Abstract:
A liquid weight system for a bench press and for stations of a home gym comprises barbells and having hollow portions and expandable disc-bladders which are weight adjustable by means of a utilization of varying levels of liquid supplied from a liquid tank system. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a barbell for a bench press and, more particularly, to a safety cable secured barbell that comprises both a hollow portion and expandable disc-bladders which are weight adjustable by means of a utilization of varying levels of liquid supplied from a liquid tank system. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The bench press is a form of weightlifting which primarily focuses on the development of the pectoral or chest muscles. A lifter lies on his/her back on a bench while pushing up and lowering down a weighted bar directly above the chest While the exercise is primarily intended for the development of the chest or pectoral muscles, it also helps develop the anterior deltoids, serratus anterior, coracobrachialis, as well as the triceps. 
         [0006]    A barbell bench press starting position is to be lying on a bench with the shoulder blades pinched together to avoid recruiting the anterior deltoid during lifting. Feet are kept flat on the ground or at the end of the bench, with the buttocks always in contact with the bench. The weight is gripped with hands equidistant from the center of the bar, with the elbows bent to 90 degrees at the elbows beneath the wrists. Hand positions can vary in width grips to shift stress between pectorals and triceps. One of the most distinct advantages of free-bar exercise is the control and the balance it requires from lifters. Finer muscles are important to balancing; these muscles are provided with a proper workout when a supinely positioned person fully extends or retracts his arms to lift and to depress a weighted bar. In this manner, both of the weight-discs comprised at the distal ends of a barbell must be balanced such that the weighted bar does not collapse. 
         [0007]    There is a form to the bench press which reduces the change of injury and maximally challenges the muscles of the chest. The present invention provides a means to better tone the finer muscles that are required to balance free-bars. These are major problems associated with lifting free weights on the bench press. 
         [0008]    The present invention is an improved bench press that comprises a weight bar having a hollow barbell portion that removably contains desired levels of liquid. It is anticipated that liquid shifts as the lifter slightly tilts the weight bar from side-to-side. Mandatory and slight adjustments must be made in response to the shifting liquid levels to prevent the bar&#39;s collapse; the lifter is forced to concentrate on those finer muscles. 
         [0009]    The present invention further has a safety cable to avoid the bar falling on and trapping the lifter. This eliminates the need for a ‘spotting partner’, and increases the safety of the movement at heavier weights, or with solo lifter. Further, the present invention is different from conventional Smith machines that constrain the motion of the barbell to a single plane, thereby not developing the stabilization skills. Without being caged in by steel runners, the users ability to force the bar into the proper form is made possible such that lifting ability translates into free weight lifting abilities 
         [0010]    A search of the prior art reveals no patents that read directly on the claims of the present invention; however, the following patents are considered pertinent: 
         [0011]    a Weightlifting Device and Method of U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,431 to Milburn et al. teaches a device that retrofits a conventional weight machine, wherein a proximal charge tank stores water used to fill a load tank that rests on top of a weight stack; an Exercise Apparatus taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,285 to Fischer, Sr. et al. comprises a fluid mass disposed within a chamber of a rigid body, wherein the fluid moves in response to movement to increase the effective mass of the device during exercise; and, 
         [0012]    a Portable Multi-Purpose Exercise System in U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,442 to Cordes teaches barbells that interconnect to hollow, rigid discs, wherein the discs are fillable with water. 
         [0013]    The present invention is distinct from the foregoing because it teaches a hollow barbell that contains liquid which moves about therein. Because the liquid shifts across a length of the barbell, the present invention comprises a safety feature to prevent an injury if the lifter is thrown off balance by a movement of it. This feature comprises dial adjustable safety cables affixed to arms that support the resting dumbbell. A search of the prior art similarly reveals relevant references: 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,922 to Slade, Jr., et al. teaches a barbell support apparatus comprising an overhead pulley that supports and guides a steel wire support cable, wherein a suspension system provides a means to adjust a height of the barbell; and, 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,398 to Hole teaches a bench press having cables and an adjustable safety locking bar to limit a height to which a barbell may descend. 
