Grip System for Weightlifting Equipment

Abstract

A grip system for barbells includes a slidable grip assembly that translates along the barbell shaft, optional medial and lateral stoppers that restrict the lateral movement of the grip assembly, and optional shaft sleeves that attach around the barbell shaft to provide a surface across which the grip assemblies can easily slide. The grip assemblies include a hand grip attached to a tubular base and a slide segment attached to an inner surface of the tubular base. The tubular base and the slide segment surround the barbell shaft when positioned on the shaft. The slide segment can be a friction reducing surface or have a plurality of bearings that facilitate longitudinal motion but restrict rotational motion of the grip assemblies. Additional optional configurations of the grip assembly include multiple grip assembly sections held together with fasteners that allow the grip assemblies to be removably attached to the barbell shaft.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A grip system for use with exercise equipment having a shaft, the grip system comprising a slidable grip assembly, wherein the grip assembly defines a central bore configured to fit around the exercise equipment shaft and comprises:
 a) a tubular base having a first end, a second end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein the grip assembly central bore extends from the first end of the tubular base to the second end of the tubular base and is at least partly surrounded by the inner surface of the tubular base;   b) a slide segment disposed within the central bore of the grip assembly and attached to the inner surface of the tubular base, wherein the slide segment is configured to facilitate translation of the tubular base along the shaft of the exercise equipment; and   c) a hand grip at least partly attached to the outer surface of the tubular base.   
     
     
         2 . The grip system of  claim 1  further comprising a medial stopper configured to attach to the shaft of the exercise equipment adjacent a first end of the grip assembly and in a fixed position relative to the shaft of the exercise equipment. 
     
     
         3 . The grip system of  claim 2  further comprising a lateral stopper configured to attach to the shaft of the exercise equipment adjacent a second end of the grip assembly and in a fixed position relative to the shaft of the exercise equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The grip system of  claim 1  further comprising a shaft sleeve configured to attach around the exercise equipment shaft in a fixed position relative to the exercise equipment and positioned to cooperate with the slide segment of the grip assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The grip system of  claim 3  further comprising a shaft sleeve configured to attach around the exercise equipment shaft in a fixed position relative to the exercise equipment and positioned to cooperate with the slide segment of the grip assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The grip system of  claim 1  wherein the slide segment of the grip assembly comprises a friction-reducing material positioned to encourage lateral translation along the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The grip system of  claim 1  wherein the slide segment of the grip assembly comprises a plurality of bearings positioned to encourage lateral translation along the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The grip system of  claim 1  wherein the tubular base of the grip assembly comprises a resilient material and defines a slot extending from the first end of the tubular base to the second end of the tubular base. 
     
     
         9 . The grip system of  claim 1  wherein the hand grip of the grip assembly is integral with the tubular base of the grip assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The grip system of  claim 1  wherein the tubular base of the grip assembly further comprises:
 a) a first tubular base section having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first edge, and a second edge; 
 b) a second tubular base section having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first edge, and a second edge; and 
 c) a first fastener for attaching the first edge of the first tubular base section to the first edge of the second tubular base section, wherein the inner surfaces of the first and second tubular base sections surround the central bore of the grip assembly when the second edge of the second tubular base section is positioned near the second edge of the first tubular base section. 
 
     
     
         11 . The grip system of  claim 10  wherein the slide segment of the grip assembly further comprises:
 a) a first slide segment section attached to the inner surface of the first tubular base section; and 
 b) a second slide segment section attached to the inner surface of the second tubular base section. 
 
     
     
         12 . The grip system of  claim 10  wherein the first tubular base section of the grip assembly pivotally attaches at the first edge of the first tubular base section to the second tubular base section of the grip assembly at the first edge of the second tubular base section. 
     
     
         13 . The grip system of  claim 12  wherein the grip assembly further comprises a hinge connected to the first edge of the first tubular base section and the first edge of the second tubular section. 
     
     
         14 . The grip system of  claim 10  wherein the grip assembly further comprises a second fastener for attaching the second edge of the first tubular base section to the second edge of the second tubular base section. 
     
     
         15 . The grip system of  claim 14  wherein the second fastener of the grip assembly comprises a lock assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The grip system of  claim 14  wherein the first and second fasteners of the grip assembly comprise snap fasteners. 
     
     
         17 . A slidable grip system for use with exercise equipment having a shaft, the grip system comprising:
 a) a grip assembly, wherein the grip assembly defines a central bore configured to fit around the exercise equipment shaft and comprises:
 i) a tubular base having a first end, a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the grip assembly central bore extends from the first end of the tubular base to the second end of the tubular base and is at least partly surrounded by the inner surface of the tubular base; and 
 ii) a slide segment disposed within the central bore of the grip assembly and attached to the inner surface of the tubular base, wherein the slide segment is configured to facilitate translation of the tubular base along the shaft of the exercise equipment; and 
   b) a medial stopper configured to attach to the shaft of the exercise equipment adjacent a first end of the grip assembly and in a fixed position relative to the shaft of the exercise equipment; and   c) a lateral stopper configured to attach to the shaft of the exercise equipment adjacent a second end of the grip assembly and in a fixed position relative to the shaft of the exercise equipment.   
     
     
         18 . The grip system of  claim 17  further comprising a shaft sleeve configured to attach around the exercise equipment shaft in a fixed position relative to the exercise equipment and positioned to cooperate with the slide segment of the grip assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The grip system of  claim 18  wherein the slide segment of the grip assembly comprises a friction-reducing material positioned to encourage lateral translation along the shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The grip system of  claim 18  wherein the slide segment of the grip assembly comprises a plurality of bearings positioned to encourage lateral translation along the shaft.