Patent Publication Number: US-6663542-B1

Title: Adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Registration No. 478,619 filed on Aug. 28, 2000 under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37 C.F.R. §1.14. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and, more particularly, to an adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Today, society has never before had such a heightened consciousness for keeping fit through exercise. Various devices, machines, and methods are employed separately or in combination as part of an exercise regimen. Nonetheless, resistance training through the use of barbells remains the mainstream for many exercise-conscious individuals. However, current designs of conventional barbells fail to allow one to train in or at an optimum anatomical position in relation to earth&#39;s gravitational field. Such proverbial problem has resulted in painful muscle strain and injury. 
     Accordingly, a need has arisen for a barbell apparatus which facilitates correct vertical spine and shoulder positioning relative to the gravitational field, thereby allowing one to undergo resistance training in an optimum anatomical posture. Consequently, utilization of the present invention not only facilitates maximum benefit when performing weight training exercises, but also serves to avoid injury. The development of the adjustable body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline countermoment and rotating grip fulfills this need. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 6,142,918 
                 Liu 
                 Nov. 7, 2000 
               
               
                   
                 6,196,951 
                 Shepherd 
                 Mar. 6, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 5,741,206 
                 Anastasi 
                 Apr. 21, 1998 
               
               
                   
                 Des. 437,015 
                 Rojas et al. 
                 Jan. 30, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 6,228,002 
                 Dantolan 
                 May 8, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 5,674,162 
                 Ellingson et al. 
                 Oct. 7, 1997 
               
               
                   
