push-up grip

Abstract

Push-up handle (1), comprising a grip area (1a) and a standing area (1b), wherein the grip area (1a) enables support with the hand for a sporting exercise and wherein the standing area (1b) brings the grip area (1a) into a standing position on a flat surface (F), characterized in that the standing area (1b) encompasses the grip area (1a) by means of two opposing frame elements (2a, 2b), wherein the frame elements (2a, 2b) have edges that are in contact with the flat surface when supporting oneself, wherein the standing area (1b) has a stable setting (25) and an unstable setting (21a), wherein the unstable setting (21a) leads to an unstable exercise position when supporting oneself and with a further unstable setting (21b) and wherein the further unstable setting (21b) differs in degree of instability from the first unstable setting (21a).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a push-up handle by means of which athletic exercises can be performed. A push-up handle is a fitness device that, in particular, but not exclusively, facilitates or simplifies the exercise of push-ups and also makes them more wrist-friendly by placing handles on the floor instead of performing a push-up directly with the palm of the hand on the floor or exercise mat, on which the hand rests in a natural grip position. Push-up handles are a common product in the wide range of fitness equipment; see, for example, the "Fitness 2018 / 19" catalog of INTERSPORT Austria GmbH, page 14.This catalogue also shows that comparable push-up exercises can also be performed using multifunctional equipment, for example on page 2, where a dumbbell primarily suitable for strength training of the arms is used as a push-up handle, or on page 15, where under the term "Functional Trainer" handles suspended from straps can be used, among other things, for push-up-like exercises.

[0002] On page 23 of the aforementioned catalog, an illustration depicts a push-up-like exercise performed on a half-ball. This type of exercise falls under the category of proprioceptive training. In recent years, the term proprioceptive training has become established in physiotherapy treatment following joint injuries and in preventative care. This term encompasses all types of exercises performed on unstable surfaces or with vibrations, aiming to improve muscle coordination and thus, among other things, achieve better joint protection. Detailed background information on this topic can be found, for example, in the diploma thesis "Is there such a thing as proprioceptive training?" by Barbara Heichinger, Academy for Physiotherapy at Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital, Vienna, 2005.The aforementioned exercise of push-ups on a half-ball also falls under the categories of "balance training" and "sensorimotor training," which more generally aim to improve motor skills. Further background information can be found, for example, in the presentation materials by Dr. Sebastian Zart, Sports Congress 2014, Workshop D3, Technical University of Kaiserslautern, September 19, 2014. A selection of training equipment is also shown on page 11.

[0003] A portable push-up exercise set is disclosed in DE 21 2007 0000 010 U1. A push-up handle for reducing rotational and compressive stress on the wrists is disclosed in DE 101 35 982 A1. A push-up handle composed of a larger and a smaller sphere is disclosed in EP 1 892 018 B1, which also counteracts rotational stress on the wrists through a rolling motion. By removing disc-shaped elements, the rolling motion can also be changed to a stable standing position.

[0004] A variation of push-up training on a curved surface is shown in US 6 551 225 B1. Here, half-balls are connected with handles, so that, as in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the push-up position results in an unstable position that needs to be compensated for. A similar solution is shown in US 7 585 262 B1 and US 2015 0190 672 A1.

[0005] US Patent 9 750 975 B2 shows a push-up handle with a reduced contact surface, creating a balance challenge when performing a push-up. The reduced contact surface is designed as the end of a rod mounted on a handle. By using this rod at different heights, varying degrees of balance difficulty can be achieved.

[0006] US patent 2004 0 023 766 A1 shows an exercise board with an air spring, which can be used to perform various proprioceptive exercises. The air spring is adjustable so that its properties can be adapted to the respective exercises.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved push-up grip, particularly for exercises focused on motor skills and proprioception.

[0008] This task is solved by a push-up handle, with a grip area and a standing area, wherein the grip area enables support with the hand for a sporting exercise and wherein the standing area brings the grip area into a standing position on a flat surface, wherein the standing area has a stable setting and an unstable setting and wherein the unstable setting leads to an unstable exercise position when supporting oneself, while in the stable setting a stable exercise position is assumed.

[0009] The invention is based on the observation that the success of athletic exercises and the acceptance of sufficiently frequent performance of such exercises depend significantly on the variability and flexibility of these exercises. One-sided or even monotonous exercises reduce such acceptance and can potentially have adverse effects on muscle and joint stress. At the same time, however, there is a need to minimize the equipment required for exercises. This results from cost considerations, as well as from space constraints or the potential time required to set up a training device. Furthermore, portability can play a crucial role in the acceptance of a training device, since the regularity of exercises necessary for the desired training success is often hampered by frequent travel or stays in different locations.

