Spotter for use with dumbbell weights
A spotter assembly is disclosed where multiple vertical uprights, cross bars and individual spotters are possible. The cross bars are vertically movable relative to the uprights and the spotters are movable relative to the crossbars.
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This application claims priority from provisional application 60/733,104, filed Nov. 3, 2005; 60/760,654 filed Jan. 20, 2006; and 60/807,629 filed Jul. 18, 2006; respectively; and is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 10/881,567, filed Jun. 30, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe field of the invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly to a dumbbell rack and spotter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWeight lifting using free-weights is widely enjoyable as a form of exercise and strength conditioning. Barbells and dumbbells are used in different workout routines to exercise and strengthen various muscle groups, such as biceps, triceps, pectorals, etc., depending upon the manner in which the free-weights are lifted and for the body position of the user.
The user must use the strength of his arm muscles, particularly the biceps, in order to move the dumbbells from the floor or rack into the starting exercise position. Such exercises were designed to develop chest and/or shoulder muscles and not arm muscles. Further, particularly at higher weights, it may be difficult for a user to lift heavy weight dumbbells from the floor or rack using only the smaller bicep muscles rather than the larger chest or shoulder muscles. Further, any attempts to lift large weights off of the floor to the starting exercise position could result in an injury to the user's back.
It is known to construct frames specifically designed for receiving a pair of dumbbells, see for example, Hayden, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,411,459; 5,616,108; 5,772,561; and 5,924,964.
However, with one exception, all of the previously devised dumbbell supports are fixedly mounted perpendicular to the frame. This places the dumbbell handles at an inconvenient position for gripping by a weightlifter when in a seated position in front of the dumbbell supports.
In the one instance, a dumbbell holder is provided with a support frame in which the dumbbell rests are fixedly positioned at an acute angle from a horizontal line extending between the rest supports. However, in this design, the dumbbell rests are fixed at the one acute angle.
Further, such dumbbell supports, while providing vertical adjustability, do not have and or have only limited means for horizontal adjustment of the pair of dumbbell rests relative to each other. Thus, dumbbell rests which are fixed at a given spacing on a support frame(s) may not be in an ideal position for some weightlifters to easily grasp the dumbbells or, at the completion of the exercise, easily and safely placing the dumbbells back onto the rests.
In another dumbbell support design, the two side frames are connected by two telescopically interconnected crossbars. A pin is releasably extendable through aligned apertures in the ends of the two crossbars to adjust the horizontal spacing between the pair of dumbbell rests. However, one complete side frame, dumbbell rest, and crossbar must be manually lifted or dragged relative to the ground and urged toward or away from the opposed side frame. Due to the high weight levels which may be lifted, the support frame, crossbar, and rest represent a considerable weight which presents an inconvenience to the weightlifter in setting up the dumbbell rest support for an exercise. Further, this weight must be supported by the user in order to precisely align two apertures in the crossbars for insertion of the locking pin therethrough.
During an execution of a weight lifting exercise, good form and proper range of motion are very important for both safety and effectiveness. At the beginning of a lifting exercise, a lifter should assume a position that would allow the target muscle to be exercised to bear the weight. If the weight is transferred to the easily damaged ligaments or tendons, a serious injury may occur. So is the case when the lifter has completed his exercise and must return the dumbbells to the rack. The lifter must be able to return the dumbbells to the rack without further fatigue to his arms or back. For example, if the lifter has completed a set of exercises, and must return the dumbbells to the rack with his arms extended, and must accurately place the dumbbells in place, the lifter's back, shoulders, neck, or arms could be strained.
In using dumbbells, the dumbbells are typically stored in a rack or on the floor. The user must lift the dumbbells into the starting exercise position for chest or shoulder muscle exercises. The starting exercise position for various muscle groups is well off the ground. Attempts have been made to reduce or eliminate the need of a spotter for certain dumbbell lifting exercises. The attempts involve providing lifting equipment with a support rack as a built-in spotter. The idea is that the risk of injury may be reduced if the dumbbell can be presented to the lifter or can be returned on the rack by the lifter, while he is in a lifting position.
