Patent Publication Number: US-9409049-B1

Title: Push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of exercise equipment, more specifically, a dumbbell-supporting bracket that can be used as either a push-up stand or as a means to perform multiple exercises with multiple dumbbells. 
     There are a multitude of different types of exercises that can be performed in connection with a dumbbell. Often, varying dumbbell sizes are required when performing different arm-strengthening exercises that utilize different muscle groups. When multiple dumbbell sizes are required, it can become expensive to purchase multiple pairs of dumbbells. Additionally, there is a space requirement that comes in when handling a plurality of dumbbell sets as they collectively can take up a lot of space. It has long been desirable to provide a dumbbell set that can adjust the weight by employing different means. 
     The device of the present application seeks to overcome the financial burden in purchasing and storing multiple dumbbell sets by providing a dumbbell-supporting bracket that can support two dumbbells thereon. The dumbbell-supporting bracket enables an end user to combine two dumbbells of equal or varying weight together in order to accomplish a particular arm-strengthening exercise that require varying amounts of weight. Once more, the device of the present application may be further used as a push-up stand. 
     B. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     As will be discussed immediately below, no prior art discloses a dumbbell-supporting bracket that is composed of an inverted “V”-shaped bracket that includes two locations with which dumbbells may be supported and an elevated grip for use in manipulating the dumbbell-supporting bracket; wherein two dumbbells of equal or varying weights are inserted into the respective locations and thereafter an end user can perform arm-strengthening exercises that traditionally involve a dumbbell; alternatively an end user can lay the bracket upon the ground with or without dumbbells supported thereon, and wherein said bracket acts as a push-up stand; wherein the locations for support of dumbbells are able to support dumbbells of varying weights. 
     The Emick Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,274) discloses a dumbbell lifting apparatus with a handle. However, the apparatus is not capable of resting itself upon a ground, and or used in conjunction with a push-up styled exercise. 
     The Agan Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,897) discloses an exercise apparatus for performing a push-up. However, the apparatus does not support two dumbbells for use in arm-strengthening exercises or as a push-up stand. 
     The Johannson et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,573) discloses an exercise device with a handgrip for performing push-up exercises. However, the exercise device does not support dumbbells thereon for use as either a push-up stand or in use as arm-strengthening exercises similar to use with dumbbells. 
     The Duty Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,380) discloses a grip bar for use when performing push-up exercises. Again, the grip bar is only for use with push up exercises, and not for supporting dumbbells in connection with arm-strengthening exercises. 
     The Tsay et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 354,100) illustrates an ornamental design for a push-up exercise stand, which does not depict dumbbells supported thereon. 
     The Dubrul et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 7,318,793) discloses a device that allows the forces required to do push-ups and pull-ups. Again, the device does not allow for support of dumbbells thereon and in use in connection with arm-strengthening exercises that traditionally involve the use of dumbbells. 
     The Rozenblad Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,525) discloses a multiple exercise device. Again, the device is only for use with push up exercises, and not for supporting dumbbells in connection with arm-strengthening exercises. 
     The Ngu Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 7,678,031) discloses a weight adjustable dumbbell for performing push-ups. However, the adjustable dumbbell is not a dumbbell-supporting bracket that can be used as a push-up stand or as a means of conducting arm-strengthening exercises by attaching dumbbells of equal or varying weights thereon. 
     The Erkhaus Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,445) discloses an adjustable exercise bell. However, the adjustable exercise bell is not a stand that can support dumbbells of equal or varying weights thereon for use as either a push-up stand or in connection with arm-strengthening exercises that are traditionally conducted with a dumbbell. 
     While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a dumbbell-supporting bracket that is composed of an inverted “V”-shaped bracket that includes two locations with which dumbbells may be supported and an elevated grip for use in manipulating the dumbbell-supporting bracket; wherein two dumbbells of equal or varying weights are inserted into the respective locations and thereafter an end user can perform arm-strengthening exercises that traditionally involve a dumbbell; alternatively an end user can lay the bracket upon the ground with or without dumbbells supported thereon, and wherein said bracket acts as a push-up stand; wherein the locations for support of dumbbells are able to support dumbbells of varying weights of dumbbells are able to support dumbbells of varying weights. In this regard, the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket is composed of an inverted “V”-shaped bracket that can support dumbbells on opposing side locations, and in which a handle is provided above and central to said bracket. Dumbbells of equal or differing weights may be supported on said bracket and lifted via said handle in order to conduct different arm-strengthening exercises. The dumbbell-supporting bracket may be further used as a push-up stand regardless of whether dumbbells are supported at said locations. The dumbbell-supporting bracket enables varying weighted or like weighted dumbbells to be supported in order to produce a varying overall weight without requiring multiple dumbbell sets of varying weights. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a dumbbell-supporting bracket that can be used as a push-up stand or used in connection with arm-strengthening exercises that traditionally involve dumbbells. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a dumbbell-supporting bracket that resembles an inverted “V”-shaped bracket. 
