Abstract:
A cable and pulley weightlifting apparatus for preventing injury to a weightlifter that includes a pair of bases, a pair of vertical tubular posts, a pair of upper support brackets, a pair of cables, a pair of counterweights, and safety detent pins. Each vertical tubular post has an upper support bracket attached at the upper end and the lower end is attached to the respective pair of bases. Each cable with a counterweight attached to one end is inserted into the channels of the respective vertical tubular posts. The other cable ends with snap hook connectors attached are inserted into the upper support brackets and connected to a dumbbell cable harness or a barbell. The vertical tubular posts include apertures to receive safety detent pins for the weightbearing bar to be suspended at any desired elevation and providing safety to the user not available with other free weight systems.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to weight lifting devices. In particular, this invention provides for a cable and pulley weightlifting system which utilizes cables and pulleys for the performance of various dumbbell bar and barbell bar free weight exercises with complete safety. The invention allows dumbbell bars or barbell bar used in any exercise to be suspended at a pre-selected height for the performance of any exercise. The dumbbell bars or barbell bar remain suspended at this pre-selected height after completion of an exercise, therefore allowing the exerciser to again repeat the exercise at the pre-selected height. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Exercising apparatus and equipment have been developed that allow various free weight lifting exercises. In the prior art, various weight lifting equipment have been disclosed, including those in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,244 to Tauber Jr. Carl F. disclosed a gymnasium type equipment consisting of a weight bar attached to a pair of slides that are supported on vertical posts for performing vertical lifting exercises of the weight bar. Strap pins are used to limit the downward movement of the weight on the vertical slide posts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,314 to Ceppo, Louis a weightlifting device is disclosed including two upright members, a fixed weight carrying bar coupled to cylindrical members, in a frame having several uprights. The cylindrical members and upright members guide the weightlifting bar in a fixed vertical movement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,301 to Goyette, Richard G. a weightlifting apparatus is disclosed comprised of a pair of laterally spaced upright posts for supporting a weighted bar, a slidable foot member, a bench to which the slidable member is attached, safety clamps and a wheeled pulley device. The weighted bar is connected by a strand to the foot member which allows a portion of the weight to be relieved by pushing on the foot member. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,154 to Ramsey et al. is disclosed a weightlifting apparatus which includes a framework having a base, vertical support members which have a plurality of apertures, stop pins and an adjustment body within the slots of the vertical support members. A weightlifting bar is inserted between the slots of the vertical upright members. The adjustment means is set at a selected height to prevent injury to the weight lifter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,706 to Korzaniewski, a weightlifting exercising device is disclosed including a vertically disposed framework defined by a pair of parallel, vertical, channel-shaped side members interconnected at the top and bottom by square tubing. A weightlifting bar is contained within the upright channel members and receiving pins inserted in the apertures of vertical uprights at a pre-determined point so the bar can not be moved below this height to protect the exerciser. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,651 to Hole is disclosed a weightlifting machine which includes a weight arresting bar, a detachable weight pulling assembly, a pair of upright members, pair of base members, adjustment mechanism with manually adjustable latches at each end of a stop bar to engage passages formed in the upright frame members. The stop bar limits the downward movement of the weights in order to prevent injury to the exerciser. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,944 to Sterba, Richard F., et al. is disclosed an exercise equipment which has upright guide tracks, a detachable bar carriage, detachable weight carriage, a pulley apparatus, a rotating bar apparatus and safety catch. The weight carriage is suspended within the upright guide tracks and can be positioned at a predetermined height. The weightlifting bar contained within the bar carriage is moved in a fixed path within the slots of the upright guide tracks. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,155 to James, Laurence H. a weightlifting harness apparatus secured about the chest of an exerciser. The harness structure is connected to a cable which extends over a pulley-block unit that allows an attendant to assist the exerciser during the performance of an exercise. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,185 to Greenland, Darrell a versatile exercise machine that uses a free weight holder sliding along a rail, and adjacent free weight support to determine the lowermost travel of the free weight. Uses a handle system to incorporate free weights coupled to the handle by a line or cable. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,549,950 to Lundquist, Randal L, a weight bar slide assembly, for use with weightlifting equipment having vertical guide bars that provide for an accurate simulation of the free weight lifting motion. The weight bar slide assembly has a weight bar sleeve to rotatably receive a weight bar. A rod is attached to the weight bar sleeve and extends outwardly therefrom. A rod sleeve rotatably receives the rod. The rod may rotate along its longitudinal axis inside the rod sleeve. The rod sleeve is attached to a vertical guide. The vertical guide is movably mounted to a vertical guide bar. The longitudinal axis rotation of the rod within the rod sleeve allows for the freedom of motion found in the free weight lifting motion. The weight bar slide assemblies attached to opposing ends of the weight bar may move linearly along the vertical guide bar independently of each other. