Patent Publication Number: US-10765906-B2

Title: Weight collar

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This regular utility non-provisional patent application claims priority benefit with regard to all common subject matter of earlier-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application titled “WEIGHT COLLAR”, Ser. No. 62/449,732, filed on Jan. 24, 2017, and earlier-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application titled “WEIGHT COLLAR”, Ser. No. 62/511,507, filed on May 26, 2017. The above-identified provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties into the present application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Weight collars are often used for retaining weights on weightlifting bars. However, most conventional weight collars must be secured to the weightlifting bar. Unfortunately, weightlifters often fail to fully secure the weight collars, which can result in dangerous conditions for the weightlifters themselves, spotters, and nearby weightlifters. Many conventional weight collars can also incorrectly appear to be properly secured, resulting in a false sense of safety. Furthermore, conventional weight collars have moving parts and/or rubber components that can wear out over time or over repeated use. The parts often fail during use when their integrity is needed most. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a distinct advance in weight collars for use with weightlifting systems, counterweight systems, ballast systems, and any other system in which a weight needs to be retained on a weight bearing structure. More specifically, the invention provides a more reliable and easy-to-use weight collar. 
     An embodiment of the weight collar broadly comprises a bar engaging section and a weight engaging section. The bar engaging section includes an opening and an annular surface. The opening extends through the bar engaging section for positioning the weight collar on a weight section of a weightlifting bar. The opening may be circular or any other suitable shape. 
     The annular surface extends along an outer perimeter of the opening and is concentric about a central axis passing through a centerpoint of the opening. In one embodiment, the central axis extends perpendicular to a vertically extending plane of the bar engaging section. In another embodiment, the central axis extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the vertically extending plane, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below. 
     The weight engaging section includes opposing proximal and distal ends. The distal end is orthogonally spaced from the central axis an offset distance of between approximately 1 inch and approximately 8 inches, more preferably between approximately 1.5 inches and approximately 5 inches, and most preferably between approximately 2 inches and approximately 4 inches. The distal end is axially spaced forward of the centerpoint of the opening an axial distance of between approximately 3 inches and approximately 1 inch, more preferably between approximately 2 inches and approximately 2.5 inches, and most preferably approximately 2.25 inches. In one embodiment, the weight engaging section is angled from the bar engaging section at an angle between approximately 90 degrees and approximately 135 degrees, more preferably between approximately 100 degrees and approximately 130 degrees, and most preferably 112 degrees. 
     A center of gravity of the weight collar may be orthogonally spaced an offset distance from the central axis between approximately 0.1 inches and approximately 1.5 inches, more preferably between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 1 inch, and most preferably 0.5 inches. In one embodiment, the center of gravity is orthogonally spaced outside of the perimeter of the opening. 
     A ratio of the offset distance of the distal end to the offset distance of the center of gravity is between approximately 1.1 to 1 and approximately 10 to 1, more preferably between approximately 1.5 to 1 and approximately 4 to 1, and most preferably between approximately 2 to 1 and approximately 3 to 1. In another embodiment, the ratio of the offset distance of the distal end to the offset distance of the center of gravity is greater than 1 to 1. 
     The weight collar may by anodized, painted, coated, or otherwise surface treated for protecting the weight collar and/or other components of a weight system and for providing an appealing appearance. The weight collar may also be laser engraved, etched, stamped, or painted with logos, aesthetic designs, instructions, warnings, and other text or images. 
     In use, the weight collar may be positioned on the weight lifting bar between the weight and a distal end of the weightlifting bar such that the weightlifting bar passes through the opening of the bar engaging section and such that the distal end of the weight engaging section extends toward the weight. The center of gravity of the weight collar is orthogonally offset from the central axis of the opening, as described above, so that the weight collar will rotate about the central axis until the weight engaging section hangs below the weightlifting bar. 
