Patent Publication Number: US-6338702-B1

Title: Exercise support bar

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Application No. 60/142,017, filed Jul. 1, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to weight-lifting and exercise equipment, and specifically, to an exercise bar for holding a dumbbell during exercise wherein the dumbbell freely rotates between two hand grips. 
     2. Related Art 
     When an individual exercises lat muscles and triceps muscle groups using a conventional dumbbell, the individual typically has to hold the dumbbell in an unnatural position, e.g., in a vertical position, due to the shape of the dumbbell and having to hold the center handle of the dumbbell. The user holds the dumbbell fixed in his/her hand and rotates the entire dumbbell with the rotation of his/her hand and arm. Therefore, when using a conventional dumbbell, the user spends extra energy and effort to lift and rotate the entire dumbbell during a workout session. 
     One commercially available piece of exercise equipment that attempts to solve the problems of using a conventional dumbbell to exercise the triceps (and biceps) muscle groups is the Olympic Tricep Bar (“OTB”), available from www.bigfitness.com. The OTB is a rectangular hollow frame having two hand grips transversely disposed within the rectangular frame and two revolving barrels, wherein one revolving barrel is attached externally at each end of the rectangular frame. In operation, a user places the desired amount of free weights on each revolving barrel, then holding the two hand grips within the rectangular frame, exercises the triceps (or biceps) muscle groups. Because the barrels rotate in relation to the rectangular frame, the user does not have to lift and rotate the weights during the exercise routine. The user merely lifts the weights. 
     Although the OTB appears to solve the rotation problem associated with using conventional dumbbells in exercising the triceps muscle groups, there are several disadvantages with using an OTB. First, the OTB requires a user to locate two sets of equal weights, install the weight sets on, and then remove the weight sets off each revolving barrel. This is a time consuming and inconvenient requirement. A user may not be able to located two equal weight sets, e.g., two 10-lbs weights. However, once located, the user must spend the time to attach each weight to a rotating barrel, and when finished exercising, the user must spend the time to remove each weight. 
     Second, the OTB may pose a safety hazard if the weights are not securely installed on the rotating barrels. If the weights are loose, or a rotating barrel fails, a weight may throw the OTB off-balance or even fall off of the OTB, resulting in injury to the user or property damage. 
     Third, by design, the hand grips are positioned within the rectangular frame, thereby making them awkward to use. A user&#39;s hands are automatically placed close together and may scrape against the inside edges of the rectangular frame. In addition, the user must exercise with the OTB having his/her palms facing inwards, resulting in extra strain being placed on the user&#39;s wrists and forearms. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an exercise bar for exercising lat and triceps muscle groups that uses conventional dumbbells, provides for the quick attachment and release of a conventional dumbbell, and allows for the free rotation of the dumbbell during the exercise. There is a further need for an exercise bar that provides a secure locking mechanism for the conventional dumbbell that prevents the premature and unexpected release of the dumbbell. There is a still further need for an exercise bar that allows for the rotation of the user&#39;s hand position, thereby providing a custom fit for each user during exercising. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention solves the problems associated with using conventional dumbbells to exercise lat muscles and triceps muscle groups by providing an exercise support bar having two hand grips being rotatably connected to opposing sides of a means for removably securing a dumbbell, wherein the dumbbell rotates freely between the two hand grips. By allowing the dumbbell to rotate, the dumbbell maintains a natural position, i.e., a vertical position, during an exercise session. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the exercise support bar of the present invention comprises a means for removably securing a dumbbell, a first hand grip rotatably connected to a first side of the means for removably securing a dumbbell and a second hand grip rotatably connected to a second side of the means for removably securing a dumbbell. The preferred means for removably securing a dumbbell is a support block having a channel passing from the top side of the support block to the bottom side and having an opening through a front side of the support block. A T-shaped channel door is pivotally connected to the support block as a means for removably locking the channel and locking a dumbbell in the channel. The channel door pivots between a closed position and an open position. 
