Fit Gripper

Abstract

A removable grip strengthener for exercise weights. The present invention allows the user to exercise hand grip strength while simultaneously performing weight training exercises. The removable grip strengthener comprises a spring-loaded lever and a collar clamp. During lifting, the spring-loaded lever enables the user to train hand grip strength using one or more fingers while grasping the bar portion of the exercise weight with the remaining fingers. The collar clamp enables the spring-loaded lever to detachably connect to the bar portion of the exercise weight. The removable grip strengthener can be provided in multiple configurations to accommodate different types of exercise weights. For use with barbells, the present invention can include a more robust and rigid structure that provides greater resistance to the user exercising hand grip strength. For use with dumbbells, the present invention can include a lighter structure that is more practical to be used with lighter weights.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A detachable grip strengthener comprising:
 a spring-loaded lever;   a collar clamp;   the spring-loaded lever being connected to the collar clamp;   the spring-loaded lever comprising an elongated rod, a handle, and a torsion spring;   the elongated rod comprising a first rod end and a second rod end;   the first rod end being terminally connected to a proximal end of the torsion spring;   the second rod end being connected to the handle;   a distal end of the torsion spring being connected to the collar clamp; and   the collar clamp capable of detachably connecting to the bar portion of an exercise weight.   
     
     
         2 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 1  comprising:
 the collar clamp comprising an upper flange, a lower flange, and a clamp mechanism; 
 a first end of the upper flange being hingedly connected to a first end of the lower flange; and 
 the clamp mechanism being configured to secure a second end of the upper flange to a second end of the lower flange in a closed position. 
 
     
     
         3 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the clamp mechanism is in the form of a screw clamp. 
     
     
         4 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 3  comprising:
 the screw clamp comprising a bolt fastener and a wing nut; 
 the second end of the upper flange being hingedly connected to the head of the bolt fastener; 
 the second end of the lower flange being notched to clear the bolt fastener; 
 the wing nut being threadedly engaged with the bolt fastener; and 
 the wing nut being configured to secure the second end of the upper flange to the second end of the lower flange. 
 
     
     
         5 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 3  comprising:
 a spring slot being laterally integrated onto an inside surface of the upper flange; 
 the distal end of the torsion spring being adapted to fit the spring slot; and 
 the distal end of the torsion spring being detachably connected to the upper flange. 
 
     
     
         6 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 5  comprising:
 a threaded fastener; and 
 the threaded fastener extending through an aperture on the outside surface of the upper flange and fastened into the distal end of the torsion spring. 
 
     
     
         7 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 3  comprising:
 the handle being constructed of metal; 
 a receiver opening traversing axially into a distal end of the handle; and 
 the second rod end being fastened to the handle through the receiver opening. 
 
     
     
         8 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the clamp mechanism is in the form of a cam clamp. 
     
     
         9 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 8  comprising:
 the cam clamp comprising a cam bolt and a cam lever; 
 the second end of the upper flange being hingedly connected to the head of the cam bolt; 
 the second end of the lower flange being notched to clear the cam bolt; 
 a base of the cam lever being threadedly engaged with the cam bolt; and 
 the cam lever being configured to secure the second end of the upper flange to the second end of the lower flange. 
 
     
     
         10 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the distal end of the torsion spring extends through the upper flange and rotatably connects to the cam bolt. 
     
     
         11 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 8  comprising:
 the handle being a foam grip; and 
 the foam grip being fixedly attached to the elongated rod. 
 
     
     
         12 . A detachable grip strengthener comprising:
 a spring-loaded lever;   a collar clamp;   the spring-loaded lever being connected to the collar clamp;   the spring-loaded lever comprising an elongated rod, a handle, and a torsion spring;   the elongated rod comprising a first rod end and a second rod end;   the first rod end being terminally connected to a proximal end of the torsion spring;   the second rod end being connected to the handle;   a distal end of the torsion spring being connected to the collar clamp;   the collar clamp comprising an upper flange, a lower flange, and a clamp mechanism;   a first end of the upper flange being hingedly connected to a first end of the lower flange;   the clamp mechanism being configured to secure a second end of the upper flange to a second end of the lower flange in a closed position;   the clamp mechanism being in the form of a screw clamp; and   the collar clamp capable of detachably connecting to the bar portion of an exercise weight.   
     
     
         13 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 12  comprising:
 the screw clamp comprising a bolt fastener and a wing nut; 
 the second end of the upper flange being hingedly connected to the head of the bolt fastener; 
 the second end of the lower flange being notched to clear the bolt fastener; 
 the wing nut being threadedly engaged with the bolt fastener; and 
 the wing nut being configured to secure the second end of the upper flange to the second end of the lower flange. 
 
     
     
         14 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 12  comprising:
 a spring slot being laterally integrated onto an inside surface of the upper flange; 
 the distal end of the torsion spring being adapted to fit the spring slot; and 
 the distal end of the torsion spring being detachably connected to the upper flange. 
 
     
     
         15 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 14  comprising:
 a threaded fastener; and 
 the threaded fastener extending through an aperture on the outside surface of the upper flange and fastened into the distal end of the torsion spring. 
 
     
     
         16 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 12  comprising:
 the handle being constructed of metal; 
 a receiver opening traversing axially into a distal end of the handle; and 
 the second rod end being fastened to the handle through the receiver opening. 
 
     
     
         17 . A detachable grip strengthener comprising:
 a spring-loaded lever;   a collar clamp;   the spring-loaded lever being connected to the collar clamp;   the spring-loaded lever comprising an elongated rod, a handle, and a torsion spring;   the elongated rod comprising a first rod end and a second rod end;   the first rod end being terminally connected to a proximal end of the torsion spring;   the second rod end being connected to the handle;   a distal end of the torsion spring being connected to the collar clamp;   the collar clamp comprising an upper flange, a lower flange, and a clamp mechanism;   a first end of the upper flange being hingedly connected to a first end of the lower flange;   the clamp mechanism being configured to secure a second end of the upper flange to a second end of the lower flange in a closed position;   the clamp mechanism being in the form of a cam clamp;   the cam clamp comprising a cam bolt and a cam lever;   the second end of the upper flange being hingedly connected to the head of the cam bolt;   the second end of the lower flange being notched to clear the cam bolt;   a base of the cam lever being threadedly engaged with the cam bolt;   the cam lever being configured to secure the second end of the upper flange to the second end of the lower flange; and   the collar clamp capable of detachably connecting to the bar portion of an exercise weight.   
     
     
         18 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the distal end of the torsion spring extends through the upper flange and rotatably connects to the cam bolt. 
     
     
         19 . The detachable grip strengthener as claimed in  claim 17  comprising:
 the handle being a foam grip; and 
 the foam grip being fixedly attached to the elongated rod.