Patent ID: 7585259

Claim:
An apparatus for assisting with the support of a weightlifting barbell as a weightlifter individual lifts the barbell from a resting position, the apparatus comprising: at least one vertical support structure; at least one support arm extending in a generally rigid orthogonal orientation from the at least one vertical support structure and slidingly engaged thereto, the at least one support arm slidingly positioned on the vertical support structure so as to be positioned below the barbell during use of the apparatus; means for elevating the at least one support arm in sliding engagement with the vertical support structure from a lowered positioned below and apart from the barbell, to an elevated position below and generally proximate to the barbell, wherein the means for elevating the at least one support arm further comprises a releasable latching mechanism for retaining the at least one support arm in its lowered position until the latching mechanism is released; and means positioned on the at least one support arm for mechanically engaging the vertical support structure and releasably fixing the at least one support arm in its elevated position, wherein the means for releasably fixing the at least one support arm in its elevated position on the at least one vertical support structure comprises a ratcheting assembly allowing the at least one support arm to move to its elevated position but preventing the at least one support arm from returning to its lowered position, the ratcheting assembly comprising a toothed rail fixed on the vertical support structure and a locking arm pivotally fixed on the support arm and biased for engagement with the toothed rail.