[0010] Push-up handles are initially considered particularly suitable training equipment because, firstly, push-ups are recognized as a highly effective exercise, and secondly, the handles require minimal space. They are also relatively inexpensive and require minimal setup compared to other training equipment. However, push-up handles currently offer little exercise variation, aside from modifications to the support position, such as supporting oneself in a squatting position over the handles. The advantage of their portability is therefore negated if a more varied and comprehensive training regimen is desired, necessitating the use of additional equipment.

[0011] The invention proposes a solution that significantly increases the versatility of push-up handles, thereby broadening the range of exercises to such an extent that the handles alone enable effective and sufficiently varied training. Of particular importance is the fact that the push-up handle according to the invention now, for the first time, allows for a combined training function of pure strength exercises on the one hand and proprioceptive or sensorimotor exercises on the other. To this end, the push-up handle has a stable setting in which, like conventional push-up handles, it primarily provides a non-slip and tip-resistant position while simultaneously ensuring a gentle and comfortable hand position. The additional unstable position complements this conventional training with the proprioceptive or sensorimotor component. The push-up handle retains its compact, simple, and easily transportable design.

[0012] Preferably, the standing area has a convex surface that, in the unstable position, is in contact with the flat surface. The instability is thus achieved by the fact that the entire surface does not lie flat on the ground, but rather, due to the convex design, only a relatively small portion makes contact, over which the exercise is then performed by balancing. Convex here means that the surface is curved inwards relative to the inside of the push-up handle. This curvature can also be concentrated in a very small area of ​​the surface. For example, if the convex surface is formed by the surface of an edge, then this edge can have two essentially straight sections that meet at an angle in the area of ​​the convex curvature, resulting in a rounded, but also almost sharp, corner. The latter would be a design with very high instability and particularly suitable for advanced balance exercises.However, the corner can also be rounded in such a way that the degree of rounding results in a reduced level of difficulty.

[0013] Preferably, the convex surface is formed by a rotatable, cylindrical roller. The convex surface is defined by the surface of the roller. The roller rests on the flat surface along its longitudinal axis. At all times, this surface is in line contact with the flat surface. The instability results from the convexity of the roller's surface and its simultaneous rotatability. Therefore, when supporting the handles, stabilization is necessary to prevent them from rolling away. A spherical design is also conceivable; that is, a sphere would be used instead of a cylindrical roller. Instability would already result from the shape alone, but the sphere's rotatability would significantly increase this instability. Compared to the cylindrical roller, a more complex design would require a more sophisticated, fully rotatable mounting for the sphere, for example, in a cup.

[0014] According to the invention, the standing area is designed such that it encompasses the grip area by means of two opposing frame elements. These frame elements have edges that are in contact with the flat surface when the user is supported. By rotating the frame around an axis defined by the handle, either the stable or unstable setting can be adjusted. For anatomical reasons, the grip area is elongated to ensure a good grip, and this elongated shape defines an axis. Preferably, the edges of the frame elements each have a stable section and an unstable section. These stable and unstable sections are positioned opposite each other and are identical in design, so that they are in contact with the flat surface together when the user is supported. Rotating the push-up handle around this axis brings these different sections into contact with the flat surface, as desired.This allows for the adjustment of the stable or unstable position. The unstable position can therefore be created either by the convexity of areas on the edges of the frame elements or by the aforementioned rotatable roller.

[0015] Preferably, a further instability setting is provided, wherein the degree of instability differs from the first instability setting. This is a particular advantage of the push-up handle designed in this way: In addition to a combination of stable and unstable exercises, the degree of instability can also be easily changed. Preferably, the frame elements are designed approximately as a pair of opposing polygons, wherein the edges of the polygon are shaped such that, depending on whether one of the edge pairs is placed on the flat surface, the stable setting or one of the unstable settings results. The term "polygon" here is not to be understood in a strictly geometric sense, i.e., in the sense of a shape that would be formed entirely from perfect straight lines.Rather, what matters is the distinguishability of the adjacent sides; the sides themselves can certainly have a shape that deviates from a straight line. A simple rotation of the push-up handle thus results in the variability of several exercise settings. The different degrees of instability can be created by differently convex edge sections of the frame elements. However, they can also preferably be created by one of the instability settings being formed by a rotatable cylindrical roller that makes contact with the flat surface and extends from one of the frame elements to the other. In this design, the aforementioned rotatable roller is therefore mounted between the opposing frame elements.In other words, the user can choose either an instability setting where they support themselves on convex edges of the frame elements and must compensate for tipping, or an instability setting where they must balance against the roller rolling away. In addition to the variability in difficulty, this also results in a qualitative difference in the type of exercise, because the difference in compensating for tipping or rolling motions leads to different loads on muscle groups and qualitatively different sensorimotor challenges.