     The first hand grip is rotatably connected to the support block by a first shaft rotatably disposed in the first side of the support block, wherein a second hand grip is rotatably connected to the support block by a second shaft rotatably disposed in the second side of the support block. 
     In operation, a user opens the channel door, inserts a handle of a conventional dumbbell, then pivots the channel door closed and secures it in the closed position. The user grabs the exercise support bar in both hands, having one hand on the first hand grip and a second hand on the second hand grip. Then, the user performs one or more exercises, wherein with each movement of the exercise support bar, the first and second hand grips remain in the desired position while the dumbbell freely rotates and remains in the vertical position between the hand grips. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the exercise support bar is generally concave in shape, having a swivel handle on each end, and in the center having a means for securing a dumbbell wherein the dumbbell can swivel in relation to the two handles. This embodiment of the exercise support bar is an elongated bar divided into three sections: first, center, and second, wherein the first and second sections are slightly bent off the horizontal axis toward the center section. This bending, or concave, nature of the exercise support bar is a more ergonomic shape for a user and allows the user to maintain a more natural position of his/her arms and hands during a workout. 
     The alternative exercise bar of the present invention also has hand stops located at each end of the exercise support bar that prevents the exercise support bar from slipping from the user&#39;s hand during a workout. 
     There are several advantages with using an exercise support bar of the present invention. First, the exercise support bar allows a user to have a natural hold on the exercise support bar while exercising as opposed to the twisting and unnatural position of the hands that occurs when using solely a conventional dumbbell to exercise lat muscles and triceps muscle groups. Second, the exercise support bar allows an individual to use any type of commercially available dumbbell, either a dumbbell on which various weights may be added/removed or a dumbbell of a fixed weight, e.g., preassembled dumbbell. Third, a dumbbell is secured to the exercise support bar via the center bar of the dumbbell, thereby leaving the two weighted ends of the dumbbell free for adjustment. Thus, a user is not limited to a specific weight on the dumbbell but can make adjustments to the weight of a dumbbell without removing the dumbbell from the exercise support bar. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an exercise support bar of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a exploded perspective view of a support block; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional planar view of the connection the shafts of the present invention with the support block; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shaft and its connection with the support block; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user exercising with the exercise support bar and a conventional dumbbell; 
     FIG. 6 is a planar side view of an alternative exercise support bar of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a planar top view of the alternative exercise support bar in a closed position holding a conventional dumbbell; 
     FIG. 8 is a planar top view of the alternative exercise support bar in an open position; and 
     FIG. 9 is a planar side view of an overlay. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the preferred embodiment of an exercise support bar  100  of the present invention. The exercise support bar  100  comprises a means for removably securing a dumbbell, a first hand grip  104  rotatably connected to a first side  152  of the means for removably securing the dumbbell, and a second hand grip  114  rotatably connected to a second side  154  of the means for removably securing the dumbbell. The preferred means for removably securing the dumbbell is a support block  102  having a top side  148 , a bottom side  150 , a front side  156 , a back side  158 , a first side  152 , a second side  154 , a channel  132  passing through the support block  102  from the top side  148  to the bottom side  150 , and a means for removably locking the channel  132 . The exercise support bar  100  is preferably made of stainless steel, but this is for convenience purpose only. The exercise support bar  100  of the present invention may be made of any strong material, e.g., metal, composite, and the like, that can withstand the load and stresses of exercising with a dumbbell. 
     Also in the preferred embodiment, the means for removably locking the channel  132  is a channel door  142  pivotally connected to the support block  102 , resulting in the channel door  142  having a closed position and an open position. Specifically, the channel door  142  is generally T-shaped having a top extension  214  and a bottom portion  216 . The top extension  214  is rounded on both ends, thereby having a rounded first top extension end  232  and a rounded second top extension end  234 . In operation, the channel door  142  closes off the channel  132  in that the channel  132  has an opening through the front side  156  of the support block  102 . Therefore, during use, a user inserts the handle of a conventional dumbbell into the channel  132  of the support block  102  wherein the dumbbell is held in place by the user securing the channel door  142  in place in a closed position. 
