Alignment apparatus for use in freeweight barbell systems

Apparatus for improved alignment of the components of a freeweight barbell system include a weight tray employing spacing members for lateral support of the weights when stored upright thereon. The bar includes sleeves having shoulders to further align the weights when mounted on the bar. Guide channels include rearward downwardly disposed ramps to minimize contact of the weights with the tray surface until the bar has been moved to the rearward position. Interior weight support channels minimize bending of a weighted bar to ease movement and prevent lateral misalignment of the weights. Two alternate retaining clips are provided to improve the securing of the weights which themselves have been reformed to also improve support, guidance and alignment of the weights whether stored or secured to the bar.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention pertains to barbell systems employing freeweights and 
to improved alignment apparatus for use therewith. 
PRIOR ART 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,034, applicant describes a barbell system employing 
freeweights that combines apparatus for improved safety as well as 
substantial advantages regarding ease of use and flexibility. The present 
invention is directed towards improvements in the barbell system of U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,822,034 which provide greater ease of use and weight alignment. 
With respect to FIGS. 1 and 3 in the '034 system, the weight tray assembly 
48 includes a weight bearing support plate 57 and pins 93 which protrude 
forwardly of rear wall 49. The weights 68 stand upright on plate 57 with 
pins 93 fitting within slots 94 when stored. The pins 93 provide lateral 
stability. The present invention improves greater stability by dispensing 
with the pins 93 and utilizing triangular spaces mounted on plate 57. In 
adddition, spacers at the outer edge of tray assembly 48 provide for the 
lateral stability for the outermost weights. 
The prior art used guide channels 59 with upstanding walls 62, 63. The 
present invention employs outwardly extending section that functions as a 
"funnel" member to further assist the user in returning the barbell 
assembly to the guide channels 59. Also, with respect to the guide 
channels 59, the present invention includes a downwardly extending ramp at 
the rearwardmost portion of the channels 61. The ramps slope down at a 
15.degree. angle for easier storage of the weights. Also, the weights will 
be slightly lifted off bearing surface 57 as the bar is moved forwardly up 
the ramp. The size of the guide wheels and the low 15.degree. angle offers 
no material change in the effort that needs to be supplied to move the bar 
forwardly. 
The improved guide and support apparatus also includes a coaxially mounted 
pair of sleeves as does the prior art but with an important difference 
with respect to weight spacing and alignment rather than the spaced sleeve 
grooves 86, the present invention employs circumferentially mounted 
shoulders or ribs which act to space the weights apart and provide better 
alignment. In the present invention, the spacer ribs are integral to the 
sleeves as the sleeves are machined from heavy tubing. 
An important improvement that is directed at ease of use and safety is the 
provision for an inner pair of guide or support channels located above the 
inner edge of the tray surface 57 and below respective alignment bars 52. 
These support channels include ramps similar to those of the outer guide 
channels. The bar includes rotatable wheels that fit into the support 
channels. This assembly prevents "flex" or bending of the bar when it is 
weighted down. In addition to the greater support for the loaded bar, this 
feature also prevents "binding" of the weight assembly due to the flex 
because of very heavy weight loading. 
The shape of the weights 60 has also been changed to improve ease of use. 
The locking mechanism has also been modified to provide improved securing 
of the weights to the bar or in stored position. Finally, rubber strips 
have been added to provide for noise reduction. 
The result is a group of improvements that can be used singly or in 
combination for more precise alignment of the components of a freeweight 
system during storage or in operation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The barbell weight lifting apparatus of the prior art includes a frame 
comprising an elongated lifting bar having opposite end portions, a 
plurality of planar weights adapted to be selectively attached to the bar 
and selective means for detachably securing the weights to the bar. Each 
weight has an identically positioned horizontally disposed lateral slot 
therein extending from a generally upright edge of the weight to generally 
medially thereof. The bar is positionable through each slot and is 
selectively secured to selective weights. Support means for movably 
positioning and storing said weights upstanding in a horizontal row 
includes a pair of spaced weight receiving trays each having an upper 
surface and being affixed to the frame adjacent respective end portions of 
the bar. In accord with one aspect of the present invention an improvement 
in the prior art barbell weight lifting apparatus includes alignment means 
attached to each weight tray to align the weights thereon and includes a 
plurality of upright spacing members spaced along and affixed to the upper 
surface of the tray for aligning the weights horizontally when the weights 
are stored on the tray. The spacing members are preferably elongated 
triangular elements having a horizontal base affixed to the upper surface. 
