FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the fitness industry and weightlifting. More specifically, handheld exercise device for building strength, muscle, tendons, ligaments, and bone density.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise and weightlifting have proven to be very important in maintaining good physical and mental health. Exercising the core muscles and tendons is particularly good for the spine and posture. Home gyms and equipment can take up a lot of space and may depend on heavy weighs, bands, cables, and the like. Many exercises require your body weight, getting on the floor or being agile. It usually involves lots of repetitions and a large time commitment to see substantial results. Back muscles, tendons, and ligaments take much longer to strengthen than other muscles. Many give up on their fitness goals thereby causing a lower quality of life. There is a need in the fitness industry for a handheld device that effectively and efficiently helps with gaining strength and building muscle which uses a fraction of the weight, doesn’t require bands, or the need of body weight and can be used by most anyone that can move their arm or wrist. The present invention is a handheld exercise device that will use weight to see and feel results in little time. This device can be used by all ages at any fitness level. The present invention can build strength and target the core muscles, tendons, and ligaments to improve balance and posture. There is no need for expensive heavy equipment, bands, or the use of any body weight. This exercise device is extremely compact and can even be used while in bed. This exercise device can be used in place of heavy weightlifting, the use of bands or your body weight. It will not require large time commitments or exhausting repetitions to see and feel. This device will make exercise more convenient, efficient, and effective for all. An objective of the present invention is to provide a versatile handheld exercise apparatus. The handheld exercise apparatus has many configurations to be versatile enough for any user of any age, strength, or trait that may effect one’s ability to use complicated weight machines with limited weight ranges.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an exercise device that provides exercise efficiently and effectively. The present invention is small and compact that can be stored easily but provide the user with enough weight and versatility to allow for a comprehensive workout.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This palm leverage handheld body strengthening apparatus is primarily made up of three components. The present invention comprises a palm brace bar, a handgrip, and a weight adjustment system. The palm brace bar rests against a lower portion of a palm below the handgrip. The handgrip provides a user with a location to place a hand for gripping. The palm brace and the handgrip can be incorporated as one complete holding structure. Outside the hand in line with a forearm is a weight adjustment system that will provide a load held by the hand. The load is braced by the palm so that grip strength is not as important. The weight adjustment system comprises primarily of rods and weight pods. The weight adjustment system can be of various configurations of weight, size and length. A plurality of rods would make for a versatile expansive structure for the weight pods to fit onto. Weight pods can be adjusted outward from the hand into a locked position to increase the intensity of the load. The rods can be metal or any material that will support the load. The weight adjustment system may also be removable from the handgrip to allow expansion of the system or weight adjustment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front top perspective view of the present invention. FIG 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear bottom perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first rod, the second rod, and the locking bar of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial view of the first rod, the second rod, and sliding locks of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

As used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.”

“First”, “second” etc. as contained herein are terms used as labels for nouns that they precede and do not imply ordering unless context deems otherwise.

The present disclosure has broad utility and application. Any embodiment may incorporate only one of a plurality of the disclosed aspects of the present invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the disclosed features of the present invention. The palm leverage handheld body strengthening apparatus 20 may be used as an exercised apparatus to strengthen muscles and the like but is not limited to this use. The present invention may be handheld but is not limited to this and is only an exemplary embodiment.

The present invention comprises a palm brace 40, a neck portion 45, a handgrip 30, and a weight adjustment system. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the palm brace 40, the neck portion 45, and the handgrip 30 are configured generally parallel and in a generally vertical stack with a breadth of the neck portion 45 determining the separation of the palm brace 40 and the handgrip 30. The handgrip 30 further comprises an upper member 33, a first vertical connection 35, a crossmember 33, and a first handgrip hole 32. The upper member 33, the first vertical connection 35, and the crossmember 33 are configured to define a hand cavity 36 preferably for the placement of a user’s hand. The upper member 33 and the crossmember 33 are generally parallel. The first vertical connection 35 configured generally normal to said upper member 33 and the crossmember 33. The upper member 33 and the crossmember being separated by a predetermined length of the vertical connection. The weight adjustment system further comprises a first rod 60, a weight pod 100, and a plurality of shaft locks 80. The first rod 60 is an elongated generally cylindrical shape. The first handgrip hole 32 is preferably positioned on the crossmember 33. The first handgrip hole 32 receives at least partially the first rod 60. Two of the plurality of shaft locks 80 may be removably attached to the first rod 60 configured to secure the rod to the handgrip 30. The weight pod 100 comprises a first pod hole 103. The first pod hole 103 slidably receives the first rod 60. The weight pod 100 being removably secured on the rod by one of the plurality of shaft locks 80. In one embodiment, the upper member 33, the first vertical connection 35, and the crossmember 33 are integral to form the handgrip 30.