     The channel door  142  is pivotally connected to the support block  102  by a spring assembly  222 . The spring assembly  222  provides the means for the channel door  142  to be pivotally connected to the support block  102  wherein the channel door  142  can pivot between an open position and a closed position. The spring assembly  222  comprises a pivot pin  238 , a spring  228 , and a pin aperture  208 . In the preferred embodiment, the pivot pin  238  is an elongated shaft having a narrow portion  224  and a thick portion  226 , such that the narrow portion  224  of the pivot pin  238  is inserted through the spring  228  and the spring  228  rests on the thick portion  226  of the pivot pin  238 . The pin aperture  208  has a shape and dimensions that match the shape and dimensions of the pivot pin  238  and the spring  228 , resulting in a narrow pin aperture portion  210  and a thick pin aperture portion  212 . The pin aperture  208  passes through the support block  102  from the top side  148  to the bottom side  150 . In the preferred embodiment, the narrow portion  224  of the pivot pin  238  is adjacent to the top side  148  of the pivot pin  238  and the thick portion  226  of the pivot pin  238  is adjacent to the back side  150 . The pivot pin  238  is positioned such that the narrow portion  224  is rigidly attached to the rounded second top extension end  234  of the channel door  142 . 
     The pivot pin  238  with the spring  228  is inserted into the pin aperture  208  via the thick pin aperture portion  212 . The pivot pin  238  is then pressed until the narrow end  230  of the narrow portion  224  protrudes through the pin aperture  208  and through the top side  148  of the support block  102 . The narrow end  230  is then rigidly secured, e.g. welded, in a channel door pin aperture  218  located in the rounded second top extension end  234 . 
     In operation, a user simply pushes up on the channel door  142 , thereby lifting the channel door  142  via the spring assembly  222 . Once in the raised position, the user swings, or pivots, the channel door  142  from the closed position to an open position. 
     The present invention is described in terms of a support block  102 , channel door  142  and spring assembly  222  for convenience purpose only. It would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to design and implement a comparable means for removably securing a dumbbell to the exercise support bar  100  and for removably locking the channel  132  of the present invention. 
     There are two means by which the channel door  142  is secured to the support block  102  in a closed position. The first means comprises a locking knob  220  protruding under the rounded first top extension end  232  of the channel door&#39;s  142  top extension  214  and a knob aperture  204  in the support block  102  having the general shape and size of the locking knob  220 . The knob aperture  204  is located such that when in the closed position, the locking knob  220  is aligned with the knob aperture  204 . Therefore, when in the closed position, the locking knob  220  is held in the knob aperture  204 , thereby securing the channel door  142  in the closed position and preventing it from opening. 
     The second means for securing the channel door  142  in the closed position in the support block  102  functions as a backup safety catch. The second means is a first recessed portion  202  in the top side  148  of the support block  102  having a shape and dimensions that matches and receives the rounded first top extension end  232 , and a second recessed portion  206  in the top side  148  of the support block  102  having a shape and dimensions that matches and receives the rounded second top extension end  234 . In addition, the support block  102  has a flange  236  on the top side  148  that extends around the rounded first top extension end  232  such that the flange  236  blocks the rounded first top extension end  232  from moving or sliding out of the first recessed portion  202 . 
