Abstract:
An exercise bar for motocross muscle development. One embodiment has a bar and a special rocker member for use on floor exercises. A second embodiment has a spring-loaded pivot hub. That embodiment also has folding handgrips that make the device easy to story and carry. Both embodiments have handgrip eyes that can support the ends of the bar for a number of different exercises. Both embodiments have an eye that can support the handlebar as well. A sliding hook can be used to can carry weights and can act as a support when the device is used on a floor. The rocker member is an important feature that allows a user to do intensive push-up type exercises using the bar.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to exercise bars and particularly to exercise bars for training that are multifunctional. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The sport of motocross cycling (either on motorcycles or bicycles) and other sports involving vehicles such as snowmobiles and personal watercraft have been enjoyed for years by thousands of people. These activities, however, are athletic in nature and, as such, require proper conditioning to perform at optimum levels. At the competitive levels, these sports require excellent physical conditioning to be able to participate with any kind of competence. Areas of conditioning include the hands, arms, the chest, back and shoulders. Since these vehicles are steered using handlebars, hand, arm, the chest, back and shoulder strength and flexibility are essential. 
     There are exercises that can develop the hands, arms, the chest, back and shoulders. These exercises can be done on exercise equipment such as a multi-function gym machine, which has weight bars that can be attached to cables that can be weighted down further. Weights are attached to the machine and the bars are gripped by the user to pull the weights in a particular direction and with particular arm spacing. In this way, different muscle groups can be worked. 
     To meet this need, I developed an exercise bar that be attached to any multifunction gym, rower or resistance band device. This bar is now the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,918. 
     That device is an exercise bar shaped like a motocross handlebar. In that design, the user grips the bar as he/she would grip a regular motocross handlebar. Thus, when working out, the user works those muscles in the hands and arms that normally are used in motocross riding. That invention has two ends that are formed to simulate a true handlebar, with grips that simulate a true handlebar. A support bar is added to the top portion of the bar for added stiffness and to provide support for a retractable shaft for pulling exercises. A telescoping hook is also provided at the bottom to support a dumbbell that can be suspended at the bottom of the bar. The top support bar also has an opening to allow a clip from an exercise machine cable to be attached. In this way, the bar can be attached to the machine and the user can use the bar in various exercises with the machine. The advantage, of course, is that with the invention, the user gets the maximum benefit from the workout for motocross riding. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention has two main embodiments. It is an exercise bar that is shaped like a motocross style handlebar. In one embodiment, a self-locking, spring-loaded pivot hub that carries a new hook is used to allow the handlebars to pivot. The pivot hub is spring loaded for ease of use and extra security. This pivot feature allows the device to be used in different ways. 
     The bar can be fitted with folding handgrips that make the device easy to story and carry. The handgrips have receivers to receive inserts that can be used to support the bar from the ends for a number of different exercises. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the pivot hub is replaced by a clamp that secures the hook system to the handlebar. It also has an eye that can support the handlebar. Both embodiments also have a special rocker body that is attached to the bottom of the center hook. The rocker member gives more motion while doing the push ups. This rocker body is a major innovation in the use of exercise bars. Finally, a padded cover fits over the mechanical connections to protect the user during use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front, top, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front, top, perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention showing the handgrips in a partially folded position. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear, bottom perspective view of the second embodiment of invention with the handgrips in the extended position. 
         FIG. 4  is a detail view of one of the handgrips. 
         FIG. 5  is a side detail view of one of the handgrip inserts. 
         FIG. 6  is an end detail view of one of the handgrip inserts. 
         FIG. 7  is a detail view of the bottom sliding hook member. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the main components of the pivot hub. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the hook showing the lock and release mechanism. 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom detail view of the pivot hub on a handlebar. 
         FIG. 11  is a side detail view of the pivot hub on a handlebar. 
         FIG. 12  is a top detail view of the pivot hub on a handlebar. 
         FIG. 13  is a detail view of the inside of the pivot hub body. 
         FIG. 14  is a detail view of the pivot hub body showing a handlebar with a spring and pin prior to installation in the pivot hub body. 
         FIG. 15  is a detail view of the handlebar, spring and pin assembly installed in the pivot hub body. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of a rocker member that is attached to the hook for additional exercise variety. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the rocker member. 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the of the rocker member. 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of the of the rocker member. 
         FIG. 20  is a detail view of the rocker member installed on the hook. 
         FIG. 21  is a detail view of a user using the preferred embodiment in an actual floor exercise. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the preferred embodiment is shown. The invention  1  has a handlebar portion  2  that uses a 1⅛″ inch tapered bar to form the handlebar portion. Because the bar is shaped like a motocross style handlebar, the user is able to position his or her body and arms in similar positions to those experienced in actual motocross riding, which ensures that the user works the exact muscles needed in riding. Of course, other exercises can be done with the bar to develop overall fitness, which is also needed for proper motocross riding. 