In a first preferred embodiment, the present invention may further comprise a second rod 65. The handgrip 30 further comprises a second handgrip hole 38. The second handgrip hole 38 is preferably positioned on the crossmember 33 with a first predetermined distance from the first handgrip hole 32. The weight pod 100 further comprises a second pod hole 104 with the pre-determined distance from the first pod hole 103 The pre-determined distance is set so the first rod 60 and the second rod 65 are operably configured to receive the weight pod 100. The second handgrip hole 38 receives the second rod 65 so that the second rod 65 is generally normal to the crossmember 33. The second rod 65 is secured to the handgrip 30 by two of the plurality of shaft locks 80. The second pod hole 104 slidably receives the second rod 65. The weight pod 100 is removably secured on the second rod 65 by one of the plurality of shaft locks 80. The first rod 60 and the second rod 65 may be generally cylindrical-shaped. In one embodiment, the first rod 60 and the second rod 65 may be a hexagonal profiled bar. In one embodiment, the first rod 60 and the second rod 65 may have spiral threads at least partially covering an outer surface of the rod.

In a first preferred embodiment, the handgrip 30 may further comprise a second vertical connection 39. The second vertical connection 39 is configured opposite the first vertical connection 35 to further define the hand cavity 36 and being integral with the upper member 33, the first vertical connection 35, and the crossmember 33.

Fig. 2 and FIG. 4 show an exploded view of the present invention. The present invention further comprises an adjustment bar 50. The adjustment bar 50 further comprises a first vertical member 51, a horizontal member 52 and a first rod hole 53. The first vertical member 51 being generally vertical and generally perpendicular to the horizontal member 52. The first rod hole 53 is preferably positioned on the horizontal member 52. The first rod hole 53 slidably receives the first rod 60. At least one of the plurality of shaft locks 80 may be removably attached to the first rod 60 to secure the adjustment bar 50 to the first rod 60 and set the breadth of the neck portion 45 along an allowable length of the first rod 60. The palm brace 40 further comprises a first borehole 41. The handgrip 30 further comprising a first through hole 31. The first through hole 31 longitudinally bores through the first vertical connection 35. The palm brace 40, the handgrip 30, and the adjustment bar 50 are configured wherein the breadth of the neck portion 45 may be adjustable. The first borehole 41 and the first through hole 31 are aligned. The first through hole 31 slidably receives the first vertical member 51. The first borehole 41 receives the first vertical member 51. The first vertical member 51 is secured to the palm brace 40 by at least one of the plurality of shaft locks 80. To change the breadth of the neck portion 45, the user would release an appropriate one of the plurality of shaft locks 80, slide the attachment bar and in turn move the palm brace 40, adjust the breadth of the neck portion 45 to the desired distance and then re-attach the appropriate one of the plurality of shaft locks 80.

In the first preferred embodiment, the adjustable bar further comprises a second vertical member 55 and a second rod hole 54. The palm brace 40 further comprises a second borehole 42. The handgrip 30 further comprises a second through hole 37. The second rod hole 54 is preferably positioned on the horizontal member 52 at the predetermined distance. The second vertical member 55 being generally parallel to the first vertical member 51 and generally perpendicular to the horizontal member 52. The second rod hole 54 slidably receives the second rod 65. At least one of the plurality of shaft locks 80 may be removably attached to the second rod 65 to secure the adjustment bar 50 to the second rod 65 and set the breadth of the neck portion 45 along the allowable length. The palm brace 40 further comprises the second borehole 42. The handgrip 30 further comprises the second through hole 37. The second through hole 37 longitudinally bores through the second vertical connection 39. The palm brace 40, the handgrip 30, and the adjustment bar 50 are configured wherein the breadth of the neck portion 45 may be adjustable. The second borehole 42 and the second through hole 37 are aligned. The second through hole 37 slidably receives the second vertical member 55. The second borehole 42 receives the second vertical member 55. The second vertical member 55 is secured to the palm brace 40 by at least one of the plurality of shaft locks 80.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a front and right side view of the present invention, respectively. The palm brace 40 may be a generally cylindrical shape. The palm brace 40 may further have some structural contouring to improve the comfort for the user’s hand. The palm brace 40 may also be covered at least partially by a grabbable material for improving a user’s hand grip on the apparatus. It is preferred that the user places a palmar surface of the user’s hand on a top side of the palm brace 40. The upper member 33 may also be covered at least partially by grabbable material for improving the user’s grip on the apparatus. Preferably, the fingers of the user’s hand may be placed at least partially on a bottom side of the upper member 33 of the handgrip 30. The handgrip 30 is a tabular frame.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the weight pod 100 is generally oblong in shape. The weight pod 100 is to give functional weight to the apparatus. The weight pod 100 may include an outer shell and a base 101 . The weight pod 100 may also include a lock rest 102. The lock rest 102 is a generally cylindrical shaped element for contacting the plurality of shaft locks 80. The predetermined weight of the weight pod 100 will allow the user to increase or decrease the weight by adding or subtracting the weight pod 100.