     Therefore, when in the closed position, the top extension  214  of the channel door  142  fits within the first recessed portion  202  and the second recessed position  206  of the top side  148  of the support block  102 . The channel door  142  is secured in place because the locking knob  220  is secure within the knob aperture  204 , and is further secured in place by the flange  236 . To open the channel door, the user pushes, or pulls, up on the channel door  142 , thereby engaging the spring assembly  222 , until the top extension  214  clears the first recessed portion  202 , the second recessed portion  206 , and the top side  148  of the support block  102 . Once in the raised position, the user swings, or pivots, the channel door  142  into the open position wherein the pivot point is the pivot pin  238  within the pin aperture  208 . The user may leave the channel door  142  in the open position by lowering the channel door  142 . 
     To close the channel door  142 , the user again raises the channel door  142  via the spring assembly until the locking knob  220  is above the top side  148  of the support block  102 . Once it is raised, the user swings or pivots the channel door  142  back to the closed position then lowers the channel door  142  until the top extension  214  is placed within the first recessed portion  202  and the second recessed portion  206 , and the locking knob  220  fits within the knob aperture  204 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first hand grip  104  and the second hand grip  114  of the exercise support bar  100  are generally D-shaped having a handle portion  106 ,  116  and an arched portion  108 ,  118 . The use of a D-shaped hand grip  104 ,  114  is for convenience purpose only. It would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to use a different shaped hand grip  104 ,  114 . 
     Also in the preferred embodiment, the handle portion  106 ,  116  of the first hand grip  104  and the second hand grip  114  incorporate a means for improving a user&#39;s grip. The preferred means is a plurality of etchings in the surface of the handle portion  106 ,  116 , thereby creating a textured surface, which strengthen the user&#39;s grip and assists in the prevention of slippage. In an alternative embodiment, the means for improving the user&#39;s grip is a cushion overlaid on top of the handle portion  106 ,  116 , wherein the cushion is made of a rubber, composite, or foam material. 
     One important feature of the present invention is that the first hand grip  104  is rotatably connected to the first side  152  of the support block  102  by a first shaft  112 , as seen by a first arrow  160 , and the second hand grip  114  is rotatably connected to the second side  154  of the support block  102  by a second shaft  122 , as seen by a second arrow  162 . For convenience purpose only, the rotatable connection of the present invention is described in terms of the first hand grip  104 . The description is equally applicable to the rotatable connection between the second hand grip  114  and the support block  102 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first hand grip  104  is attached to the support block  102  by a first shaft  112 . Specifically, the first shaft  112  is fit within a first shaft aperture  124  in the support block  102  extending from the first side  152  of the support block  102  to the channel  132 . The first shaft  112  is positioned such that the end  160  of the first shaft  112  is flush with the interior wall of the channel  132 . Also, a composite, e.g., plastic, bushing  126  is fit over the first shaft  112  within the first shaft aperture  124  to facilitate the rotation of the first shaft  112  in the support block  102 , see first arrow  160 . 
     The first shaft  112  has a groove  402  positioned in proximity with the end  160  of the first shaft  112 . Therefore, the means for rotating the first shaft  112  within the first shaft aperture  124  is a first screw  136  that is fixed within the support block  102  extending from the top side  148  to the bottom side  150  via a first screw aperture  134 . The first screw  136  is positioned such that the first screw  136  fits within the groove  402  of the first shaft  112 . Therefore, the diameter of the first screw  136  is less than the width of the groove  402 . This positioning of the first screw  136  allows the first shaft  112  to freely rotate within the first shaft aperture  124  around a longitudinal axis  302 , see first arrow  160 , without moving or sliding out of the first shaft aperture  124 . Operationally, the first screw  136  passes through the bushing  126 , resulting in the first shaft  112  to rotate within the bushing  126  in the first shaft aperture  124 . 
     As stated above, the discussion regarding the rotatable connection of the first hand grip  104  to the support block  102  is equally applicable to the rotatable connection of the second hand grip  114  to the support block  102 , see second arrow  162 , which comprises a second shaft  122  with a groove, a second shaft aperture  128 , a second bushing  130 , a second screw  140 , and a second screw aperture  138 . 