For example, one known dumbbell support attachment modifies a conventional weight lifting bench for use with dumbbells. The attachment includes a holder on which up to two dumbbells can be rested simultaneously. The holder is part of a rack assembly which is rigidly attached to both a horizontal support bar and a pair of vertical mounting legs. The holder defines two cutouts through which a lifter, as he lies on the weight bench, can reach to grab the dumbbell and lift it from its resting position.
Another known attachment that can be mounted on a weight lifting exercise equipment includes a rack assembly for holding up to two dumbbells, a pair of mounting legs rigidly attached to distal ends of the rack assembly and an extension bar slidably connected to opposing parts of the assembly for adjusting the span between the mounting legs. A drawback with these dumbbell support attachments is that the pair of dumbbells are positioned at 180 degree angle from each other. Therefore, the lifter is limited to initiate the lifting exercise from the same position every time, regardless of the muscle exercise to be conducted. The risk of muscle injury may be high, especially if the lifter has to shift or change muscle motions while lifting very heavy dumbbells.
Another known dumbbell position rack holds a single dumbbell. A pair of the dumbbell position racks are needed if two dumbbells are being used in an exercise routine. The pair of the dumbbell position racks can be positioned at a distance and an angle that are convenient for the start of various exercises. However, positioning of the dumbbell position rack involves lifting each rack and stand assembly individually, making the initial positioning rather cumbersome. In addition, the individual rack and stand assembly may be easily bumped out of place while being used.
Therefore, there is a need for a dumbbell rack that can be adjustable so that a lifter can initiate and complete various lifting exercises in different positions. The present inventor has realized this need, and has designed an automatic elevation adjustment mechanism, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,314, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. This prior work of the present inventor addresses some of the short comings of the prior art, but further improvements are desired. The present inventor has also designed multiple spotters as shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/881,567 publication No. 2005/0009671-A1, published Jan. 13, 2005 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
A further need exists for a dumbbell rack that can be used with a traditional weight lifting bench or chair.
Another need exists for having a plurality of spotter assemblies for various different weight exercises.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment shown herein, an adjustable dumbbell rack assembly supports dumbbells for weight lifting exercises. The assembly comprises a pair of vertical supports; a rack supported by the pair of vertical supports; a first dumbbell holder positioned at a first end of the rack and a second dumbbell holder positioned at a second end of the rack; and a vertical back wall portion against which the dumbbell may stop when the dumbbell is dropped on the rack in either of the first and the second dumbbell holder positions.
The first and the second dumbbell holder positions may be defined by a cutout for allowing a user to see and reach dumbbells placed on the rack in a plurality of angular orientations. The leading edge of the rack may include a take-off plate which temporarily positions the dumbbell at the leading edge for moving the dumbbell to the exercise position. The take-off plate may be defined by a plate having a peripheral rim around the plate, the plate and the rim being positioned adjacent to the leading edge of the rack. The plate and peripheral rim may be profiled to receive and retain the weights of the dumbbell therein.
The rack may be adjustably fastened between the pair of vertical supports for supporting the rack horizontally allowing for adjusting the height of the rack. Each of the first and the second dumbbell holder positions define a front lip portion for limiting a dumbbell from sliding. The first and the second dumbbell holder positions are adjustably fastened to the rack, whereby the distance between the first dumbbell holder and the second dumbbell holder is adjustable.
The vertical supports may define two legs and a base. The rack and the legs have a complementary locking mechanism for adjustably fastening the rack to the legs.
In another embodiment, an adjustable dumbbell rack assembly for supporting dumbbells for weight lifting exercises is shown. The assembly comprises a pair of vertical supports; a rack supported by the pair of vertical supports; a first dumbbell holder positioned at a first end of the rack and a second dumbbell holder positioned at a second end of the rack; and wherein each of the first and second dumbbell holder positions are defined by a cutout for allowing a user to see and reach dumbbells placed on the rack in a plurality of angular orientations. The adjustable dumbbell rack may further comprise a vertical back wall portion against which the dumbbell may stop when the dumbbell is dropped on the rack in either of the first and the second dumbbell holder positions.
The first and second holder positions may define an angle relative to the rack of up to forty-five degrees. The rack may defines a concave portion. The rack may define a backstop. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly may further comprise a plurality of weight holders located at a height proximate that of the first and second dumbbell holder positions.
