Patent ID: 12226664

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Select embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures. Like numerals indicate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views and wherein various embodiments are separated by letters (i.e.100,100B,100C). The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive way, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the invention described herein.

Disclosed herein are barbell safety devices that attach directly to the barbell for use during weight lifting exercises such as bench press exercises and squatting exercises.

As depicted inFIG.6, a barbell safety device100is illustrated as coupled with a barbell102as would be used on a weight bench101. The barbell safety device is used in pairs on a barbell102and therefore can be described as a first barbell safety device and a second barbell safety device. The barbell safety device is coupled to a barbell102that is resting on a weight bench101. As noted in more detail later, each stop collar on the barbell is housed within cavities within the stop collar receiver of the barbell safety device.

As noted inFIGS.7-9, the barbell safety device100is generally ‘T’ shaped and is used in an ‘inverted T’ orientation when used in an operable configuration. Located at the superior end of the barbell safety device100is a stop collar receiver110. The stop collar receiver in most embodiments is at least partially cylindrical internally along a generally horizontal axis C. The stop collar receiver can assume other profiles beside cylindrical externally. As noted inFIG.9A, the stop collar receiver110comprises a retainer wall112having a sleeve surface113defining an internal sleeve cavity118configured to house a portion of a loadable sleeve104(seeFIG.2) of a barbell. In this embodiment, the sleeve cavity is generally cylindrical. The stop collar receiver's110retainer wall112also comprises a collar surface114defining an internal stop collar cavity117configured to house a stop collar106(seeFIG.26A) of a barbell. Stop collar106has lateral face107facing lateral, and a radial face108facing outward from axis A of barbell102. As noted inFIG.9A, the stop collar cavity117and sleeve cavity118are in open communication. The stop collar receiver110also comprises an outer surface116which in this embodiment is rounded.

The stop collar receiver110also comprises a vertically orientated stop surface115positioned between the stop collar cavity117and the sleeve cavity118and is configured for abutting against the stop collar (seeFIG.2) of a barbell to assure proper positioning.

Further to the Figures, barbell safety device100comprises a central support assembly122. In this embodiment, the central support assembly comprises an upper support124and a lower support132and telescoping and fixable at a variety of lengths. This adjustment provides variation for distance ‘G’ discussed earlier to compensate for user's having varying trunk thicknesses and limiting how low the barbell can go with respect to the bench in a bench press exercise. In this embodiment the barbell safety device is manufactured substantially of metal and with components welded together where fixation is required. Here, stop collar receiver110is fixed to the upper support124by welds or other means known in the art between joiner surface129and outer surface116. The upper support124as illustrated is tubular (I.e. round, square, rectangular) and comprises an upper support wall125with an internal upper support face126defining an upper support cavity127configured to receive a lower support132therein. The applicant recognizes that this telescoping arrangement between the upper and lower support could be reversed, but here the upper support124is tubular and houses the lower support132in its inner cavity for telescoping adjustment along an axis B. In alternative embodiments, the upper support is housed within the lower support in its inner cavity for telescoping adjustment along an axis B. Upper support124further comprises a joiner surface129for fixation to outer surface116of stop collar receiver110. In this embodiment, the joiner surface is rounded. In addition, the upper support124comprises a plurality of upper lock holes130extending generally perpendicular to axis B and operable to seat a lock pin therein.

The lower support132in this embodiment is also tubular and comprises a lower support wall133with a lower support outer face134thereon. The lower support132comprises a plurality of lower lock holes136operable to seat a lock pin therein. The upper and lower lock holes are aligned such that a lock pin can be inserted to span the lock holes on both supports thereby fixing the central support assembly at desired lengths. A retainer member166such as in the form of a chain and/or cable and/or clip is utilized to hold the lock pin in position. In alternative embodiments, telescoping is achieved by supports that may not have a common central axis such as coupled by tongue and groove.

The lower support132is fixedly coupled to a base support140. Here, the base support140comprises a base support wall141and is in the form of a tube which in this embodiment is generally square. Again, other profiles can be used such as round, rectangular, and even plate forms. The base support140comprises a floor face144for facing the floor when in an operational configuration. Extending from the floor face can be one or more levelers or pads such as felt or polymer pads. The base support140also comprises a superior face146facing superiorly when in an operational configuration. As depicted here, the lower support is fixed to the base support at a perpendicular angle using welds or fasteners or other means known in the art.

One or more support gussets160can be positioned between the lower support124and the base support140for additional support and safety of the device given the substantial forces imparted on the system.

FIG.8depicts the central support assembly122locked in a storage configuration whereby the supports are retracted within each other.FIG.7, depicts the central support assembly locked in an extended configuration whereby it can be used as a safety device during lifting activities such as bench press and in some cases squatting exercises.

As noted, one or more end caps168can be utilized to close off open tube ends such as noted on base support140. A base ring150can be fixed between support gussets160for additional support to the central support assembly122. In addition, an inferior ring surface152of the base ring150is fixed to superior face146of base support140. A base ring cavity151within the base ring is configured to house a portion of the lower support132therein. Welds170can be used for fixation at multiple locations. Some of these are depicted in the drawings.

A support plate156, generally in the form of a square, rectangle, or circle comprises a central support plate cavity158extending therethrough. Here, the support plate156is fixed to the superior ring surface154of the base ring150. The lower support132is fixed within the central support plate cavity158and the base ring cavity151by the use of welds in this embodiment. The base support140includes foot pods145extending from floor face144.

In some embodiments, the lock collar175and loadable sleeve104of a barbell102rotate freely during use and are self-biased towards the floor by gravity.

In one embodiment, a method for using a barbell safety device such as those described herein comprise a variety of steps as illustrated inFIG.10. Obtain a weight bench101having a pair of spaced uprights172with saddle grips173for supporting a barbell (200). Obtain a barbell (202). Center the barbell on the weight bench101with the saddle grips173supporting the barbell (204). Obtain a pair of barbell safety devices as described herein (206). Align the central axis of the barbell with the central axis of the stop collar receiver of the first barbell safety device (208). Orientate the stop collar cavity medially. Slide the first barbell safety device medially until the stop collar106of the barbell is housed within the stop collar cavity of the stop collar receiver (210). Repeat the previous step by sliding the second barbell safety device medially on the opposing side of the barbell until the stop collar106of the barbell is housed within the stop collar cavity of the stop collar receiver (212). Adjust the desired length of each barbell safety device (214) by removing the first lock pin162and second lock pins163, adjusting to the desired telescoping length, then repinning at the new length (two pins are provided for safety, but only one is required). Proceed to align the weight plates174with the central axis of the barbell and slide the weight plates174over the loadable sleeve104until it is adjacent with the barbell safety device, then repeat on the other side (216). Lock the weight plates174in position using a lock collar175(218). The user then lays supine on the weight bench support surface178and lifts the barbell off the saddle grips173to safely perform a bench press lifting exercise (220). When the floor face144abuts the floor, the barbell will maintain a safe distance from the bench support surface178.

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” and “generally” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention.