Multipurpose Grip and Method of Making Same

Abstract

A grip suitable for use with exercise equipment including a foot cradle, a handle and a connection element, wherein the ends of the foot cradle and the ends of the connection element are secured together and disposed within the handle.

1 . A multipurpose grip comprising:
 a rigid tubular handle;   a connection element; and   a cradle strap;   wherein a portion of said cradle strap and a portion of said connection element are secured together forming a joined end; and   wherein said joined end is disposed within said handle.   
     
     
         2 . The multipurpose grip of  claim 1  wherein a second portion of said cradle strap and a second portion of said connection element are secured together forming a second joined end; and
 wherein said second joined end is disposed within said handle. 
 
     
     
         3 . The multipurpose grip of  claim 2  wherein said cradle strap and said connection element are the same strap. 
     
     
         4 . The multipurpose grip of  claim 2  wherein said cradle strap is a different strap than said connection element. 
     
     
         5 . A multipurpose grip comprising:
 a rigid tubular handle having ends;   a connection element having a first end portion of a strap and a second end portion of a strap;   a cradle strap having a first end portion and a second end portion;   wherein said first end portion of a strap and said first end portion of said cradle strap are secured together forming a first joined end;   wherein said second end portion of a strap and the second end portion of said cradle strap are joined together forming a second joined end; and   wherein said first joined end and said second joined end are disposed within said rigid tubular handle.   
     
     
         6 . The multipurpose grip of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a first crimping sleeve surrounding and compressing said first joined end; and 
 a second crimping sleeve surrounding and compressing said second joined end. 
 
     
     
         7 . The multipurpose grip of  claim 6  wherein said tubular handle has an inside diameter and wherein each of said first and second crimping sleeves, before being disposed in said handle, has a flared portion greater in diameter than the inside diameter of said tubular handle. 
     
     
         8 . The multipurpose grip of  claim 6  wherein said tubular handle has an inside diameter and wherein each of said first and second crimping sleeves has a knurled portion greater in diameter than the inside diameter of said tubular handle. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise grip of  claim 5  wherein said first end portion of a strap and said second end portion of a strap are end portions of the same strap. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise grip of  claim 5  wherein said first end portion of a strap and said second end portion of a strap are end portions of two different straps. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise grip of  claim 9  wherein said single strap is a length of rope. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise grip of  claim 11  wherein said length of rope is sufficient in length to form a Lark's knot. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise grip of  claim 9  wherein said same strap is a length of webbing. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise grip of  claim 5  wherein said connection element is comprised of two separate straps. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise grip of  claim 11  further comprising:
 one or more loops of rope extending from an end of said rigid tubular handle. 
 
     
     
         16 . A method of constructing a grip having a rigid, tubular handle having an inside diameter and an outside diameter, a connection element having ends, and a foot cradle strap having ends the steps comprising:
 joining the ends of the connection element to the ends of the foot cradle strap to form two joined ends and;   securing the joined ends within the handle.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the connection element is a length of rope long enough to form a Lark's knot. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  where the foot cradle strap is a length of webbing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of joining the ends of the connection element to the ends of the foot cradle strap comprise:
 disposing one end of the connection element and one end of the foot cradle strap in a first crimping sleeve; 
 disposing the other end of the connection element and the other end of the foot cradle strap in a second crimping sleeve; 
 reducing the diameter of at least a portion of the first crimping sleeve whereby the two strap ends in the first crimping sleeve are compressed and secured together; 
 reducing the diameter of at least a portion of the second crimping sleeve whereby the strap ends in the second crimping sleeve are compressed and secured together. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of joining the ends of the connection element to the ends of the foot cradle strap comprise:
 disposing one end of the connection element and one end of the foot cradle strap in a first crimping sleeve; 
 reducing the diameter of one end portion of the first crimping sleeve while the other end portion of the first crimping sleeve is not reduced, whereby a flare having a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the handle is formed at the other end portion of the first crimping sleeve; 
 disposing one end of the connection element and one end of the foot cradle strap in a second crimping sleeve; 
 reducing the diameter of one end portion of the second crimping sleeve while the other end portion of the second crimping sleeve is not reduced, whereby a flare having a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the handle is formed at the other end portion of the second crimping sleeve.