     The device has a 3/16″ diameter center eye  3 . The device also has handgrips  4  at each end, as shown. Each of the handgrips has an attachment ring  5  to expand the possible uses of the device. In the preferred embodiment, these rings are stainless steel. The device also includes a removable push-up/pull-up skid plate  6  that is fitted with a rocker member  60 , as discussed below, to increase the range of exercises available. Finally, a padded cover  8  is included to protect users from the metal components during use. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment  10  of the invention. This embodiment has folding handgrips that make is more suitable for travel. It also has a pivoting handlebar that rotates from a first position to a second position. Although it makes the device somewhat more versatile, the extra features also make the device more expensive to manufacture. For this reason, it is not the preferred embodiment.  FIG. 2  shows the device  10  with the handgrips  11  in a partially folded position is shown. As before, the exercise bar is shaped like a handlebar. At the ends of the handlebar  12 , are two pivots  13 . These pivots are formed on the ends of the handlebar and the two handgrips  11 . Pivot pins  15  allow the handgrips to rotate as shown. In  FIG. 2 , the handgrips are not fully rotated into the storage position. They are normally folded back against the handlebar portion  12 . When opened, the pivot point lock to secure the handgrips in place. 
     In the center of the handlebar  12  is the pivot hub  40 . In this figure, it is concealed by the cover  16 . However, the sliding hook  17  and the attachment eye  18  are shown. 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the invention with the handgrips in the extended position. In this figure, the back side of the second embodiment  10  is shown. The handlebar  12  is shown with the handgrips  11  are rotated into their “in use” positions.  FIG. 3  also shows the inserts  20  that are placed in the ends of the handgrips as shown. These inserts are discussed below. At the center of the handlebar, the bottom of the hook  17  is shown. As discussed below, the hook  17  can slide back for storage or for close use, or can be extended to hold larger weights or for floor exercises (discussed below). In this view, the bottom of the cover  16  is also shown. 
       FIG. 4  is a detail view of one of the handgrips that can be used with either embodiment, although the simple handgrip of  FIG. 1  is preferred. Here a side view of the handgrip  11  is shown. The handgrip has a pivot member  13  that meshes with the pivot member  13   a  on the handlebar. A twist lock  19  is rotatably attached to the end of the handgrip. When the pivot members  13  and  13   a  are aligned, the twist lock  19  is rotated out until the pivot members  13  and  13   a  are locked together. To fold the handgrips, the twist lock is reversed until the pivot members are free. Of course, other types of locking devises may be used as well. At the other end of the handgrip is an insert  20 . The insert is optional and can be omitted. However, as discussed below, it provides an eye that is used to attach cables, resistance bands, or other exercise devices to expand the uses of the device. When in use, the insert  20  is locked into the end of the handgrip  11 . As noted above, it can be removed, if desired. 
       FIG. 5  is a side detail view of one of the handgrip inserts. Here, the insert  20  is shown removed from the handgrip. The insert has a long pin  21  that passes through a long housing  22 . An eye  23  is secured to the end of the pin  21  by a fastener  24  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
       FIG. 6  is an end detail view of one of the handgrip inserts. Here, the eye  23  and fastener  24  are shown at the end of the pin  21 . 
       FIG. 7  is a detail view of the bottom sliding hook member  17 . In this view, the sliding hook  17  is shown. The sliding hook has six fasteners  26  that secure two brackets (discussed below) to the other side of the hook, which then engage the slots in the pivot hub body (as discussed below). 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the main components of the pivot hub  40 . The pivot hub has several components that are attached to form the module. At the top is an eye plate  45  that has an eye  46  and holes  47  for fasteners (not shown). The center body  50  has an upper portion  50   a  and a lower portion  50   b . The upper block  50   a  has holes to accept fasteners that secure the eye plate and lower portion together. The handle bar and rotating mechanism (discussed below) are positioned inside the center body. The top of the hook  17  is shown with the brackets  51  that are attached to the top of the hook  17 . The brackets  51  engage the dovetail slots  52  that are formed in the bottom portion  50   b  of the center body. In this way, the hook can be pulled out or in as desired. To lock the hook into place, a spring clip  53 , made of spring steel, and block  54  are used. The spring clip  53  is secured in place over a slot  55  that is formed in the hook  17 . As the brackets slide in the dovetails  52  of the pivot block, the block  54  fits into a channel on the pivot block. This locks the hook in the extended position. To retract the hook, the user presses on the spring clip (through the slot  55 ), which causes the block to drop down so that the hook can be pushed back into the retracted position.  FIG. 9  shows a side view of the hook  17  showing the relationship of the spring clip  53  and the block  54 . 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom detail view of the center body on a handlebar. The handlebar  12 , as noted above, is positioned between the top portion of the center body and the lower portion  50   b  of the pivot hub. In this view, the dovetail slots  52  are shown. The slots have a stop  56  at the back of the slots to prevent the hook from sliding through the pivot hub. 