     As the weightlifting bar is handled and lifted, the weight may shift and slide relative to the weightlifting bar. If the weight slides toward the weight collar, the weight will exert a rotational force on the distal end of the weight engaging section of the weight collar. The bar engaging section in turn imparts a gripping force on the weightlifting bar via the annular surface, thus preventing the weight from sliding off the weightlifting bar. The offset distance of the distal end of the weight engaging section from the central axis of the opening of the bar engaging section increases a moment arm of the weight collar, thus improving the effectiveness of the rotational force. 
     It is also important that the weight collar does not slide away from the weight particularly when the weight is not engaging the weight collar. To that end, the weight engaging section, extending forward from the bar engaging section, causes the center of gravity of the weight collar to be slightly forward of the opening. The weight collar thus rotates slightly under its own gravitational weight such that the bar engaging section exerts a nominal gripping force on the weightlifting bar. 
     In some embodiments, the central axis of the opening extends through the centerpoint non-perpendicular to the vertically extending plane of the bar engaging section such that the annular surface causes the bar engaging section to extend downward at a forward angle when positioned on the weightlifting bar. This causes the center of gravity to be farther forward of the opening, which increases rotation of the weight collar via its gravitational weight and thus increases the nominal gripping force. The non-perpendicular central axis also causes the bar engaging section to be oriented vertically when the weightlifting bar is pointed upward at an angle complementary to the non-perpendicular angle of the central axis such that the weight collar slides on the weightlifting bar toward the weight. 
     The weight collar provides other benefits in addition to the ones described above. For example, the weight collar has no moving parts and is self-locking. In contrast, conventional weight collars can be positioned on a weightlifting bar but may not necessarily be locked, resulting in a false sense of safety. The weight collar also will not wear out over time or over repeated use. 
     Another embodiment of the weight collar further comprises a spring for ensuring that the weight collar is retained on the weightlifting bar. The spring includes opposing base and distal ends and is connected at its base end near the distal end of the weight engaging section via fasteners, welding, interlocking geometry, interference fit, or any other suitable attachment means. The distal end of the spring may pass in front of the opening so that the spring must be at least partially depressed or compressed for the weight collar to be positioned on a weightlifting bar. In one embodiment, the spring extends in a cantilever arc away from the weight engaging section and toward the opening of the bar engaging section so that the spring can be depressed via the weightlifting bar as the weight collar is being pushed onto the weightlifting bar. The spring may be a leaf spring, coil spring, butterfly spring, torsion spring, or any other suitable spring. 
     The spring exerts a biasing force against the weightlifting bar such that the bar engaging section imparts a nominal gripping force on the weightlifting bar when the weight is not engaging the weight engaging section. This prevents the weight collar from sliding freely relative to the weightlifting bar. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a weight system including a weight collar constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the weight collar of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the weight collar of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side cutaway elevation view of the weight collar of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side cutaway elevation view of a weight collar constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a weight collar constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the weight collar of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a weight collar constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a side cutaway elevation view of the weight collar of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description of the invention references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the current technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1-5 , a weight collar  10  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The weight collar  10  can be part of and/or used with a weight system  100  having a weightlifting bar  102  and a weight  104 . The weightlifting bar  102  includes a lifting section  106  and a weight section  108 . The lifting section  106  allows a user to grip and lift the weightlifting bar  102  and may include contours, bends, rough surface textures, handles, grip pads, hand stops, and other features for improving the user&#39;s grip. The weight section  108  extends from the lifting section  106  and includes a weight stop and a distal end  110 . The weight stop prevents the weight  104  from sliding onto the lifting section  106  and may be an axially-aligned disc or ring, a clip, a pin extending through the weightlifting bar  102 , or any other suitable stop. Alternatively, the lifting section  106  may have a diameter larger than a diameter of a through-hole of the weight  104  (described below) for preventing the weight  104  from sliding onto the lifting section  106 . The distal end  110  allows a user to position the weight  104  and weight collar  10  on and remove the weight  104  and weight collar  10  from the weight section  108  of the weightlifting bar  102 . The weight section  108  may have a circular cross section, a rectangular cross section, or any other suitable cross section. 
