Patent Publication Number: US-2007123398-A1

Title: Weight lifting bar

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to exercise devices. More particularly, the invention relates to exercise devices employing weight securing means for releasably securing one or more weights at selected locations along the longitudinal axis of a support so to vary the exercise load. The invention also relates to exercise devices including a handle which can be angularly adjusted relative to the support.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Weight training typically involves the use of barbells and dumbbells. Both may consist of solid bars with opposite ends mounting removable weight training plates. The middle portion of the bar functions as a handle. The plates are supplied in sets with various weight increments. Additional plates must be added if the user wants to increase the amount of weight on the bar. Likewise, plates may be removed if the user wishes to decrease the amount of weight on the bar.  
      Prior art exercise devices utilize a variety of methods for removably fastening or mounting a weight on the bar, generally against a stop. Typically, a retaining collar is fastened to the weight carrying member with set screws or the like. Such collars are illustrated in Pugh&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,908. Another method is to utilize a retaining collar or retaining weight having an internally threaded aperture, so that the collar or weight can be threaded onto external threads on a weight carrying member; see, for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,756 to Hoagland and U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,192 to Nelson. A third type of securing means involves securing a weight with a spring clip or spring collar, such as those distributed by Sport Supply Group, Inc. of Dallas, Tex., United States of America. Each of these securing means rely on a certain frictional engagement which may not hold when using heavy weights or require cumbersome threading of threaded weights or threaded collars onto a externally threaded weight carrying member.  
      The effective amount of weight on a bar can also be increased by extending the mass of the weight beyond the arms of the user. A typical example is the “swingbell”. The swingbell consists of a bar having a set of weights mounted at one end. The free end of the bar is grasped at the other end. The mass of the weight thus extends outward from the user&#39;s arm. The relationship of weight and distance from the hand increases the leverage of the weight against the user&#39;s arms. The increase is a factor of the distance between the user&#39;s palm and the center of mass for the weights. A device similar to a swingbell is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,658,108.  
      During weight training it is also often desirable to allow for angular adjustment of the handle portion relative to the weight carrying portion of the bar. Such angular adjustment of the handle, relative to the remainder of the barbell or dumbbell, changes the dynamics of the exercise and allows the user to perform lifting exercises benefiting different muscle groups using a single device and a single set of weights. Otherwise, for each different angle of handle grip, the exerciser would require a separate bar.  
      Prior art exercise devices employ a variety of means for adjustably positioning a handle. For example, Harper&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,840 discloses the use of set screws to adjust and secure a handgrip. Ammon&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,655 discloses the use of a pair of set screws and a number of apertures to vary the distance between arcuate members of a frame. It also discloses the use of a plurality of holes for receiving removable bolts to vary the position of a grip unit. Hayes&#39; U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,282 discloses the use of pins which pass through holes in a sleeve to adjust the position of a grip. These devices, however, only adjustably position the handle relative to the exercise device so as to accommodate variations in the length of the user&#39;s hand or to selectively adjust the distance between the carrying portion of the bar and the handgrip. None of these devices allow for angular adjustment of a handle relative to the bar so as to permit different exercises, work different muscle groups and supply a wide range of exercise loads to the user.  
      Other prior art patents do teach angular adjustment of a handle or hand grip member, but these are either delicate devices generally unsuitable for use with the heavy weights used by a bodybuilder or powerlifter, or relate to barbells having a pair of handles or grip members. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,218 to Twardosz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,414,260 to Gust and U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,616 to Riley Jr. The prior art devices which relate to barbells generally comprise paired handles each having an outer ring member mounted to the barbell and an inner ring member with hand grip rotatably mounted therein. Such ring members are typically unsuitable for use at the end of a dumbbell.  
      There is thus a continuing need to obtain some form of exercise device that will effectively increase the distance between the weight and user&#39;s hand, that will maintain the leverage produced thereby continuously during exercising, that will removably secure heavy weights and that will provide for angular adjustment of the handle.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In one aspect, the invention provides a weight lifting bar having a weight carrying member with a longitudinal axis and an outer surface. A plurality of spring collar engaging ridges project from the outer surface and are oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.  
