Adjustable two-in-one safety squat and bench press bar

A squat and bench press bar includes a horizontal bar, a pair of vertical bars affixed to the horizontal bar, a pair of horizontal rods affixed to the pair of vertical bars, and a pair of weight plates for mounting onto the rods. The vertical bars include a first portion slidably disposed within a second portion forming an adjustable telescopic arrangement that enables a user to configure the squat and bench press bar into a squatting configuration or a bench-pressing configuration. The rods define a lowermost point of the squat and bench press bar such that when the weight plates are mounted onto the rods, a portion of the weight plates is positioned below the rods. The rods define an axle upon which the weight plates may rotate such that a user may move the squat and bench press bar from one position to another without requiring a spotter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to weightlifting devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an adjustable two-in-one squat and bench press bar that allows users to safely utilize the bar to perform squat and bench press exercises without a spotter.

BACKGROUND

Weightlifting or strength training has become an integral part of many people's lives, particularly athletes. Types of weightlifting exercises vary tremendously; however, squatting and bench pressing have become among two of the most important exercises for strength training.

The squat exercise generally requires a rack which holds a weightlifting bar. The weightlifting bar holds weights via its sleeves. To operate the weightlifting bar, a user stands inside the rack and places his/her body under the bar portion of the weightlifting bar. The user centers the weightlifting bar on his/her shoulders and neck and balances the bar with his/her hands. Once the bar is secure on the shoulders and neck, the user extends his/her legs upward to lift the bar from the rack. To complete the exercise, the user squats down trying to keep his/her back as vertical as possible and then stands back up fully extending his/her legs. This exercise can be repeated any number of times with any amount of weight depending on the ability of the user and the workout desired.

The bench press exercise also requires a rack which holds a weightlifting bar. In addition, the bench press exercise requires a bench. The weightlifting bar holds various numbers and sizes of weights via its sleeves. The bench allows a user to lay down on his/her back to operate the bar and complete the exercise. The exercise requires the user to lie horizontal on the bench facing upward and extend his/her arms upward and pick up the weightlifting bar from the rack. Once the weightlifting bar is picked up, the user lowers the bar to his/her chest and then pushes up on the bar to lift the bar back to its original position. This exercise can also be repeated as the ability of the user allows.

One problem with squatting and bench pressing; however, is that they are quite dangerous if completed alone. Therefore, spotters are generally required to assist the user with things like putting the weightlifting bar properly back onto the rack after the exercise is completed or helping the user complete the exercise if the weight or number of repetitions is too great. In this way, if the user cannot complete the exercise and return the weightlifting bar to the rack, the user does not become pinned under the weightlifting bar which contains the weights. Indeed, this could cause severe injury or even death. Therefore, most users must adjust their weightlifting schedule to accommodate someone else's schedule who is willing to spot them during the exercise or ask someone to spot them if exercising at a gym. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic this is problematic as a spotter must come within six feet of the user, thereby violating social distancing measures to adequately spot the user.

Therefore, there is a need for a weightlifting device which allows a user to squat and bench press using one bar and complete the exercises safely without the aid of a spotter.

While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present disclosure as disclosed hereafter.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a weightlifting device capable of being utilized interchangeably for both squatting and bench press exercises. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an adjustable two-in-one squat and bench press bar including a horizontal bar and two telescoping vertical bars for height adjustment of the horizontal bar to adjust the weightlifting bar into squatting and/or bench pressing configurations.

An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a weightlifting device capable of being safely rolled out of the way as desired by the user if, for example, the weightlifting bar is too heavy for the user, such that no spotter is necessary while using the weightlifting bar. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a pair of horizontal rods extending outwardly from the pair of vertical bars. The pair of horizontal rods are adapted to receive and sustain a weight plate thereon. The pair of rods define a lowermost point of the squat and bench press bar such that when a weight plate is positioned on each of the pair of rods, a portion of each of the weight plates is positioned below the pair of rods and the pair of rods define an axle upon which the weight plates may rotate along the surface to transfer the squat bench press bar from one position to another as desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1. andFIG. 2illustrate the squat and bench press bar10of the present disclosure. The squat and bench press bar10includes an elongated horizontal bar12, a pair of elongated vertical bars14connected to the elongated horizontal bar12, a pair of horizontal rods16connected to the pair of elongated vertical bars14, and a pair of weight plates18for mounting onto the pair of horizontal rods16and applying a desired weight onto the squat and bench press bar10. The elongated horizontal bar12includes a first end12A and a second end12B opposite the first end12A. The elongated horizontal bar12is circular in cross-sectional shape.