                 6,022,300 
                 Hightower 
                 Feb. 8, 2000 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an adjustable body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment for facilitating correct anatomical relationships and positioning so as to allow one to weight train in an optimum anatomical position. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an intermediate moment segment which forms a window for accommodating the torso of a user. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a laterally adjustable trave slidably mounted between a pair of extension members and positioned in an offset parallel manner with respect to a pair of rotating, knurled hand grips. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking adjustment assembly for facilitating selected, lockable adjustment of the trave. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide the intermediate moment segment being resistant to rotational movement upon elevation and lowering of the body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment when performing weight training exercises. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which allows one&#39;s body to remain in an optimally structured position in relation to the earth&#39;s gravitational field, thereby not only facilitating maximum benefit when performing weight training exercises, but also averting injury. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a countermoment weight supporting means having the same diameter as an Olympic style barbell. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable apparatus capable of being easily transported via a carrying case or the like. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip is provided which includes a bar defining a first countermoment end, an intermediate moment segment, and a second countermoment end. The first countermoment end has a weight supporting means having a same diameter as an Olympic style barbell. The first countermoment end further having a first rotating, knurled hand grip rotatably mounted in a perpendicular manner to a lower end of an upright member in an offset parallel manner with respect to weight supporting means via a first axle member, and wherein first axle member is perpendicularly mounted to a first extension member. 
     The intermediate moment segment includes a linearly elongated, circular trave perpendicularly mounted between lower ends of the first and a second extension member, wherein the intermediate moment segment provides a window for accommodating a user&#39;s torso. 
     The second countermoment end includes a second rotating, knurled hand grip rotatably mounted via second axle member to an upper end of the second extension member, and wherein second axle member having an opposite end perpendicularly mounted to a lower end of an upright member. The second countermoment end further having a weight supporting means with a same diameter as an Olympic style barbell. 
     The use of the present invention facilitates correct anatomical relationships and positioning which allows one to weight train in an optimum anatomical position, thereby not only facilitating maximum benefit when performing weight training exercises, but also averting injury. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become 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: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first extension member showing ringed-pin inserted therethrough; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip shown in-use, illustrating the starting position according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip shown in-use, illustrating the intermediate position according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip shown in-use, illustrating the finished position according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip shown in-use while performing an overhead shoulder press exercise. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, an adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip  10  is shown, according to the present invention, comprised of a bar  20  defining a first countermoment end  30 , an intermediate moment segment  40 , and a second countermoment end  50 . The first countermoment end  30  has a weight supporting means which includes a first weight-supporting sleeve  34   a  fabricated of a solid round stock of steel having a same diameter as an Olympic style barbell. An Olympic style barbell is defined as having a plate-bearing diameter of 2.00 inches. The first weight-supporting sleeve  34   a  is perpendicularly mounted to a lower end of an elongated, generally prolate first upright member  36   a  along an outer lateral sidewall thereof. 
     A first rotating, knurled hand grip  60   a  is perpendicularly mounted to an upper end of the upright member  36   a  along an inner lateral sidewall thereof in an offset parallel manner with respect to supporting sleeve  34   a  via a first axle member  62   a . The first axle member  62   a  facilitates substantially frictionless rotational movement by knurled hand grip  60   a  when performing exercises thereby allowing for moment countermoment action and also providing for the prevention of forearm, wrist, hand, and elbow tendinitis while also deriving maximum benefit. 
     The intermediate moment segment  40  includes a linearly elongated, adjustable, circular trave  65  (the function of which to be described later) slidably mounted in a perpendicular manner between forward ends of a first and second extension member  42   a ,  42   b , respectively, wherein the trave  65  is positioned in an offset parallel manner, and along a same horizontal plane with respect to knurled hand grip  60   a.    
     The first and second extension members  42   a ,  42   b  are defined as having an elongated, generally prolate shape, and wherein first extension member  42   a  has a rearward end along an outer lateral sidewall thereof perpendicularly mounted to an end of first axle member  62   a . Forward ends of the first and second extension members  42   a ,  42   b , respectively include a portal  45  for slidably receiving the trave  65  therethrough. A rearward end of the second extension member  42   b , along an outer lateral sidewall thereof, is mounted to the second countermoment end  50  of the bar  20 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     The intermediate moment segment  40  further provides a window  70  being laterally adjustable so as to accommodate users of various torso sizes. Lateral adjustability of the window  70  is accomplished via a locking adjustment assembly  120 . The locking adjustment assembly  120  is designed so as to cooperate with a plurality of holes  122 , two sets, being aligned in series along opposing ends of the trave  65 . Each of the plurality of holes  122  extends fully through the trave  65 . The adjustment assembly  120  includes a pair of ringed-pins  124 , wherein each ringed-pin  124  has a pair of opposed detents  125  residing in a lower end thereof. 