     The weight  104  includes a through-hole  112  for positioning the weight  104  on the weight section  108  and may be a disc, plate, ball, or any other suitable mass. To that end, a diameter of the through-hole  112  is slightly larger than a diameter of the weight section  108  and smaller than an effective diameter of the weight stop or lifting section  106 . The weight  104  may be adjustable (e.g., fillable with water or sand) or non-adjustable such as a barbell weight plate. Additional weights similar to weight  104  may be used to achieve a desired total weight. 
     The weight system  100  may be a barbell system, a dumbbell system, a weightlifting machine (in which case the lifting section  106  is indirectly lifted by the user), or any other suitable weight system. For example, the weight system  100  may be part of a counterweight or ballast system. 
     The weight collar  10  will now be described in more detail. The weight collar  10  includes a bar engaging section  12  and a weight engaging section  14 . 
     The bar engaging section  12  includes an opening  16  and an annular surface  18 . The opening  16  extends through the bar engaging section  12  for positioning the weight collar  10  on the weight section  108 . The opening  16  may be circular or any other suitable shape (similar to the cross-sectional shape of the weight section  108 ) and may have a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the weight section  108 . In one embodiment, the opening  16  has a diameter of between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 3 inches, more preferably between approximately 1 inch and 2.5 inches, and most preferably approximately 2 inches. 
     The annular surface  18  extends along an outer perimeter of the opening  16  and may be concentric about a central axis  19  passing through a centerpoint of the opening  16 . In one embodiment, the central axis  19  extends perpendicular to a vertically extending plane of the bar engaging section  12 . In another embodiment, the central axis  19  extends relative to the vertically extending plane at an angle (a in  FIG. 5 ) of between approximately 70 degree and approximately 89 degrees, more preferably between approximately 80 degree and 89 degrees, and most preferably 83 degrees, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below. 
     The weight engaging section  14  includes opposing proximal and distal ends  20 ,  22 . The proximal end  20  may be spaced from an outer edge of the opening  16  of the bar engaging section  12  preferably at least 0.8 inches. The distal end  22  may be orthogonally spaced from the central axis  19  an offset distance of between approximately 1 inch and approximately 8 inches, more preferably between approximately 1.5 inches and approximately 5 inches, and most preferably between approximately 2 inches and approximately 4 inches. The distal end  22  may be axially spaced forward of the centerpoint an axial distance of between approximately 3 inches and approximately 1 inch, more preferably between approximately 2 inches and 2.5 inches, and most preferably approximately 2.25 inches. The weight engaging section  14  may be angled from the bar engaging section  12  at an angle between approximately 90 degrees and approximately 135 degrees, more preferably between approximately 100 degrees and approximately 130 degrees, and most preferably 112 degrees. 
     A center of gravity (represented by the center of gravity symbol in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of the weight collar  10  may be orthogonally spaced from the central axis  19  an offset distance of between approximately 0.1 inches and approximately 1.5 inches, more preferably between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 1 inch, and most preferably 0.5 inches. In one embodiment, the center of gravity is orthogonally spaced outside of the perimeter of the opening  16 . The center of gravity may be axially spaced from the centerpoint an axial distance of between approximately 0.1 inches and approximately 2 inches, more preferably between approximately 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches, and most preferably approximately 1 inch. 
     A ratio of the offset distance of the distal end  22  to the offset distance of the center of gravity may be between approximately 1.1 to 1 and approximately 10 to 1, more preferably between approximately 1.5 to 1 and approximately 4 to 1, and most preferably between approximately 2 to 1 and approximately 3 to 1. In another embodiment, the ratio of the offset distance of the distal end  22  to the offset distance of the center of gravity is greater than 1 to 1. A ratio of the axial distance of the distal end  22  to the axial distance of the center of gravity may be between approximately 1.1 to 1 and approximately 10 to 1, more preferably between approximately 1.5 to 1 and approximately 3 to 1, and most preferably at least 2 to 1. 