The rack may be adjustably fastened between the pair of vertical supports for supporting the rack horizontally allowing for adjusting the height of the rack. Each of the first and the second dumbbell holder positions may define a front lip portion for limiting a dumbbell from sliding. The first and the second dumbbell holder positions may be adjustably fastened to the rack, whereby the distance between the first dumbbell holder and the second dumbbell holder is adjustable.
The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly may further include a fastener associated with each of the first and second holder positions capable of attaching the first and second holder positions to the rack wherein each of the first and the second dumbbell holders defines an elongated slot for receiving each of the fasteners. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly may further include a fastener associated with each of the first and second holder positions capable of attaching the first and second holder positions to the rack wherein each of the first and the second dumbbell holders defines a plurality of holes for receiving one of holder fasteners. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly may further include a fastener associated with each of the first and second holder positions capable of attaching the first and second holder positions to the rack wherein the rack defines a plurality of holes for receiving fasteners for fastening the first and the second dumbbell holders to the rack.
The vertical supports may define two legs and a base. The rack and the legs have complimentary locking mechanism for adjustably fastening the rack to the legs. The first and second holder positions define an angle relative to the rack of up to forty-five degrees. The rack may define a concave portion. The rack may define a backstop. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly may further comprise a plurality of weight holders located at a height proximate that of the first and second dumbbell holder positions.
In another embodiment, an adjustable dumbbell rack assembly is provided for supporting dumbbells for weight lifting exercises. The assembly comprises a pair of vertical supports; a rack supported by the pair of vertical supports, the rack being substantially comprised of a generally rigid flat plate portion, and a generally vertical backstop portion; a first dumbbell holder position at a first end of the rack; and a second dumbbell holder position at a second end of the rack, each of the first and the second dumbbell holder positions defining a cutout for allowing a user to see and reach dumbbells placed on the rack.
An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly may be provided wherein a depth of the flat plate portion is greater than a width of a barbell to be placed on the rack. The rack and the first and second dumbbell holder positions may all be integrated into a unitary construction. The first and second dumbbell holder positions may be integrated into discrete first and second racks. The rack includes a lip portion surrounding a portion of the cutouts, to provide a placement mechanism for dumbbells. The cutouts are defined for allowing a user to see and reach dumbbells placed on the rack in a plurality of angular orientations. The rack further comprises an adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering the rack relative to the vertical supports.
In another embodiment, an adjustable dumbbell rack assembly supports dumbbells for weight lifting exercises. The assembly comprises a pair of vertical supports; a rack assembly for supporting dumbbells, the rack comprising collars attached at opposite ends thereof, and being vertically movable relative to the vertical supports; and latch members for holding the collars to the vertical supports; whereby the rack assembly is held in a vertical position along the vertical supports.
The rack may be provided with a first dumbbell holder positioned at a first end of the rack and a second dumbbell holder positioned at a second end of the rack; and wherein each of the first and second dumbbell holder positions are defined by a cutout for allowing a user to see and reach dumbbells placed on the rack in a plurality of angular orientations. The latch members may be in the form of popper pins provided in the collars, which can be pulled in order to vertically move the collars and the rack. The rack assembly comprises a cross bar attached to the collars, and the first and second dumbbell holders are positioned on the cross bar. The first and second dumbbell holders may be laterally movable on the cross bar. The cross bar may be comprised of a rectangular bar. The first and second dumbbell holders may be laterally movable on the rectangular bar. The first and second dumbbell holders are mounted to collars which are slidably mounted to the rectangular bar.
The dumbbell holders may be comprised of horizontal plate portions, movably attached to the cross bar. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly may further comprise a backstop portion. The backstop portion may span the width of the uprights, and be attached to the vertically movable collars, and move upwardly and downwardly with the cross bar. The backstop portion may be attached to the horizontal plate portions and be movable therewith. The rack may be a one piece unit, which spans the width of the uprights, and be attached to the vertically movable collars.
In yet another embodiment, an exercise system may comprise a dumbbell support system, for supporting dumbbells at a first vertical height; a bench; and individual dumbbell supports for flanking the bench and receiving a dumbbell on opposite side of the bench, at a second vertical height.