Another aspect is seen wherein the alignment means also includes a pair of 
elongated spaced guide channels respectively along a side of an adjacent 
weight receiving tray to accommodate a pair of spaced round guide wheels 
mounted on respective end portions of the bar and being disposable in 
corresponding guide channel for positioning the bar in horizontal 
alignment with all slots of said weights. Each guide channel has a front 
end portion and a rear end portion with a downwardly disposed ramp portion 
on each rear end portion. The guide wheels are disposed on corresponding 
ramp portion when the bar is positioned through each slot in respective 
weights. The guide wheels are sized in diameter such that selected weights 
are lifted off the upper surface of the tray when the bar is moved 
forwardly to move the guide wheels forwardly and upwardly on respective 
ramp portions. In addition, the guide channels include an outer edge 
portion and an inner edge portion and a substantially vertical wall 
adjacent to the outer edge portion which includes a frontal wall portion 
and a rearward wall portion including an outwardly extending section on 
the frontal wall portion to guide respective wheel inwardly into the 
channel. Also, a spaced outer weight support element is affixed to the 
upper surface of each tray and is positioned outwardly adjacent the 
outermost weight positionable on the tray to provide lateral alignment of 
the weight. 
In accord with other aspects of the invention the alignment means further 
includes a pair of spaced sleeves coaxially positioned around the lifting 
bar with each said sleeve having a plurality of spaced apart 
circumferential shoulders thereon which define between each pair thereof a 
weight engaging area of the bar for positioning each weight in an area. A 
movable lever is pivotally mounted on a side of each weight with a first 
position transversing the slot forwardly of the bar for securing the bar 
in the slot to secure the weight to the bar in a weight engaging area and 
a second position removed from the slot for allowing free movement of the 
bar into and out of the slot. Means to engage said lever by way of a 
protruding portion thereon in the second position is provided and inhibits 
movement of a released weight during movement of the bar into and out of 
the slot. The alignment means also includes a pair of spaced apart bar 
support elements mounted on the bar at a point intermediate the length 
thereof and a pair of elongated spaced bar support channels affixed to the 
frame and being positioned below a corresponding support element which 
includes a wheel. The support elements are disposed on the support channel 
when the bar is positioned in horizontal alignment with the slots in the 
weight for restricting downward movement of the intermediate portion of 
the bar. The support channel has a front end portion and a rear end 
portion with a downwardly disposed ramp portion. Each bar support element 
is disposed on a ramp portion when the bar is positioned through each slot 
in respective weight. 
The alignment means further includes an improved weight having planar sides 
and a bottom portion having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The 
rearward portion is tapered upwardly to reduce interference when the 
weight is moved rearwardly onto the weight receiving tray. The weight is 
pivotal 5.degree.-20.degree. forwardly about the bar when it is 
selectively secured to the bar. The slot in each weight has a 
substantially horizontal bottom surface and a top surface disposed 
downwardly from an upright edge to a point generally medially in weight 
and the vertical distance between the bottom surface and the top surface 
is proportioned to allow for restricted vertical movement of the bar as 
the bar is movably positioned along the slot. 
In another aspect of the present invention a retaining clip is pivotally 
attached to one side of each weight having a forward portion which 
transverses the slot forward of the bar when the bar is positioned within 
the slot to select the weight when the clip is pivoted to a first closed 
position for securing the weight thereby in the corresponding engaging 
area. The alignment means further includes means to engage the clip, the 
clip including a rearward portion having a finger portion for engaging the 
means when the clip is pivoted open to a second open position to release a 
selected weight. The means cooperates with the finger portion to inhibit 
movement of such released weight from the upright stored position. The 
forward portion of the clip is formed as a hook member having an interior 
surface which is closely adjacent the bar when the clip is in the first 
position and includes a tab which extends below the slot. The forward 
portion of the clip extends to a point below the slot when the clip is in 
the first position to inhibit the opening of the clip when the bar is 
moved forwardly. The support means includes a substantially vertical wall 
having a plurality of spaced vertically disposed slots therethrough and 
the finger portion of the clip is disposable within a corresponding slot 
when the clip is in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings, the improved alignment apparatus in accord 
with the present invention includes a weight tray assembly which has been 
modified and is depicted generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The frame 10' is 
substantially identical to that employed in the prior art although it is 
to be understood that the exact size and arrangement of the frame 10' will 
depend upon the number of weights employed and the total weight that is 
available. In addition, the present invention contemplates the barbell 
assembly configured for use in a bench press exercise. Other 
configurations are possible depending upon the intended exercises. 
Weight tray 11 has an upper surface 12 and a forward downwardly depending 
lip 13 with a rubber strip 14 affixed thereto for noise reduction as will 
be further discussed hereinbelow. A rear wall 15 includes a plurality of 
retaining clip slots 16 with a circular hole 17 to allow for slight weight 
misalignment. 
