Hinged, weighted handgrip with magnetic engagement system

Abstract

A handgrip for use with a dumbbell is provided. The dumbbell includes a handgrip top and a handgrip bottom that are connected with a handgrip hinge. A dumbbell is secured within the handgrip by placing the handle of the dumbbell into a bottom foam engagement structure in the handgrip bottom, then the handgrip top is rotated into contact with the handgrip bottom using the handgrip hinge until the handgrip reaches a closed position wherein the handgrip top is in contact with the handgrip bottom. In the closed position, a top foam engagement structure of the handgrip top is also engaging the handle of the dumbbell and opposing magnets positioned in the handgrip top and handgrip bottom magnetically engage each other to help keep the handgrip in the closed position.

1 . A handgrip for use with a dumbbell, said handgrip including:
 a handgrip top including a top-to-bottom handgrip contact surface and at least partially surrounding a top foam engagement structure;   a handgrip bottom including a bottom-to-top handgrip contact surface and at least partially surrounding a bottom foam engagement structure; and   a handgrip hinge connecting said handgrip top and said handgrip bottom and allowing said handgrip top to rotate relative to said handgrip bottom so as to bring said top-to-bottom handgrip contact surface into contact with said bottom-to-top handgrip contact surface so that said top foam engagement surface and said bottom foam engagement surface engage with the handle of a dumbbell.   
     
     
         2 . The handgrip of  claim 1  wherein said handgrip top includes a first flange. 
     
     
         3 . The handgrip of  claim 2  wherein said handgrip top includes at least one additional flange connected to said first flange by a grip structure. 
     
     
         4 . The handgrip of  claim 3  wherein at least one of said first flange and said at least one additional flange includes at least one flat region located on its exterior perimeter. 
     
     
         5 . The handgrip of  claim 3  wherein at least one of said first flange and said at least one additional flange includes a pry structure. 
     
     
         6 . The handgrip of  claim 3  wherein at least one of said first flange and said at least one additional flange includes a hinge rotation stop. 
     
     
         7 . The handgrip of  claim 6  wherein at least one of said first flange and said at least one additional flange includes a hinge rotation wall. 
     
     
         8 . The handgrip of  claim 1  wherein said top-to-bottom handgrip contact surface includes a first magnet and said bottom-to-top handgrip contact surface includes a second magnet. 
     
     
         9 . The handgrip of  claim 8  wherein, when said top-to-bottom handgrip contact surface is in contact with said bottom-to-top handgrip contact surface, said first magnet and said second magnet are magnetically engaged. 
     
     
         10 . The handgrip of  claim 3  wherein said grip structure includes a succession of raised and lowered areas. 
     
     
         11 . A method for securing a dumbbell in a handgrip, said method including:
 placing the handle of a dumbbell in contact with a bottom foam engagement structure of a handgrip bottom of a handgrip,   wherein said handgrip bottom includes a bottom-to-top handgrip contact surface, wherein said handgrip bottom is connected to a handgrip top by a handgrip hinge,   wherein said handgrip hinge allows said handgrip top to rotate relative to said handgrip bottom,   wherein said handgrip top includes a top-to-bottom handgrip contact surface and at least partially surrounding a top foam engagement structure; and   rotating said handgrip top relative to said handgrip bottom to bring said top-to-bottom handgrip contact surface into contact with said bottom-to-top handgrip contact surface, which also bring said top foam engagement structure into contact with said handle of said dumbbell.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said handgrip top includes a first flange. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said handgrip top includes at least one additional flange connected to said first flange by a grip structure. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said first flange and said at least one additional flange includes at least one flat region located on its exterior perimeter, wherein, when said handgrip is placed on a flat surface, said at least one flat region engages with said flat surface to prevent said handgrip from rolling. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said first flange and said at least one additional flange includes a pry structure, wherein said pry structure allows a user to apply force to induce said handgrip top away from said handgrip bottom. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said first flange and said at least one additional flange includes a hinge rotation stop, wherein said hinge rotation stop constrains the rotation of said handgrip top relative to said handgrip bottom. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein at least one of said first flange and said at least one additional flange includes a hinge rotation wall, wherein said hinge rotation wall constrains the rotation of said handgrip top relative to said handgrip bottom. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said top-to-bottom handgrip contact surface includes a first magnet and said bottom-to-top handgrip contact surface includes a second magnet. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further including magnetically engaging said top-to-bottom handgrip contact surface with said bottom-to-top handgrip contact surface using said magnets when said top-to-bottom handgrip contact surface and said bottom-to-top handgrip contact surface are in contact. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said grip structure includes a succession of raised and lowered areas.