     Also in the preferred embodiment, the exercise support bar  100  incorporates a means for removably attaching the exercise support bar  100  to a pulley weight system. The preferred means is a plate  144 , having an aperture  146 , rigidly attached, e.g., by welding, to the back side  158  of the support block  102 . In operation, a user attaches the exercise support bar  100  to a conventional pulley weight system by hooking the pulley to the plate  144 . When finished exercising, the user simply disengages the pulley. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user  502  holding and exercising with the exercise support bar  100  of the present invention using a conventional dumbbell  508 . In operation, a user  502  secures a dumbbell  508  in the channel  132  of the exercise support bar  100 . Specifically, the user  502  opens the channel door  142  by lifting up on the channel door  142  until the locking knob  220  clears the knob aperture  204  and the top side  148  of the support block  102 . Once the channel door  142  is raised, the user  502  swings the locking door  142  into an open position. Next, the user  502  places the handle  512  of the dumbbell  508  into the channel  132  and secures it in the exercise support bar  100  by swinging the channel door  142  into the closed position and lowering the channel door  142  until the locking knob  220  is in the knob aperture  204  and the top extension  214  fits within the first recessed portion  202  and the second recessed portion  206  of the support block  102 . 
     Upon picking up the exercise support bar  100 , the dumbbell  508  automatically moves into a vertical position because the first hand grip  104  and the second hand grip  114  are pivotally connected to the support block  102 . In the vertical position, the first head  510  of the dumbbell  508  rests on the top side  148  of the support block  102  with the second head  514  suspended below the bottom side  150  of the support block  102 . The dumbbell  508  will remain in the vertical position regardless of how the user  502  moves his hands  504 ,  506 , i.e., whether the user  502  raises or lowers his hands  504 ,  506 . 
     Once the dumbbell  508  is secured in the support block  102 , the user  502  holds the handle portion  106  of the first hand grip  104  with a first hand  504  and holds the handle portion  116  of the second hand grip  114  with his/her second hand  506 . The user  502  then performs the desired exercise with the exercise support bar  100  wherein the dumbbell  508  rotates freely between the first hand grip  104  and the second hand grip  114 . When the exercise is complete, the user  502  may remove the dumbbell  508  from the support block  102  of the exercise support bar  100 . 
     FIGS. 6-9 illustrate an alternative exercise support bar  600  of the present invention. In this embodiment, the exercise support bar  600  comprises an elongated bar  612  having a first section  624   a , a center section  622  and a second section  624   b . In the preferred embodiment, the first section  624   a  and second section  624   b  are tilted off the horizontal axis  626  by about fifteen (15) degrees, resulting in a handle angle  608 . The use of fifteen (15) degrees is for convenience only. It would be readily apparent for one of ordinary skill in the relevant art(s) to use a different handle angle  608 . Furthermore, the design of a first section  624   a , center section  622  and second section  624   b  is also for convenience only. It would be readily apparent for one of ordinary skill in the relevant art(s) to use a comparable concave shape, or a straight elongated bar  612 . 
     Also in this embodiment, the first section  624   a  comprises a first swivel handle  606   a  and the second section  624   b  comprises a second swivel handle  606   b . The use of swivel handles  606   a,b  are well known in the relevant arts. It would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant arts to use a swivel handle  606   a,b  or comparable means for rotatably connecting handles to the center section  622 . In operation, when a dumbbell  616  is secured within the center section  622  of the exercise support bar  600 , the swivel handles  606   a,b  rotate during movement of the exercise support bar  600  to allow natural positioning of the dumbbell  616  throughout the movement. Furthermore, a handgrip  610   a,b  is positioned around each swivel handle  606   a,b  to provide a user with a better grip on the exercise support bar  600 . At the distal end  626   a,b  of each swivel handle  606   a,b  a hand stop  602   a,b  is located to prevent a user&#39;s hand from slipping during a workout. In the preferred embodiment, the hand grips  610   a,b  are either a rubber coated or a steel surface having an optional textured surface. 