The slots 16 are formed with a lower and upper edge 18, 19, respectively. 
Two rubber strips 14' are affixed to the rear wall 15 for noise reduction. 
The surface 12 of weight tray 11 has a plurality of weight spacing members 
20 shaped as a triangle with the base affixed by welding to surface 12. 
The outermost spacers 20' provide additional lateral support for the 
weights 39 as will be discussed hereinbelow. 
Guide channel assembly 21 includes a guide channel 22 having surface 22' 
and a ramp member 24 mounted thereon. Ramp member 24 includes surface 25 
and downwardly disposed ramp 23. A vertical wall 26 has an upper laterally 
extending member 27 and two outwardly extending sections 28, 29 welded 
together and to the forward edge of member 27. Ramp 23 declines rearwardly 
at an angle of 15.degree.. 
Weight support channel 37 has rearward 15.degree. ramp portion 38 and is 
welded to the frame 10' as appropriate in the configuration of the system. 
Weight support channels 37 are positioned over an interior portion of 
weight tray 11 and are used to provide support for the intermediate 
portion of bar 30 which can flex under heavy load. 
With respect now to FIG. 2, the barbell 30 has a coaxially mounted sleeve 
30' on either end. The sleeve 30' is machined to provide shoulders 31 
defining weight engaging areas 32 therebetween. Each sleeve 30' is usually 
rotatably mounted on bar 30 and may be supported by bearings (not shown) 
if heavy weight loading is possible. An outermost shoulder 33 fits against 
wheel 34 which is preferably a roller bearing mounted on sleeve 30' via 
collar assembly 35. Weight support element 36, which is preferably a 
wheel, rides on support channel 37 and is preferably mounted to bar 30 by 
bearings (not shown). Collar assembly 35 includes a snap ring (not shown) 
and is mounted in a conventional manner as understood in the art. An 
additional interior wall 23' may be used to inhibit lateral movement of 
the wheel 34. 
With reference now to FIG. 4, the improved weight 39 has slot 40 and a 
single bottom weight pad 41. The bottom 42 of the weight 39 has a slightly 
tapered forward edge 43 and a larger tapered portion 44 at the rearward 
edge which is connected to substantially vertical rear edge 45. The slot 
40 has been modified by raising the forward upper surface 46 thereof as 
referenced rearwardly, and machining a rearward portion 47 thereof at a 
slightly greater downward angle to accommodate the movement of bar 30 when 
resting on guide channel 22 and support channel 37 and moving on the 
respective ramps 23 and 38. Ball detent depression 48 and bolt hole 49 
will be discussed herebelow when the operation of the weight selection 
apparatus is described. 
With respect again to FIGS. 1 and 2, weights 39 normally stand upright on 
tray surface 12 via pads 41 which reduce sliding friction. When barbell 30 
is moved rearwardly onto the ramps 23 and 38 the sleeve 30' will move into 
weight slot 40 downwardly under surface 46 and then to surface 47. Weight 
spacing members 20 fit between the stored weights 39. The shoulders 31 fit 
over spacers 20 for the positioning of weight slot 40 against sleeve 30' 
at the weight engaging areas depicted as 32. As the bar 30 is moved 
forwardly with one or more selected weights 39, the upward movement of the 
bar 30 on ramps 23 and 38 starts the lifting of the selected weights 39 
off the tray surface 12. This lifting action is the result of the vertical 
height of the respective channels 22 and 37 and the diameter of wheels 34 
and 36 which control the relative vertical position of lifting bar 30 as 
it is moved back and forth. The wheel size and ramp angle is chosen to 
minimize the total force necessary to move the weighted bar 30 forwardly. 
The surfaces 24 and 25 and channel 37 are preferably plastic and ramps 23 
and 38 are only 1/4 inch in height. Preferably, the initial lifting action 
is at least sufficient to substantially reduce the friction between the 
tray surface 12 and the weight pad 41 for further ease of movement of the 
weighted bar 30. Finally, ramp members 24 and 37 may be formed integrally 
with the framing 10' and, for example, channel 22 for reasons of cost. 
As the selected weights 39 are returned to the stored position on tray 11, 
the upraised portion 24 of guide channels 22 results in the weights 39 
being at least 1/4 inch above tray surface 12 until the bar 30 is moved 
down the ramp 23 on guide wheels 34. This feature, along with the tapered 
rear portion 44 of weights 39 insures that the weights do not "hang-up" in 
a tilted manner on tray 11 but are moved to the stored upright position 
against rear wall 15. 