The pair of elongated vertical bars14included a first vertical bar14A extending substantially orthogonally outwardly from the first end12A of the horizontal bar12and a second vertical bar14B extending substantially orthogonally from the second end12B of the horizontal bar12. Each of the pair of vertical bars14A,14B includes a proximal end14P and a distal end14D opposite the proximal end14P. The proximal end14P of the first vertical bar14A is affixed to the first end12A of the horizontal bar12. The proximal end14P of the second vertical bar14B is affixed to the second end12B of the horizontal bar12. Each of the elongated vertical bars14A,14B includes a first portion20slidably disposed within a second portion22forming a telescopic arrangement in which the first portion20is adjustable relative to the second portion22to increase the length of each of the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B to adjust the height of the elongated horizontal bar12relative to a surface. In embodiments, the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B are rectangular in cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B are circular in cross-sectional shape.

The connection between the first end12A of the horizontal bar12and the proximal end14P of the first vertical bar14A defines a first substantially orthogonal L-shaped joint24A. The first joint24A includes an interior acute angle θ and an exterior acute angle γ. The connection between the second end12B of the horizontal bar12and the proximal end14P of the second vertical bar14B defines a second substantially orthogonal L-shaped joint24B. The second joint24B includes an interior acute angle θ′ and an exterior acute angle γ′.

The pair of horizontal rods16include a first rod16A protruding substantially orthogonally outwardly from the distal end14D of the first vertical bar14A and a second rod16B protruding substantially orthogonally outwardly from the distal end14D of the second vertical bar14B. Each of the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B includes a proximal end16P and a distal end16D opposite the proximal end16P. The proximal end16P of the first rod16A is affixed to the distal end14D of the first vertical bar14A. The proximal end16P of the second rod16B is affixed to the distal end14D of the second vertical bar14B. The pair of horizontal rods16A,16B are circular in cross-sectional shape.

The connection between the distal end14D of the first vertical bar14A and the proximal end16P of the first rod16A defines a third substantially orthogonal L-shaped joint24C including an interior acute angle θ″ and an exterior acute angle γ″. The connection between the distal end14D of the second vertical bar14B and the proximal end16P of the second rod16B defines a fourth substantially orthogonal L-shaped joint24D including an interior acute angle θ′″ and an exterior acute angle γ′″.

Referring now toFIG. 6, with reference toFIG. 2, the pair of weights18include a first weight18A for mounting onto the first rod16A and applying a first downward force thereto and a second weight18B for mounting onto the second rod16B and applying a second downward force thereto. Each of the pair of weights18A,18B are disc-shaped defining an annular perimeter19, which enables them to rotate upon a surface. Each of the pair of weight plates18A,18B includes a front face21, a rear face23opposite the front face21, and a central bore25extending entirely through the front face21and the rear face along a central horizontal axis that is orthogonal to the front face21and the rear face23of the pair of weight plates18A,18B. The central bore25is adapted to receive any one of the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B so as to mount onto each of the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B.

Each of the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B is adapted to receive and sustain a weight plate18A,18B thereon. The pair of horizontal rods16A,16B define a lowermost point and/or plane of the squat and bench press bar10when the pair of weight plates18A,18B are not positioned thereon. When the pair of weight plates18A,18B are positioned on the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B a portion of each of the pair of weight plates18A,18B is positioned below the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B. In this way, the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B define and act as an axle upon which the pair of weight plates18A,18B may rotate along a surface via their annular perimeter19to transfer the squat bench press bar10from one position to another as desired.

Referring back toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, in embodiments, the elongated horizontal bar12, the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B, and the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B are all coplanar. In some embodiments, each of the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B includes a diameter larger than a diameter of the elongated horizontal bar12and a diameter of the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B. In one embodiment, each of the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B includes a length smaller than a length of the elongated horizontal bar12and a length of the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B. In another embodiment, the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B include a length larger than a length of the elongated horizontal bar12.

In embodiments, the squat and bench press bar10comprises a first pair of reinforcement gussets26for strengthening the first and second L-shaped joints24A,24B. The first pair of gussets26include a first gusset26A spanning the area defined by the interior acute angle θ of the first L-shaped joint24A and a second gusset26B spanning the area defined by the interior acute angle θ′ of the second L-shaped joint. The first gusset26A reinforces the connection between the elongated horizontal bar12and the first vertical bar14A by forming an added structural connection between the first end12A of the elongated horizontal bar12and the proximal end14P of the first vertical bar14A. The second gusset26B reinforces the connection between the elongated horizontal bar12and the second vertical bar14B by forming an added structural connection between the second end12B of the elongated horizontal bar12and the proximal end14P of the second vertical bar14B. In some embodiments, the first pair of gussets26are coplanar with the elongated horizontal bar12, the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B, and the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B. In some embodiments, the first pair of gussets26are coplanar with the elongated horizontal bar12, the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B, and the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B.

