Hand-engaging devices with traction-enhancing features

A hand-engaging device, comprising:

• a base member including:
• (a) a first side including a thumb-receiving chamber and a handle, wherein the first side is configured to engage a user's hand, and (b) a second side opposite the first side;
• and
• a traction pad engaged or integrally formed with the second side of the base member, wherein the traction pad includes a base surface and a plurality of traction elements extending outward from the base surface, the plurality of traction elements including at least one of a free end or a free edge spaced apart from the base surface, wherein the base surface of the traction pad includes a recessed groove defined therein, and wherein the recessed groove extends:
• (i) in a direction from a forward end of the base surface to a rearward end of the base surface and (ii) at least 50% of a length dimension of the traction pad measured from the forward end to the rearward end,
• wherein the handle is positioned with respect to the traction pad to define a receptacle that is located between an outer surface of the handle and the traction pad, the receptacle being configured to receive at least one finger of the user's hand when the user grasps the handle.

A hand-engaging device, comprising:

• a base member including:
• (a) a first side including a thumb-receiving chamber and a handle, wherein the first side is configured to engage a user's hand, and (b) a second side opposite the first side;
• and
• a traction pad engaged or integrally formed with the second side of the base member, wherein the traction pad includes a base surface and a plurality of traction elements extending outward from the base surface, the plurality of traction elements including at least one of a free end or a free edge spaced apart from the base surface, wherein the base surface of the traction pad includes a multi-layered structure, wherein the multi-layered structure includes an inner fabric layer and an outer rubber layer, wherein a first set of the plurality of traction elements includes the free end spaced apart from the base surface, and wherein each of the plurality of traction elements of the first set includes a cylindrical structure extending:
• (i) through the inner fabric layer and the outer rubber layer and (ii) outward from an exposed surface of the outer rubber layer to the free end of that respective traction element, and
• wherein the handle is positioned with respect to the traction pad to define a receptacle that is located between an outer surface of the handle and the traction pad, the receptacle being configured to receive at least one finger of the user's hand when the user grasps the handle.

A hand-engaging device, comprising:

• a base member including:
• (a) a first side including a thumb-receiving chamber and a handle, wherein the first side is configured to engage a user's hand, and (b) a second side opposite the first side;
• and
• a traction pad engaged or integrally formed with the second side of the base member, wherein the traction pad includes a base surface and a plurality of traction elements extending outward from the base surface, the plurality of traction elements including at least one of a free end or a free edge spaced apart from the base surface, wherein the plurality of traction elements are one-way traction elements, and wherein the one-way traction elements are configured such that a force required to cause relative movement between the hand-engaging device and a rubber component or a thermoplastic elastomeric component in a forward direction of the hand-engaging device is at least five times greater than a force required to cause relative movement between the hand-engaging device and the rubber component or the thermoplastic elastomer component in a rearward direction of the hand-engaging device, and
• wherein the handle is positioned with respect to the traction pad to define a receptacle that is located between an outer surface of the handle and the traction pad, the receptacle being configured to receive at least one finger of the user's hand when the user grasps the handle.

A hand-engaging device, comprising:

• a base member including:
• (a) a first side including a thumb-receiving chamber and a handle, wherein the first side is configured to engage a user's hand, and (b) a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second side includes a mount surface;
• and
• a traction pad engaged with the mount surface, wherein the traction pad includes a base surface and a plurality of traction elements extending outward from a first side of the base surface, wherein a first set of the plurality of traction elements includes plural traction element components having a one-piece structure, the one-piece structure comprising:
• (a) a traction element base extending along a portion of a second side of the base surface located opposite the first side of the base surface,
• (b) a first traction element extending away from the traction element base and through the base surface from the second side of the base surface to the first side of the base surface and to a first free end of the first traction element that is spaced apart from the first side of the base surface, and
• (c) a second traction element extending away from the traction element base and through the base surface from the second side of the base surface to the first side of the base surface and to a second free end of the second traction element that is spaced apart from the first side of the base surface, and
• wherein the handle is positioned with respect to the traction pad to define a receptacle that is located between an outer surface of the handle and the traction pad, the receptacle being configured to receive at least one finger of the user's hand when the user grasps the handle.

A hand-engaging device, comprising:

• a base member including a first side configured to engage a user's hand and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second side includes a mount surface;
• a traction pad engaged with the mount surface, wherein the traction pad includes a base surface and a plurality of traction elements extending outward from a first side of the base surface, wherein a first set of the plurality of traction elements includes plural traction element components having a one-piece structure, the one-piece structure comprising:
• (a) a traction element base extending along a portion of a second side of the base surface located opposite the first side of the base surface,
• (b) a first traction element extending away from the traction element base and through the base surface from the second side of the base surface to the first side of the base surface and to a first free end of the first traction element that is spaced apart from the first side of the base surface, and
• (c) a second traction element extending away from the traction element base and through the base surface from the second side of the base surface to the first side of the base surface and to a second free end of the second traction element that is spaced apart from the first side of the base surface;
• and
• a fluid-filled bladder located between the base surface of the traction pad and the second side of the base member.