Abstract:
A clamping device for securely engaging one or more objects through the application of force. The clamping device includes a primary member having opposed interior and exterior surfaces. The primary member has a generally cylindrical shape such that the interior surface defines a generally circular space about the center axis of the primary member. The clamping device can receive an elongated member through the generally circular space circumscribed by the primary member. The primary member is adapted for clamping and releasing. The clamping device further incorporates a means for releasably engaging the elongated member. The means for releasably engaging the elongated member is attached to the primary member such that when the means for releasably engaging the elongated member is in the closed position, the elongated member is securely retained by the clamping device through the application of pressure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/943,024, filed Nov. 16, 2015, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 621080,168, filed Nov. 14, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to clamping devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a devise used to secure weights on exercise equipment. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A clamping device is an apparatus that engages one or more objects for the purpose of securely retaining the object or objects. Design considerations for clamping devices include overall size, weight, number of component parts, means for joining component parts, quality of feedstock, likelihood of improper use, ability to prevent movement and separation when engaging multiple objects, propensity to become deformed or break through use, and means for engaging and releasing the device. 
         [0006]    These design considerations will affect whether a clamping device is able to function reliable and in what circumstances. It is possible for more than one of the identified considerations to impact a single design feature. Typically, clamping devices take a limited number of the above design factors into consideration. 
         [0007]    Thus, a clamping device capable of reliably engaging one or more objects securely may be too large or heavy for the intended use. Alternatively, such a clamping device may sacrifice ease of use for reliability. Providing for the use of additional tools can increase the ability of a clamping device to securely engage an object, while making the device more difficult to use. Ease of use can also influence whether a clamping device is regularly used or adopted by potential users. 
         [0008]    Another potential tradeoff in the design and development of clamping devices is the quality of materials for reduced production costs. Reduction in the quality of feedstock ordinarily reduces production costs. Clamping devices constructed, even in part, from inexpensive or substandard materials can rapidly degrade through use and the passage of time. 
         [0009]    A clamping device that is capable of engaging objects without damaging the engaged object is also desirable. A clamping device which allows a user to determine the distance between the portions of the clamping device that contact the target object with the portions of the target objection in contact with the clamping device can be over tightened by the user, increasing the possibility of damage to the target object. Also, if a contact surface of a clamping device is made of coarse materials it is more likely to damage a retained object. The likelihood that damage will occur with such a device is increased if it is used during high impact activities. 
         [0010]    Clamping devices are commonly used during weight training to reduce conditions that restrict execution of an exercise or the ability to perform an exercise in a safe manner. Undesirable conditions include instability, imbalance, oscillation of movable parts, and separation of removable components from assemblies, equipment or apparatuses. These conditions pose a safety risk due to potential injuries and property damage. 
         [0011]    To limit these undesirable conditions, a clamping device is favored which is able to remain securely engaged throughout the entire movement required to perform an exercise. It is also desirable for the clamping device to remain securely engaged throughout all successive repetitions of the exercise. 
         [0012]    A common training assembly used during weight training is a barbell with removable weights loaded on in it. A clamping device can be employed to prohibit separation of the removable weights of that assembly. Additionally, a clamping device that can securely engage the barbell is desirable to prevent movement of the weights while on the barbell. 
         [0013]    Moreover, removable weights often incorporate a sleeve positioned around their inside surface that contacts the exterior surface of the barbell. Clamping devices used to retain the weights on the barbell can damage the sleeve if the surface area that contacts the weight is insignificant due to the thickness of the clamping device. 
         [0014]    Clamping devices which attempt to resolve more than one of the identified problems are often difficult to manufacture. More difficult still, is manufacturing an economic clamping devices that resolves more than one of the identified problems. Thus, an economic clamping device that solves more than one of the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    A clamping device is disclosed for securely engaging one or more objects through the application of pressure. The clamping device includes a primary member having opposed interior and exterior surfaces. The primary member has a generally cylindrical shape such that the interior surface defines a generally circular space about the center point of the primary member. The clamping device can receive an elongated member through the generally circular space circumscribed by the primary member. 
