and the first rising part 16 of the second convex section 9. It can be seen from Figure 2 that those two parts have a similar axial length in a direction from the hand grip first end 4 to the hand grip second end 5.

The shape of the upper surface 6 generally corresponds with the shape of the user’s hand in a gripping formation in which the thumb is positioned away from the palm in order to grasp the hand grip 1 , which cases the thenar eminence at the base of the thumb to protrude slightly relative to the hypothenar eminence. The thumb knuckle is supported by the first side 14 of the first convex section 7, while the slightly protruding thenar eminence is then generally supported by the concave section 8, between the second side 15 and the first rising part 16. The hypothenar eminence is then generally supported by the second rising part 17. Referring to Figure 3, the arm portion 3 comprises an inner end 18 proximal to the axis A-A and an outer end 19 distal from the axis A-A, and the upper surface 6 is convex in a direction from the inner end 18 to the outer end 19. Therefore, the upper surface 6 has a complex shape which undulates and rises in a direction from the hand grip first end 4 to the hand grip second end 5, but which is also convex in a direction normal to this. This radial convexity from the inner end 18 to the outer end 19 provides ergonomic support for the arcuate gripping formation of the user’s hand in a distal direction thereof. In particular, it provides support for the hand when the user’s wrist is in the beneficial neutral posture described above. The radial convexity from the inner end 18 to the outer end 19 means the upper surface 6 comprises an area adjacent to the outer end 19 which is directed to the normal forces applied through the proximal area of a user’s hand when the user adopts the neutral wrist posture. This means the user can safely engage with the hand grip 1 for control and manipulation of the handlebars in use.

As shown in Figure 3 the radial convexity of the upper surface 6 merges smoothly into the annular shape of the body portion 2 where the inner end 18 of the arm portion 3 meets the body portion 2. This provides a comfortable and supportive shape for the distal part of the user’s palm and their fingers. In use the user’s fingers wrap around the body portion 2 in the known way, so their fingertips are located on an underside 20 of the body portion 2, the underside 20 being such when the hand grip 1 is fitted to a bicycle (not shown).

The lower surface 11 of the arm portion 3 has a generally corresponding shape to the upper surface 6, and in particular is concave in a radial direction from the inner end 18 to the outer end 19. This arrangement provides space for the user’s fingertips. This is the case when a user is seated on a bicycle in the normal way, but it is also beneficially the case if a user changes their position on the bicycle, for example if they stand out of the saddle and the angle of their arms relative to the handlebars changes. The user’s fingertips slide further into the concave shape of the lower surface 11 in such circumstances.

Referring back to Figures 1 and 2, the arm portion 3 comprises an arm portion first end 21 proximal to the hand grip first end 4 and an arm portion second end 22 distal to the hand grip first end 4. The arm portion first end 21 is spaced from the hand grip first end 4 in the axial direction of the hand grip 1 , such that the body portion 2 comprises a substantially annular thumb section 23 adjacent to the hand grip first end 4. This is suitable for the user’s thumb to engage with in use as there is no arm portion 3 in the way. It allows the user to achieve an encircling grip of the hand grip 1 between the thumb and forefinger, much like on a regular hand grip. This helps to ensure the user can maintain a secure grip on the hand grip 1 when they are subjected to the forces experienced when using a bicycle, which can be severe under certain circumstances. The arm portion 3 then extends conveniently under the user’s palm.

The thumb section 23 increases in diameter slightly in an axial direction from the arm portion first end 21 to the hand grip first end 4, which again provides an ergonomic and comfortable shape to grip in use.

The arm portion first end 21 is generally rounded in a direction from the upper surface 6 to the lower surface 11. As such, the arm portion first end 21 has an ergonomic shape which will not cause discomfort in use to the region of the user’s hand between the thumb and the palm.

Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 1 the arm portion first end 21 tapers towards the hand grip first end 4 in a direction from the outer end 19 to the inner end 18. This also improves comfort by allowing the base of the user’s thumb free space to occupy in use. The hand grip 1 is constructed from an inner substrate 24 and an outer covering 25. The inner substrate 24 is shown in Figures 5-7, and it provides sufficient structural strength to support the various hand grip shapes described above, in particular the arm portion 3. The inner substrate 24 is made from a substantially rigid moulded plastics material with a pre-determined tensile strength. (The term “substantially rigid” user here is intended to mean that the inner substrate 24 has a sufficient degree of rigidity to perform its technical functions in use, however it would include within its scope a material like a nylon substrate which would resiliently deform to some degree when placed under pressure.) The outer covering 25 is not shown in isolation in the figures, but in isolation it would have substantially the same shape as shown in Figures 1-4. It is made from a more resilient material in order to provide a softer feel to the user, and to allow its shape to be adjusted to suit the pressure applied by the user in use. The material can be a resilient plastics material, or a composite plastics and rubber material. Therefore, the inner substrate 24 is designed not to flex to any significant degree in use such that it can provide sufficient structural support, while the outer covering 25 is designed with a pre-determined degree of resilience so it will flex and distort when placed under pressure in use, in order to provide comfort and to accommodate for pressure points.

Referring to Figure 5, the inner substrate comprises a tube 26 which forms the inner structure of the body portion 2. A fin 27 extends from the tube 26 and forms the inner structure of the upper surface 6 of the arm portion 3. A plurality of spaced apart support ribs 28 under the fin 27 extend radially in a direction away from the axis A-A. The ribs 28 have leading edges 29 which form the inner structure of the lower surface 11 of the arm portion 3. There are seven such ribs 28, and they provide triangulated support for the fin 27 relative to the tube 26. As such, the user’s weight is transmitted in use from the upper surface 6 onto the fin 27, and is then transmitted through the ribs 28 to the tube 26 inside the body portion 2. The tube 26 comprises a plurality of axially extending slots 30, the purpose of which is to receive a corresponding plurality of protrusions (not visible), which extend radially inwardly from an inner surface (not visible) of the outer covering 25. The purpose of this construction is to ensure that the outer covering 25 is sufficiently attached to the inner substrate 24 to prevent it moving unduly thereon when placed under pressure in use. In particular, it is desired to prevent the outer covering 25 rotating on the axis A-A about the inner substrate 24 at any point.

A first slot 32 is located on the inner substrate 24 at a position inside the hand grip 1 adjacent to a junction 33 between the body portion 3 and an inner end 34 of the arm portion first end 21. By receiving a protrusion 31 the first slot 32 provides for a keying interconnection between the inner substrate 24 and the outer covering 25 and prevents undue movement therebetween at the region of the hand grip 1 which is grasped between the user’s thumb and forefinger, where significant pressure may be applied by the user in use. As the hand grip 1 has an irregular shape in this area, the first slot 32 also provides for the outer covering 25 to be correctly fitted and secured thereat.

Two second slots 35 are located on an opposite side of the tube 26 to the fin 27. Three third slots 36 are located on the tube 26 perpendicular to the two second slots 35, and three fourth slots 37 are located on the tube 26 on an opposite side to the third slots 36. By each receiving a protrusion 31 extending from the inner surface of the outer covering 25 this array of eight axially extending slots 35, 36, 37 provides for sufficient keying interconnection between the inner substrate 24 and the outer covering 25 to keep the outer covering 25 securely in place thereon.

The inner substrate 24 protrudes from the outer covering 25 at the hand grip first end 4. The inner substrate 24 comprises an annular flange 38 at the hand grip first end 4, against which the outer covering 25 abuts. The annular flange 38 helps to locate the outer covering 25 on the inner substrate 24, and provides a barrier to protect it in a axial direction.