The present invention further comprises an end cap 70. The end cap 70 defines a rod cavity. The rod cavity slidably receives the first rod 60. The end cap 70 is for protection of the user, bystanders, or objects from possible damage from ends of the first rod 60 and the second rod 65. The end cap 70 also helps hold the weight pod 100 on the rods in case one of the plurality of shaft locks 80 fail. In the first preferred embodiment, the end cap 70 spans the predetermined distance between the first rod 60 and the second rod 65. The rod cavity slidably receives the first rod 60 and the second rod 65. As shown in FIG. 9, the end cap 70 may be a locking bar 110. The locking bar 110 has a set of locking holes with the pre-determined distance to operably receive the first rod 60 and the second rod 65. The set of locking pins are spring loaded with a set of locking springs. The set of locking springs are configured with the set of locking pins to press and extend the set of locking pins into the set of locking holes. A set of rings can be attached to the set of locking pins for operably pulling the set of locking pins so the set of locking pins retract out of the set of locking holes. The first rod 60 and the second rod 65 may comprise a plurality of rod notches 61. The positioning of the plurality of rod notches 61 on the first rod 60 and the second rod 65 may be aligned between each rod. The set of locking pins will operably insert into the plurality of rod notches 61 to limit the longitudinal movement of the locking bar 110.

The plurality of shaft locks 80 is to hold elements of the present invention operably together. One of the plurality of shaft locks 80 comprise a radially outer wall that defines a shaft hole 88. One of the plurality of shaft locks 80 may be an e-clip 90. The radially outer wall of the e-clip 90 has a wall opening so as to allow the e-clip 90 to operably clip to a circular profiled object. The inner surface of the e-clip 90 has several protrusions to allow the e-clip 90 to securely attach to a circular profiled object. One of the plurality of shaft locks 80 may be a sliding lock 62 as shown in FIG. 10. The sliding lock 62 has an additional radially inner wall having locking tabs and a notch spring. The notch spring press the radially outer wall against the inner wall extending the tabs into the shaft hole 88. The radially outer wall is pulled against the pressing force of the spring to release the pressing on the tabs of the radially inner wall, thereby allowing the tabs to contract from the shaft hole 88. One of the plurality of shaft locks 80 may be a shaft collar 85. The shaft collar 85 further comprises a set screw hole 87 and a set screw 86. The set screw 86 has spiral threads that cover at least partially the outer surface of the set screw 86. The set screw hole 87 has female spiral threads so the set screw hole 87 can operably receive the set screw 86. As the set screw 86 is rotated one direction, the set screw 86 will extend into the shaft hole 88. The adjustment bar 50 may comprise of a plurality of bar notches 56. The plurality of bar notches 56 may be operably configured to work with the e-clip 90. The plurality of rod notches 61 may be operably configured to work with the sliding lock 62. If the first rod 60 and the second rod 65 are at least partially threaded on the outer surface then one of the plurality of shaft locks 80 may be a threaded nut operably configured to receive the first rod 60 and the second rod 65.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a configuration of the present invention and the versatility of the present invention with a set of additional rods and a plurality of additional weight pods.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment. The neck portion 45 is integral with the palm brace 40 and the handgrip 30 wherein the breadth of the neck portion 45 is fixed.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.