         [0016]    The clamping device is adapted for clamping and releasing and incorporates a means for releasably engaging the elongated member. The means for releasably engaging the elongated member has opposed open and closed positions. The means for releasably engaging the elongated member is attached to the primary member such that when the means for releasably engaging the elongated member is in the closed position, the elongated member is securely engaged by the clamping devices through the application of pressure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an end view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention in the opened position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention in the opened position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention in the closed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention in the open position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention in the closed position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention in the opened position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an end view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
       
    
    
       [0024]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention relates to a clamping device  100 . As shown in the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 3 , the clamping device  100  securely retains one or more objects through the application of force. A perspective view of one embodiment of the clamping device is shown in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the clamping device  100  is shown with a primary member  102  that is generally cylindrical with a height along the center axis of the primary member  102 . The primary member  102  is preferably one continual piece. The primary member  102  having an interior surface  107  and an opposed exterior surface  105 . The interior and exterior surfaces  107 ,  105  follow a generally circular path about the center axis of the primary member  102 . The primary member  102  can also be formed from a plurality of component parts rotatably joined by any suitable means for connecting, such as a hinge or connecting pin, or a combination thereof. 
         [0026]    In the particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the exterior surface  105  follows a repeating generally parabolic path when the clamping device  100  is observed from an end view. The pattern displayed by the exterior surface  105  in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  is shown for exemplary purposes only. It should be understood that the pattern and shape of said interior and exterior surfaces  107 ,  105  may be varied without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Other potential patterns include those that are substantially triangular or crescent when viewing the clamping device  100  from an end view.  FIG. 7  shows the exterior surface  105  remaining generally circular around the circumference of the primary member  102 . The opposed interior surface  107  moving closer and further away from the exterior surface  105  as the interior and exterior surfaces  107 ,  105  move in a generally circular direction about the center axis of the primary member  102 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  further shows the primary member  102  with two extremities  109 ,  111 . The primary member being sufficiently rigid to bias the first extremity  109  away from the second extremity  111 . The two extremities  109 ,  111  being sufficiently distant from each other  109 ,  111  to allow one or more objects (not shown) to pass through the primary member  102  along the center axis of the primary member  102 . An elongated member (not shown) being one such potential object. The clamping device  100  having a means for releasably engaging  104  such elongated member. In this particular embodiment, each of the two extremities  109 ,  111  is suitably joined to the means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104 . Further, in this embodiment, the means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104  is a lever. The lever is a preferred means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104 , but not required. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  further shows the lever  104  in an open position  103 . The lever  104  will cause the clamping device  100  to engage the elongated member by transitioning from the open position  103  to a closed position  115 . In this embodiment, the clamping device  100  comprises two generally cylindrical connecting pins  106 ,  108  oriented such that the center axis of each is parallel to the interior surface  107  and the exterior surface  105 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the lever  104  comprises a pivot end  118 . In this implementation, the pivot end  118  of the lever  104  is situated in a channel formed through each extremity  109 ,  111  on a plane perpendicular to the interior and exterior surfaces  107 ,  105 . The connecting pins  106 ,  108  couple the pivot end  118  of the lever  104  to each extremity  109 ,  111  by extending through counterposed arcuate holes  113 ,  114  formed through the pivot end  118  of the lever  104 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows the lever  104  can pivot radially about the midpoint of the connecting pins  106 ,  108  approximately ninety degrees to transition from the open position  103  to the closed position  115 . The elongated member  110  shown in  FIG. 3  is a cylindrical barbell with an outer surface  116  about the circumference of the elongated member  110  that extends axially for the entire length of the elongated member  110 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the lever  104  decreases the diameter of the interior surface  107  when transitioning from the open position  103  to the closed position  115 . The embodiment of  FIG. 3  further shows that the interior surface  107  is concave, allowing the interior surface  107  to substantially contact the cylindrical barbell  110  to securely engage the cylindrical barbell through the application of pressure towards the center axis of the primary member  102  when the lever  104  is situated in the closed position  115 .  FIG. 3  also shows an exercise weight plate  112  removably mounted on the elongated member  110  by passing the elongated member  110  through a generally cylindrical hole formed through the center of the exercise weight plate  112  along its center axis, allowing an inside surface (not shown) of the exercise weight plate  112  to contact the outer surface  116  of the elongated member  110 . 
