Patent ID: 12214238

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention relates to a clamping device100. As shown in the exemplary embodiment inFIG.3, the clamping device100securely retains one or more objects through the application of pressure. A perspective view of one embodiment of the clamping device is shown inFIG.2. As illustrated inFIG.2, the clamping device100is shown with a primary member102that has a generally cylindrical body101extending between a front surface121and a rear surface123of the primary member102, and defining a central passage125extending between the front and rear surfaces121,123. The primary member102is one continual piece throughout its length. The primary member102has an interior surface107and an opposed exterior surface105. The interior and exterior surfaces107,105follow a generally circular path about the center of the primary member102.

The primary member102inFIGS.1-3has a plurality of alternating thin sections147and thick sections149, the thick sections147having increased thickness with respect to the thin sections149. In the particular embodiment shown inFIG.2, the exterior surface105follows a generally parabolic path when the clamping device100is observed from an end view, such that the thick and thin sections147,149form alternating raised portions143and recessed portions145on the exterior surface. The pattern displayed by the exterior surface105in this embodiment is optional. Other potential patterns include those that are substantially triangular or crescent when viewing the clamping device100from an end view.FIG.7shows the exterior surface105remaining generally circular around the circumference of the primary member102. The opposed interior surface107moves closer and further away from the exterior surface105as the interior and exterior surfaces107,105move in a generally circular direction about the center of the primary member102.

FIG.2further shows the primary member102with two extremities109,111. The primary member being sufficiently rigid to bias the first extremity109away from the second extremity111. The two extremities109,111being sufficiently distant from each other109,111to allow one or more objects to pass through the center of the primary member102(not shown). An elongated member being one such potential object. The clamping device100having a means for releasably engaging104such elongated member. In this particular embodiment, each of the two extremities109,111is joined to the means for releasably engaging the elongated member104. Further, in this embodiment, the means for releasably engaging the elongated member is a lever104. The lever104is a preferred means for releasably engaging the elongated member, but not required.

FIG.2further shows the lever104in an open position103. Lever104will cause the clamping device100to engage the elongated member by transitioning from the open position103to a closed position115. In this embodiment, pins106,108are vertically oriented parallel to the interior and exterior surfaces107,105. Each pin106,108extends the height of one extremity109,111. The pins106,108join the lever104to each extremity109,111by extending vertically through counterposed arcuate holes113,114formed through the lower end of the lever104.

FIG.2further shows lever104pivots radially about the midpoint of the pins106,108approximately ninety degrees to transition from the open position103to the closed position115.FIG.3shows lever104causing the clamping device100to engage a barbell by being positioned in the closed position115. In this embodiment, lever104decreases the circumference and diameter of the primary member102simultaneously when transitioning from the open position103to the closed position115.FIG.3further shows clamping device100protecting a sleeve positioned around the inside surface of the weight that contacts the exterior surface of the barbell by radially extending from the center of the barbell higher than the interior surface of the weight.

FIGS.4and5show another exemplary embodiment of the clamping device100where the means for releasably engaging the elongated member104includes an end portion131of the lever104having an upper end120and a lower end122, such that when said means for releasably engaging the elongated member104is in the closed position115, the lower end thereof122extends below the interior surface107of said primary member102and has an engagement surface139to contact the elongated member.FIG.4shows the means for releasably engaging the elongated member104in the open position103.FIG.6shows another exemplary embodiment of the clamping device100where lower end122of means for releasably engaging the elongated member104depresses an engaging agent124. The primary member102has an opening127with a boundary entirely defined by the generally cylindrical body101between the front and rear surfaces121,123and extending through the thickness of the generally cylindrical body101. The lower end122extends through the opening127to engage the elongated member104in the closed position115. The end portion131of the lever104is pivotably connected to the primary member102proximate to the opening127at a pivot connection point135, and an elongated arm137extends from the end portion131. The end portion131of the lever104is enlarged with respect to the elongated arm137and has a projection133on which the lower end122is defined in the embodiment ofFIGS.4-5. The exterior surface105of the primary member102inFIGS.4-5has a plurality of alternating raised portions143and recessed portions145that extend an entire circumferential distance of the exterior surface105. In the embodiment ofFIGS.4-5, the pivot connection point135extends through one of the raised portions143, and the opening127is formed at least partially through one of the raised portions143. The clamping device100in one embodiment also includes a secondary member141that extends around a portion of the interior surface107of the primary member102, and the secondary member141may extend around at least half of a circumferential distance of the interior surface107as shown inFIGS.4-5.

The clamping device100can be created using multiple types of feedstock, that is to say the main raw material used in the manufacture of a product. In one exemplary embodiment, the clamping device100is made from an aluminum alloy (not indicated). In a preferred embodiment, the aluminum alloy 6061 Billet, formerly referred to as Alloy 61S. Other preferred materials for construction of the clamping device100include plastics (not indicated) and steel (not indicated). It is also possible to use different materials to construct different component parts of the clamping device100.

The preferred embodiment easily and quickly engages the exercise equipment. The preferred embodiment is also able to easily and quickly disengaged from the exercise equipment to allow for weights to be conveniently removed or added to the exercise equipment.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the invention is capable of other embodiments, some of which may be quite different from those of the disclosed embodiments. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use what is presently considered by the inventor to be the best mode of the invention, a device may be practiced which incorporates other structural and/or functional details in addition to or other than the structural and/or functional details set forth herein. It should therefore be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.