The second vertical height may be lower than the first vertical height. The bench may have at least a substantially horizontal position, at a third vertical height. The first vertical height has a range at least between 40-44″. The second vertical height has a range at least between 16-20″. The third vertical height has a range at least between 20-22″.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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As described above, the system mainly comprises some type of vertical uprights, in this case square cross-sectional uprights 8, some type of cross bar or holding mechanism to attach to the vertical uprights, and further, some type of spotter, in this case spotter 10. In this particular application, Applicant has conceived multiple different combinations of vertical uprights, cross bars and spotters, and multiple combinations thereof.
Thus, the application will proceed with a discussion of the possible uprights with reference to
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Crossbar portion 94 is similar in nature to crossbar portion 92 including a square tube 120 attached to a plate portion 122, which in turn is attached to cylindrical sleeve 124 where popper pin 126 is attached plate portion 122 and intersects cylindrical tube 124 as previously described. Crossbar portion 94 also includes a laterally moveable sleeve 130 having a popper pin 132, and an upstanding tube 134 attached to the top of laterally moveable sleeve 130. Finally, crossbar portion 94 includes a locking sleeve 140 having a popper pin 142. It should be appreciated that locking sleeve 140 is laterally moveable to the right (as viewed in
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Thus as described above, multiple vertical uprights and crossbar configurations have been described with reference to
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Meanwhile spotter 346 includes a structural support member 358 having a vertical tube 360 and a pair of cylindrical shaped pads at 362. As shown in
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Thus as shown above, multiple different exercises are possible from multiple spotters. It is possible to have one or more spotters for a selected home or professional gym, or it is possible to have all of the spotters set up for multiple different exercises. It should be appreciated that many of the spotters are usable with different seating arrangements. For example, and with reference to
As shown in 27, another spotter embodiment is shown generally at 400 which includes a fixed backstop portion 402 and slidable dumbbell trays 404. The sliding trays 404 slide along horizontal upright 30 which was described above. Trays 404 also slide on horizontal guides 40. Sliding trays 404 move irrespective of the fixed backstop allowing the trays to be positioned at multiple lateral positions. As best shown in
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It should be appreciated that the plates 110 terminate along an upper edge which matches the multisided upper plate 712. Upper plate 712 includes a center opening around which a support bearing 714 is positioned through which a center pivot rod 716 extends. Each plate portion 710 has a semi-cylindrical trough such as 718 attached to it. Where each includes a semi-cylindrical plate portion 720, and a semi-circular plate portion 722. Semi-cylindrical trough portion 718 further include a hand grip shown at 730 which is attached to each of the trough portions 718 by way of a rigid strip 732. In this manner a plurality of dumbbells 12 can be placed in troughs 718, and hand grips 730 can be grasped and the entire carousel may be spun like a turntable about rod 716 to locate the desired weighted dumbbell.
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At each triangular corner, a semi-cylindrical trough portion 816 is mounted which extends in an inclined manner to coincide and intersect with tubular portion 812. Plate portion 810 includes apertures 820 positioned transverse to a triangular side 822, and form the mounting portion for the second stage portions to be described below.
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First holder 830 is attached to bar 834 as shown in
As described above second stage portion 804 can be attached first stage portion 802 by positioning fasteners 860 (
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In the case where a bench is positioned intermediate the two spotter assemblies 100 and the user is using the bench for a bench press type exercise, where the user lies flat on the bench with his or her back on the bench, a crossbar 90 would be placed in position such that the user can raise his or her arms grasp the dumbbells from the trays 200 and begin the bench press exercise. In the event that the user becomes so fatigued that he or she could not again lift the dumbbells to the vertical position of the spotter trays 200, the user can simply drop the dumbbells into the safety trays which flank the bench. It should be noted that the position of the safety trays 1008 would be generally in position of the “wingspan” of the user such as the dumbbells are simply dropped in the tray 1008.
