Abstract: An improved weightlifting assembly, such as a barbell, incorporating a locking system comprising a buffer plate having a locking key to serve as a securement means and randomly fasten weight plates to the bar. The weightlifting assembly provides for a bar and oversized weight plates which fittingly interlock together in order to prevent the rolling, separation or spreading of the weight plates across or off the bar. Here, the weight plates have two opposing ends preferably including a fifty percent minimum clearance to allow the user to properly handle, lift and control the oversized weight plates.

Abstract: A modified dumbbell incorporating a means for securing various weighted attachments thereby allowing a user to use one dumbbell for multiple degrees of weight. The modified dumbbell herein generally having an attachable insert assembly and a one-piece dumbbell having a female connector and an incorporated spring-loaded pin. The insert assembly having a male connector is joined with the female connector of the dumbbell yielding the male connector to be engageable with the spring-loaded pin for fixed attachment. The insert assembly may come in various sizes and in either singular or plural form. Further, the one-piece dumbbell and its mating insert assembly may have a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical configuration.

Abstract: In a method of making fibers in which molten glass is extruded through orifices in a bushing and cooled with cooling apparatus mounted below the bushing to form the fibers, it has been discovered that using new alloys containing a major amount of palladium and a minor amount of either iridium or nickel to make the cooling members or apparatus offers many advantages. Using semi-automatic welding to attach separate parts of the cooling members or apparatus minimizes porosity in the weld and increases service life.