Weight-lifting device and method of use therefor

Abstract

A weight-lifting device and method of use therefor, wherein a user is able to securely grasp a weight-bearing bar, yet rapidly release and drop same from his/her person upon a sensation of fatigue or general muscle strain, and wherein the present invention further effectively transfers the weight or load carried by the weight-bearing bar to the user's wrist(s), without subjecting the user's wrist(s) to skin chafing, bruising, and/or potential impedance of proper blood flow.

1 . A weight-lifting device for assisting a user in lifting a weight-bearing bar, said weight-lifting device comprising: 
 a grapple assembly; and,    means for supporting said grapple assembly from a wrist of the user.    
     
     
         2 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein said grapple assembly comprises a first lifting member and a second lifting member.  
     
     
         3 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second lifting members are cooperatively engageable.  
     
     
         4 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 3 , wherein said first and second lifting members are cooperatively engageable over the weight-bearing bar.  
     
     
         5 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second lifting members comprise a shallow degree of curvature.  
     
     
         6 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 5 , wherein said first and second lifting members comprise geometries of curvature disposed in opposing geometric planes.  
     
     
         7 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 6 , further comprising a third lifting member.  
     
     
         8 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 7 , wherein said third lifting member comprises a geometry of curvature disposed in the same plane as said first lifting member.  
     
     
         9 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 8 , wherein a crossbar is securely formed between said first and third lifting members.  
     
     
         10 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second lifting members are pivotally engaged to a support ring.  
     
     
         11 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 10 , wherein said means for supporting said grapple assembly is a wrist belt, and wherein said support ring is carried by said wrist belt, said wrist belt adapted to be secured around the wrist of the user.  
     
     
         12 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 11 , wherein said device is adapted to transfer the weight of the weight-bearing bar to said wrist belt when the weight-bearing bar is graspingly retained between said first and second lifting members.  
     
     
         13 . The weight-lifting device of  claim 12 , wherein said device is adapted to substantially evenly distribute the weight and pressure, if any, from the weight-bearing bar over the user's fingers and palm when said wrist belt is secured around the user's wrist and when the weight-bearing bar is graspingly retained between said first and second lifting members.  
     
     
         14 . A method of enabling the rapid release of a weighted item from a user's handgrip, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a. grasping the weighted item via a grapple assembly, said grapple assembly comprising a first lifting member and a second lifting member, said grapple assembly adapted to enable the weighted item to be grasped and retained therewithin via minimal hand force, yet to be selectively rapidly released therefrom;    b. releasing the minimal hand force exerted over said grapple assembly and permitting the weighted item to be released and dropped therefrom.    
     
     
         15 . A method of transferring weight of a weight-bearing bar from a user's hand to the user's wrist, said method comprising the step of: 
 a. grasping the weighted item via a grapple assembly securely suspended from a wrist belt worn around the user's wrist, said grapple assembly comprising a first lifting member and a second lifting member.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of upwardly displacing said grapple assembly.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of permitting said first and second lifting members to catch the weight-bearing bar, and thus, become cooperatively engaged therearound.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of permitting said first and second lifting members to produce a generally tightened grip around the weight-bearing bar as the inherent weight, load and resistive forces of the weight-bearing bar collectively downwardly bear against or act on said first and second lifting members.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of permitting the weight from the weight-bearing bar to transfer from said grapple assembly to said wrist belt.  
     
     
         20 . A weight-lifting device, comprising, 
 a grapple assembly carried by a wrist belt, said wrist belt adapted to be worn by a user, wherein said grapple assembly is adapted to engage a weight item.