     An even further object of the invention is to provide a dumbbell-supporting bracket that can support two dumbbells at opposing side locations of the bracket, and a handle is located above and central to said bracket. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a bracket that can support dumbbells or equal or varying weights such that the overall weight can be adjusted by interchanging dumbbells thereon. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a dumbbell-supporting bracket that includes a non-skid pad surface along a bottom of said dumbbell-supporting bracket thereby providing a place with which to form traction with ground when in use as a push-up stand. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide side locations that support a dumbbell therein consisting of a “U” shaped member such that a dumbbell is easily secured and supported thereon as well as easily removed therefrom. 
     An even further object of the invention is to provide a handle that is covered in a hand-gripping material that aids an end user in grabbing the device. 
     These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket in detail, it is to be understood that the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket. 
     It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention: 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket by itself and detailing the inverted “V”-shaped bracket as well as the “U” shaped members located at each side location; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of dumbbells aligned above the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket in which arrows indicate the placement of the dumbbells into the side locations defined by the “U” shaped members; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket in which detail is provided as to the handle as well as to a dumbbell situated within the nearest side location as well as a larger dumbbell being depicted in dashed lines; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket in use as a push-up stand in which an end user is holding handles of two opposing dumbbell-supporting brackets; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of two dumbbell-supporting brackets each loaded with dumbbells thereon and held by the handles, and detailing an arm-strengthening exercise (dumbbell circle) being performed therein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     Detailed reference will now be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 . A push-up stand and dumbbell-supporting bracket  100  (hereinafter invention) includes two inverted “V”-shaped brackets  101  that are separated by a depth  102 . The “V”-shaped brackets  101  are each defined by “U”-shaped members  103  that form side locations  104 . 
     The side locations  104  and the “U”-shaped members  103  collectively form the means with which dumbbells  130  may be supported on the invention  100 . 
     The depth  102  is a predefined length that shall be less than a handle length  131  of the dumbbell  130 . Moreover, the depth  102  is a function of a handle  105  and non-skid pads  106  used to hold together the “V”-shaped brackets  101 . 
     The handle  105  is located at a top-most portion of the invention  100 . That being said, the “U”-shaped members  103  and dumbbells  130  are located at a lower elevation when compared to the handle  105 . The handle  105  may be covered in a gripping material  105 A, which may improve the ability to grip the invention  100  by hand  140  of an end user  141 . 
     The “V”-shaped members  101  may include cross-braces  101 A that further support the “V”-shaped members  101  when in use as a push-up stand (see  FIG. 4 ). The cross-braces  101 A attach inside of the “V”-shaped member  101 , and insures that a span  107  formed between the opposing “U”-shaped members  103  is preserved. In said situation, the cross-braces  101 A shall prevent the “V”-shaped members  101  from folding outwardly and collapsing when in use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the “U” shaped members  103  shall have an opening defined with a width  103 A through which a handle  132  portion of the dumbbell  130  may be inserted, and rest thereon. It shall be noted that the width  103 A shall be greater than a width  132 A of the handle  132  portion of the dumbbell  130 . 
     The non-skid pads  106  accomplish two tasks: (1) to support the “V”-shaped members  101  at the depth  102  proscribed therein, and (2) to support the invention  100  when in use as a push up stand (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The non-skid pads  106  may include a rubber pad  106 A along a bottom of the non-skid pad  106 , and which creates traction with a ground surface  150 . 
     It shall be noted that the “V”-shaped brackets  101 , the cross-braces  101 A, the handle  105 , and the non-skid pads  106  shall be made of a material comprising a durable plastic, metal, or a carbon fiber composite. Moreover, provided said parts are made of metal, then welding shall be used to secure said parts together in order to form the invention  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the dumbbells  130  may be of equal or varying weights, and shall be selected at the preference of the end user  141 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the end user  140  appears to be conducting a dumbbell curl exercise with the invention  100  supporting dumbbells  130  thereon. It shall be noted that the dumbbell exercise is one of many types of arm-strengthening exercises that may be accomplished with the invention  100 . It shall be further noted that the term “arm-strengthening exercises” is being used to refer to an exercise that is traditionally accomplished with a dumbbell. It shall be noted that the other types of arm-strengthening exercises are well known in the field of dumbbell exercises. 
     The end user  140  may be using a single invention  100  loaded with dumbbells  130  or two inventions  100  loaded with dumbbells  130  as needed. 
     With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention  100 , to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and the 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 invention  100 . 
     It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.