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,585,259 to Turner, Joseph Scott, a weightlifting apparatus that supports a free weight barbell when activated using two counter-weight controlled support arms that are mechanically attached to a vertical support on a bench press system. The vertical supports each have a slide rail that is mechanically coupled to a locking assembly that acts to release the support arms using buttons. The support arms are attached to independent counterweights or springs by means of a cable. When released by a foot pedal these support arms are elevated by the counterweights. The support arms hold the barbell and prevent it from downward movement via the one-way locking assembly mounted to the support arms. The support arms work independently of one another so that a user may reset each support arm independently. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,631 to Collias, Constantine Dean Paul a weightlifting apparatus includes a pair of spaced-apart support columns which carry a pair of spaced-apart self-spotter bars. The self-spotter bars extend from the columns such that the height and optionally the angle can be adjusted. The self-spotter bars are positioned to hold a weight bar at a safe height should the user drop the weight during an exercise. 
     None of the above weightlifting systems provide a capability for using cables and pulleys that allow either dumbbell bars or barbell bar exercises that have the dumbbell bars or a barbell bar suspended at a pre-selected height for the performance of free weight exercises. The dumbbell bars or a barbell bar remain suspended at this pre-selected height after the completion of an exercise therefore allowing the exerciser to again repeat the exercise at the pre-selected height. This weightlifting apparatus provides the means to perform various free weight exercises with the versatility and safety advantages that are not available with any of the above weightlifting systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A principal object of the invention is to provide a free weightlifting apparatus which combines the features of a free weight apparatus and a safety constrained apparatus but which makes available new advantages in weight lifting over both types of apparatus taken separately. 
     Another object of the invention is to employ a cable and pulley system with counter weights, snap hook connectors, and safety detent pins for controlling the movement of dumbbell bars or a barbell bar in various exercises and without the need for any assistance. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a means for suspending dumbbell bars or a barbell bar at a pre-selected height for any exercise and after the exercise is completed the dumbbell bars or a barbell bar remain suspended at the pre-selected height so that the exerciser may again repeat the exercise without having to retrieve and reposition the dumbbell bars or the barbell bar at the desired starting position. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide a safety system which limits the downward movement of dumbbell bars or barbell bar at a pre-selected elevated position during any exercise. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a cable and pulley system free weight apparatus for preventing injury to a weight lifter from the crashing down of dumbbell bars or a barbell bar during the performance of any exercise. 
     It is a further object of this invention to allow unrestricted vertical and horizontal movement of the dumbbell bars or a barbell bar during the performance of any exercise. 
     Another object of the invention is to allow the easy exchange of dumbbell bars with a barbell bar or vice versa without any modification to the cable support system or the weightlifting apparatus. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
       The above and other objects and features of the weightlifting apparatus will become more readily apparent on examination of the following detailed description including the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the weightlifting apparatus with dumbbell bars. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the weightlifting apparatus with a dumbbell bar and weight plates. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective detailed side view of an upper support bracket attached to the upper end of a vertical tubular post and is comprised of a pair of pulleys, a pair of pulley bolts, a cable and a pair of cable guides. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an upper support bracket attached to the upper end of a vertical tubular post and is comprised of a pair of pulleys, a pair of pulley bolts, a cable and a pair of cable guides. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a dumbbell bar and a cable harness associated therewith together with a cable, snap hook connectors, a pair of dumbbell bar connectors and weight plates. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the weightlifting apparatus with a barbell bar. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged fragmentary view of a barbell bar with a cable, snap hook connector, a barbell bar connector, and weight plates. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a vertical tubular post with a cable attached to a counter weight, and a safety detent pin contained in an aperture within a vertical tubular post. 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Reference Numerals 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 Weightlifting Apparatus 
               
               
                 15 
                 Upper Transverse Member 
               
               
                 17 
                 Lower Transverse Member 
               
               
                 20 
                 First Upper Support Bracket 
               
               
                 22 
                 Second Upper Support Bracket 
               
               
                 34 
                 First vertical Tubular Post 
               
               
                 37 
                 Second vertical Tubular Post 
               
               
                 40 
                 First Pulley System 
               
               
                 42 
                 Second Pulley System 
               
               
                 44 
                 First Cable 
               
               
                 47 
                 Second Cable 
               
               
                 50 
                 Snap Hook Connectors 
               
               
                 52 
                 Barbell Connectors 
               
               
                 55 
                 Series of vertically aligned Hook Brackets 
               
               
                 57 
                 Safety Detent Pins 
               
               
                 60 
                 First Lower Base 
               
               
                 62 
                 Second Lower Base 
               
               
                 70 
                 Dumbbell Bars 
               
               
                 72 
                 First Counter Weight 
               
               
                 75 
                 Second Counter Weight 
               
               
                 80 
                 First series of vertically aligned Apertures 
               
               
                 82 
                 Second series of vertically aligned Apertures 
               
               
                 84 
                 Barbell Bar 
               
               
                 90 
                 Weight Plates 
               
               
                 104 
                 First Dumbbell Cable Harness 
               
               
                 105 
                 First pair Pulley Bolts 
               
               
                 106 
                 First pair Cable guides 
               
               
                 107 
                 Second Dumbbell Cable Harness 
               
               
                 108 
                 Second pair Cable guides 
               
               
                 109 
                 Second pair Pulley Bolts 
               
               
                 110 
                 Dumbbell Connectors 
               
               
                 112 
                 Dumbbell Connectors 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention relates generally to an improved, weightlifting exercise device, where-in the improvements contribute to performing a variety of free weight lifting exercises with weighted dumbbell bars or a weighted barbell bar and for preventing injury to a weightlifter in the event of physical exhaustion and when an exercise cannot be physically completed. The operational mode of this invention permits the exerciser to perform a last forced repetition without any danger of the exercising weight crashing down on the exerciser without any assistance from a “spotter”. Referring in detail now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, there is seen a cable and pulley free weight exercising apparatus of the present invention as designated by reference numeral  10 . 
     The weightlifting apparatus  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6  has a pair of lower bases  60  and  62 , a pair of vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  containing a series of vertically aligned apertures  80  and  82  and having a pair of upper support brackets  20  and  22 , a pair of counter weights  72  and  75 , an upper transverse member  15 , a lower transverse member  17 , a pair of cables  44  and  47 , a pair of pulley systems  40  and  42 , a pair of cable guides  106  and  108 , a pair of pulley bolts  105  and  109 , a pair of cable harnesses  104  and  107 , snap hook connectors  50 , a pair of dumbbell bars  70 , a pair of dumbbell connectors  110  and  112 , a barbell bar  84 , a pair of barbell connectors  52 , weight plates  90 , a series of vertically aligned hook brackets  55  welded to each of the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  and a pair of safety detent pins  57  for insertion into vertically aligned apertures  80  and  82  of vertical tubular posts  34  and  37 . The lower end of the vertical tubular post  34  is attached to the top of the lower base  60  and the lower end of the vertical tubular post  37  is attached to the top of the lower base  62 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6  the lower transverse bar  17  is interconnected to the spaced lower bases  60  and base  62 . The upper transverse bar  15  is interconnected at the upper end of the spaced vertical tubular posts  34  and  37 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6  the spaced vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  have a uniform series of vertically coaxial aligned apertures  80  and  82  respectively, transversely through the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  and the series of vertically aligned apertures  80  in vertical tubular post  34  being in coaxial alignment with the series of vertically aligned apertures  82  in vertical tubular post  37 . 
     One end of each of the cables  44  and  47  are connected to the counter weights  72  and  75  respectively, and the opposite ends of the cables  44  and  47  are then attached to snap hook connectors  50 . The counter weight  72  attached to one end of cable  44  is inserted into the channel of the upper end of the vertical tubular post  34  and the other counter weight  75  attached to one end of cable  47  is inserted into the channel of the upper end of the vertical tubular post  37 . 
     The snap hook connector  50  attached to the other end of cable  44  is inserted into the first upper support bracket  20  attached to the vertical tubular post  34 . The snap hook connector  50  is placed under the pair of first cable guides  106  and then placed over the pair of pulleys in the first pulley system  40 . 
     The snap hook connector  50  that is attached to the other end of cable  47  is inserted into the second upper support bracket  22  attached to the vertical tubular post  37 . The snap hook connector  50  is placed under the pair of second cable guides  108  and then placed over the pair of pulleys in the second pulley system  42 . 
     It should be noted that the starting height for an exercise with dumbbell bars  70  or barbell bar  84  is selected by the exerciser with the insertion of safety detent pins  57  into the apertures  80  and  82  respectively, at the pre-selected height. The safety detent pins  57  inserted into the pre-selected coaxially vertically aligned apertures  80  and  82  of the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  respectively, limit the upward movement of the counter weights  72  and  75  within the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  respectively. The opposite ends of cables  44  and  47  with snap hook connectors  50  that are in upper support brackets  20  and  22  respectively, are then limited in their downward movement to the original selected starting height. 