      In another aspect, the invention provides a weight lifting bar comprising a weight carrying member and a grip. The weight carrying member has a longitudinal axis and a handle end. The grip is pivotally connected at a pivot point near the handle end. Preferably, means are provided for selectively securing the grip to said weight carrying member after the desired angular relationship between the hand grip member and the weight carrying member is selected, said means located at a point other than the pivot point. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIGS. 1-4  are perspective views of a first embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 5-6  are exploded perspective views of the first embodiment;  
       FIGS. 7-9  are a perspective views of the first embodiment of the invention showing a weight plate removably secured at different positions along the weight bar using spring collars;  
       FIGS. 10-13  are perspective views of the first embodiment illustrating how the invention may be used and with the handle secured at various angular positions;  
       FIGS. 14-15  are perspective views of a second embodiment showing a weight plate removably secured at different positions along the weight bar using spring collars;  
       FIGS. 16-17  are side and cross-sectional views of a third embodiment of the invention;  
       FIGS. 18-19  are side and cross-sectional views of a fourth embodiment of the invention; and  
       FIGS. 20-25  are perspective views of the second embodiment illustrating how the invention may be used with the handle at various angular positions and/or with the user&#39;s wrist also at various positions (such as extension and flexion). 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Reference is to be had to the Figures in which identical reference numbers identify similar components.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-13 , one embodiment of the weight lifting bar  10  of the present invention is show. In this embodiment, the bar  10  comprises a weight carrying member or support  12  having a longitudinal axis L, a handle end  12   h  and a weight loading end  12   w . The bar  10  further comprises a grip or handle  14  pivotally connected to said member  12  at a pivot point P. Preferably, the grip  14  is pivotally connected near said handle end  12   h . The weight carrying member  12  is suitable for removably carrying one or more weights  15 . Preferably the weights  15  are in the form of a circular disk having a central aperture with an inside diameter which is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the weight carrying member  12  so that they can be slipped onto said member  12  at the weight loading end  12   w . The grip  14  is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the longitudinal axis L of the member  12  so that the angle between the grip  14  and the weight carrying member  12  can be adjusted to accommodate different exercises and leverages.  
      Means are provided for selectively securing the grip  14  to the member  12  at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis L. In the specific embodiment illustrated, such means comprises an arc-shaped extension  12   a  of member  12  around at least a portion of pivot point P, a plurality of set screw openings  16  arranged in an arc around the pivot point P and through said extension  12   a  as shown. A set screw  18  is provided and is positionable through said openings  16 , and threadable into the grip  14  which is pivotally connected adjacent said extension  12   a  as show. When said screw  18  is positioned through one of said openings  16  and tightened into frictional engagement with said extension  12   a , the grip is secured at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis L. Preferably, a lock washer (not shown) is sandwiched between extension  12   a  and grip  14  and positioned so as to allow set screw  18  to be slipped therethrough when said screw  18  is positioned through one of said openings  16  and tightened into frictional engagement with said extension  12 . Advantageously, the lock washer (not shown) assists in preventing set screw  18  from accidentally unscrewing when using the bar  10 .  
      Advantageously, by removing set screw  18  from the bar  10 , adjusting grip  14  to a new angle, replacing set screw  18  through another of the said openings  16  and threading said screw  18  into the grip  14 , the angle of the grip  14 , relative to the longitudinal axis L, can be adjusted to one of a number of preset angular positions.  
      More advantageously, by positioning or locating the securing means some distance away from the pivot point, i.e. in this embodiment the set screw  18  and the plurality of set screw openings  16  arranged in an arc around the pivot point P, additional strength and leverage is provided to the securing means, thereby allowing the bar  10  to carry significantly heavier weights on the weight carrying member  12  (while still maintaining the grip  14  secured at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis L) as compared to the prior art.  
      Preferably, means are also provided for securing one or more weights  15  at various locations on the weight carrying member  12  to vary the length of the effective movement arm between the weights  15  and the grip  14  and thereby vary the leverage required to lift the device during exercise. In this embodiment, the weight carrying member  12  further comprises a plurality of ridges  12   r  projecting from said member  12  and oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis L. The dimensions and frequency (or interval) of said ridges  12   r  will be determined by the dimensions and spacing of the spring portion of an appropriate spring collar  20  that may be slipped onto or over the weight carrying member  12 . That is, the dimensions and frequency of the ridges  12   r  are such that they will provide significant frictional surface area for spring collar  20  to engage when said collar  20  is clamped around said member  12  while still allowing said collar  20  to be slipped over the member  12  when unclamped (see  FIGS. 7-9 ). Preferably the ridges  12   r  are fully circumferential around the weight carrying member  12 , although they need not be.  
      During exercise one or more of the weights  15  can be maintained on the weight carrying member  12  at a desired location along the longitudinal axis L by sandwiching said weights  15  between a pair of spring collars  20  (see  FIGS. 7-9 ). Advantageously, this weight securing means provides a significantly increased frictional engagement for the traditional spring collars (compared to the typically smooth bars of the prior art), thereby enabling the user to safely use heavy weights  15  without fear of them moving along the member  12  or coming off all together.  
       FIGS. 10-13  provide additional graphical illustration of how device  10  may be used during exercise and how the grip  14  is selectively secured to the member  12  at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis L, thereby providing the user with varying leverages required to lift the device  10  during exercise.  
     Second Embodiment  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 14-15 , a second embodiment of the invention  10  is shown. These figures provide additional illustration of how the weights  15  are maintained on the weight carrying member  12  at various locations along the longitudinal axis L—by sandwiching said weights  15  between a pair of spring collars  20  which each frictionally engage one or more of the ridges  12   r . In this embodiment not all the ridges  12   r  are fully circumferential around the weight carrying member  12 .  
      Again, by varying the location of the weights  15  on the weight carrying member  12  the length of the effective movement arm (between the weights  15  and the grip  14 ) is varied and the leverage required to lift the device  10  during exercise is likewise modified.  