         [0016]    An improvement to the present safety cable is that separate cables are affixed to respective ends of the barbell and their corresponding arms, such that an imbalance at a first end does not effect control at an opposing end. The present cables are also distinguishable from the foregoing cables because they have channels through which liquid solution travels. 
         [0017]    The present invention is a novel and an effective means to tone and to work on finer muscles that are often missed during lifting. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid weighted bench press. It is an object that the present bench press comprises a hollow barbell portion that is capable of refilling with liquid. It is an object that a movement of the liquid about a length of the barbell forces a lifter to focus and to tone finer muscles on balancing it. It is an additional object that expandable bladder-discs are comprised at both distal ends of the barbell. It is an object that the expandable bladders are capable of being refilled with different levels of liquid to provide the bench press with varying weights and resistance. It is an object that the expandable bladder-discs obviate an adding of or a changing of a plurality of conventional weighted discs on barbells. 
         [0019]    It is an object that at least one liquid tank system stores the liquid used to fill the barbell and the expandable bladders. It is an object that the liquid can be delivered both to and from the storage tank and to and from the barbell and bladders, wherein it travels back-and-forth through a cable. 
         [0020]    It is an object that safety cables provide a means for a lifter to exercise without a spotting partner. It is an object that adjustable dials are set to limit a height to which the barbell may descend. It is a further object that the safety cables, proximate to each distal end of the barbell, are the means to limit that height. It is an object that the at least two safety cables provide a means to limit the barbell&#39;s height at individual ends in a case the lifter only loses balance on a first of those two ends. 
         [0021]    It is a final object to provide all of the advantages that the foregoing objects entail. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The advantages and the features of the present invention are better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a liquid weighted lifting machine; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an elevational front view of the a liquid weight system shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is an elevational rear view of the liquid weighted lifting machine of  FIG. 1 , wherein a person&#39;s arms are fully extended to lift the barbell above him; and, 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the bench press of  FIG. 1 , wherein the barbell is fully descended. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
       1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
       [0028]    A perspective view of a liquid weighted bench press system  20  (hereinafter the “bench press”) is shown in  FIG. 1  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The present invention comprises a barbell  23  having a refillable, hollow center portion  10  capable of solution, but any solution may be utilized to accomplish a same function. Weighted bladder-discs  27  are comprised at the proximate distal ends of the barbell  23 . The expandable bladder-discs  27  are similarly capable of being filled with a desired amount of liquid to add weight resistance. A release valve  32  provides a means to free and to limit the liquid or other liquid solution  24  flow into the hollow portion  10  of the barbell  23 . Valves may alternatively be directly positioned on the barbell  23 ; their placement is not a limiting factor to the present teachings. A drain plug  34  provides a means for all liquid to be drained from both the barbell  23  and the weighted discs  27  when the bench press is disassembled. 
         [0029]    Safety cables  21  prevent the barbell  23  from falling and injuring a lifter who loses a balance of it. The safety cables  21  are connected to at least one liquid tank system  25   a ,  25   b  by means of bench-uprights  26 . The bench-uprights  26  are arms having concave hand portions that the barbell  23  rests on when the exercise equipment is not utilized. There may be clearance between the arms and the bench sides, but the arms  23  extend upwards from the bench&#39;s left side and right side at its head-end. The arms  23  must reach a height that provides a means for the length of the safety cables  21  to vary. A dial  22  is provided to adjust the safety cables  21 . The tanks  25   a ,  25   b  are in fluid communication with the expandable bladder-discs  27  and the barbell  23 . The tanks  25   a ,  25   b  store the liquid  24  that first travels through base cables  29 , then upwards through a passage (not shown) formed in an interior of the bench-uprights  26 , to channels  28  that fill the bladder-discs  27  and the hollow portion  10  (either simultaneously or individually). The safety cable  21  may provide a means to connect the base cables  29  to the channel  28 . The weight resistence, i.e., the amount of liquid allowed to enter the individual bladder-discs  27  and the hollow portion  10 , is set by means of at least one dial  30   a ,  30   b  on each of the at least one tanks  25   a ,  25   b . The placement of the tanks  25   a ,  25   b  and the dials  30   a ,  30   b  is not limited to any one defined position. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows the liquid weight system shown in an alternate embodiment incorporating a different type of equipment than that of the bench press of  FIG. 1   FIG. 2  more specifically shows a home gym  20  that is known in the art to provide a full body workout. While the features and functions of the present invention can be practiced in combination with the elements of the home gym equipment, as an optional feature the present invention can be added on to otherwise existing and conventional other exercise equipment. The home gym  20  comprises a pulley bar  40  having a hollow center portion  10 . It is anticipated that the hollow bar  19  can vary, depending upon the type of exercise or type of exercise equipment, and could also be detachable for use by itself. The pulley bar shown in the figure is manually filled with a liquid solution, but any means known in the art to adjust the liquid level of the center portion  10  may be utilized. Both a leg extension/leg curl attachment  45  and a fly machine attachment  50  comprise expandable bladders  27 . A liquid tank system  25   a ,  25   b , having at least one tank, supplies liquid solution to the bladders  27 . The liquid solution travels from the tank  25   a ,  25   b , through a channel  29 , then through a cable  28  to the appropriate attachment  45 ,  50  or other attachment such as a bench press or other type of weight machine. The weight resistance is manually set by dials  30   a ,  30   b  on respective tanks  25   a ,  25   b ; however, a computer operated system may alternatively be utilized with the present liquid weight system. A dial adjustment  22  allows for adjustment to the length of the cables  28  to accommodate variation among users. 
         [0031]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only; numerous modifications and changes will readily occur by those skilled in the art. The present teaching are not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents that fall within a scope of the invention may be resorted to. For example, the expandable bladder discs  27 , the hollow bar portions  10  and the liquid tank systems  25   a ,  25   b  may be added to other stations of a home gym, such as a leg press, an abdominal crunch, a chest press, a pulldown bar, etc. 
       2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
       [0032]    An assembly of the liquid weight system is best understood in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; an operation of the liquid weight system is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a general assembly of the liquid weight system, wherein the cables  29  are either placed through an interior passage of or affixed to an exterior sidewall of the bench uprights  26 . It is preferred that they are placed through partially hollow bench uprights  26  during the general assembly of the exercise machine. The cables  29  extend from a proximate top end of the bench uprights  26 , wherein each cable is affixed to a channel  28  that travels to respective valves on the barbell, just inside the bladder-discs  27 . The channels  28  may alternatively travel to each bladder-disc  27 . The general assembly is completed when the liquid storage tanks  25   a ,  25   b  are installed in an inconspicuous location, s.a., underneath a station where they will not hinder a free movement of exercise, and the safety straps are attached. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 3 and 4  more specifically show a person utilizing the liquid weight system on a bench press. The person uses a dial to adjust a length to which the safety cable extends. It is anticipated that the length is adjusted only so far as a difference between the bench-upright and a widest part of the person&#39;s chest. The liquid dials are set to adjust the amount of liquid filled in each bladder-disc and the hollow portion. Valves respond to the dials by allowing only enough liquid to pass through the channels to achieve the specific desired weight. The person lies in a supine position on the bench with his or her feet flat to the ground. That person grips the barbell with his hands equidistant from its center. As he fully extends his arms to lift the barbell above him, as shown in  FIG. 3 , liquid swishes in the weighted discs and travels a length of the barbell&#39;s hollow center portion. This liquid causes the barbell to tilt off balance, thus forcing the person to expend greater muscular effort to retain the barbell in position. The person continues to lift and to lower the barbell in a manner similar to that used for conventional barbells. 
         [0034]    If the person should lose control of the barbell (and there is no spotting person), the safety cable stops the barbell from fully descending to the bench. It is therefore anticipated that the person is not at risk of being crushed or pinned under its weight. 
         [0035]    To increase the weight resistance, the user adjusts the dial, as opposed to adding more discs. Another advantage of a filling of the hollow center portion of the barbell is that a levelness of the barbell may be tracked, by means of the release valve, during a lifting and a lowering routine. If one arm is weaker than another, for example, because the barbell is not lifted evenly, then the level liquid adjusts to fill more on the weaker side. This adds resistance for the weaker arm; the person strengthens the arms at an equal and a balanced pace. 
         [0036]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for the purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and to their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.