Two part-annular mounting tabs 39 extend axially at the hand grip first end 4, each of which extends circumferentially through 90 degrees, as shown most clearly in Figure 4. The radius of the part annular mounting tabs 39, as well as of an opening 40 at the hand grip first end 4 into an inner area 41 of the hand grip 1 , is intended to substantially match the radius of handlebars with which the hand grip 1 is to be used, in addition to a small clearance. Therefore, the hand grip 1 can be slotted into place onto a handlebar (not shown), with the annular mounting tabs 39 either touching or closely adjacent to the handlebars. A suitable annular clamp (not shown) is then located around the tabs 39, for applying an inner radial force to the tabs 39 to secure them to the handlebar.

Therefore, in use the hand grip 1 is fitted to a handlebar of a bicycle in the manner described above. The opening 40 is offered up to the handlebar, and the hand grip 1 maneuvered thereon until the end of the handlebar abuts against a closed inner end 42 of the tube 26.

The arm portion 3 is arranged rearward of the handlebar, so it extends in a proximal direction of the bicycle rider. Depending on the angle of forward lean of the rider, the hand grip 1 can be rotated on axis A-A until the arm portion 3 is rotationally angled to support the proximal end of the user’s palm at the angle it naturally assumes when the user reaches out their arms with their wrists in the neutral posture described above. The user can adjust the rotational angle of the hand grip 1 to suit. Once the correct position is reached, the annular clamp (not shown) is tightened in order to provide an inner radial force to the mounting tabs 39 to secure them to the handlebar. Hand grip 1 is for the right hand, and an equivalent hand grip 1 with a mirrored shape to that of hand grip 1 is fitted to the opposite handlebar of the bicycle in the same way.

When the user rides the bicycle the arm portion 3 forces the user to adopt a neutral wrist posture, in which a line drawn down the forearm bisects the approximate center of a closed fist. This prevents over extension or over flexion of the wrist from occurring when the user grips the handlebars. Maintaining this wrist position also prevents excessive radial/ulnar deviation of the wrist from occurring. Therefore, the hand grip 1 improves the user’s wrist posture, and prevents any over extension or over flexion. In addition, keeping the palm of the hand in this position prevents injury to the ulnar or medial nerves. Furthermore, the shape of the hand grip 1 reduces the pressure which would otherwise be applied with a conventional hand grip to the narrow band between the thumb and fingers and over the lumbrical muscles, and instead disperses it over a much larger area of the user’s palm, in particular the thenar eminence and the hypothenar eminence.

At the same time, the upper surface of the arm portion 3 has an ergonomic shape which corresponds with the shape of the user’s palm when placed in the relatively open gripping shape required to hold the hand grip 1. In particular the first convex section 7 supports the user’s palm in the vicinity of the thumb knuckle. The concave section 8 as it transfers into the second convex section supports the protruding base of the thenar eminence, and the second convex section 9 generally provides support for the hypothenar eminence. This prevents any pressure points which might lead to blisters on the skin. It also provides support for the hand when the user’s wrist is in the beneficial neutral posture described above. The upper surface 6 comprises an area adjacent to the outer end 19 which is directed to the normal forces applied through the proximal area of a user’s hand when the user adopts the neutral wrist posture. The embodiment described above can be altered without departing from the scope of claim 1. In particular, in one alternative embodiment (not shown) the hand grip is constructed from a single moulded component which has the same shape as hand grip 1. This version may be preferred for cost reasons.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown) inside the arm portion the inner substrate comprises an opening formed therein. The opening provides an area of the arm portion which is not as fully supported internally as the remainder of the arm portion. The purpose of this opening is to allow the outer covering a greater degree of flex in that location in order to conform more closely to the shape of the user’s hand. This construction might be preferred in order to alleviate particular pressure points.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the hand grip second end comprises a housing for receiving a bar-end component with which the hand grip is used. Many bicycle handlebars comprise bar-ends either to dampen vibration, or as an aesthetic improvement. They can also be in the form of additional hand grips which are shaped to provide an alternative hand position for the rider. The housing allows for such bar-ends to be used with the hand grip.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the outer covering comprises an aperture at the hand grip second end. With this construction the hand grip can be moved further onto the handlebars with which it is used, leaving an exposed section of the handlebar extending out from the hand grip second end, to which something like a known bull bar can be attached.