     If the weight lifter desires to perform weighted dumbbell bars  70  exercises the weight lifter sets up the apparatus  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  by selecting a starting height at which they feel most comfortable to begin a selected exercise by employing the following procedure. 
     The ends of the cables  44  and  47  with snap hook connectors  50  are lowered to the desired starting height for an exercise and the weight lifter selects the height at which the counter weights  72  and  75  are to be arrested. The exerciser then inserts the safety detent pins  57  into the apertures  80  and  82  of the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  respectively, to arrest the counter weights  72  and  75  at the desired starting height. This will also maintain the snap hook connectors  50  at the ends of cables  44  and  47  at the selected starting height. The snap hook connectors  50  at the ends of cables  44  and  47  are then connected to the upper ends of the cable harnesses  104  and  107  respectively. The lower ends of cable harnesses  104  and  107  with snap hook connectors  50  are then attached to the dumbbell bar connectors  110  and  112  respectively. This will suspend the weighted dumbbell bars  70  at the original selected exercise starting position and allow the weight lifter to perform repetitions or sets of an exercise with complete safety. 
     During the performance of an exercise the weight lifter has the freedom of resting between repetitions or sets of an exercise and can also repeat a repetition or another set of the same exercise without having to place the weighted dumbbell bars  70  on the floor since the weighted dumbbell bars  70  will remain suspended at the original starting height selected for the exercise. 
     The invention allows the counter weights  72  and  75  to move freely in an ascending and descending movement within the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  respectively, up to the pre-selected height. When the exerciser moves the weighted dumbbell bars  70  in an upward direction from the selected exercise starting position the counter weights  72  and  75  descend freely within the channel of the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  respectively. The pair of pulley systems  40  and  42  contained within the upper support brackets  20  and  22  respectively, allow the dumbbell bars  70  to move freely in a vertical or horizontal direction. 
     If the weight lifter chooses to perform weighted barbell bar  84  exercises the weightlifter sets up the apparatus  10  as shown in  FIG. 6  by selecting a starting height at which they feel most comfortable to begin the selected exercise by employing the following procedure. They place the barbell bar  84  at the selected height on the hook brackets  55  attached to the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  respectively. The hook brackets  55  maintain the weighted barbell bar  84  at this starting height and allow the adding or exchanging of weight plates  90  without the weighted barbell bar  84  tipping over when one end has a greater amount of weight. 
     The ends of cables  44  and  47  with the snap hook connectors  50  are lowered to the desired starting height for an exercise and the weight lifter selects the height at which the counter weights  72  and  75  are to be arrested. The exerciser then inserts the safety detent pins  57  into apertures  80  and  82  of the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  respectively, to arrest the counter weights  72  and  75  at the desired starting height. This will also maintain the snap hook connectors  50  at the ends of cables  44  and  47  at the selected starting height. The snap hook connectors  50  at the ends of the cables  44  and  47  are then connected to the barbell bar connectors  52  respectively. This will suspend the weighted barbell bar  84  at the original selected exercise starting position and allow the weight lifter to perform repetitions or sets of an exercise with complete safety. 
     During the performance of an exercise the weight lifter has the freedom of resting between repetitions or sets of an exercise and can also repeat a repetition or another set of the same exercise without having to place the weighted barbell bar  84  on the floor since the weighted barbell bar  84  will remain suspended at the original starting height selected for the exercise. 
     The invention allows the counter weights  72  and  75  to move freely in an ascending and descending movement within the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  respectively, up to the pre-selected height. When the exerciser moves the weighted barbell bar  84  in an upward direction from the selected exercise starting position the counter weights  72  and  75  descend freely within the channel of the vertical tubular posts  34  and  37  respectively. The pair of pulley systems  40  and  42  contained within the upper support brackets  20  and  22  respectively, allow the weighted barbell bar  84  to move freely in a vertical or horizontal direction. 
     Other known weight lifting apparatus which use pulleys with cables do not provide means for performing exercises with weighted dumbbell bars and weighted barbell or allow the weighted dumbbell bars or weighted barbell to be suspended at a pre-selected exercise height or prevent the weighted dumbbell bars or weighted barbell from crashing down on the exerciser when a repetition can not be completed. 
     The prior art weight lifting apparatus use pulleys with cables to perform only weighted barbell exercises and are restricted in their horizontal movement. The operational modes of the within inventive device are a noteworthy contribution to prior art devices, it is to be noted that an exerciser can safely perform exercises with the weighted dumbbell bars  70  or the weighted barbell bar  84 , have unlimited horizontal and vertical movement of the weighted dumbbell bars  70  or the weighted barbell bar  84 , perform forced repetitions or multiple sets in total safety and without the need of a “spotter” since the weighted dumbbell bars  70  or the weighted barbell bar  84  will remain suspended at the pre-selected starting exercise height whenever the exerciser releases the weighted dumbbell bars  70  or the weighted barbell bar  84 . 
     From the foregoing descriptions it should be readily appreciated as shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 8  the inventive device  10  is adapted both by its construction and operational mode, to permit various embodiments and a wide range of weightlifting exercises. 
     This invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms, size and materials disclosed herein since they are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that various alterations, modifications, rearrangements and permutations of the materials and parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. A latitude of modifications, changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be interpreted as including such alterations, modifications, permutations and rearrangements as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention herein.