Patent Publication Number: US-6902517-B1

Title: Safety barbell weight

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a safety and performance enhancement for use in connection with barbell weights. The safety barbell weight has particular utility in connection with increasing the safety and effectiveness of a free weight workout by promoting proper form during the workout, thereby reducing injuries suffered by individuals participating in weight training. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Personal weight training has recently gained in popularity with fitness enthusiasts. In addition, weight training is often incorporated into the workout regimen for various athletic endeavors. Free weights are typically loaded on a barbell prior to the commencement of an exercise. Various free weight exercises, such as curls, bench or military presses, rows, triceps, and extensions, are popular among fitness enthusiasts and athletes who are attempting to increase strength and muscle mass. Unfortunately, it is easy to perform many of these exercises incorrectly. Common errors, such as going too fast or making quick, jerky movements, reduce the benefit and effectiveness of the exercise and can cause injuries. Therefore, a barbell weight that could be easily mounted on a conventional barbell and provide an immediate feedback to the user when an exercise is performed incorrectly would not only alert the user to an incorrect form, allowing him to correct and maintain his form for the remainder of the workout set, but also reduce the likelihood that he will injure himself. 
   The use of safety weights is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,678 to Fredric O. Dawson discloses a dumbbell set with quick release plates that includes at least one dumbbell with a handle bar, a plurality of rectangular weight plates, a top plate to prevent the weights from falling off the handle bar, and a weight storage rack. The weight plates each have a slot and are stacked on the threaded stack and then tightened against the stop plate. However, the Dawson &#39;678 patent does not provide a means by which the user is alerted when exercises are not performed correctly. Furthermore, the Dawson &#39;678 device could not be used with existing weightlifting bars since it utilizes a specialized threaded shaft, necessitating the purchase of an entire new weight system. Finally, changing the weight plates of the Dawson &#39;678 device requires the weightlifter to have sufficient hand strength to securely tighten and subsequently loosen a tightened disk at the end of the weight bar. If an individual failed to sufficiently tighten the weight plates against the stop plate, the weights could easily slip from the bar, and once tightened, the disk could be hard to loosen. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,274 to E. Michael Mattox discloses a dumbbell assembly that includes a pair of cage receptacles rigidly secured to the ends of a weight bar for securing weight plates to the bar. One embodiment of the Mattox &#39;274 device features a weight bar wherein springs force each of two platters toward one of the outer ends of the bar for the purpose of securing the weighted plates within each of the receptacles. A second embodiment of the Mattox &#39;274 device includes a handle bar that is integrally molded or rigidly secured to the two-part caged receptacles which easily open for insertion or removal of weight plates. The two parts of each receptacle are secured by an elastomeric band. However, the Mattox &#39;274 patent does not provide a mechanism for alerting the weightlifter when an exercise is being performed improperly. Additionally, the Mattox &#39;274 device can not be used with existing weight bars and would require the increased cost of purchasing an entire weight system. Lastly, if the elastomeric band holding the weight plates of the Mattox &#39;274 device were to break or slip due to improper placement, the user or nearby individuals could be injured. 
   Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 1,779,594 to David C. Hall discloses an exercising device that includes a weight bar having end portions with rectangular cross section, stop and partition disks mounted on these end sections to provide partitions of these sections, and weights which are fitted between these partitions. These weights have a special seating mechanism consisting of slots cut radially to the center of the weight and spring actuated grapples which hold the weights to the bar. However, the Hall &#39;594 patent fails to provide a mechanism for alerting the weight lifter when an exercise is not performed correctly. Furthermore, the Hall &#39;594 device requires the purchase of an entire weight system since it can not be used with either existing weights or an existing weight bar. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,810 to Scott H. Lee discloses a quick release collar for a weight lifting barbell that includes a collar body, an axially movable sleeve, and a plurality of radially movable balls frictionally engaged with the bar and positionally controlled by a tension ring. A coil spring biases the sleeve and tension ring toward a locked position in which the movable balls securely engage the bar. However, while the Lee &#39;810 patent provides an easy release locking mechanism, it fails to provide a mechanism for alerting the user when a weight lifting exercise is performed incorrectly. Additionally, if the Lee &#39;810 device were not properly engaged, the weight lifter or bystanders could be injured due to falling weights. 
   Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,826 to William C. Ryan discloses a safety apparatus for use with a barbell assembly that includes a support frame, a pair of cables securable to opposite ends, of the assembly, a winch assembly for retracting and releasing the cables, a pair of tension sensors, a velocity sensor, and a controller for the winch assembly. The controller is responsive to the velocity and tension sensors for normally releasing and retracting the cables during a weight lifting routine and for detecting an abnormal condition during an exercise and controlling the weight of the barbell assembly to reduce the risk of injury to the weightlifter. However, the Ryan &#39;826 patent is limited in use to specific types of exercises, such as bench presses, where the weight is lifted straight up and down. In addition, the Ryan &#39;826 device is complex and adds specialized equipment which would drive up the price for consumers. Finally, the Ryan &#39;826 device is not easily portable; thus, an individual could not easily move the device to different weightlifting facilities. 
   Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,421 to Ronald S. Chrysler discloses a portable safety device for weight training that consists of a metal frame releasably mounted on a weight training bench for the purpose of protecting the user&#39;s head from a dropped weight during bench press exercises. However, the Chrysler &#39;421 patent does not alert the weightlifter if an exercise is performed incorrectly. Furthermore, the Chrysler &#39;421 device is suitable for use in only a limited number of weight lifting exercises. Finally, the Chrysler &#39;421 device fails to provide a mechanism for securing the weights to the bar, leaving nearby individuals and the remainder of the user&#39;s body open to possible injury from falling weights. 
   While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a safety barbell weight that promotes proper form during the workout, thereby reducing injuries suffered by individuals participating in weight training. The Dawson &#39;678, Mattox &#39;274, Hall &#39;594, Lee &#39;810, and Chrysler &#39;421 patents fail to provide a mechanism by which the weight lifter is alerted if an exercise is being performed improperly. Furthermore, the Dawson &#39;678, Mattox &#39;274, and Hall &#39;594 devices can not be used with either existing weight bars or weights and require the user to invest in a completely new set of weight lifting equipment. Changing the weight plates of the Dawson &#39;678 device requires the weightlifter to have sufficient hand strength to securely tighten and subsequently loosen a tightened disk at the end of the weight bar. If an individual failed to sufficiently tighten the weight plate of the Dawson &#39;678 device, it could easily slip from the bar and injure the weight lifter or a bystander. In addition, failure to properly secure the elastomeric bands of the Mattox &#39;274 bands or the Lee &#39;810 collar could lead to injury from falling weights. Moreover, the Chrysler &#39;421 patent fails to provide a mechanism for securing the weights to the bar, leaving nearby individuals and the remainder of the user&#39;s body open to possible injury from falling weights. Both the Ryan &#39;826 and Chrysler &#39;421 devices are suitable for use in only a limited number of weight lifting exercises. Finally, the Ryan &#39;826 device is not easily portable and is complex with specialized equipment that would drive up the cost to the consumer. 
   Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved safety barbell weight that can be used with existing weight bars to provide an easily releasable weight that promotes proper form during the workout, thereby reducing injuries suffered by individuals participating in weight training. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the safety barbell weight according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of promoting proper form during weight training, thereby reducing injuries suffered by individuals participating in weight lifting exercises. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of safety weights now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved safety barbell weight, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved safety barbell weight and method which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a safety barbell weight which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a symmetrical weight with a U-shaped collar slideably attached to the weight and positionally controlled by a stop screw and a spring screw which slide through a series of grooves on the collar to define an open and closed position for the collar. The spring screw is activated when a weight imbalance is detected, typically due to improper weightlifting form, and the stop screw prevents the collar from becoming completely detached from the weight. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
   A plurality of the safety barbell weights could also be offered with a weightlifting bar. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
   Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved safety barbell weight that has all of the advantages of the prior art safety weights and none of the disadvantages. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved safety barbell weight that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved safety barbell weight that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a safety barbell weight economically available to the buying public. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new safety barbell weight that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
   Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a safety barbell weight for alerting the user when a weightlifting exercise is executed with improper form. This provides instant feedback to the weightlifter, allowing him to immediately correct his form and increasing the effectiveness of the exercise. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to eliminate the repetition of incorrect form for weightlifting exercises. This reduces the injuries that a weightlifter might incur from improper form and eliminates the possibility of developing poor habits during weightlifting. 
   Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved safety barbell weight that is portable and easy to use. This allows the weightlifter to easily attach the weight to standard weightlifting bars and to transport the device to any weightlifting location. 
   These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the safety barbell weight constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the safety barbell weight of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a left side cutaway cross sectional view of the closed safety barbell weight of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a left side cutaway cross sectional view of the open safety barbell weight of the present invention. 
   

   The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1–4 , a preferred embodiment of the safety barbell weight of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , a new and improved safety barbell weight  10  of the present invention for promoting proper form during weight training is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the safety barbell weight  10  has a semi-elliptical weight  12  mounted on a weight lifting bar  14  with a metal collar  16  that curves over the weight bar  14  and extends on both ends into the weight  12 . The weight could take several shapes, such as rectangular, semi-circular, and other symmetrical shapes which would balance equal amounts of weight radially along. One or more of these weights  10  could be positioned along the weight bar  14  to achieve the desired weight configuration. 
     FIG. 2  portrays the sliding mechanism of the safety barbell weight  10 . The weight  12  has a chamber  18  formed into each side. The collar  16  is U-shaped with each rectangular leg extending into one of these chambers  18 . A rectangular collar foot  20  is slideably embedded in the first of these chambers  18  and extends slightly above the weight  12 . A control collar foot  22  is slideably embedded in the second chamber  18  and extends slightly above the weight  12 , as does the first collar foot  20 . The control collar foot  22  is connected to the weight  12  by a safety screw  24  and a spring screw  26 . The function of these screws is described in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     FIG. 3  shows the closed collar  16  and weight  12 , and  FIG. 4  shows the open collar  16  and weight  12 . The control collar foot  22  has a groove  28  cut into the front surface  30 . This groove  28  is bisected into an upper portion  32  and a lower portion  34  by a divider  36 . When closed, the safely screw  24  extends into the top of the upper portion  32  of the groove  28 , and the spring screw  26  extends into the bottom of the upper portion  32  of the groove  28 . During a weight lifting exercise, if the user moves slowly and smoothly, the spring screw  26  remains in the upper portion  32  of the groove  28  and maintains the closed position of the collar  16 . If the weight lifter moves too quickly or changes directions suddenly, the spring screw  26  slips out of the upper portion  32  of the groove  28  and slides to the lower portion  34  of the groove  28  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The safety screw  24  catches against the divider  36  to prevent the weight from falling off the weight bar  14 . This provides immediate feedback to the user on each repetition of the exercise, helping him maintain proper form throughout the exercise. 
   In use, it can now be understood that the user would mount one weight  12  on each end of a weight lifting bar  14 , making certain that the collar  16  is placed in the closed position. The user would then proceed to engage in weightlifting exercises. At any time if the user moves too quickly, jerks the weights, or unbalances the weights  12  through sudden direction changes, the spring screw  26  releases from the upper portion  32  of the groove  28  under the additional pressure and catches in the lower portion  34  of the groove  28 . This causes the collar  16  to open, alerting the user to improper weightlifting form, but stops the collar  16  from completely detaching from the weight  12 . The user would then reset the collar  16  in the closed position and proceed with the exercise, attempting to correct the improper form. 
   While a preferred embodiment of the safety barbell weight has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable sturdy material such as metal, plastic, or a variety of wood may be used for the collar described. Furthermore, a wide variety of weightlifting bars of varying dimensions could be used interchangeably with the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.