With respect to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the improved selection mechanism 
includes the retaining clip 50. A clip 50 is pivotally secured to one 
planar side of each weight 39 via a bolt 51. The clip 50 is formed from a 
single piece of sheet metal and includes handle 52, a main body 53 and a 
generally crescent-shaped bar engaging portion 55 which functions as a 
hook member with interior slot surface 54. The rear wall 56 may include 
rubber pads 57 affixed to the wall 56 between the plurality of slots 58. 
Slots 58, when used with this particular retaining clip 50, extend through 
the top edge of the wall 56. A clip 50 is moved between solid line 
position "A" where the associated weight 39 is secured to bar 30 to broken 
line position "B" where the weight 39 is selected and positioned against a 
respective weight engaging area 32 on the sleeve 30'. The weight engaging 
areas 32 are sized by way of shoulders 31 to accommodate the width of an 
associated weight 39 and the width of clip 50. The hook member 55 is 
shaped and sized to fit closely adjacent the sleeve 30' inwardly of the 
adjacent shoulder 32. 
In the improved weight 39, the slot 40 is recessed further rearwardly than 
in the prior system to cause the weight 39 to rotate forwardly at least 
15.degree. from the upstanding stored position to insure that all of the 
weight 39 is supported on the bar 30/sleeve 30' with minimum weight being 
on the retaining clip 50. The lower part of body 53 has a notch 59 which 
rests against the lower edge 60 of slot 58 to prevent forward motion of an 
unselected weight due to friction between surface 47 and sleeve 30' when 
bar 30 is moved forwardly with selected weights thereon. The clip 50 is 
secured into position "A" by placing interior depression 62 over a 
spring-loaded ball detent 48 formed in weight 39. When the clip 50 is 
lifted upwardly, depression 61 is rotated over the detent 48 to secure the 
clip 50 into position "B". It is to be understood that clip 50 could have 
a ball detent such as 48 formed therein and the pair of depressions 61, 62 
formed in the body of weight 39. Alternatively, depression 62 can be 
omitted with reliance placed solely on notch 59 and slot 58. 
FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate retaining clip 61 secured to a weight 39 
via bolt 62. Clip 61 is designed to be operable from the front of the 
weight system and includes handle portion 63, main body 64 and 
sleeve-engaging portion 65 having inner surface 66. Main body 64 is cut to 
provide a protruding lip 67 and a rearward finger 68 having a notch 69 
adjacent thereto. The clip 61 also includes a ball detent depressions 70 
to secure the clip upwardly at an angle of approximately 50.degree. shown 
in solid line position "C" for storage and release of the weight 39. When 
clip 61 is lowered to the secured position shown in broken line at "D", 
inner surface 66 will fit closely adjacent the surface of sleeve 30' 
positioning lip 67 below the opening of slot 40 to insure an adequate 
securing action and prevent forward movement of bar 30 from flipping the 
clip 61 to an open/release or immediate position which is unacceptable 
from a safety viewpoint. When clip 61 is in the open/release position "C", 
notch 69 is moved downwardly toward the bottom 18 of slot 16 and finger 
portion 68 is moved to a position rearward of wall 15. Frictional 
engagement of slot 40 with sleeve 30' cannot move the unselected weight 39 
forward because clip 61 would make contact with wall 15 below the slot 16. 
Finger 68 can fit through hole 17 if the weight 39 is slightly misaligned. 
Preferably, the handle portion 63 includes a tab 71 which is bent 
90.degree. from the plane of the clip body 64 and preferably includes 
markings to indicate the value of the associated weight 39. Both clips 50 
and 61 use a pivot point (at bolts 51, 62, respectively) with respect to 
the bar 30 and a "hook-like" engaging portion to greatly reduce the 
possibility of accidental opening of either clip 50 or 61 by forward 
movement of bar 30. 
The operation of the barbell system employing the improvements in accord 
with the present invention is substantially similar to the operation of 
the system as before. The number of weights 39 desired and their relative 
location are selected by moving clip 50 to position "B" or clip 61 to 
position "D" to select the associated weight 39. The selected weight 39 is 
secured to engaging area 32 of sleeve 30' between a pair of shoulders 31. 