     The exercise support bar  600  of the present invention also comprises a means for securing a dumbbell  616  in the center section  622 . In the preferred embodiment, the center section  622  comprises a top arm  704  and a bottom arm  710  that are pivotally connected to each other via a pivot pin  706  such that the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  can be rotated between a closed position and an open position. The top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  each are shaped with a matching half circle portion  702   a,b  such that when in the closed position, an aperture  712  results in the middle of the center section  622  having a diameter through which the center bar  618  of a dumbbell  616  can pass. The center section  622  also comprises a means for securing the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  in the closed position. In the preferred embodiment, the means for securing the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  is a bolt  714  and wing nut  604  assembly. The means for securing a dumbbell  616  in the center section  622  of the exercise support bar  600  and the means for securing the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  in the closed position are described in these terms for convenience purpose only. It would be readily apparent for one of ordinary skill in the relevant art(s) to design comparable means for securing the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710 , e.g., the use of a clip, fastener, or other interlocking assembly means for securing the top bar  704  and the bottom bar  710 . 
     The center section  622  also comprises a raised portion  614 . Specifically, the top half circle portion  702   a  of the top arm  704  comprises one half of the raised portion  614  and the bottom half circle portion  702   b  of the bottom arm  710  comprises the second half of the raised portion  614 . Therefore, when the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  are in the closed position, the complete raised portion  614  surrounds the aperture  712 , thereby providing a raised flat portion on which the weights  620   a  of a dumbbell  616  rest. The raised portion  614  also serves as a spacer between the weights  620   a  of the dumbbell  616  and the wing nut  604  allowing the wing nut  604  complete rotation so it can be easily attached and removed. 
     In operation, a user removes the wing nut  604  and rotates the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  into the open position. After selecting a dumbbell  616  of a desired weight, the user inserts the center bar  618  of the dumbbell  616  into the aperture  712  between the half circle portions  702   a,b  of the top bar  704  and bottom bar  710 . The user rotates the top bar  704  and the bottom bar  710  into the closed position with the center bar  618  of the dumbbell  616  passing through the aperture  712 . Lastly, the user reattaches the wing nut  604  to the center section  622  to secure the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  in the closed position, thereby locking the dumbbell  616  within the exercise support bar  600 . The first end weights  620   a  and the second end weights  620   b  of the dumbbell  616  prevent the dumbbell  616  from slipping through the aperture  712 . Therefore, the dumbbell  616  is secured within the center section  622  of the exercise support bar  600 . To remove the dumbbell  616  from the exercise support bar  600 , the user simply removes the wing nut  604 , rotates the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  into the open position, and removes the dumbbell  616 . 
     FIG. 8 is a planar side view of the exercise support bar  600  with the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  of the center section  622  in an opened position. FIG. 9 is a planar side view of an overlay  802  as used with the means for securing the top bar  704  with the bottom bar  710 . In these figures, an overlay  802  is incorporated into the top arm  704  above the wing nut screw  806  for added strength and safety of the exercise support bar  600 . As described above, to secure the top arm  704  and the bottom arm  710  the two arms  704 ,  710  are brought together with the wing nut screw  714  passing through the wing nut screw aperture  804  in the bottom arm  710  and secured with the wing nut  604 . In this embodiment, the overlay  802  is a male-type component (e.g. a “notch”) located in the top bar  704  that fits within a female-type component (e.g. a “groove”)  806  located in the bottom bar  710 . This male/female component notch-effect provides an additional means for safely securing the top bar  704  and bottom bar  710 . That is, if the wing nut  604  loosens or drops off, the overlay  802  is caught via the groove  806 , thereby providing a safety catch for the user and preventing the dumbbell  616  from slipping from the exercise support bar  600  and hitting him/her. 
     CONCLUSION 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by the way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the specification and the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined in accordance with the specification and any equivalents.