IP Library Granted Patent US 9,694,485
Granted Patent B1
US 9,694,485 · App. 15/283,879 · Granted Jul 4, 2017

Grip support device and method of use

Inventors: Kerry Mellin (Simi Valley, CA); Merrily Mellin (Simi Valley, CA); Wendy Mellin (Simi Valley, CA)
B25G1/02A47G21/08A61J9/0623
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,694,485
App. No.
15/283,879
Granted
Jul 4, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

A device and method for providing assistance in gripping items that is sanitary and flexible. In its simplest embodiment, the device is an elongated elastomeric piece with two ends, each end terminating in an enclosed aperture that can be attached to a device to be gripped. Alternate embodiments include an embodiment with a third hole for thumb assistance from the other hand for placing the strap around the hand of the user and the item to be gripped, an embodiment with a middle hole thereby providing three holes wherein the center hole wraps around the center of a baby bottle while the two end holes wrap around the top and bottom of the baby bottle while providing space between the top and bottom holes for the baby's hands, an embodiment with a y-strap for gripping hand tools and an embodiment with a center long hole to allow for the bend in the knuckles of the hand of the user.

Claims (15)

1. A method for the assistance of gripping devices comprising the steps of:

obtaining the item to be gripped;

determining that said item to be gripped is a single elongated member with a first end and a second end;

obtaining a grip assisting device, said grip assisting device further comprising:

an elongated main body having a top, a bottom, a first end and a second end wherein said top and said bottom have a thickness between 3 and 10 mm;

a first aperture proximate said first end wherein said first end is between 1.11 and 1.67 mm thicker than said elongated main body;

a second aperture proximate said second end wherein said second end is between 1.11 and 1.67 mm thicker than said elongated main body;

a third aperture proximate said second aperture to enable assistance in attaching items to the user's hand or limbs by pulling said device onto said item wherein said third aperture is hooked by said user's said other hand by a finger or thumb and pulling said device over said item and

wherein said device is made of a flexible elastomeric material having a durometer between 15 and 30 Shore A and a tensile strength equal to or greater than 3 mPa;

wherein said device has a percent elongation of 500 or more;

wherein said first aperture, second aperture and third apertures are substantially the same circular shape and located along said elongated main body wherein each of said first, second and third apertures are separated by portions of said elongated main body;

stretching said first aperture proximate said first end around said first end of said item to be gripped;

gripping said third aperture with said user's other hand and pulling said elongated main body over said item and stretching said second aperture proximate said second end around said first end of said item to be gripped thereby creating an open space between said first aperture proximate said first end, said second aperture proximate said second end and said item to be gripped;

inserting a part of the user's body, such as the hand, fingers, wrist, lower or upper arm into said open space; and

manipulating of said item to be gripped.

Assignments (1)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 21, 2019
From: OPTION 3 LLC
To: BLACK DIAMOND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 050780/0775 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 14729259 · Jun 3, 2015
Provisional Application 62007264 · Jun 3, 2014