In further alternative embodiments (not shown) the hand grip is adapted to be used with handlebars other than those of a bicycle. For example, in one version a hand grip is adapted to be fitted to a motorcycle, while in another it is adapted to be fitted to a standing scooter. In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the hand grip is adapted to be used with a walking stick or a crutch.

Therefore, the present invention provides a hand grip which features a radially outwardly extending arm portion for supporting a larger area of the user’s hand in use than the narrow band between the thumb and fingers. The present invention also provides a number of particular constructional features which facilitate the functioning of the hand grip, namely the use of a rigid inner substrate and a resilient outer covering.

Claims

1. A hand grip comprising an elongate body portion extending along an axis, and an arm portion extending radially outwardly of said axis, in which said hand grip comprises a hand grip first end and a hand grip second end, in which said arm portion comprises an undulating upper surface which in a direction from said hand grip first end to said hand grip second end comprises a first convex section, a concave section and a second convex section.

2. A hand grip as claimed in claim 1 in which a lowest point of a lower surface of said arm portion lies in a plane which intersects said axis, and in which a peak of said second convex section is spaced from said plane a greater distance than a peak of said first convex section.

3. A hand grip as claimed in claim 2 in which said arm portion comprises an inner end proximal to said axis and an outer end distal from said axis, and in which said upper surface is convex in a direction from said inner end to said outer end.

4. A hand grip as claimed in claim 3 in which in a direction from said hand grip first end to said hand grip second end said second convex section comprises a first rising part and a second rising part, and in which said first riding part extends away from said plane to a greater extent than said second rising part.

5. A hand grip as claimed in claim 3 in which said arm portion comprises an arm portion first end proximal to said hand grip first end and an arm portion second end distal to said hand grip first end, in which said arm portion first end is spaced from said hand grip first end in the axial direction of said hand grip.

6. A hand grip as claimed in claim 5 in which said arm portion first end is rounded in a direction from said upper surface to said lower surface.

7. A hand grip as claimed in claim 6 in which said arm portion first end tapers towards said hand grip first end in a direction from said outer end to said inner end.

8. A hand grip as claimed in claim 7 in which said hang grip comprises an inner substrate and an outer covering.

9. A hand grip as claimed in claim 8 in which inside said arm portion said inner substrate comprises a plurality of spaced apart support ribs which extend radially in a direction away from said axis and provide triangulated support between said body portion and said arm portion.

10. A hand grip as claimed in claim 9 in which inside said body portion said inner substrate comprise a plurality of axially extending slots, and said outer covering comprise a plurality of corresponding radially inwardly extending protrusions disposed in said slots.

11. A hand grip as claimed in claim 10 in which said slots comprise a first slot located adjacent to a junction between said body portion and an inner end of said arm portion first end.

12. A hand grip as claimed in claim 10 in which said slots comprise two second slots located on an opposite side of said body portion to said arm portion, in which said slots comprise three third slots located on said body portion substantially perpendicular to said two second slots, and in which said slots comprise three fourth slots located on an opposite side of said body portion to said third slots.

13. A hand grip as claimed in claim 9 in which inside said arm portion said inner substrate comprises an opening formed therein.

14. A hand grip as claimed in claim 7 in which said hand grip second end comprises a housing for receiving a bar-end component with which said hand grip is used.

15. A hand grip as claimed in claim 8 in which inside said body portion said substrate comprises an inner area, and in which said outer covering comprises an aperture at said hand grip second end.

16. A hand grip as claimed in claim 1 in which said hand grip first end comprises a plurality of part annular mounting tabs for mounting to a tubular item with which said hand grip is used.

17. A hand grip as claimed in claim 8 in which said inner substrate comprises a plurality of part annular mounting tabs for mounting to a tubular item with which said hand grip is used, and in which said mounting tabs protrude from said outer covering at said hand grip first end.

18. A hand grip as claimed in claim 17 in which said hand grip comprises a clamp member mounted circumferentially around said mounting tabs for applying an inner radial force to said mounting tabs to secure them to said tubular item.