Patent ID: 12186619

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. When the word “each” is used to refer to an element that was previously introduced as being at least one in number, the word “each” does not necessarily imply a plurality of the elements, but can also mean a singular element.

FIGS.1-6illustrate a fitness bar system10for use with exercise equipment20, such as standard weights (not shown), Olympic weights22, flat resistance bands23, chains24, tubular resistance bands (not shown), or the like. A person30may use the fitness bar system10in isolation, or connected with another piece of exercise equipment20, such as an exercise machine (not shown), via the resistance bands23, for example.

The fitness bar system10includes at least one elongated fitness bar40having two opposing ends45, each end45being open and having an internal thread49. Such an elongated fitness bar40is preferably made from a strong and rigid metal material, such as steel. In some embodiments, the at least one elongated fitness bar40includes a knurled outer surface48.

The fitness bar system10further includes at least one elongated cylindrical connector50(FIG.9) having two opposing ends55, a threaded outside surface59, and a plurality of threaded diametrical through holes60each having threads65. Preferably each elongated cylindrical connector50includes five of the diametrical through holes60spaced evenly therealong. In some embodiments the at least one elongated cylindrical connector50has a standard diameter of about one inch for receiving sports equipment20that takes the form of standard weights (not shown). Preferably each elongated cylindrical connector50is made from a strong metallic material, such as steel. Multiple of the elongated fitness bars40may be mutually connected with the elongated cylindrical connectors50to form a fitness bar of several different, desired lengths.

At least one adapter70is fixable with the ends45of each elongated fitness bar40or with the ends55of each of the elongated cylindrical connectors50. The at least one adaptor is configured for connecting the fitness bar system10with the exercise equipment20.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the at least one adapter70includes an Olympic weight adapter80(FIGS.1and10) for receiving sports equipment20that takes the form of Olympic weights22that have a diameter of about two inches. A locking collar85is configured for selectively retaining the Olympic weights22on the Olympic weight adapter80. A mechanical fastener170, such as a bolt or screw, secures the locking collar85to one of the diametrical through holes60of one of the elongated cylindrical connectors50.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the at least one adapter70further includes at least one threaded collar110configured for threadably engaging each of the at least one elongated connectors50. Such a threaded collar110includes a transverse aperture115therethrough that is alignable with any of the diametrical through holes60of each elongated cylindrical connector50. As such, exercise equipment20in the form of standard weights (not shown) can be held onto the fitness bar system10and restrained by each threaded collar110.

Further, at least one flat band hook120having a threaded shaft125can be included, configured for threadably connecting with both the transverse aperture115of the at least one threaded collar110and any of the diametrical through holes60of the at least one elongated cylindrical connector50. Each flat band hook125is configured for receiving exercise equipment in the form of the flat-type resistance band23(FIG.7). In addition, a chain eyelet130having a threaded shaft135is included that can be threadably connected with both the transverse aperture115of the at least one threaded collar110and any of the diametrical through holes60of the at least one elongated cylindrical connector50. Such a chain eyelet130is configured for receiving the exercise equipment20in the form of a chain24or of a tubular resistance band (not shown) as is known in the art.

Preferably the fitness bar system10further includes two fitness bar end caps90, each configured for threading onto either end55of each of the elongated cylindrical connectors50. Each fitness bar end cap90includes internal threads99adapted for cooperating the with threaded outer surface59of the at least one elongated cylindrical connector50. In some embodiments each fitness bar end cap90includes an end aperture95therethrough, and in such embodiments two elastomeric or plastic caps100are included for selectively sealing the end aperture95by insertion into the fitness bar end caps90before the fitness bar end caps90are screwed onto the elongated cylindrical connectors50.

In some embodiments, one or more of the elongated cylindrical connectors50includes a threaded longitudinal bore140at each end thereof, each longitudinal bore140having threads145. As such, the at least one flat band hook120or one of the chain eyelets130can be threadably connected with the bore140of the at least one elongated cylindrical connector50. In some embodiments, the at least one adapter70may include a rotational connector160(FIG.11) such that the flat band hook125can hand downwardly relative to the elongated fitness bar40held horizontally.

In some embodiments, the at least one adapter70includes an adjustable resistance band buckle150(FIG.5) configured for securing one end26(FIG.8) of the flat resistance band23therein at a desired point selected by the person30. The adjustable resistance band buckle150has a top end158that is adapted for securing with the at least one elongated cylindrical connector50, through either a first transverse aperture157(FIG.8), or a second transverse aperture156. Preferably each adapter70is made from a strong metallic material, such as steel or iron.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.