Weight securing system

Abstract

The invention provides a weight carrying member having a longitudinal axis, such as a weight carrying member on a dumbbell, barbell or other exercise equipment. In one embodiment a plurality of spaced apart holes are provided along the weight carrying member's longitudinal axis. Each of the holes is suitable to receive a locking pin. In another embodiment a plurality of spaced apart recesses are provided along the weight carrying member's longitudinal axis. Each of said recesses is suitable to receive a locking pin. One or more weights can be securely maintained on the weight carrying member, at a desired location along the longitudinal axis, by sandwiching the weights between a pair of locking pins inserted in, or through, the recesses or holes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to exercise devices. More particularly, the invention relates to exercise devices employing weight securing means for releasably securing one or more weights at selected locations along the longitudinal axis of the device's weight carrying member or support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Weight training typically involves the use of barbells and dumbbells. Both may consist of solid bars with opposite ends mounting removable weight training plates. The middle portion of the bar functions as a handle. The plates are supplied in sets with various weight increments. Additional plates must be added if the user wants to increase the amount of weight on the bar. Likewise, plates may be removed if the user wishes to decrease the amount of weight on the bar.

Prior art exercise devices utilize a variety of methods for removably fastening or mounting a weight on the bar, generally against a stop. Typically, a retaining collar is fastened to the weight carrying member with set screws or the like. Such collars are illustrated in Pugh's U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,908. Another method is to utilize a retaining collar or a retaining weight having an internally threaded aperture, so that the collar or weight can be threaded onto external threads on a weight carrying member; see, for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,756 to Hoagland and U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,192 to Nelson. A third type of securing means involves securing a weight with a spring clip or spring collar, such as those distributed by Sport Supply Group, Inc. of Dallas, Texas, United States of America. Each of these securing means rely on a certain frictional engagement which may not hold when using heavy weights or require cumbersome threading of threaded weights or threaded collars onto a externally threaded weight carrying member.

The effective amount of weight on a bar can also be increased by extending the mass of the weight beyond the arms of the user. A typical example is the “swingbell”. The swingbell consists of a bar having a set of weights mounted at one end. The free end of the bar is grasped at the other end. The mass of the weight thus extends outward from the user's arm. The relationship of weight and distance from the hand increases or decreases the leverage of the weight against the user's arms. The increase or decrease is a factor of the distance between the user's palm and the center of mass for the weights. A device similar to a swingbell is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,658,108.

There remains, however, a continuing need to obtain some form of exercise device that will easily removably secure weights, even heavy weights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a weight lifting bar having a weight carrying member with a longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced apart holes extend through said weight carrying member and are positioned along said longitudinal axis, each hole suitable to receive a locking pin therethrough.

In another aspect, the invention provides a weight carrying member with a longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced apart recesses are on said weight carrying member and positioned along said longitudinal axis, each recess suitable to receive a locking pin therein.

Advantageously, one or more weights can be securely maintained on the weight carrying member, at a desired location along the longitudinal axis, by sandwiching the weights between a pair of locking pins inserted in, or through, the recesses or holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 are perspective views of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5-6 are exploded perspective views of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 7-8 are perspective views of the first embodiment showing a weight plate removably secured at different positions, along the device's longitudinal axis, using locking pins; and

FIGS. 9-12 are perspective views of the first embodiment showing the device being held by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is to be had to the Figures in which identical reference numbers identify similar components.

Referring to FIGS. 1-12, one embodiment of the weight lifting bar 10 of the present invention is show. In this embodiment, the bar 10 comprises a weight carrying member or support 12 having a longitudinal axis L, a handle end 12h and a weight loading end 12w. Preferably, the bar 10 further comprises a grip or handle 14 pivotally connected to said member 12 at a pivot point P. More preferably, the grip 14 is pivotally connected near said handle end 12h.

The weight carrying member 12 is suitable for removably carrying one or more weights 15. Preferably the weights 15 are in the form of a circular disk having a central aperture with an inside diameter which is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the weight carrying member 12 so that they can be slipped onto said member 12 at the weight loading end 12w. Means are provided for securing one or more weights 15 at various locations on the weight carrying member 12 to vary the length of the effective movement arm between the weights 15 and the grip 14 and thereby adjusting the effective amount of weight experienced by a user 40 while lifting the device during exercise.

