Patent Publication Number: US-6340341-B1

Title: Weighted device for maintaining the arm in a proper position for maximizing pectoral muscle exercising

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a weight device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a weight device for maintaining the arm in a proper position for maximizing pectoral muscle exercising. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous innovations for weight exercising devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention. 
     A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,617,650 to Landis teaches an exercising device comprising a free unitary structure and including an arm receiving ring, a handle spaced from said ring and disposed substantially parallel to a diameter thereof, side bars extending in spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship between said ring and said handle and each secured at one end to said ring and at its other end to said handle, pins connected one to each side bar for movements of adjustment longitudinally of the side bars, and projecting outwardly from the corresponding side bars, and weights mounted on said pins. 
     A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,819,081 to Touraine teaches an exerciser comprising a platform, an upwardly directed outer ring secured to said platform, an inner ring having an annular groove extending about its outer circumference and having a diametrical hand-grip secured thereto, and single means for retaining said inner ring concentric with and rotatable within said outer ring and for permitting at will variation of the forces required to rotate said inner ring with respect to said outer ring, said single means comprising a plurality of set screws disposed about the circumference of said outer ring and extending therethrough into the annular groove in said inner ring and into at will variable frictional engagement with the bottom wall of said groove. 
     A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,183 to Sakuradia teaches a device for exercising and strengthening the human wrist, which comprises a concave trough with two parallel spaced members projecting from one end thereof and a grip rotatably mounted on the elongated member. Springs provide a force which rotates the grip away from the longitudinal axis of the concave trough. The device fits on the human forearm directly above the wrist and provides wrist strengthening exercises for the user by means of the grip being biased by the force of the springs against the flexing of the wrist. 
     A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,908 to Pugh et al. teaches an elongated body including first and second opposite sides. A shank-type handgrip projects endwise outwardly from one side of the body at one end thereof and a forearm encircling open frame projects outwardly of the same side of the body at the other end thereof. An elongated shank-type weight support structure projects endwise outwardly of the other side of the body centrally intermediate the opposite ends thereof and is adapted to have conventional apertured disc-type weights mounted thereon. The apparatus comprising the body, the handgrip, the frame and the shank-type weight supporting structure is adapted to be used by a person wishing to exercise his upper arm and shoulders and to develop the “forearm blow” utilized in high school, college and professional football blocking. 
     A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,756 to Hoagland teaches an adjustable dumbbell apparatus which is particularly adapted to maintain the arms of the exerciser in a straight orientation when used with weighted members which includes a circumferential member defining a hole therethrough through which the arm of the exerciser is adapted to extend. A first and second strut are fixedly secured to the circumferential member to be parallel with respect to the hole therein and extend upwardly therefrom. A grip extends between the upper ends of the struts such that the user can grasp this grip when his arm is extending through the hole in the circumferential member. A weighted support bar is adapted to extend outwardly from the circumferential member and is fixedly secured thereto. The weighted support member extends outwardly perpendicular approximately with respect to the axis of the hole in such a fashion as to use the weights when placed on the weight support member to urge the arm of the exerciser into the straight orientation. Alternatively, a collar may be threadably securable to the externally threaded bar of the weight support member to facilitate securement of weighted members thereto. Also alternatively, the individual struts may be formed of an outer tubular member and an inner member which telescopically moves with respect to one another to adjust the distance between the circumferential member and the grip. 
     A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,740 to Green teaches a weight training device that includes a splint-like member adapted to be attached to the underside of the forearm of a person engaged in exercising with training weights. The splint-like member extends from a point sufficiently below the elbow to permit flexing of the arm to a point in the palm of the hand. Structures are provided for attaching the splint-like member to the forearm and for attaching a training weight, such as a dumbbell or barbell, at the wrist section of the splint-like member. The splint-like member is curved upwardly at the palm end so as to provide a grip for the fingers. 
     A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,190 to Montgomery teaches a method together with an apparatus for exercising shoulder muscles wherein a weight is utilized by hanging over the upper arm and the hand of the same arm controls and manipulates the weight and the shoulder muscle system by movement of the hand and arm cooperatively with the weight. 
     A EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,345 to Frey teaches an exercise apparatus for an arm of a user which includes a support having a first part for supporting and extending along a portion of the user and a second part having an outwardly curved portion for supporting the wrist of the user in an extended position to increase the work load on the upper arm or biceps during exercise. 
     A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,484 to Carpenter teaches an auxiliary handle for a dumbbell that includes a pair of weighted hook members each joined to a handle by a threaded stud. The hook members are adapted to engage the handle of a dumbbell. The studs are oppositely threaded so that rotation of the handle in one direction moves the hook members away from each other and into engagement with the dumbbell weights, thus securing the auxiliary handle to the dumbbell. The auxiliary handle may be used by a spotter to assist in handling the dumbbell. 