     The bar engaging section  12  and the weight engaging section  14  may be connected together near the proximal end  20  of the weight engaging section  14  or they may be formed of a monolithic piece of material. For example, the weight collar  10  may be cut or stamped from a metal plate and bent at the proximal end  20  of the weight engaging section  14 . To that end, the metal plate, and hence the bar engaging section  12  and the weight engaging section  14  may have a thickness of between approximately 0.125 inches and approximately 0.375 inches and more preferably approximately 0.25 inches. The weight collar  10  may have an overall length of between approximately 1 inch and approximately 6 inches, more preferably between approximately 2 inches and 6 inches, and most preferably approximately 5.75 inches. The weight collar  10  may have a tapered width that narrows from the centerpoint of the opening  16  to the distal end  22  of the weight engaging section. The weight collar  10  may also have rounded edges so that it does not catch on clothing, gym bags, other weight equipment, and other hazards, and so that it does not scratch weight equipment, floors, and skin. 
     The weight collar  10  may by anodized, painted, coated, or otherwise surface treated for protecting the weight collar  10  and/or other components of the weight system  100  and for providing an appealing appearance. The weight collar  10  may also be laser engraved, etched, stamped, or painted with logos, aesthetic designs, instructions, warnings, and other text or images. 
     Use of the weight collar  10  with the weight system  100  will now be described in more detail. First, the weight  104  is positioned on the weightlifting bar  102  such that the weight section  108  passes through the through-hole  112  of the weight  104  and such that the distal end  110  of the weight section  108  extends beyond the weight  104 . To that end, it is recommended that the weight  104  be pushed against the weight stop. Additional weights can also be positioned on the weight section  108  adjacent the weight  104 . The weight collar  10  may then be positioned on the weight lifting bar  102  between the weight  104  and the distal end  110  of the weight section  108  such that the weight section  108  passes through the opening  16  of the bar engaging section  12  and such that the distal end  22  of the weight engaging section  14  extends toward the weight  104 . The center of gravity of the weight collar  10  is orthogonally offset from the central axis  19  of the opening  16 , as described above, so the weight collar  10  will rotate about the central axis  19  until the weight engaging section  14  hangs below the weight section  108 . It is also recommended that the weight collar  10  be pushed against the weight  104  so that the distal end  22  of the weight engaging section  14  contacts the weight  104 . 
     As the weightlifting bar  102  is handled and lifted, the weight  104  may shift and slide relative to the weight section  108 . If the weight  104  slides toward the distal end  110  of the weight section  108 , and hence toward the weight collar  10 , the weight  104  will exert a rotational force on the distal end  22  of the weight engaging section  22  of the weight collar  10 . The bar engaging section  12  in turn imparts a gripping force on the weight section  108  of the weightlifting bar  102  via the annular surface  18 , thus preventing the weight  104  from sliding off the distal end  110  of the weight section  108 . The offset distance of the distal end  22  of the weight engaging section  14  from the central axis  19  of the opening  16  of the bar engaging section  14  increases a moment arm of the weight collar  10 , thus improving the effectiveness of the rotational force. 
     It is also important that the weight collar  10  does not slide away from the weight  104  particularly when the weight  104  is not engaging the weight collar  10 . To that end, the weight engaging section  14 , extending forward from the bar engaging section  12 , causes the center of gravity of the weight collar  10  to be slightly axially forward of the centerpoint of the opening  16 . The weight collar  10  thus rotates slightly under its own gravitational weight such that the bar engaging section  12  exerts a nominal gripping force on the weight section  108 . 
     In some embodiments, as described above, the central axis  19  of the opening  16  extends non-perpendicularly through the bar engaging section  12  such that the annular surface  18  causes the bar engaging section  12  to extend downward at a forward angle. This causes the center of gravity to be farther forward of the opening  16 , which increases rotation via gravitational weight and thus increases the nominal gripping force. The non-perpendicular angle of the central axis  19  also causes the bar engaging section  12  to be oriented vertically when the weightlifting bar  102  is pointed upward at an angle complementary to the non-perpendicular angle such that the weight collar  10  slides on the weight section  108  toward the weight  104 . For example, in one embodiment, the central axis  19  extends through the centerpoint of the opening  16  at 83 degrees relative to the vertically extending plane of the bar engaging section  12 . Thus, if the weightlifting bar  100  is pointed upward at 7 degrees, the bar engaging section  12  will be oriented vertically, allowing the weight collar  10  to slide toward the weight  104 . 
