Grip assist device for athletic training weights and methods related thereto

Abstract

A grip assist device configured to be securely adhered to and removed from a grip bar of an athletic training weight. The grip assist device has a flexible grip wrap that can be attached to and detached from the grip bar. The grip wrap has a plurality of peaks and finger depressions on its exterior surface, a non-slip feature on its interior surface, and one or more sensors that can sense various forces on and motions of the gripper to provide useful feedback information to a user during a training session with the training weight. The sensor(s) can pair with a computer software application that analyzes the data sent from the sensor and provides one or more direct and/or derived measurements from the torque and/or range-of-motion measurements to the user.

1 . A grip assist device configured to be securely adhered to and removed from a grip bar of an athletic training weight, the grip assist device comprising:
 a grip wrap having a partial tubular shape that defines an interior surface, an exterior surface, and opposing longitudinal edges separated by a longitudinal gap, the grip wrap being formed of a flexible material and adapted to surround the grip bar;   a plurality of peaks and finger depressions disposed on the exterior surface diametrically opposite the longitudinal gap;   a non-slip feature disposed on the interior surface; and   a sensor embedded in the grip wrap and configured to sensor at least one of torque, motion, and range of motion of the grip wrap.   
     
     
         2 . The grip assist device of  claim 1 , further comprising closure elements disposed along the longitudinal edges to removably fasten the longitudinal edges to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The grip assist device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is a synthetic rubber in the form of a closed-cell foam material. 
     
     
         4 . The grip assist device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of peaks and finger depressions extend around not more than half of a circumference of the grip wrap. 
     
     
         5 . The grip assist device of  claim 1 , further comprising a tread pattern defined in the exterior surface, the tread pattern comprising raised surface features that increase friction to promote a better grip. 
     
     
         6 . The grip assist device of  claim 5 , wherein the raised surface features are hexagonal-shaped elevated structures that are each surrounded by a trench, and the trenches are sized to be effective to wick sweat away from the elevated structures and into the trenches. 
     
     
         7 . The grip assist device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a radio frequency identification device or a Bluetooth-enabled device, the grip assist device further comprising equipped with an APP that wirelessly communicates with the sensor and analyzes data sent from the sensor. 
     
     
         8 . An athletic training weight comprising:
 a grip bar;   a weight head disposed at an end of the grip bar; and   the grip assist device of  claim 1  disposed on the grip bar so that the plurality of peaks and finger depressions provide finger grip locations on the grip bar.   
     
     
         9 . The athletic training weight of  claim 8 , further comprising closure elements disposed along the longitudinal edges of the grip wrap to removably fasten the longitudinal edges to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The athletic training weight of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible material of the grip wrap is a synthetic rubber in the form of a closed-cell foam material. 
     
     
         11 . The athletic training weight of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of peaks and finger depressions of the grip wrap extend around not more than half of a circumference of the grip wrap. 
     
     
         12 . The athletic training weight of  claim 8 , further comprising a tread pattern defined in the exterior surface, the tread pattern comprising raised surface features that increase friction to promote a better grip. 
     
     
         13 . The athletic training weight of  claim 12 , wherein the raised surface features are hexagonal-shaped elevated structures that are each surrounded by a trench, and the trenches are sized to be effective to wick sweat away from the elevated structures and into the trenches. 
     
     
         14 . The athletic training weight of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor is a radio frequency identification device or a Bluetooth-enabled device, the grip assist device further comprising equipped with an APP that wirelessly communicates with the sensor and analyzes data sent from the sensor.