     It is apparent that numerous innovations for weight exercising devices have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a weight device for maintaining the arm in a proper position for maximizing pectoral muscle exercising that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a weight device for maintaining the arm in a proper position for maximizing pectoral muscle exercising that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a weight device for maintaining the arm in a proper position for maximizing pectoral muscle exercising that is simple to use. 
     BRIEFLY STATED, YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a weight device for maintaining the arm in a proper position for maximizing pectoral muscle exercising. The device includes an arm-capturing bracket, a hand-engaging handle, and a weight-engaging shaft. The arm-capturing bracket includes an upper arm-capturing bracket, and a lower arm-capturing bracket that extends perpendicularly from the upper arm-capturing bracket. The upper and lower arm-capturing brackets are U-shaped plates and meet each other at an elbow-engaging sleeve. The hand-engaging handle includes an arm that extends vertically upwardly from the lower arm-engaging bracket. The weight-engaging shaft extends through and past the elbow-engaging sleeve and receives a weight. In an alternate embodiment, the arm-capturing bracket is adjustable for different sized arms. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of the present invention in use; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by arrow  2  in FIG. 1 of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic end elevational view taken generally in the direction of arrow  3  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by arrow  4  in FIG. 1 of a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic end elevational view taken generally in the direction of arrow  5  in FIG.  4 . 
     First Embodiment 
       10  weight device of present invention for maintaining arm  12  in proper position for maximizing pectoral muscle  14  exercising 
       12  arm 
       14  pectoral muscle 
       16  arm-capturing bracket 
       18  hand-engaging handle 
       20  weight-engaging shaft 
       22  pair of ends of weight-engaging shaft  20   
       24  upper arm-capturing bracket of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       26  lower arm-capturing bracket of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       28  U-shaped plate of upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       30  top plate of U-shaped plate  28  of upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       32  pair of longitudinal edges of top plate  30  of U-shaped plate  28  of upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       34  pair of side plates of U-shaped plate  28  of upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       36  shoulder-facing edges of pair of side plates  34  of U-shaped plate  28  of upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       38  U-shaped plate of lower arm-capturing bracket  26  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       40  top plate of U-shaped plate  38  of lower arm-capturing 
     bracket  26  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       42  pair of longitudinal edges of top plate  40  of U-shaped plate  38  of lower arm-capturing bracket  26  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       44  pair of side plates of U-shaped plate  38  of lower arm-capturing bracket  26  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       46  hand-facing edges of pair of side plates  44  of U-shaped plate  38  of lower arm-capturing bracket  26  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       48  elbow-engaging sleeve of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       50  pair of ends of elbow-engaging sleeve  48  of arm-capturing bracket  16   
       51  arm of hand-engaging handle  18   
       52  free end of arm  51  of hand-engaging handle  18  for providing clearance for hand during exercising 
       54  handle of hand-engaging handle  18  for gripping by hand during exercising 
       56  weight 
       58  one clip of weight-engaging shaft  20  for replaceably maintaining weight  56  on weight-engaging shaft  20  during exercising 
     Second Embodiment 
       110  weight device 
       116  arm-capturing bracket 
       124  upper arm-capturing bracket of arm-capturing bracket  116   
       126  lower arm-capturing bracket of arm-capturing bracket  116   
       130  top plate of upper arm-capturing bracket  124  of arm-capturing bracket  116   
       140  top plate of lower arm-capturing bracket  126  of arm-capturing bracket  116   
       148  elbow-engaging sleeve of arm-capturing bracket  116   
       160  pair of top plates of top plate  130  of upper arm-capturing bracket  124  of arm-capturing bracket  116  for adjusting arm-capturing bracket  116  to adjusted position for different sized arms 
       162  pair of top plates of top plate  140  of lower arm-capturing bracket  124  of arm-capturing bracket  116   
       164  pair of elbow-engaging sleeves of elbow-engaging sleeve  148  of arm-capturing bracket  116   
       166  longitudinal wall of each sleeve of pair of elbow-engaging sleeves  164  of elbow-engaging sleeve  148  of arm-capturing bracket  116   
       168  threaded bore in longitudinal wall  166  of each sleeve of pair of elbow-engaging sleeves  164  of elbow-engaging sleeve  148  of arm-capturing bracket  116   
       170  screw of each sleeve of pair of elbow-engaging sleeves  164  of elbow-engaging sleeve  148  of arm-capturing bracket  116   
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, the weight device of the present invention is shown generally at  10  for maintaining the arm  12  in a proper position for maximizing pectoral muscle  14  exercising. 
     The configuration of a first embodiment of the weight device  10  can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The weight device  10  comprises an arm-capturing bracket  16 , a hand-engaging handle  18  that extends from the arm-capturing bracket  16 , and a weight-engaging shaft  20  that extends from the arm-capturing bracket  16  and has a pair of ends  22 . 
     The arm-capturing bracket  16  comprises an upper arm-capturing bracket  24 , and a lower arm-capturing bracket  26  that is fixedly attached to the upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of the arm-capturing bracket  16 . 
