Hand Grip Device

Abstract

A hand grip device for carrying articles includes a gripping member and an optional coupling member. The gripping member includes a body with ends that define the maximum body diameter of the gripping member. The longitudinal center of the body defines the minimum body diameter of the gripping member. The coupling member may be a strap that connects the gripping member to the article to be carried. The hand grip device functions as a handle that is lightweight, strong, and disperses the weight of the carried article across the palmar side of a hand.

1 . A device for carrying articles, the device comprising:
 a gripping member configured to be grasped by a hand such that the palmar side of the hand contacts the grip portion, wherein the grip portion comprises an elongated body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion disposed between the first and second end portions,   wherein the gripping member possesses a negative Gaussian curvature such that the first end portion and the second end portion each includes a maximum diametric segment and the medial portion includes a minimum diametric segment longitudinally disposed between the two maximum diametric segments, and   and wherein the device couples to an article such that the article may be carried via the gripping member.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the grip portion includes a central longitudinal axis;   the body is defined by a wall configured such that opposed wall portions are substantially equidistantly spaced a predetermined distance from the longitudinal axi; and   the predetermined distance changes over the length of the body.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the minimum diametric segment is located proximate the longitudinal center of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first end portion comprises a first outermost body end;   the second end portion comprises a second outermost body end; and   each body end defines the maximum diametric segment.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the grip portion is a hollow member comprising:
 a first opening disposed at a first outermost end;   a second opening disposed at a second outermost end; and   a channel extending from the first opening to the second opening.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the channel is contoured such that a channel diameter measured proximate each end is greater than a channel diameter measured at a point between the ends. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the body is an elongated member including a first outermost end and a second outermost end;   a first flange is disposed at the first outermost end of the body;   a second flange is disposed at the second outermost end of the body; and   each flange is radially offset with respect to the body to form a shoulder along each outermost body end.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein each flange is a generally annular flange and the body possesses a generally circular cross section. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an end cap including a cover portion and an insert portion. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a coupling member operable to couple the gripping member to an article. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device further comprises an end cap configured to couple to at least one of the first opening and the second opening, the end cap including an aperture operable to permit passage of the support member therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of protrusions extending from a surface of the body. 
     
     
         13 . A device for carrying an article, the device comprising:
 a hollow body configured to be grasped by a hand, the body including:
 a first body end defining a first opening, 
 a second body end defining a second opening, and 
 a channel extending from the first opening to the second opening, 
 wherein the first and second body ends define a maximum body diameter, 
   a first end cap operable to couple to the first body end;   a second end cap operable to couple to the second body end; and   a coupling member to couple the hollow body to an article,   wherein the body further includes a minimum body diameter longitudinally disposed approximately midway between the two body ends.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the body defines a generally hyperboloidal structure having a central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the body is a hyperboloid of one sheet described by the equation x 2 /c 2 +y 2 /b 2 −z 2 /c 2 =1. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  further comprising a coupling member configured to couple the hollow body to an article. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  further comprising an article coupled to the body via the coupling member. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the coupling member comprises a strap extending through the body such that one end of the strap extends from the first body end and another end extends from the second body end. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the body comprises raised ribs extending from an exterior surface of the body. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the body includes a central longitudinal axis;   the body is defined by a wall configured such that opposed wall portions are substantially equidistantly spaced a predetermined distance from the longitudinal axis; and   the predetermined distance changes over the length of the body.