Ergonomic Handle for an Exercise Machine

Abstract

An improved ergonomic handle for an exercise machine having a cross-sectional shape designed to more closely conform with the natural anatomical shape of a hand in a grasping position for reducing compressive pressure on the hand during exercise, improving grip, and accommodating a wide range of hand sizes. The ergonomic handle for an exercise machine generally includes solid bars and hollow tubular structures with a variety of substantially polygonal cross-sections, including various substantially triangular and trapezoidal cross-sections. Alternative embodiments include underlying bars and handles of various cross-sectional shapes with resilient cover materials having substantially polygonal cross-sections. The improved ergonomic handles may replace traditional round cross-section handles anywhere on an exercise machine they may be located.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 65 / 658,240 filed Apr. 16, 2018. The 65 / 658,240 application is currently pending. The 65 / 658,240 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable to this application.BACKGROUNDField[0003]Example embodiments in general relate to the field of exercise machines and exercise equipment. More specifically, example embodiments relate to an ergonomic handle for an exercise machine having a cross-sectional shape designed to more closely conform with the natural anatomical shape of a hand in a grasping position for reducing compressive pressure on the hand during exercise, improving grip, and accommodating a wide range of hand sizes.Related Art[0004]Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no wa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]An example embodiment is directed to an ergonomic handle for an exercise machine that provides a novel improvement over traditional round handles and bars typically used as the gripping structures on exercise machines and other exercise equipment such as free weights, e.g., dumbbells and barbells. Example embodiments of the ergonomic handle for an exercise machine include an anatomically optimized, substantially polygonal-shaped gripping geometry that provides for improved hand engagement with exercise machines and equipment, and increases hand-to-bar surface area engagement when supporting substantially the weight of an exerciser, thereby reducing compressive pressure on the palm of the hand. The improved bar geometry also better accommodates a larger range of male and female hand sizes when compared to the traditional round bar geometry.

Problems solved by technology

However, they do not provide optimized geometry for supporting exercisers to engage for longer periods with exercise equipment, for instance, five minutes or more.

Moreover, they do not provide optimal gripping surfaces for a variety of hand sizes and for exercises involving both pushing and pulling forces.

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