WORKOUT SAFETY DEVICE

Abstract

A portable safety device for use by fitness persons during a regimen involving the use of dumbbells. The device adapted to hold a dumbbell at the ready while the fitness person positions him or herself in the prone position on a weight bench to remove the dumbbell from the safety device in order to commence his or her fitness regimen, and wherein a cradle adapts to hold the dumbbell automatically moves to a dwell position away from the fitness person during his or her exercise.

Description

The present invention relates generally to fitness workout devices and has particular, although not exclusive, use as a safety device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

Whether a professional, or simply one who wishes to maintain a certain muscle tone as part of his/her daily routine, it is common practice to use dead weights as part of a training regimen. A free weight, namely the venerable dumbbell, is such a dead weight and is in extensive use in gymnasiums and homes worldwide.

Despite the obvious potential for accidents and injury, amateurs and professionals alike seem not to be able to avoid an inevitable strain, sprain bump, bruise and even break while doing curls and other dumbbell exercises. And it is not always the size or the pure weight in use by the fitness person. Even smaller weights are capable of creating considerable pain if misused, either by accident or on purpose.

In the case of dumbbells, for example, the strain which a dumbbell can place on one's muscle structure, particularly in the area of the bicep and shoulder, is multiplied by the distance that dumbbell is situated relative to the human body. While dumbbells are often used in a sitting or standing position, they are also frequently used while the fitness person is prone on a weight bench, by way of example. Somehow, a person has a sense of exaggerated well-being when his entire upper body is supported on a bench, and that sense of well-being can, and does, result, on occasion, in the fitness person overextending his strength and capability, to his detriment.

Fatigue is yet another human element which can be the cause of substantial injury and is one which is often overlooked. After doing several repetitions of a particular exercise, the muscles involved are fatigued, and, particularly when a weight bench is in use, the ability of the fitness person to deposit dead weights in a safe manner can be impaired.

All of this environmental background tends to lead one to a full appreciation of the value of the safety device which is the present invention.

2. Overview of the Prior Art

The Ammoscato et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,397, provides a support assembly for a dumbbell (there being one on either side of the bench), which swings away from the access position so that when the user has completed his exercise regimen and replaced the dumbbells in the support system, they move laterally out of the way.

In Gedeon-Janvier, U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,400, a similar concept is in play with the exception that the support system rotates in a vertical plane out of the way once the exercise regimen has been completed.

Similarly, in the Ellis device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,927, a weight bar 70 is rotated out of the way once the exercise has been completed. In a similar fashion, Murray et al., publication number 2007/008297, provides for the rotation of either a weight bar or dumbbells vertically out of reach and out of danger once the exercise regimen has been completed. The Murray et al. application was filed in April of 2007, more than five years ago, and, since it has not issued, it is appropriate to assume that it was found to be unpatentable by the Patent Office. It remains an example of prior art.

Schoolfield U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,898, takes a slightly different approach in that the support system slides rearwardly out of the way rather than rotating out of the way as do the previous patents. Strong U.S. Pat. No. 7,435,198, is an independently structured dumbbell support system which is on wheels and which is movable into and out of position for use. It is, perhaps, the closest to the structure of the present invention, but, in our view, not a significant impediment to patentability.

Finally, the Santoro U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,723, is much the same as the more common weight lifting system found in most gyms. Referring to FIG. 11, it permits dumbbells to be hoisted vertically and horizontally with a cable attached in hopes of preventing injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal feature of the present invention is the safety that it provides to the user as he exercises with dumbbells while prone, or sitting, on a weight bench or the like.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a safety device such as that set forth above which is also very convenient in use. Related to the foregoing, the present invention provides a device which is not only safe and convenient, but portable and, thus, movable to storage as required, or to various stations in the user's work out.

The device of the present invention is further distinguished by its simplicity in structure and use, which also makes it cost effective to a rank amateur all the way to a professional.

Combining all of the advantageous features enumerated herein, the safety device of the present invention is space efficient and is, therefore, usable in a confined area, as well as being readily stored when not needed.

Further and additional features of the present invention will be perceived by those skilled in the art upon reading of the Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment, in conjunction with the sheets of drawing, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of the safety device of the present invention, emphasizing its adjustability;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 while showing the positioning of a dumbbell in the rack;

FIG. 3 is yet another view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating a dumbbell positioned in the safety device on the right side of a weight bench;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the extension arm of the safety device with the position pin in place;

FIG. 5 is yet another partial sectional view, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, with the extension arm in its vertical position, assumed once the dumbbell has been released from the cradle;

FIG. 6 is another partial sectional view in the manner of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2, but showing the extension arm at rest and at an angle, which provides the cradle position to hold the dumbbell essentially parallel to the surface upon which the safety device rests;

FIG. 7 is yet another partial sectional view looking toward the safety device from the weight bench and showing the axis of rotation of the extension arm; and,

FIG. 8 is a view of the safety device positioned to the right of the weight bench, which is sectioned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and initially, to FIG. 1, a work out safety device, or accessory, constructed in accordance with the present invention, is shown at 15. The workout device 15 is selectively positionable adjacent a support stand, e.g., weight bench B. The workout bench B is but one of several varying configurations, but basically comprises a horizontal padded bench 17 supported on a framework 19. The framework 19 includes a foot 22 which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bench 17 so as to provide lateral stability for the bench.

The safety device 15, in accordance with the invention, is portable and is individually positionable relative to the bench 17 in order that a user, e.g., in the prone position on the bench, can readily access the safety device at the exact position necessary for the user to optimize the safety features of the safety device.