     In order to lock the trave  65  at a selected width, desired holes  122  are chosen and vertically aligned with hole  47  formed in the forward end of both the first and second extension members  42   a ,  42   b  along upper sidewalls thereof. The ringed-pins  124  are then inserted through respective holes  47  of first and second extension members  42   a ,  42   b , through respective holes  122  in trave  65 , and exit first and second extension members  42   a ,  42   b  through holes  47 . Upon exiting the first and second extension members  42   a ,  42   b , the detents  125  of each ringed-pin  124  protrude outward so as to be placed in mechanical interference with a lower ledge  43  of each respective extension member  42   a ,  42   b , thereby facilitating lockage of the trave  65  at the selected width. Retraction of each ringed-pin  124  permits the trave  65  to slide laterally through respective portals  45  of first and second extension members  42   a ,  42   b , thus in effect, allowing for first and second extension members  42   a ,  42   b  to slide axially inward and outward. As such, a width of the window  70  is mechanically adjustable so as to accommodate users of various torso sizes. The locking means described herein for facilitating lateral adjustment of window  70 , namely the locking adjustment assembly  120 , is meant merely as a suggestion, and is not intended to be a limiting factor. It is envisioned that the window  70  is laterally adjustable from a retracted width measuring approximately 9 inches to a fully protracted or extended width measuring approximately 21 inches, thereby providing a lateral adjustment range of approximately 12 inches. Lateral adjustment of the window  70  is defined as a measurable distance between first extension member  42   a  and second extension member  42   b.    
     The second countermoment end  50  includes a second rotating, knurled hand grip  60   b  rotatably mounted via second axle member  62   b  to a rearward end of the second extension member  42   b  in a perpendicular manner, along an outer lateral sidewall thereof, and linearly aligned with respect to an axis of rotation represented by AB. The second axle member  62   b  facilitates substantially frictionless rotational movement by knurled hand grip  60   b  when performing exercises. 
     A second upright member  36   b , of an elongated, generally prolate configuration, has an upper end along an inner lateral sidewall thereof perpendicularly mounted to an end of the second axle member  62   b , being opposite its attachment to second extension member  42   b.    
     A second weight-supporting sleeve  34   b , fabricated of a solid round stock of steel and having a same diameter as an Olympic style barbell, is perpendicularly mounted to a lower end of the second upright member  36   b  along a lateral outer sidewall thereof. The second weight-supporting sleeve  34   b  is designed and configured so as to be parallel with respect to axis of rotation AB. 
     The design and configuration of the adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip  10  imparts important functional utility; namely, utilization of the present invention facilitates correct anatomical relationships and positioning which allows one to weight train in an optimum anatomical position. When using conventional barbells as taught in the prior art to curl weight  90 , the torso&#39;s  80  natural tendency is to urge forward in response to pulling weight  90  upward against earth&#39;s gravitational pull (see direction arrow  100 ), thus making the lower lumbar region of the back  82 , and frontal shoulder region  83  susceptible to improper muscle strain or injury. Such proverbial problem has been overcome by the unique design and configuration of the intermediate moment segment  40  and its syntactic relationship with associated elements, whereby the user&#39;s back  82  and shoulder girdle  84  are easily maintained in a proper vertical position when performing, for example, the biceps curl exercise. More specifically, the syntactic relationship between the elements of the present invention place one&#39;s body in an optimally structured position in relation to the earth&#39;s gravitational field, thereby not only facilitating maximum benefit when performing weight training exercises, but also averting injury. To more adequately describe, when performing the biceps curl exercise  130 , as shown in FIGS. 6-8, the intermediate moment segment  40  provides a window  70  for accommodating user&#39;s torso  80 . The window  70  is laterally adjustable via the locking adjustment assembly  120  so as to sizably accommodate a particular user&#39;s torso. In a starting position, as shown in FIG. 6, the torso  80  resides within such window  70  while upright members  36   a ,  36   b  are in vertical alignment with user&#39;s torso  80 . Upon elevation of the bar  20  to an intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 7, the upright members  36   a ,  36   b  remain in such vertical alignment. 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, to complete the biceps curl exercise  130 , the bar  20  is lowered following the same vertical path traveled when elevating the bar  20  to the intermediate position. 
     Further, the design and configuration of the first countermoment end  30  and second countermoment end  50  is resistant to rotational movement, as depicted by direction arrow  110 , whereby such rotational movement is generated by mass of the intermediate moment segment  40  upon elevation and lowering of the adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip  10  when performing the biceps curl exercise  130 . The window  70  is counterbalanced via the weight  90 , thus preventing undesired rotational movement  110  thereby. 
     It is envisioned that the adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip  10  can be incorporated for use when performing an overhead shoulder press exercise  140 , as shown in FIG.  9 . When performing such exercise, the window  70  of the intermediate moment segment  40  provides for total clearance of user&#39;s head  86 . Upon descension and ascension of the bar  20 , upright maintenance of the user&#39;s back  82  and shoulder girdle  84  in proper vertical position is facilitated when performing such exercise. Undesired forward or rearward leaning of the head  86  usually resulting in painful muscle strain is effectively eliminated. In addition, because descension and ascension of the bar  20  remains in perfect linear alignment with user&#39;s back  82  during performance of the aforementioned exercise, a more direct and powerful contraction by the deltoid muscles  142  are realized, thus allowing the user to derive the maximum benefit when performing the overhead shoulder press exercise. 
     It is envisioned that the present invention may be utilized for performing numerous other weight training exercises including, but not limited to shoulder shrugs, upright rows, bent-over rows, reverse bar shrugs, power cleans, and deadlifts. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     While the present invention can be utilized for performing numerous weight training exercises, as a non-limiting example, the biceps curl exercise is selected for illustrative purposes in order to describe proper operation of the present invention. First, user places a desired amount of weight  90  onto each weight-supporting sleeve  34   a ,  34   b . User laterally adjusts the trave  65  via the locking adjustment assembly  120  so as to provide a window  70  which properly accommodates user&#39;s torso. While bending at the knees, user firmly grasps rotating, knurled hand grips  60   a ,  60   b  in each hand, and slowly rises to a standing position. User then places his torso within the window  70  of the intermediate moment segment  40 . In the starting position, shown in FIG. 6, with arms extended, user curls the bar  20  in an upward manner to an intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 7, while simultaneously keeping hands moving in a vertically aligned manner with respect to his torso  80 . User then slowly lowers the bar  20  to a finished position as shown in FIG. 8 by following the same vertical path traveled when elevating the bar  20  to the intermediate position. 
     The use of the present invention facilitates correct anatomical relationships and positioning which allows one to weight train in an optimum anatomical position, thereby not only facilitating maximum benefit when performing weight training exercises, but also averting injury. 
     Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or 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 were 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 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 their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following Claims.