Deformable grip pad with bistable spring bands and methods of use

Abstract

A grip pad with bistable spring bands embedded therein is provided for snapping onto a bar to improve a user's grip of the bar. The grip pad is configured with specialized material such as neoprene with textured patterns on both top and bottom sides of the grip pad so that the grip pad securely grips the bar and the user securely grips the grip pad. The grip pad is removably attached to the bar so that a user can easily snap the grip pad into a cylindrical-shaped wrapped position around the bar and remove the grip pad by opening the grip pad from its wrapped position to its bistable straight position. An attachment mechanism may be configured at one end of the grip pad to detachably secure the grip pad around the bar in the wrapped position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A deformable grip pad, comprising:
 an upper layer of flexible material in attachment with a bottom layer of the flexible material to form a cavity therebetween which is substantially enclosed;   at least one bistable spring band positioned within the cavity, wherein the bistable spring band is configured to alternate the shape of the grip pad between a flat, straight configuration and a cylindrical, wrapped configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The deformable grip pad of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is a textured neoprene. 
     
     
         3 . The deformable grip pad of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible material is approximately 1 millimeter in thickness. 
     
     
         4 . The deformable grip pad of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of bistable spring bands are arranged in parallel within the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The deformable grip pad of  claim 1 , wherein three bistable spring bands are located in the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The deformable grip pad of  claim 1 , wherein cushion material is placed between the upper layer and bottom layer of flexible material. 
     
     
         7 . The deformable grip pad of  claim 1 , which has an attachment device on each end. 
     
     
         8 . The deformable grip pad of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is elastomeric. 
     
     
         9 . A method of enhancing and cushioning hand gripping of a bar or bar-like apparatus by a user comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a deformable grip pad for one or both hands of the user, deformable grip pad, comprising:
 i. an upper layer of elastomeric material in attachment with a bottom layer of the elastomeric material to form a cavity therebetween which is substantially enclosed; and 
 ii. at least one bistable spring band positioned within the cavity, wherein the bistable spring band is configured to alternate the shape of the grip pad between a flat, straight configuration and a cylindrical, wrapped configuration. 
   b. attaching one deformable grip pad for each hand of the user to the bar or bar-like apparatus by use of the bistable spring band; and   c. grasping the bar or bar-like apparatus around each of the deformable grip pad.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the elastomeric material is a textured neoprene. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein cushion material is placed between the upper layer and bottom layer of flexible material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , which has an attachment device on one or both ends.