     The upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of the arm-capturing bracket  16  comprises a U-shaped plate  28  that has a top plate  30  that is horizontally-oriented and has a pair of longitudinal edges  32 , and a pair of side plates  34  that are vertically-oriented, depend form the pair of longitudinal edges  32  of the top plate  30  of the upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of the arm-capturing bracket  16 , respectively, and have shoulder-facing edges  36 . 
     The shoulder-facing edges  36  of the pair of side plates  34  of the upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of the arm-capturing bracket  16  are tapered for preventing interference with the shoulder muscles during exercising. 
     The lower arm-capturing bracket  26  of the arm-capturing bracket  16  comprises a U-shaped plate  38  that has a top plate  40  that is vertically-oriented, has a pair of longitudinal edges  42 , and extends perpendicularly upwardly from the top plate  30  of the upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of the arm-capturing bracket  16 , and a pair of side plates  44  that are vertically-oriented, extend horizontally outwardly from the pair of longitudinal edges  42  of the top plate  40  of the upper arm-capturing bracket  26  of the arm-capturing bracket  16 , respectively, and have hand-facing edges  46 . 
     The hand-facing edges  46  of the lower arm-capturing bracket  26  of the arm-capturing bracket  16  are tapered for preventing interference with the forearm muscles during exercising. 
     The upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of the arm-capturing bracket  16  meets the lower arm-capturing bracket  26  of the arm-capturing bracket  16  at an elbow-engaging sleeve  48  that is horizontally-oriented and has a pair of ends  50 . 
     The elbow-engaging sleeve  48  of the arm-capturing bracket  16  connects the top plate  30  of the upper arm-capturing bracket  24  of the arm-capturing bracket  16  perpendicularly to the top plate  40  of the lower arm-capturing bracket  26  of the arm-capturing bracket  16 . 
     The hand-engaging handle  18  comprises an arm  51  that is slender, elongated, and extends vertically upwardly from the top plate  40  of the lower arm-engaging bracket  26  of the arm-engaging bracket  16  to a free end  52 . 
     The free end  52  of the arm  51  of the hand-engaging handle  18  is offset from, and parallel to the arm  51  of the hand-engaging handle  18 , towards the upper arm-engaging bracket  24  of the arm-engaging bracket  16  for providing clearance for the hand during exercising. 
     The hand-engaging handle  18  further comprises a handle  54  that extends perpendicularly outwardly from the free end  52  of the arm  51  of the hand-engaging handle  18 , away from the upper arm-engaging bracket  24  of the arm-engaging bracket  16  for gripping by the hand during exercising. 
     The weight-engaging shaft  20  extends through and past the pair of ends  50  of the elbow-engaging sleeve  48  of the arm-capturing bracket  16  for receiving a weight  56 . 
     The weight-engaging shaft  20  comprises one clip  58  that is replaceably disposed on at least one end  22  of the weight-engaging shaft  20 , outboard of an associated end  50  of the elbow-engaging sleeve  48  of the arm-capturing bracket  16 , for replaceably maintaining the weight  56  on the weight-engaging shaft  20  during exercising. 
     The configuration of a second embodiment of the weight device  110  can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The weight device  110  is identical to the weight device  10 , except: 
     1) The top plate  130  of the upper arm-capturing bracket  124  of the arm-capturing bracket  116  is a pair of top plates  160  that are separate from, and overlie, each other and slide relative to each other for adjusting the arm-capturing bracket  116  to an adjusted position for different sized arms. 
     2) The top plate  140  of the lower arm-capturing bracket  126  of the arm-capturing bracket  116  is a pair of top plates  162  that are separate from, and overlie, each other and slide relative to each other, with each plate of the pair of top plates  162  of the lower arm-capturing bracket  126  of the arm-capturing bracket  116  being affixed to, and moving with, an associated top plate of the pair of top plates  160  of the upper arm-capturing bracket  124  of the arm-capturing bracket  116 . 
     3) The elbow-engaging sleeve  148  of the arm-capturing bracket  116  is a pair of elbow-engaging sleeves  164  that are separate and spaced from each other, with each sleeve of the pair of elbow-engaging sleeves  164  of the arm-capturing bracket  116  moving with an associated top plate  162  of the lower arm-capturing bracket  126  of the arm-capturing bracket  116  and an associated top plate  160  of the upper arm-capturing bracket  124  of the arm-capturing bracket  116 . 
     4) Each sleeve of the pair of elbow-engaging sleeves  164  of the arm-capturing bracket  116  has a longitudinal wall  166  with a threaded bore  168  extending therethrough. 
     5) Each sleeve of the pair of elbow-engaging sleeves  164  of the arm-capturing bracket  116  further has a screw  170  that threadably engages in the threaded bore  168  in the longitudinal wall  166  thereof, and when tightened, snugs up against the weight-engaging shaft  120  and maintains the arm-capturing bracket  116  in the adjusted position thereof. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a weight device for maintaining the arm in a proper position for maximizing pectoral muscle exercising, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.