Abstract:
A compact device for attaching weights to an elongated rod. One embodiment of the device comprises a tubular member and two arms attached to the tubular member. The tubular member can be slid onto the end of the elongated rod. Each of the two arms has a plurality of hook-shaped openings. Each pair of the corresponding hook-shaped openings defines a pocket for receipt of a bar member, such as the handle of a dumbbell. One device can be attached to each end of the elongated rod for supporting a plurality of dumbbells on each end thereof to thereby convert pairs of dumbbells into a barbell. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable 
   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not applicable 
   SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field 
   This application relates generally to exercise equipment and more specifically it relates to a hanging device that allows dumbbells to be attached to a barbell bar for use as weights for barbells. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Discussion of Prior Art 
   Weightlifting is a popular sport activity. Depending on the routines, it builds strength, stamina and muscle mass. Free weights are superior to weight machines in that they allow more balanced development of strength, coordination and agility. The most commonly used free weight devices consist of a barbell having an elongated cylindrical lifting bar with disk-shaped weights removably placed on either end of the bar. Other free weight devices include dumbbells, which generally have a bar handle with weights on either end. Both barbells and dumbbells are great options for free weight exercises however they have different benefits. For example, a barbell is more convenient for squat, deadlift and power clean, while dumbbells allow a greater range of motion and are great for symmetrical development of muscle. 
   Previously, effort was made to design a combination device in which dumbbells can be used as a barbell or for added weights to a barbell cross bar. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,366,200 to Matysek (1921) describes a bar having a number of apertures therethrough and a pair of dumbbells each having a large aperture therethrough sized to slide onto the end of the bar. A pair of cotter pins or the like can then be slid through the apertures in the bar on either side of the dumbbell to lock the dumbbells in place to provide dumbbells on a barbell type bar. This prior system has the disadvantage in that the dumbbell handles have to be large enough to have an aperture that will slide onto a barbell bar and still give sufficient strength in the handles. The handles then become unduly large, which do not comfortably fit the hands of the user. In addition, both the bar and the dumbbell need to be custom made, which are expensive. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,243 to Allen (1996) for an exercising device, a weight lifting bar is provided having a bracket attached to each end. Each of a pair of dumbbells is latched into the bracket so that the dumbbells can be used as weights for a barbell. However, each device can accommodate only one dumbbell. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,081,072 B2 to Allen (2006), a handle of a dumbbell is connected to a bar clamp. The bar clamp has an elongated open sided tube which receives the handle of the dumbbell. A tubular extension extends perpendicular from the open sided tube for attaching to a matching bar, thereby converting a pair of dumbbells into a barbell. Unfortunately, each bar clamp can accommodate only one dumbbell. In addition, the tubular extension cannot be securely retained on the bar, which presents a safety concern. 
   SUMMARY 
   In accordance with one embodiment a device for attaching dumbbells to a barbell bar comprises a tubular member sized to be slid onto the end of the barbell bar and two arms each having a plurality of hook-shaped structures, which can support a plurality of dumbbells thereon. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
     Figures 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the device on one end of a barbell bar to attach a dumbbell to the barbell bar. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the device. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the device. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the device. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   FIG.  1 —First Embodiment 
     FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a one version of my widget. The device  10  is preferably formed from a length of heavy gauge metal wire. The middle portion of the wire is formed into a cylindrical coil  12  and each end portion is formed into an arm, such as arm  14  and  16 . Each arm  14  and  16  is bent so that it extends radially outward from coil  12  and is generally perpendicular thereto. The free end portion of each arm is bent to form a hook  14   b  and  16   b , which is generally parallel to each other. The end of each hook  14   c  and  16   c  is further bent away from each respective arm shaft  14   a  and  16   a . Hook end  14   c  and hook  14   b  are joined by a curved portion  14   d . Similarly, hook end  16   c  and hook  16   b  are joined by a curved portion  16   d.    
   Operation— FIGS. 1 and 2   
   Device  10  is designed to attach weights, such as dumbbells to a barbell cross bar. Coil  12  is sized to be slid onto the end of a barbell cross bar. A weight collar can then used to secure device  10  on the bar. Hooks  14   b  and  16   b  together define a pocket for receipt of a section of a dumbbell handle. The distance between curved portion  14   d  and arm shaft  14   a  is slightly shorter than the diameter of the dumbbell handle. When hook end  14   c  is bent away from arm shaft  14   a , the distance between curved portion  14   d  and arm shaft  14   a  increases to allow the dumbbell handle to be engaged in hook  14   b . When hook end  14   c  is released, its spring qualities would allow it to return to its original position. Because the distance of curved portion  14   d  and arm shaft  14   a  is shorter than the diameter of the dumbbell handle, curved portion  14   d  would inhibit unintended disengagement of the dumbbell handle from the pocket formed by hooks  14   b  and  16   b . Similarly, curved portion  16   d  will inhibit unintended disengagement of the dumbbell handle from the pocket formed by hooks  14   b  and  16   b.    
     FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of device  10  in use. A dumbbell  22  is attached to one end of a barbell bar  24  by device  10 . On the same end of bar  24 , there is a conventional weight plate  26 . A weight collar  28  secures device  10  and weight plate  26 . It should be understood that device  10  and dumbbell  22  mounted therein could be used alone without weight plate  26 . Typically two devices are used with each barbell bar, one at each end of the bar. 
   FIGS.  3 - 7 —Additional Embodiments 
   There are various possibilities with regard to the forms of the present widget might take.  FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment. The device is composed of a tubular member  32  and two arms  34  and  36  that are attached to tubular member  32 . Tubular member  32  can be slid onto the end of a barbell bar. The shape, spatial arrangement and operation of arms  34  and  36  in  FIG. 3  are similar to those of arms  14  and  16  in  FIG. 1 . Briefly, arms  34  and  36  are formed in such a way that they extend radially outward from tubular member  32 . The free end portion of each arm is bent to form a hook  34   b  and  36   b , which is generally parallel to each other. The end of each hook  34   c  and  36   c  is further bent away from each respective arm shaft  34   a  and  36   a . Hook end  34   c  and hook  34   b  are joined by a curved portion  34   d . Similarly, hook end  36   c  and hook  36   b  are joined by a curved portion  36   d . Once a dumbbell handle is engaged in the pocket formed by hooks  34   b  and  36   b , curved portions  34   d  and  36   d  would prevent the handle from unintended disengagement. 
     FIG. 4  shows a third embodiment of the present widget. The device is composed of a tubular member  42  and two side plates  44  and  46 . Tubular member  42  can be slid onto the end of a barbell bar. A first side plate  44  has a hook-shaped edge opening  44   b . A second side plate  46  has a corresponding hook-shaped edge opening  46   b . Edge openings  44   b  and  46   b  together define a pocket for receipt of a section of a dumbbell handle. Edge openings  44   b  and  46   b  are upwardly open to inhibit unintended disengagement of the dumbbell handle from the pocket. 
     FIG. 5  shows a fourth embodiment of the widget. The device is composed of a tubular member  52  and two arms  54  and  56 . Tubular member  52  can be slid onto the end of a barbell bar. Arms  54  and  56  are formed in such a way that they extend radially outward from the tubular member. A first arm  54  has two vertically spaced hooks  54   b  and  54   d . A second arm  56  has two corresponding vertically spaced hooks  56   b  and  56   d . Each pair of corresponding hooks defines a pocket for receipt of a section of a dumbbell handle. Each device can accommodate two such handles. 
     FIG. 6  shows a fifth embodiment of the widget. The device is composed of a tubular member  62  and two side plates  64  and  66 . Tubular member  62  can be slid onto the end of a barbell bar. A first side plate  64  has two vertically spaced hook-shaped edge openings  64   b  and  64   d . A second side plate  66  has two corresponding vertically spaced hook-shaped edge openings  66   b  and  66   d . Each pair of corresponding edge openings defines a pocket for receipt of a section of a dumbbell handle. Each device can accommodate two such handles. 
     FIG. 7  shows a modified form of the device in  FIG. 6 . Tubular member  72  is open sided with each side integrally joined to each of a pair of side plates  74  and  76 . 
   Advantages 
   From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my widget become evident: 
   (a) The device is inexpensive to manufacture. 
   (b) The device and the dumbbells mounted therein can be securely retained on a barbell bar, when a weight collar is used, such as in  FIG. 2 . 
   (c) Each device can accommodate a plurality of dumbbells. 
   (d) The device has a compact configuration. Therefore, additional conventional weight plates can be placed on the same end of a barbell bar that the device is attached to, such as in  FIG. 2 . 
   (e) The device can be used to attach other types of weights that have bar handles, such as kettlebells, to a barbell bar. 
   Accordingly, the reader will see that the device is safe, inexpensive, compact, versatile and easy-to-use. It greatly expands the utility of dumbbells. It will save users who already own dumbbells from purchasing additional weight plates for barbell exercises. 
   Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. It should be understood that many changes, both as to material and structure, might be made to the device by one of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. 
   Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.