The barbell 30 is moved forwardly to lift the selected weights 39. When a 
particular exercise is completed, the barbell 30 is returned to the stored 
position by placing guide wheels 34 into guide channels 22 and moving the 
assembly rearwardly. The tapered rear portion 44 of weights 39 minimize 
the "binding" that can occur by an otherwise straight rearward extension 
of rear side 45 making contact with the forward area of tray 11 making it 
difficult to push the loaded bar 30 rearwardly. Even if one or more 
weights 39 are swinging, they will not make direct contact with tray 11 
because the rearward lower edge 44 is tapered and each weight 39 is 
balanced for a forward tilt of about 15.degree.. Accordingly, the first 
contact a weight 39 has with tray 11 and tray surface 12 is via pad 41 
when the barbell assembly is lowered rearward by movement down the ramps 
23 and 38 on guide wheels 34 and weight support wheel 36, respectively. 
Weight spacing members 20 assist in maintaining the position and alignment 
of those weights 39 that were not selected so that the selected weights 39 
can be easily moved onto tray 11 and stored against wall 15 or 56 
preferably with rubber noise reduction strips 14' or 57 therebetween. 
The forward portion of the guide channel assemblies 21 has a funnel- like 
structure outboard consisting of sections 28 and 29 to help a user return 
the barbell 30 to the proper position. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an 
additional wall 23' may be located inwardly of the respective guide 
channel 22 to inhibit lateral movement of the guide wheels 34 out of 
channel 22. Furthermore, the support channels 37 are located in the area 
near the respective alignment bars (not shown) used in the prior art and 
thus cooperate with pre-existing alignment apparatus to insure that 
non-selected weights 39 have not been moved prior to the point of movement 
of the bar 30 where the loaded bar 30 may be lifted upward and off the 
guide channels 22. 
In summary, the improvements in accord with the present invention relate 
generally to the support and guidance/alignment apparatus used in the 
freeweight barbell system of the prior art. The improved alignment means 
includes the use of weight spacing member 20, 20' to provide improved 
alignment, spacing and lateral support for the weights 39 primarily when 
they are stored on weight receiving tray 11. 
Ramp members 23 and 38 assist in preventing weights 39 from hanging up on 
the tray surface 12 when the bar 30 is being returned to the stored 
position. The weights 39 will be fully stored against the rearwall 15 or 
56. The ramps 23 and 38 also assist in reducing the effort required to 
move bar 30 rearwardly to the stored position. Finally, members 24, 37 
also provide a more secure feeling for the user. 
Weight support channel 37 cooperates with the weight support element wheels 
36 to further improve weight support and alignment by inhibiting bending 
of bar 30 when heavily loaded particularly by weights 39 toward the middle 
of the bar where, preferably, the heaviest individual weights 39 are 
positioned. The flexing of bar 30 could result in the selected weights 39 
being lowered vertically with resultant binding against tray assembly 10 
or prevent the selected weights 39 from being returned to a stored 
position reasonably close to the remaining weights that were left on the 
tray 11. 
The weights 39 themselves have been improved to increase the forward tilt 
to 15.degree. and have been tapered rearwardly at the bottom to minimize 
friction and prevent binding against the tray surface 12 even if they are 
swinging when returned to the tray 11. The slot 40 has been altered at its 
upper surfaces 46, 47 in order to accommodate bar 30 movement on the 
channel ramps 23 and 38 which, as discussed hereinabove, also assists in 
weight support and alignment. 
The barbell sleeves 30' now include the spaced shoulders 31 instead of the 
prior art slots with the result that the selected weights 39 or all 
weights 39, when the bar is stored, are spaced and laterally supported 
with no contact and therefore no friction between them. 
The improved retaining clips 50 and 61 are designed for use with the sleeve 
30'/shoulders 31 apparatus on barbell 30. The clips 50 and 61 have 
rearward extensions to engage the rear wall 15 or 56 to prevent forward 
movement of a weight 39 that has not been affirmatively selected by 
operation of the clip 50 or 61. The clips 60 and 61 are also planar in 
shape and accordingly assist in keeping the weights 39 in the vertical 
plane by eliminating lateral or sideways tilting either when the weights 
39 are on the bar 30 or when they are stored on the tray 11. Both clips 50 
and 61 are designed to minimize the possibility of accidental opening 
during operation which could result in unintended release of a weight 39. 
Finally, the funnel-like effect of sections 28 and 29 further assist in 
guidance of the weighted bar 30 for proper positioning of the weights 39 
into the stored position on tray 11. And, depending upon the total 
possible weight loading of bar 30, sleeves 30' may be replaced by a bar 
30' machined to form shoulders 31 and weight engaging areas 32. 
The improvements in accord with the present invention can be used single or 
in combination to achieve greater safety and ease of use than before 
without interferring with the fundamental objectives of the freeweight 
barbell system regarding safety and the complete selection of weights 39 
either with respect to total weight or weight 39 position or both. 
While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific 
embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes 
may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit 
of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to 
cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit 
and scope of the invention.