[0016] Preferably, the instability setting can also be adjusted by attaching an additional edge piece or pair of additional edge pieces to the frame elements, acting as an adapter. This means the original edge contour is replaced by adapter-like edge pieces, which are connected to the frame elements, for example, by attaching them using paired bolts and holes, essentially parallel to the support direction. Of course, such adapter pieces can also be positioned over the stability setting, so that, for example, switching from the stable to the unstable setting is achieved not by rotating, but simply by attaching the adapter pieces.

[0017] Another way to adjust the difficulty level of the instability setting is to change the type of flat surface on which the push-up handle is placed. Given a fixed degree of convexity, i.e., a fixed degree of instability, the difficulty can be reduced by choosing a softer surface. For example, an exercise becomes easier to balance if the push-up handle is placed on a soft exercise mat instead of a hard surface. Accordingly, a set of mat pieces, sized to fit the dimensions of the push-up handle, can be provided as accessories, allowing the instability setting to be adjusted—possibly in addition to the standard adjustment—by selecting the appropriate mat piece.

[0018] Preferably, the push-up handle has a suspension device, allowing it to be suspended and the grip area to be used for exercises performed in a suspended position. The push-up handle can then also be used for exercises such as pull-ups or similar movements. Preferably, the suspension device can be implemented via the grip area or the cylindrical pulley; that is, a handle of the grip area or the pulley is simply hooked onto suitable hooks on straps or ropes.

[0019] The push-up handle is preferably supplied as a kit, meaning the end customer assembles it themselves from individual components. While this may initially seem unrealistic given the stability and safety requirements of sports equipment, the push-up handle can actually be assembled very easily, even by laypeople, from just a few components, ensuring a high degree of stability. A wooden version is preferred, where the components are pre-cut, precisely fitting, and joined together using wood glue. This design allows for very cost-effective production of the push-up handle, as it eliminates the assembly process, which is difficult to automate.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the figures. They show: Fig. 1 an exploded view of a push-up handle, Fig. 2. Supervision of a push-up grip

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a push-up handle 1. The push-up handle 1 has a pair of approximately pentagonal, flat frame elements 2a, 2b. The frame elements are parallel to each other in their flat orientation and form a standing area 1b, which encloses a grip area 1a. The grip area 1a comprises two cylindrical handles 3a, 3b, which extend between the frame elements 2a, 2b parallel to the surface normals of these elements. The handles 3a, 3b are precisely fitted into corresponding grip openings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d in the frame elements 2a, 2b and are preferably glued to the frame elements 2a, 2b in a wooden version.

[0022] The grip area 1a also includes a suspension device 5a, 5b, which in this example is formed from two halves of square timber tapered at their ends so that they can be fitted precisely and securely into the corresponding square openings 12a, 12b of the frame elements 2a, 2b. The suspension device 5a, 5b has grooves 11 for inserting rings, hooks, or the like (not shown) with which the push-up handle 1 can be suspended.

[0023] The grip section 1a also features a cylindrical roller 6, which can likewise be rigidly connected to the frame elements 2a, 2b and parallel to their surface normals. However, in this case, the connection is such that the roller 6 is rotatable. This is achieved by securing the roller with roller bolts 7a, 7b, which are inserted through roller openings 9a, 9b in the frame elements 2a, 2b and fastened with washers 8a, 8b and claw nuts 10a, 10b. When the push-up handle 1 is mounted, the roller 6 is placed onto the roller bolts 7a, 7b via a roller central opening 9c and thus remains rotatable even after the push-up handle 1 is mounted, which is rigidly attached to each other by connecting the frame elements 2a, 2b via the handles 3a, 3b and the suspension device 5a, 5b.

[0024] In Fig. 2 is a view of the frame element 2a of the Fig. Figure 1 shows the same description for frame element 2b. Frame element 2a is approximately a polygon, more precisely a pentagon, thus forming four different sides. An approximately quadrilateral base area is adjoined by an approximately equilateral triangular unstable area 24. The equilateral sides of the unstable area 27 are formed by edge 21a, which results in the first unstable setting 21a. For this purpose, an unstable section 23, which forms a convex surface, is created in the area of ​​the intersection of the equilateral sides. The unstable section 23 corresponds to a rounded corner with a circle of curvature 22, which has a radius R. The smaller the radius R is chosen, the greater the subsequent instability in the exercises on this page. In principle, the curvature can be chosen to be arbitrarily small, down to a sharp corner. Of course, a rounding does not have to follow a circular contour.

[0025] Another side of the frame element 2a is formed by the edge 25, which gives the stabilizing section 25 and the associated stabilizing setting 25 during exercises on this side.

[0026] Opposite the side with the first instability setting 21a is a side with a further instability setting 21b. Here, the side edge passes over a central, semicircular roller guide section 26. In this roller guide section 26 is the cylindrical roller (see Fig. 1) mounted, wherein the roller guide section 26 is flush with the roller 6 and thus does not impede the rolling of the roller 6 on a flat surface F.

[0027] Finally, the side opposite the stabilizing section 25 forms a hanging exercise side 20 on which the range of exercises can be expanded from supporting exercises to exercises in a hanging position.

[0028] The function of push-up handle 1 is now as follows: For conventional use of the push-up handle 1, i.e., support exercises in the most stable position possible, the stability setting 25 is selected. For this, the push-up handle 1 is placed on a flat surface F with the edges 25 of the stability setting 25 in place. Another push-up handle is used in the same way for the second hand. The grips 3a of the push-up handles 1 are positioned opposite the edges 25. The support exercise, such as a push-up, is then performed on these grips 3a. The straight edges ensure a stable position.

[0029] For proprioceptive or sensorimotor training, an initial exercise setting with instability setting 21a is selected. Here, only the unstable section 23 makes contact with the flat surface F. The resulting unstable position must be balanced by the user, producing the desired proprioceptive or sensorimotor training effect. This effect is further enhanced by using the cylindrical roller 6 as a handle in this initial instability setting 21a. The variability of the roller's movement is thus added to the instability. Of course, this is only one option; the initial instability setting 21a could also be implemented with a fixed handle.

[0030] To use the push-up handle 1 in a further instability setting 21b, the push-up handle 1, or the normally used pair of push-up handles 1, is rotated again so that the side with the roller 6 comes into contact with the flat surface F. Unlike in the settings described above, the push-up handle 1 is therefore not in contact with the flat surface F via the edges of the frame elements 2a, 2b, but rather with a portion of the surface of the roller 6, which here forms the convex surface. For this exercise, handle 3b is used. While the first instability setting 21a primarily requires compensating for tilting movements, the further instability setting 21b requires counteracting rolling. In this case, a position that is easier to balance is achieved, although it also engages different muscle groups than in the first instability setting 21a.It is conceivable that the roller 6 is not rotatable, so that the instability results solely from the convex surface. Accordingly, for such a fixed convex surface, no roller needs to be chosen; that is, a convex edge can simply be provided. This edge would therefore be one that extends between the frame elements 2a and 2b.

[0031] Additional exercise variability could then be created by replacing roller 6 with a lockable multi-edged element, which, through rotation, brings differently shaped edges with varying degrees of instability into contact with the flat surface F. Roller 6 would thus become an elongated element with an approximately star-shaped cross-section, whereby the points of the star are shaped differently (corresponding to different instabilities), and each desired point can be rotated downwards in a lockable position, so that during exercises, support is provided on the edge corresponding to that point.

[0032] To extend the exercises from a supporting position to a hanging position, the push-up handles are suspended via the suspension device 5a, 5b. For this purpose, ropes, hooks, straps or the like (not shown in detail) are hooked into the suspension recesses 11 at a suitable height above the ground.

[0033] The illustrated version of the push-up handle 1 can be expanded or modified, in particular by adding further instability settings, for example by choosing a different polygonal contour for the frame elements 2a, 2b with differently curved convex surfaces, or by designing an additional instability setting instead of the side with the suspension function. The material used for the push-up handle 1, e.g., wood, metal, or plastic, depends on typical stability, cost, or weight requirements. List of reference symbols 1. Push-up grip 1a Grip area 1b Standing area 2a, 2b Frame elements 3a, 3b Handles 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d handle openings 5a, 5b Suspension device 6 cylindrical rollers 7a, 7b Roller bolts 8a, 8b Washers 9a, 9b Roller openings 9c Roller central opening 10a, 10b Claw nuts 11 Suspension recess 12a, 12b Square openings 20 Hanging exercise page 21a Edge first unstable setting 21b Edge further instability setting 22 Circle of Curvature 23 Unstable section 24 Unstable range 25 Edge stabilization setting / stabilization section 26 Roller guide section 27 Unstable range F Flat surface R radius of curvature

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