       FIG. 11  is a side detail view of the pivot hub on a handlebar. Here, the top portion  50   a  and the bottom portion  50   b , with dovetails  52 , are shown with the eye plate  45  in place around the handlebar  12 . 
       FIG. 12  is a top detail view of the pivot hub on a handlebar. Here, the eye plate  45  is shown secured to the center body with fasteners  26   
     As noted above, the second embodiment has a handlebar that can rotate from a first position to a second position. This is accomplished by a spring system installed in the pivot hub. The spring system is considered to be a means for causing said pivot hub to move from said first operating position to said second operating position and from said second operating position to said first operating position. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the pivot body is replaced with a clamp that secures the eye  3  to the handlebar in a fixed position. 
       FIG. 13  is a detail view of the inside of the top portion  50   a  of center body  50 . This portion has a cylindrical form  57  machined into it to receive the handlebar (not shown). In the center of the piece is a deeper cut  58  that holds a spring (see, e.g.,  FIG. 14 ). There is a curved slot  59  also machined that received the pin that holds tension on the spring. This mechanism acts as a means for locking the pivot hub in a first operating position and a means for locking the pivot hub in a second operating position. 
       FIG. 14  is a detail view of the pivot hub body showing a handlebar  12  with a spring  30  and pin  31  prior to installation in the pivot hub body. In this view, the top of the pivot body  50   a  is shown. Note that the handle bar  12  has a hole  32  into which the pin  31  sits. When installed the pin extends above the edge of the hole to restrain the spring  30 . Note the recess  58  that holds the spring when the unit is assembled. The slot  59  holds the pin  32  and provides a track for it to follow as the handlebar is turned. Note also the fasteners  47  extending from the top portion of the center body. 
       FIG. 15  shows the spring and pin installed in the pivot hub body. Here, the spring  30  is positioned in the recess  58  Note that the pin  32  rests against the side of the spring as shown. To complete the installation, the bottom portion  50   b  is installed and the fasteners are then tightened. The complete installation is shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a rocker member  60  that is attached to the skid plate for additional exercise variety. The rocker member  60  is a significant advance over my previous design.  FIG. 17  is perspective view of the rocker member  60 . The rocker member  60  has a curved top section  61 , a bottom plate  62  that forms a floor for the curved top and to angled slide members  63  that are below the bottom member and run the length of the rocker member. The side members  63  are used to secure the rocker member to the skid plate, as discussed below. 
       FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the rocker member  60 ; here, the bottom plate  62  and slide members  63  are shown.  FIG. 19  is a top view of the of the rocker member. The view shows the curved upper section  61 . 
       FIG. 20  is a detail view of the rocker member  60  installed on the skid plate  6 . Note that the pivot hub and handlebar are not shown for clarity, but in use, the skid plate  6  is attached to the handlebar as discussed above. The rocker body  60  is placed upside down on the skid plate  6  as shown. The slide members  63  grip the sides of the skid plate to hold the member in place. 
     In the case of the second embodiment, the rocker member  60  is attached to the hook  17  in the same manner. 
     For the handlebar of the second embodiment, when the handlebar is in a first position the skid plate sits parallel to the plane of the handlebars. In the second position, the pivot hub is rotated down 90 degrees so that the skid plate is perpendicular to the plane of the handlebars  12 . To switch positions, the user simple pushes the center body cover  16 , which causes the spring  30  in the pivot body under the cover to compress, while holding the handlebars  12 . Then the user rotates the center body cover to the first or second position, while the spring is compressed. When the switch has been completed, then the user releases the center body, which causes the spring to expand and prevent further movement. The process is reversed to return the handlebars to the other position. 
     In the case of the preferred embodiment, there is no ability for it to pivot. The user simply attaches the device to a particular pieces of exercise equipment to be used as an exercise bar, or uses the device on the floor, with or without the rocker member, for push ups and other exercises. The rocker member is positioned so that when the unit is on the floor the user can rock from side to side while griping the handlebars. This enables rocking style push-ups as well as other exercises that take advantage of the rocking action. 
       FIG. 21  is a detail view of a user using the preferred embodiment in an actual floor exercise. In this view, a user  100  is doing push ups with the device  1 . The rocker member  60  is in place. The handlebar  2  is being gripped by the user as shown. The arrows indicate the movement of the device during the workout. As the user pushes one side of the bar  2  down, the other side is pushed up, and vice versa. This action is accommodated by the rocker member  60 . The arrow at the base of the rocker member indicates that the rocker member rocks back and forth as the user  100  operates the device. 
     The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.