| Exercise tool for maintaining grip strength -> Monitor Keywords |
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Exercise tool for maintaining grip strengthRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Hand, Wrist, Or Finger, GripExercise tool for maintaining grip strength description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060079380, Exercise tool for maintaining grip strength. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No.US60/617,366 filed 2004 Oct. 08 by the present inventor. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH: NONE SEQUENCE LISTING: NONE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention generally relates to grip exercise tools, specifically to such exercise tools used by climbers to strengthen their forearms. [0004] 2. Prior Art [0005] Climbing is a unique sport in many respects. Maintaining performance and strength can currently only really be achieved by consistently climbing, either outside or inside in a gym. Unfortunately, the forearm muscles used to grip the rock rapidly lose strength when they are not used regularly. There are two problems facing climbers trying to maintain their grip strength and fitness: [0006] 1. The best exercise for climbing is climbing [0007] 2. Current tools only provide isotonic exercises [0008] Climbing is the best exercise for climbers, but is rarely possible to climb regularly and there are always occasions when reaching the rock or gym is difficult. As a consequence, climbers often have to accept loss of strength and often lengthy periods of rebuilding this strength. [0009] The strength required by the fingers in climbing is known as isometric strength. Isometric contractions in a muscle produce no muscle shortening and result in no movement of the muscle. Essentially, the muscles and tendons hold their appropriate joints and levers in a locked position. Without maintaining a consistent isometric training program the muscles in the forearm, which are used to grip, rapidly loose strength. Normally, this training is achieved by climbing, but when this is not possible strength losses are common and can be rapid. [0010] For many years climbers have had to accept this or have attempted to exercise the muscles using various devices. Many such devices exist are described by many patents. [0011] For example, there are many devices similar to U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,995. They comprise a pair of handles, pivotally secured to each, that provide resistance when squeezed and hence exercise the muscles of the hand and forearm. These patens include U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,299, No. 5,833,580, No. 4,623,141 and No. 5,599,256. [0012] Using a different approach, the apparatus defined by U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,878 uses the tension between two parallel rods within a frame to strengthen the muscles of the hand and forearm. [0013] A much more recent tool used to exercise the muscles of the forearm is described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,999. This describes a malleable ball body having a resilient cover and putty filler. The user repeatedly squeezes and deforms the ball which serves to exercise the muscles of the forearm. Though this patent describes and apparatus that is well used and can be used almost anywhere, as with all the fore mentioned patents, it only promotes isotonic strength or moving strength. This type of repetitious muscle contraction results in shortening of the muscle, giving movement. Isometric strength is vital in climbing and should be developed, but few devices are available that specifically target isometric strength and the climbers need to develop and maintain constant grip strength. [0014] In contrast, U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,203 does promote the development of some isometric strength. A weight is raised by using the muscles of the forearm to twist a handle. A rope attached to the center of the handle is tied to the weight. The twisting and rotation of the handle wraps the rope around the handle so raising the weight. The resistance provided by the weight and the necessary grip provides the exercise. This apparatus does develop both isometric and isotonic strength, but the motions used are in no way similar to the motions used whilst climbing. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] The object of this invention is to provide climbers with a unique new exercise tool. It allows climbers to: [0016] 1. Maintain forearm strength when actual climbing is not possible. [0017] 2. Exercise using grips and holds similar to those found in reality. [0018] 3. Develop forearm training programs that emulate actual climbing. [0019] The advantages of this exercise tool are: [0020] It is compact and can be used anywhere [0021] It specifically builds isometric strength used in climbing [0022] Many types of grip exercised using one tool [0023] It solves the following problems: [0024] Forearm muscles can be exercised even when away from the cliff or gym [0025] There are no training tools currently available that provide an isometric workout for the forearm muscles [0026] The first embodiment of the current invention is a piece of semi-rigid rubber formed into disc shape, at the center of which is a hole that penetrates the full depth of the disc. A cord is passed through this center hole, once at the midpoint of the cord, the ends of the cords are brought together. A weight is attached to the ends of the cord. [0027] The edges and surfaces of the disc are formed into features that once gripped, recreate all the major grips used in climbing. By griping the disc using one of the various "holds" and lifting the weight (or simply preventing the weight from hitting the ground), the gripping muscles perform an isometric exercise. To change the type of grip used the disc is simply rotated so that a different hold and grip has to be used to lift the weight. [0028] The second embodiment of the current invention is defined by a series of individual objects. The surface of each object has one feature that recreates a particular climbing hold. Each individual object is triangular in shape. At its apex is a hole through which a cord or clip can be attached, which in turn can be attached to a weight. By griping the object using the particular hold and lifting the weight (or simply preventing the weight from hitting the ground), the gripping muscles perform an isometric exercise. To change the type of grip used one of the different object is attached to the weight so that a different hold and grip has to be used to lift the weight. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING Continue reading about Exercise tool for maintaining grip strength... Full patent description for Exercise tool for maintaining grip strength Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Exercise tool for maintaining grip strength patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Exercise tool for maintaining grip strength or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Arched climbing panel Next Patent Application: Articulating linkage exercise machine Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Exercise tool for maintaining grip strength patent info. 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