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Vertical upright 1026 is attached orthogonally to laterally moveable leg 1024 as shown and laterally moveable leg 1024 is slidable through a sleeve 1040. Sleeve 1040 includes a popper pin 1042 which cooperates with apertures 1044 in the laterally moveable leg 1024 to allow leg 1026, and safety holder 1032 to move laterally towards and away from a workout bench. With respect to
Thus in this embodiment, the safety tray assembly 1020 provides for four different degrees of freedom, namely along longitudinal axis LG, lateral axis LA, vertical axis VT and radial axis RA, as best shown in
While applicants have shown a four way positionable safety tray assembly, it should be understood that other degrees of freedom could easily be shown by having other radially moveable collars to move the tray in different angular positions.
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Thus it should be appreciated that the plate 1214 can be adjusted to a position spaced away from the back plate 1208, as shown in both of
Claims
1. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly for supporting dumbbells for weight lifting exercises, said assembly comprising:
- a pair of vertical supports;
- a rack supported by said pair of vertical supports;
- a first dumbbell holder positioned at a first end of said rack and a second dumbbell holder positioned at a second end of said rack; and
- a vertical back wall portion against which the dumbbell may stop when the dumbbell is dropped on the rack in either of said first and said second dumbbell holder positions.
2. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said first and said second dumbbell holder positions are defined by a cutout for allowing a user to see and reach dumbbells placed on said rack in a plurality of angular orientations.
3. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 1, wherein said leading edge of said rack includes a take-off plate which temporarily positions the dumbbell at the leading edge for moving the dumbbell to the exercise position.
4. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 3, wherein said take-off plate is defined by a plate having a peripheral rim around the plate, the plate and the rim being positioned adjacent to the leading edge of the rack.
5. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 4, wherein the plate and peripheral rim are profiled to receive and retain the weights of the dumbbell therein.
6. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 1, wherein said rack is adjustably fastened between said pair of vertical supports for supporting said rack horizontally allowing for adjusting the height of said rack.
7. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said first and said second dumbbell holder positions defines a front lip portion for limiting a dumbbell from sliding.
8. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and said second dumbbell holder positions are adjustably fastened to said rack, whereby the distance between said first dumbbell holder and said second dumbbell holder is adjustable.
9. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 1, wherein said vertical supports define two legs and a base.
10. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 9, wherein said rack and said legs have complementary locking mechanism for adjustably fastening said rack to said legs.
11. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly for supporting dumbbells for weight lifting exercises, said assembly comprising:
- a pair of vertical supports;
- a rack supported by said pair of vertical supports;
- a first dumbbell holder positioned at a first end of said rack and a second dumbbell holder positioned at a second end of said rack; and
- wherein each of said first and second dumbbell holder positions are defined by a cutout for allowing a user to see and reach dumbbells placed on said rack in a plurality of angular orientations.
12. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11, further comprising a vertical back wall portion against which the dumbbell may stop when the dumbbell is dropped on the rack in either of said first and said second dumbbell holder positions.
13. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11, wherein said first and second holder positions define an angle relative to said rack of up to forty-five degrees.
14. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11, wherein said rack defines a concave portion.
15. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 12, wherein said rack defines a backstop.
16. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of weight holders located at a height proximate that of said first and second dumbbell holder positions.
17. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11, wherein said rack is adjustably fastened between said pair of vertical supports for supporting said rack horizontally allowing for adjusting the height of said rack.
18. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11, wherein each of said first and said second dumbbell holder positions defines a front lip portion for limiting a dumbbell from sliding.
19. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11, wherein said first and said second dumbbell holder positions are adjustably fastened to said rack, whereby the distance between said first dumbbell holder and said second dumbbell holder is adjustable.
20. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 19, further including a fastener associated with each of said first and second holder positions capable of attaching said first and second holder positions to said rack wherein each of said first and said second dumbbell holders defines an elongated slot for receiving each of said fasteners.
21. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 19, further including a fastener associated with each of said first and second holder positions capable of attaching said first and second holder positions to said rack wherein each of said first and said second dumbbell holders defines a plurality of holes for receiving one of holder fasteners.
22. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 19, further including a fastener associated with each of said first and second holder positions capable of attaching said first and second holder positions to said rack wherein said rack defines a plurality of holes for receiving fasteners for fastening said first and said second dumbbell holders to said rack.
23. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11, wherein said vertical supports define two legs and a base.
24. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 23, wherein said rack and said legs have complimentary locking mechanism for adjustably fastening said rack to said legs.
25. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11, wherein said first and second holder positions define an angle relative to said rack of up to forty-five degrees.
26. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11, wherein said rack defines a concave portion.
27. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 26, wherein said rack defines a backstop.
28. The adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of weight holders located at a height proximate that of said first and second dumbbell holder positions.
29. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly for supporting dumbbells for weight lifting exercises, said assembly comprising:
- a pair of vertical supports;
- a rack supported by said pair of vertical supports, said rack being substantially comprised of a generally rigid flat plate portion, and a generally vertical backstop portion;
- a first dumbbell holder position at a first end of said rack;
- a second dumbbell holder position at a second end of said rack, each of said first and said second dumbbell holder positions defining a cutout for allowing a user to see and reach dumbbells placed on said rack.
30. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 29, wherein a depth of said flat plate portion is greater than a width of a barbell to be placed on said rack.
31. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 29, wherein said rack and said first and second dumbbell holder positions are all integrated into a unitary construction.
32. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 29, wherein said first and second dumbbell holder positions are integrated into discrete first and second racks.
33. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 29, wherein said rack includes a lip portion surrounding a portion of said cutouts, to provide a placement mechanism for dumbbells.
34. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 29, wherein said cutouts are defined for allowing a user to see and reach dumbbells placed on said rack in a plurality of angular orientations.
35. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 29, wherein said rack further comprises an adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering said rack relative to said vertical supports.
36. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly for supporting dumbbells for weight lifting exercises, said assembly comprising:
- a pair of vertical supports;
- a rack assembly for supporting dumbbells, said rack comprising collars attached at opposite ends thereof, and being vertically movable relative to said vertical supports; and
- latch members for holding said collars to said vertical supports;
- whereby said rack assembly is held in a vertical position along said vertical supports.
37. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 36, wherein said rack is provided with a first dumbbell holder positioned at a first end of said rack and a second dumbbell holder positioned at a second end of said rack; and wherein each of said first and second dumbbell holder positions are defined by a cutout for allowing a user to see and reach dumbbells placed on said rack in a plurality of angular orientations.
38. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 36, wherein said latch members are in the form of popper pins provided in said collars, which can be pulled in order to vertically move said collars and said rack.
39. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 37, wherein said rack assembly comprises a cross bar attached to said collars, and said first and second dumbbell holders are positioned on said cross bar.
40. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 39, wherein said first and second dumbbell holders are laterally movable on said cross bar.
41. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 40, wherein said cross bar is comprised of a rectangular bar.
42. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 41, wherein said first and second dumbbell holders are laterally movable on said rectangular bar.
43. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 42, wherein said first and second dumbbell holders are mounted to collars which are slidably mounted to said rectangular bar.
44. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 40, wherein said dumbbell holders are comprised of horizontal plate portions, movably attached to said cross bar.
45. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 44, further comprising a backstop portion.
46. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 45, wherein said backstop portion spans the width of the uprights, and is attached to said vertically movable collars, and moves upwardly and downwardly with said cross bar.
47. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 45, wherein said backstop portion is attached to said horizontal plate portions and is movable therewith.
48. An adjustable dumbbell rack assembly of claim 36, wherein rack is a one piece unit, which spans the width of the uprights, and is attached to said vertically movable collars.
49. An exercise system, comprising:
- a dumbbell support system, for supporting dumbbells at a first vertical height;
- a bench; and
- individual dumbbell supports for flanking the bench and receiving a dumbbell on opposite side of said bench, at a second vertical height.
50. The exercise system of claim 49, wherein said second vertical height is lower than said first vertical height.
51. The exercise system of claim 50, wherein said bench has at least a substantially horizontal position, at a third vertical height.
52. The exercise system of claim 51, wherein said first vertical height has a range at least between 40-44″.
53. The exercise system of claim 51, wherein said second vertical height has a range at least between 16-20″.
54. The exercise system of claim 51, wherein said third vertical height has a range at least between 20-22″.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 2, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2007
Applicant: Dumbbell Spotter, LLC (Carmel, IN)
Inventor: Robert Hummer (Detroit, MI)
Application Number: 11/591,822
International Classification: A63B 21/078 (20060101);