Hand Strength Device

The present application claims priority to Prov. U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 63/654,798 filed May 31, 2024, the entire disclosure of which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

At least some embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to exercise devices. In particular, at least some of the devices relate to exercise devices for a hand.

A common requirement for hand strength is when using a video game controller. Improved hand strength devices targeting the grips used by a user of a video game controller are desirable.

Like reference numbers represent the same or similar parts throughout.

shows a perspective view of a hand strength device, according to some embodiments.shows a front view of the hand strength device, according to some embodiments.shows a rear view of the hand strength device, according to some embodiments.shows a left side view of the hand strength device, according to some embodiments.shows a right side view of the hand strength device, according to some embodiments.shows a top view of the hand strength device, according to some embodiments.shows a bottom view of the hand strength device, according to some embodiments.

For simplicity of this Specification,-will be referenced collectively unless specific mention is made otherwise.

The hand strength deviceincludes a bodyhaving a plurality of connection pointsarranged at various locations on the different surfaces of the bodyof the hand strength device. In some embodiments, a user can grasp a first grip, a second grip, or a combination of the first gripand the second grip. For example, in some embodiments, the user can grasp the first gripwith a left hand and the second gripwith a right hand. In some embodiments, the bodyof the hand strength deviceincludes the first gripspaced apart from the second gripby a connecting member. In some embodiments, the bodycan be hollow. In some embodiments, the bodymay be filled at least partially with material.

In some embodiments, the plurality of connection pointscan be shaped like a hook. In some embodiments, an exact geometry of the plurality of connection pointscan vary. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, some of the plurality of connection pointsare linear in geometry and others of the plurality of connection pointsinclude at least a portion that is curved in geometry. It is to be appreciated that all of the plurality of connection pointscan be the same in some embodiments and different in some embodiments. The plurality of connection pointscan be used to attach an elastic member. In some embodiments, the plurality of connection pointsare designed to enable a user to easily connect or remove the elastic memberfrom each of the plurality of connection pointswhile also ensuring that the elastic memberis retained during use of the hand strength device. In some embodiments, the elastic membercan be a band so that a first portion of the band can be looped over one or more of the plurality of connection pointsand a second portion of the band can be looped over another one or more of the plurality of connection points. In some embodiments, the elastic membermay be looped over the plurality of connection pointsand also looped over one or more fingers of the user. In some embodiments, the elastic membercan be an elongate member with loops on each end. In such embodiments, the loop on one end of the elongate member can be looped over one or more of the plurality of connection pointsand the loop on the other end of the elongate member can be looped over a finger of the user. Once looped over the finger of the user, the user may be able to move the finger away from the hand strength deviceto strengthen the hand. In some embodiments, the hand strength devicecan use different ones of the elastic memberto vary resistance for the user or for different users. In some embodiments, the elastic membercan be connected to more than one of the plurality of connection pointsto change a resistance for the user. In some embodiments, for example, if the elastic memberis a loop, the elastic membercan be double looped to increase the resistance for the user. In some embodiments, the elastic membercan be, for example, a rubber band or the like.

In some embodiments, the plurality of connection pointscan be arranged at the various locations of the hand strength devicein pairs. That is, in some embodiments, at each location of possible connection, the hand strength devicecan include two connection points. It is to be appreciated that this is an example. For example, in some embodiments, a single one of the plurality of connection pointsmay be sufficiently strong to connect with the elastic member. In some embodiments, more than two of the plurality of connection pointscan be disposed at a given location to provide additional strength and to prevent the plurality of connection pointsfrom bending or breaking in response to the application of force from the exercises being performed.

In some embodiments, the hand strength devicecan be made of, for example, a plastic material. In some embodiments, the hand strength devicecan be injection molded. In some embodiments, the hand strength devicecan be formed by an additive manufacturing process such as, but not limited to, 3D printing or the like. In some embodiments, a color of the hand strength devicecan be selected to correspond to a particular sizing of the device. For example, in some embodiments the hand strength devicecan be made for a user with larger hands and coded to its size via a specific color while another one of the hand strength devicecan be made for a user with smaller hands and coded to its size via a specific different color.

In some embodiments, the hand strength devicecan be designed to have an appearance of a video game controller. In some embodiments, the hand strength devicedoes not include joysticks or other buttons that would be present in a video game controller. In some embodiments, the hand strength devicecan have buttons or other images on the surface of the hand strength deviceto further resemble a video game controller. In such embodiments, the buttons or the like are non-functional. In some embodiments, the hand strength devicecan be designed to have a look and a feel of a video game controller. For example, the hand strength devicecan be designed to have a weight that is similar to the weight of a video game controller. In some embodiments, in this manner, a user that is used to operating a video game controller will easily be able to perform one or more hand exercises using the hand strength device.

In some embodiments, the hand strength devicecan utilize a plurality of the elastic memberto provide different resistances. That is, the hand strength devicecan utilize combining multiple of the same of the elastic member. In some embodiments, the hand strength devicecan utilize more than one of the elastic member. For example, different ones of the elastic membercan include different elasticities so that the user can select a resistance. In such embodiments, the different ones of the elastic membercan be configured in different colors so that the user is able to identify that the different ones of the elastic memberhave different elasticities and, accordingly, can be used to obtain different resistances when using the hand strength device.

In some embodiments, the hand strength deviceand the elastic membercan be combined in a single kit.

In some embodiments, a device including: a body, the body including: a first grip; a second grip; a connecting member, wherein the first grip is connected to the second grip via the connecting member; and a plurality of connection points disposed on the body.

In some embodiments, a device, wherein the device is formed in a shape of a video game controller.

In some embodiments, a device, further including an elastic member configured to be connected to at least one of the plurality of connection points.

In some embodiments, a device, wherein the body is formed of a plastic material.

In some embodiments, a device, wherein the plurality of connection points include a first plurality of connection points disposed at a first location of the body and a second plurality of connection points disposed at a second location of the body.

In some embodiments, a device, wherein the plurality of connection points are hook shaped.

In some embodiments, a device, wherein the body is hollow.

In some embodiments, a device, wherein the body is formed by an additive manufacturing process.

In some embodiments, a video game controller shaped device including: a body, the body including: a first grip; a second grip; a connecting member, wherein the first grip is connected to the second grip via the connecting member; and a plurality of connection points disposed on the body.

In some embodiments, a video game controller shaped device, further including an elastic member configured to be connected to at least one of the plurality of connection points.

In some embodiments, a video game controller shaped device, wherein the body is formed of a plastic material.

In some embodiments, a video game controller shaped device, wherein the plurality of connection points include a first plurality of connection points disposed at a first location of the body and a second plurality of connection points disposed at a second location of the body.

In some embodiments, a video game controller shaped device, wherein the plurality of connection points are hook shaped.

In some embodiments, a video game controller shaped device, wherein the body is hollow.

In some embodiments, a video game controller shaped device, wherein the body is formed by an additive manufacturing process.

In some embodiments, a kit including: an elastic member; the device.

In some embodiments, a kit, wherein the kit includes a plurality of elastic members.

In some embodiments, a kit, wherein the plurality of elastic members are color coated to identify a resistance level of each of the plurality of elastic members.

In some embodiments, a kit, wherein the device is formed in a shape of a video game controller.

In some embodiments, a kit, wherein the elastic member is a rubber band.

The terminology used herein is intended to describe embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless clearly indicated otherwise. The terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this Specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of the construction materials employed and the shape, size, and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This Specification and the embodiments described are examples, with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims that follow.