Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CUFF AND STRAP DEVICE FOR LIFTING WEIGHTS
SPECIFICATION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to wrist-support apparatus and to
weightlifting accessories, and in particular discloses a cuff
and strap device for a weightlifter's wrist and hand.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR TECHNOLOGY
A number of previous devices have been patented in this
area. In U.S. Patent number 4,183,098, a wrist support
device is shown in which hinged plates havir.g limited arcs of
swing with respect to each other are worn in a supporting
relation to the forearm, wrist, and hand of the user. The
device is releasably attached on the user by means of
straps. In U.S. Patent 4,193,135, a protective device is
shown that attaches to the hand with straps and buckle
frames. In U.S. Patent 4,531.241, a hand glove is shown which
covers the palm of the hand, but not the fingers, and extends
up onto the wrist of the user. In U.S. Patent 4,585,2Z8 a
weight assembly is shown in which a hinged plate can be
attached to the wrist and hand of the user by means of a
releasable strap about the wrist.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
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This invention provides a weightlifter's wrist cuff and
lifting strap. The lifting strap extends from the wrist cuff
down around the weight bar to be lifted. The lifting
strap terminates in a rubber plug that tucks behind the bar in
the palm of the hand. When the user grasps the strap and the
bar to lift it, the plug is wedged above the bar and prevents
the strap from slipping off the bar.
The wrist cuff comprises a padded layer and a cuff strap in
addition to the lifting strap. The cuff strap is sewn or
otherwise affixed to the padded layer of the wrist cuff. At
one end of the cuff strap i5 a buckle frame adapted to
have the second end of the cuff strap passed through it.
Complementary first and second patches of mechanically
adhesive material, such as Velcro (a trade mark of Velcro
Canada Ltd.), are sewn respectively onto a) the outside of
the cuff strap along the area of the cuff strap to which the
padded layer is sewn on its inside, and b) the same side of
the second end of the cuff strap. This arrangement allows the
cuff strap's padded layer to be placed against the inside of
the wrist, the second end of the cuff strap to be passed
around the wrist and through the buckle frame sewn onto the
first end of the cuff strap. The second end is then pulled
back forming a double layer of cuff strap along the back of
the wrist and around to the outside surface of the cuff strap
on the inner side of the wrist where it is releasably
attached by the mechanically adhesive material patches.
The lifting strap is affixed to the cuff strap between the
padded layer and the patch on the cuff strap adjacent
thereto. The lifting strap extends perpendicularly from the
cuff strap such that when the device is worn on the wrist of
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a weightlifter, the lifting strap extends down from the wrist
and can be curled around the weight bar that is to be lifted.
The lifting strap terminates in a fold around a plug to
create a thickened end. After the lifting strap is curled
around a bar to be lifted, the thickened end becomes pressed
between the palm and the bar to be lifted. When the hand is
exerting pressure on the strap and the bar, the plug will not
be able to slip past the knuckles of his hand. The thickened
end thereby prevents the strap from slipping off the bar as
it is lifted.
The lifting strap has a mechanically adhesive material patch
near its end that is complementary to the first patch on the
cuff strap above, allowing the end of the lifting strap to be
releasably attached to the cuff strap and thereby kept out of
the way when not in use around a bar to be lifted curled
around the weight bar.
When in use, the cuff provides support to the wrist and
the strap transfers some of the weight of the bar from the
hand to the wrist and forearm of the weightlifter. The device
is therefore useful in preventing tissue injury to the hand
and to the wrist. The device is saEe in that the plug at
the end of the lifting strap to the cuff allows the strap
to be immediately released upon the hand being opened and
the weight bar dropped in the event of an unmanageable
weight being lifted.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front view of the device spread out flat.
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Figure 2 is a perspective of the device partially done up.
Figure 3 is a perspective oE the device worn on a wrist.
Figure 4 is a side cross-section showing the device in use in
lifting a weight bar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, the device comprises a padded layer 1,
a cuff strap 2, and a lifting strap 3. The cuff strap has a
first mechanically adhesive material patch 4 on the cuff
strap 2 in the area of the padded layer 1, and a
complementary second mechanically adhesive material patch 5
on the cuff strap end 6. A buckle frame 7 is sewn onto the
other end 8 of the cuff strap 2. The lifting strap 3 is sewn
or otherwise affixed to the cuff strap and extends at right
angles therefrom, down to the lifting strap end 9. A third
mechanically adhesive material patch 10 is adjacent to the
lifting strap end 9. This patch can be releasably attached to
patch 4, allowing the user to keep the strap out of the way
of his hand until the strap is needed.
Referring to Figure 2, the cuff strap end 6 has been passed
through the buckle frame 7. The cuff strap 2 is folded back
along itself at 11 to provide a double layer of cuff strap.
Adjacent to the end 9 of the lifting strap 3 is a thickened
area 12 comprising a rubber plug 13 sewn into a fold of the
strap 3.
Referring to Figure 3, the device is shown on the user's wrist
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14 with the cuff strap 2 doubled and attached with the
mechanically adhesive patch 4 receiving the complementary
patch on the back of the cuff strap end 6. The padded layer 1
provides comfort and spread the tension from the cuff strap 2
around the wrist 14. The thickened area 12 of the lifting
strap 3 is shown curled back along the lifting strap into the
palm 15 of the lifter's hand.
Referring to Figure 4, the lifting strap 3 is shown wrapped
around the lifting bar 16. The lifting strap 3 is maintained
in its position on the bar by pressure on the thickened area
12 from the user's palm 15. The lifting strap 3 absorbs some
of the lifting force that would otherwise be transmitted
through the bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the
hand. The cuff likewise assists in the lifting force being
transmitted from the forearm to the bar, taking some strain
off the wrist. The cuff in addition has a supportive
compressing effect on the parts of the wrist.
The device can be used in weight training, recreational
weightlifting, and in any industrial or domestic activity
involving the lifting of weights having handles or gripping
means around which the lifting strap of the device can be
curled.
The within-described invention may be embodied in other
specific forms and with additional options and accessories
without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiment
is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative
and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
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descripti.on, and all changes which come within the meaning
and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended
to be embraced therein.