     The weight collar  10  provides other benefits in addition to the ones described above. For example, the weight collar  10  has no moving parts and is self-locking. In contrast, other weight collars can be positioned on a weightlifting bar but may not necessarily be locked, resulting in a false sense of safety. The weight collar  10  also will not wear out over time or over repeated use. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a weight collar  200  constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention will now be described. The weight collar  200  includes a bar engaging section  202 , a weight engaging section  204 , and a spring  206 . The bar engaging section  202  and weight engaging section  204  are substantially similar to the bar engaging section  12  and weight engaging section  14  described above. For example, the bar engaging section  202  includes an opening  208  and an annular surface  210  substantially similar to the opening  16  and annular surface  18  described above. The weight engaging section  204  includes opposing proximal and distal ends  212 ,  214  substantially similar to the proximal and distal ends  20 ,  22  described above. These features will therefore not be described further. 
     The spring  206  includes opposing base and distal ends  216 ,  218  and is connected at the base end  216  near the distal end  214  of the weight engaging section  214  via fasteners, welding, interlocking geometry, interference fit, or any other suitable attachment means. The distal end  218  of the spring  206  may pass in front of the opening  208  so that the spring  206  must be at least partially depressed or compressed for the weight collar  200  to be positioned on a weightlifting bar. In one embodiment, the spring  206  extends in a cantilever arc away from the weight engaging section  204  and toward the opening  208  of the bar engaging section  202  so that the spring  206  can be depressed via the weightlifting bar as the weight collar  200  is being pushed onto the weightlifting bar. The distal end  218  of the spring  206  may be turned or rolled inward so that it does not catch on or scratch weight lifting equipment. The spring  206  may be a leaf spring, coil spring, butterfly spring, torsion spring, or any other suitable spring. 
     The spring  206  exerts a biasing force against the weightlifting bar such that the bar engaging section  202  imparts a nominal gripping force on the weightlifting bar when a weight is not engaging the weight engaging section  204 . This prevents the weight collar  200  from sliding freely relative to the weightlifting bar. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a weight collar  300  constructed in accordance with another embodiment will now be described. The weight collar  300  includes a bar engaging section  302  and a weight engaging component  304 . The bar engaging section  302  is substantially similar to the bar engaging section  12  described above. For example, the bar engaging section  302  includes an opening  306  and an annular surface  308  substantially similar to the opening  16  and annular surface  18  described above. These features will therefore not be described further. 
     The weight engaging component  304  includes opposing proximal and distal ends  310 ,  312  and extends substantially perpendicular to a vertically extending plane of the bar engaging component  302 . The weight engaging component  304  may be secured into an opening in the bar engaging section  12  via helical threads, an interference fit, interlocking geometry, or any other suitable attachment means. The weight engaging component  304  may be orthogonally offset from the center axis between approximately 1 inch and approximately 8 inches, more preferably between approximately 1.5 inches and approximately 5 inches, and most preferably between 2 inches and approximately 4 inches. The weight engaging component  304  may extend axially forward of a centerpoint of the opening  306  between approximately 0.25 inches and approximately 3 inches, more preferably between approximately 0.5 inches and 2 inches, and most preferably approximately 0.75 inches. The weight engaging component  304  may be a pin, bolt, nub, or other similar protrusion. 
     A center of gravity of the weight collar  300  may be orthogonally spaced from the central axis an offset distance of between approximately 0.1 inches and approximately 1.5 inches, more preferably between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 1 inch, and most preferably 0.5 inches. In one embodiment, the center of gravity is orthogonally spaced outside of the perimeter of the opening  306 . The center of gravity may be axially spaced from the centerpoint of the opening  306  an axial distance of between approximately 0.1 inches and approximately 2 inches, more preferably between approximately 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches, and most preferably approximately 1 inch. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.