In embodiments, the squat and bench press bar10further includes a second pair of reinforcement gussets28for strengthening the third and fourth L-shaped joints24C,24D. The second pair of gussets28include a third gusset28A spanning the area defined by the interior acute angle θ″ of the third L-shaped joint24C and a fourth gusset28B spanning the area defined by the interior acute angle θ′″ of the fourth L-shaped joint24D. The third gusset28A reinforces the connection between the first vertical bar14A and the first rod16A by forming an added structural connection between the distal end14D of the first vertical bar14A and the proximal end16P of the first rod16A. The fourth gusset28B reinforces the connection between the second vertical bar14B and the second rod16B by forming an added structural connection between the distal end14D of the second vertical bar14B and the proximal end16P of the second rod16B. In some embodiment, the second pair of gussets28are coplanar with the first pair of gussets26, the elongated horizontal bar12, the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B, and the pair of horizontal rods16A,16B.

Referring now toFIG. 3,FIG. 4, andFIG. 5, with reference toFIG. 2, the squat and bench press bar10further comprises a locking pin30for removably engaging the first portion20and the second portion22to selectively adjust the position of first portion20with respect to the second portion22. In this way, a user may adjust the length of the pair of vertical bars14A,14B to a desired length and selectively secure the first portion20in position with respect to the second portion22to lock the pair of vertical bars14A,14B in the desired length. This ultimately affects the height of the squat and bench press bar10for the purposes of adjusting the bar10to a squatting configuration, as shown inFIG. 4, and a bench-pressing configuration, as shown inFIG. 5. Note, the length of the pair of vertical bars14A,14B is greater in the squatting configuration than in the bench-pressing configuration.

The first portion20of each of the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B includes a front surface20A and a rear surface20B opposite the front surface20A. The front surface20A includes a plurality of front apertures32A extending entirely through the front surface20A so as to receive the locking pin30therethrough. The rear surface20B includes a plurality of rear apertures32B extending entirely through the rear surface20B so as to receive the locking pin30therethrough. The plurality of front apertures32A and the plurality of rear apertures32B are arranged longitudinally along the length of the first portion20. The plurality of front apertures32A are aligned with the plurality of rear apertures32B such that any one of the front apertures32A and a corresponding rear aperture32B are configured to simultaneously receive the locking pin30horizontally therethrough at one time, so as to secure the first portion20in position with respect to the second portion22.

The second portion22of each of the pair of elongated vertical bars14A,14B includes a front surface22A and a rear surface22B opposite the front surface22A. The front surface22A includes a front aperture34A extending entirely through the front surface22A so as to receive the locking pin30therethrough. The rear surface22B including a rear aperture34B extending entirely through the rear surface22B as as to receive the locking pin30therethrough. The front aperture34A is aligned with the rear aperture34B such that the front aperture34A and the rear aperture34B are configured to simultaneously receive the locking pin30horizontally therethrough at one time. The front aperture34A and the rear aperture34B correspond to the plurality of front apertures32A and the plurality of rear apertures32B such that the front aperture34A and rear aperture34B may align with any one of the plurality of front apertures32A and the corresponding rear aperture32B to simultaneously receive the locking pin30horizontally through the front aperture34A, any one of the plurality of front apertures32A, a corresponding rear apertures of the plurality of rear apertures32B, and the rear aperture34B. In this way, the locking pin30may engage the front aperture34A, any one of the plurality of front apertures32A, the plurality of rear apertures32B, and the rear aperture34B to secure the first portion20in position with respect to the second portion22and lock the pair of vertical bars14A,14B in position.

The second portion22of each of the pair of vertical bars14A,14B includes a longitudinally bored interior36and a locking end38opposite the distal end14D. The locking end38includes the front aperture34A, the rear aperture34B, and an opening40providing access to the interior36. The first portion20of each of the pair of vertical bars14A,14B includes an adjustment end42opposite the proximal end14P. The adjustment end42is slidably disposed within the locking end38of the second portion22via the opening40. The first portion20is slidably adjustable with respect to the second portion22via the locking end38. Note, the first portion20of each of the pair of vertical bars14A,14B telescopes out of the second portion22more in the squatting configuration than in the bench-pressing configuration.

In embodiments, the locking pin30comprises a pin portion44for insertion and engagement with the apertures32A,32B,34A,34B of the pair of vertical bars14A,14B, a collar46extending annularly around an end of the pin portion44, and a lever48protruding outwardly from the collar46. The collar46includes a stop shoulder50having a diameter larger than a diameter of the apertures32A,32B,34A,34B of the pair of vertical bars14A,14B. In this way, the stop shoulder50prevents the locking pin30from inadvertently sliding into an interior of the first portion20or second portion22and causing the first portion20or second portion20to become loose with respect to each other. The lever48enables a user to grasp and maneuver the locking pin30to remove and/or insert the locking pin30into the pair of vertical bars14A,14B.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. The term “substantially” is defined as at least 95% of the term being described and/or within a tolerance level known in the art and/or within 5% thereof.

In conclusion, herein is presented an adjustable two-in-one safety squat and bench press bar. The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.