      It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this weight securing means, i.e. ridges  12   r  for spring collars  20 , could also be utilized on weight carrying members  12  that are part of larger exercise devices or equipment, other than just barbells or dumbbells, including equipment such as leg press machines and the like.  
     Third Embodiment  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 16-17 , a third embodiment of the invention  10  is shown. In this embodiment the means for selectively securing the grip  14  to the member  12 , at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis, does not involve a set screw and a plurality of set screw openings but rather a securing pin  24  and a plurality of pin receiving recesses  26 . The securing pin  24  is slidably mounted in a cavity  27  inside the grip  14  (as shown), said cavity having a distal end  27   d  (relative to the pivot point P) and a proximal opening  27   o  (generally facing extension  12   a  and recesses  26 ). The securing pin  24  is biased towards the recesses  26  on the arc-shaped extension  12   a , through said proximal opening  27   o , by means of a spring  28  positioned between said pin  24  and the distal end  27   d . Like the set screw openings in the previous embodiment, the recesses  26  are preferably arranged in an arc-shaped configuration on the arc-shaped extension  12   a . When said pin  24  is biased into or against one of the recesses  26 , the grip  14  is secured at a preset angle relative to the longitudinal axis of member  12 .  
      To facilitate the temporarily disengagement of the securing pin  24  from a recess  26 , so that the grip  14  may be angularly adjusted relative to the member  12 , an elongated opening  27   s  (in the side of the grip  14 ) and a pin lever  24   s  (projecting from the pin  24  through said elongated opening  27   s ) are provided. The elongated opening  27   s  is of a length to allow a user to push the pin lever  24   s  and pin  24  away from a recess  26  and towards the distal end  27   d  (at the same time compressing the spring  28 ) and to provide sufficient clearance to allow the pin  24  to completely clear from a recess  26 . Once a user releases the lever  24   s , the pin  24  will once again be biased through the proximal opening  27   o  and towards a recess  26  by the spring  28 .  
     Fourth Embodiment  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 18-19 , a forth embodiment of the invention  10  is shown. In this embodiment the means for selectively securing the grip  14  to the member  12 , at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis L, comprises a quick-release pin  30 , a plurality of quick-release pin openings  32  through the extension  12   a  and arranged in an arc around the pivot point P (as shown), and an opening  34  through the grip  14 . Preferably, grip  14  features paired extensions  14   a ,  14   b  which sandwich extension  12   a  (as shown) and opening  34  extends through both of said paired extensions  14   a ,  14   b  (also as shown).  
      When opening  34  in the grip  14  is aligned with one of the openings  32  through the extension  12   a , the quick-release pin  30  is positioned through both openings  32 ,  34 , thereby selectively securing the grip  14  to the member  12  at a preset angle relative to the longitudinal axis L.  
      Preferably the quick-release pin  30  is of a length that is longer than the combined width of the grip&#39;s paired extensions  14   a ,  14   b  and the member&#39;s extension  12   a , has a first end  30   a  that is of a large diameter than said openings  32 ,  34  and has a spring-loaded ball  36  at it&#39;s second end  30   b  (as shown). Such quick-release pins are available from Spaenaur Inc. of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.  
      The grip  14  may be angularly adjusted, relative to the member  12 , by removing the quick-release pin  30 , pivoting the grip  14  relative to the member  12  and aligning opening  34  with another of the openings  32 , and inserting the quick-release pin  30  through aligned openings  32 ,  34 .  
     Additional Embodiment  
      In a fifth embodiment (not shown), there is no means for selectively securing the grip  14  to the member  12 . Instead the grip or handle  14 , which is pivotally connected to said member  12  at a pivot point P, is allowed to swing freely as may be determined by gravity acting on the bar  10  during exercise. Preferably, the grip  14  is connected at the pivot point P via a ball and socket joint. This embodiment allows for a weightlifter to move the bar  10  through a conventional weightlifting movement and at the same experience a changing dynamic of leverages during said movement.  
      Variety of Exercises:  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 20-25 , the second embodiment of the invention  10  is shown again gripped by a user  40 , to illustrate how the device  10  may be used in a variety of different exercises (such as a shoulder press (see  FIG. 20 ), bicep curl (see  FIG. 21 ), deltoid press (see  FIG. 22-23 ) or a triceps press (see FIGS.  24 - 25 )) and with a variety of different wrist positions (such as wrist extension or wrist flexion).  FIGS. 20-25  also again illustrate how the grip  14  may be selectively secured to the member  12  at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis L, thereby providing the user with varying leverages required to lift the device during exercise.  
      Advantageously, the various different exercises, wrist positions and angular configurations of the grip  14  (relative to the longitudinal axis L) allow for the user&#39;s muscles to be recruited in manners that were not easily attainable with prior art exercise devices, resulting in strength and muscle gains more easily made.  
      The specific embodiments described should be taken as illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting its scope. Many further modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and the inventions should be construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.