         [0030]    A means for preventing damage (not shown) to the exercise weight plate  112  and elongated member  110  shown in  FIG. 3 , such as a sleeve (not shown) positioned around the inside surface of the exercise weight plate  112 , can be used. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  protects the integrity of the means for preventing damage, if present, by extending radially from the center axis of the elongated member  110  to the exterior surface  105  a distance greater than the radial distance from the center axis of the elongated member  110  to the inside surface of the exercise weight plate  112 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show another embodiment of the clamping device  100 . In one embodiment, the primary member  102  is a cylinder having an open center along its center axis.  FIG. 5  shows the means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104  comprising the pivot end  118  having an upper surface  120  and a lower surface  122  such that when said means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104  is in the closed position  116  the lower surface  122  extends towards the center axis of the primary member  102  such that the radial distance between the lower surface  122  and the center point of the primary member  102  is less than the radial distance between the interior surface  107  and the center axis of the primary member  102 . The embodiment in  FIG. 4  showing the means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104  in the open position  103 . Further, said means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104  shown in FIG,  4  is a lever. In this embodiment, the clamping device  100  also comprises a generally cylindrical connecting pin  124  oriented such that its center axis is parallel to the center axis of the primary member  102 .  FIG. 4  further shows the pivot end  118  of the lever  104  situated in a hole formed through the interior and exterior surfaces  107 ,  106  along the height of the primary member  102 . The connecting pin  124  having a height sufficient to span the hole formed through the interior and exterior surfaces  107 ,  105  along the height of the primary member  102 . The connecting pin  124  couples the pivot end  118  to the primary member  102  by extending through a generally cylindrical hole  126  formed through the pivot end  118  of the lever  104 . In a further embodiment, a non-rigid material  128  is positioned around at least a portion of the interior surface  107  of the primary member  102 . The non-rigid material  128  is formed or coated with a frictionally engaging material, such as rubber, to securely engage the elongated member (not shown) when the means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104  is in the closed position  115 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a particular embodiment of the clamping device  100 . In this particular embodiment, an engaging agent  129  is positioned between the pivot end  118  and the center axis of the primary member  102 . The engaging agent  129  is suitably mounted to the primary member  102  such that when the means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104  is in the closed position  115  said engaging agent  129  is depressed so that at least one lowest point of the engaging agent  129  contacts the elongated member (not shown), allowing the clamping device  100  to securely engage said elongated member through the application of pressure towards the center axis of the primary member  102 . In the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the engaging agent  129  is formed or coated with a frictionally engaging material, such as rubber, to securely engage the elongated member (not shown) when the means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104  is in the dosed position  115 . In  FIG. 8 , the means for releasably engaging the elongated member  104  pivots radially about the midpoint of the connecting pin  124  greater than ninety degrees to transition from the open position  103  to the closed position  115 , allowing said pivot end  118  to contact the engaging agent  129 . 
         [0033]    The clamping device  100  can be created using multiple types of feedstock, that is to say the main raw material used in the manufacture of a product. In one exemplary embodiment, the clamping device  100  is made from an aluminum alloy (not indicated). In a preferred embodiment, the aluminum alloy  6061  Billet, formerly referred to as Alloy  618 . Other preferred materials for construction of the clamping device  100  include plastics (not indicated) and steel (not indicated). It is also possible to use different materials to construct different component parts of the clamping device  100 . 
         [0034]    The preferred embodiment easily, quickly and securely engages objects, such as exercise equipment. The preferred embodiment is also able to easily and quickly disengaged from the objects. When utilizing exercise equipment, the preferred embodiment allows weights to be conveniently removed or added to the exercise equipment. 
         [0035]    It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the invention is capable of other embodiments, some of which may be quite different from those of the disclosed embodiments. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use what is presently considered by the inventor to be the best mode of the invention, a device may be practiced which incorporates other structural and/or functional details in addition to or other than the structural and/or functional details set forth herein. It should therefore be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.