In this embodiment, the weight carrying member 12 further comprises a plurality of spaced apart holes 12o therethrough, said holes 12o positioned along said longitudinal axis L. The holes are suitable to receive a locking pin 22. Preferably, the locking pin 22 is of a length which is longer than the outside diameter of the weight carrying member 12 and also longer than the inside diameter of the aperture in the weights 15. The locking pin 22 is position in or through the hole 12o so as to prevent any weights 15 from sliding past it, thereby acting as a removable stop. Preferably, the locking pin 22 remains positioned in a hole 12o by means of a friction fit. More preferably, the locking pin 22 is positioned through the hole 12o so that both of the pin's ends project or extend out from the hole 12o (at opposing sides of the member 12). Advantageously, in this way the pin 22 engages the weight 15 at two distinct points. Alternatively, the pin 22 may be positioned in the hole 12o so that only one of its ends projects or extends outward from the member 12, engaging the weight 15 only at one point, i.e. at the point where the pin 22 projects from the member 12.

Advantageously, during exercise one or more of the weights 15 are maintained on the weight carrying member 12, at a desired location along the longitudinal axis L, by sandwiching said weights 15 between a pair of locking pins 22 (see FIGS. 7-8), thereby enabling the user to safely use very heavy weights 15 without fear of them moving along the member 12 or coming off all together.

Preferably, means are provided for selectively securing the grip 14 to the member 12 at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis L. In the specific embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-12, such means comprises an arc-shaped extension 12a of member 12 around at least a portion of pivot point P, a plurality of set screw openings 16 arranged in an arc around the pivot point P and through said extension 12a as shown. A set screw 1.8 is provided and is positionable through said openings 16, and is threadable into the grip 14 which is pivotally connected adjacent said extension 12a as show. When said screw 18 is positioned through one of said openings 16 and tightened into frictional engagement with said extension 12a, the grip is secured at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Advantageously, by removing set screw 18 from the bar 10, adjusting grip 14 to a new angle, replacing set screw 18 through another of the said openings 16 and threading said screw 18 into the grip 14, the angle of the grip 14, relative to the longitudinal axis L, can be adjusted to one of a number of preset angular positions.

Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment (not shown), the weight securing means are similar to the plurality of holes 12o and locking pin 22 as discussed above. However, in this embodiment the holes do not go completely through the weight carrying member 12 but instead are more like recesses in said-member 12. Like the holes 12o discussed above, the spaced apart recesses are positioned along said longitudinal axis L and are suitable for receiving a locking pin 22 therein. Preferably, the locking pin 22 remains positioned in a recess by means of a friction fit.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any of these weight securing means (e.g. holes or recesses used in association with locking pins) could also be utilized on weight carrying members that are part of other exercise devices or equipment, including equipment such as traditional dumbbells, barbells, squat machines and leg press machines, where a large number of heavy weights may simply need to be retained on the device against a stop. In such a case, the weights would be sandwiched between a stop and a locking pin positioned in a hole or recess at the appropriate position.

The specific embodiments described should be taken as illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting its scope. Many further modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and the inventions should be construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A weight lifting bar having a weight carrying member with a longitudinal axis, comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart holes through said weight carrying member and positioned along said longitudinal axis, each hole suitable to receive a locking pin; and

a grip for gripping by a user to perform an exercise movement.

2. A weight carrying member having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart holes through said weight carrying member and positioned along said longitudinal axis, each hole suitable to receive a locking pin.

3. The weight carrying member of claim 2 further comprising a grip for gripping by a user to perform an exercise movement.

4. The weight carrying member of claim 2 further comprising:

a weight stop; and

a weight loading end,

wherein said plurality of spaced apart holes are positioned between the weight stop and weight loading end.

5. The weight carrying member of claim 4 further comprising a grip for gripping by a user to perform an exercise movement.

6. A weight carrying member having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart recesses in said weight carrying member and positioned along said longitudinal axis, each recess suitable to receive a locking pin.

7. The weight carrying member of claim 6 further comprising a grip for gripping by a user to perform an exercise movement.

8. The weight carrying member of claim 6 further comprising:

a weight stop; and

a weight loading end,

wherein said plurality of spaced apart recesses are positioned between the weight stop and weight loading end.

9. The weight carrying member of claim 8 further comprising a grip for gripping by a user to perform an exercise movement.