As will soon become apparent, the portable workout safety device of this invention is particularly suited to providing a safe nesting relationship for a dumbbell D. It is well known that when a user is in the prone position on the workout bench B and wishes to use dumbbells as part of this exercise regimen, there is an inherent risk that one or both dumbbells will be inadvertently dropped. There is also a risk of excessive strain on certain muscles in the arm and shoulder of the user, all of which can be ameliorated by the use of the safety device 15 of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 in concert with FIG. 1, the safety device 15 provides a cradle 26 having recesses, or slots, 28 for receipt of a dumbbell D. The cradle 26 is supported at the top of an extensible arm 31. The arm 31 is of tubular construction so as to receive a height adjustable extension 33 therein, which is movable longitudinally up and down as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cradle 26 is secured at the top of the extension 33 in any well known manner, and may even be integrally formed with it. The cradle is positioned so as to be essentially horizontal when the dumbbell is nested therein. A pin locking assembly 35 fits in opening 37 to secure the extension within the arm 31 at the desired height.

A significant feature of the workout safety device 15 is its ability to position a dumbbell D at the precise location relative to the user positioned on the bench be at the beginning of a desired exercise, and to swing out of the way, once the exercise is begun. In order to accomplish this objective, the extension arm 31 is pivotable at 44 such that the lower portion thereof, 31L, is weighted as at 40, and when a weight D is removed from the cradle, the weighted lower end 31L will cause the extension arm 31 to move to the right, as seen in FIG. 6, causing the upper end 31U to move the empty cradle out of the way of the user. Otherwise stated, by lifting the dumbbell out of the cradle 26, the arm 31 automatically, and quickly, retracts from its address position in order that the cradle not interfere with the user's exercise.

Further in accordance with the invention, the extensible arm 31 is pivotally mounted in a base member 39. More particularly, the base member 39 is a U-shaped member and broader at the lower surface to optimize stability. A pivot pin 44 passes through the extension arm securing it near the top of the base member 39. The pivot pin permits limited rotation through a small arc about the pin 44.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the safety device is at its at rest position, the extensible arm 31 is at an acute angle relative to the bench B. As previously noted, the cradle 26 is formed in such a manner as to permit the slots 28 which hold the dumbbell D to be essentially horizontal when the safety device is at rest. A pin assembly 42 holds the extensible arm 31 in its at rest position when not in use. It will be noted that both the pins 42 and 35 are tethered in order to prevent them from being lost or misplaced while keeping them readily at hand. It will also be observed that the base member 39 is releasably secured to the foot 22 of the bench by means of an “L” shaped cleat 46 to enhance the stability thereof.

Once the user establishes his position on the bench and removes the dumbbell from the cradle 26, the device of the present invention immediately moves from its at rest, or delivery position, where the safety device 15 moves the dumbbell in position [FIG. 2] to be picked up by the user, having assumed his/her position on the weight bench, to a dwell position [FIGS. 2, 5] where the extensible arm 31 is out of the way of the user.

When the dumbbell is in the cradle, the extensible arm 31 is top heavy and easily rests in the delivery position. When the dumbbell is removed, the weighted lower end 31L automatically wings the upper end 31U clear of the user's body.

It will be appreciated that while the invention has been described with respect to a single portable safety device, two such devices, one on either side of the bench, will enhance any workout regimen. Portability makes the move possible.

The present invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment. It is understood that those skilled in the art, having read the detailed description and accompanying drawings, will think of modifications which may be made to the structure as described. However, it will be appreciated that all such modifications to any part of the structure are within the contemplation of the invention, as described in the accompanying claims, wherein:

Claims

1. A portable safety device for use with a free weight by fitness enthusiasts for use in concert with a support stand;

an extensible arm, said extensible arm mounted in said support stand, said extensible arm being rotatable in said support stand;

a cradle, said cradle being mounted to said extensible arm at the upper end thereof; said extensible arm being rotated between a delivery position and a dwell position, said free weight being supported by said cradle when said extensible arm is in its at rest position where the user can easily remove said weight from said cradle;

said cradle automatically movable to said dwell position, clear of the user, once said free weight is removed from said cradle.

2. The portable safety device of claim 1, wherein said extensible arm includes an extension, said extension movable along the longitudinal axis of said extensible arm to position said free weight relative to the support stand.

3. The portable safety device of claim 1, wherein said support stand includes a base member, said extensible arm being pivotally mounted to said base member, said extensible arm being movable through an arc between a delivery position and a dwell position.

4. A pair of portable safety devices for use with a free weight by fitness enthusiasts for use in concert with a support stand, each such portable safety device having;

one said portable safety device located on either side of the support stand;

a cradle, said cradle being mounted to said extensible arm at the upper end thereof; said extensible arm being rotated between a delivery position and a dwell position, said free weight being supported by said cradle when said extensible arm is in its at rest position where the user can easily remove said weight from said cradle;

said cradle automatically movable to said dwell position, clear of the user, once said free weight is removed from said cradle.

5. The portable safety devices of claim 4, wherein said extensible arm is pinned against movement when said portable safety device is not in use.

6. The portable safety device of claim 1, wherein said support stand is releasably connected to a support stand.

7. The pair of portable safety devices of claim 4, wherein said extensible arm includes an extension, said extension movable along the longitudinal axis of said extensible arm to position said free weight relative to the support stand.

8. The pair of portable safety devices of claim 4, wherein said support stand includes a base member, said extensible arm being pivotally mounted to said base member, said extensible arm being movable through an arc between a delivery position and a dwell position.

9. The pair of portable safety devices of claim 4, wherein said support stand is releasably connected to a support stand.