Exercise Barbell

Abstract

An exercise barbell that includes a first cylindrical bar having an open end slidably engageable with a second cylindrical bar, a first hinged coupler and second hinged coupler, the first hinged coupler and the second hinged coupler having a back plate and a front plate, and wherein the back plate is attached to the first cylindrical bar and the second cylindrical bar. The front plate is operatively connected to the back plate by a lower hinge pin, which forms a free weight handle support that may be locked by a fastener. The exercise barbell also has a first rotational point and second rotational point, the first and the second rotational points being operatively connected to the exercise barbell.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/336,274, filed Jan. 20, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment. Particularly, the present invention relates to free weights. More particularly, the present invention relates to a barbell and free weights.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Free weights are commonly used for exercise. One example of a free weight is a dumbbell. A dumbbell has a narrow handle which is designed for a one handed grip. Because dumbbells are designed for one hand, they are often used in pairs with a matching weight being held in each hand. In contrast, a barbell is usually an elongated bar designed for use with two hands. Barbells will usually accept a circular weight having a hole in the center designed to slide onto each end of the elongated bar. Because a barbell and dumbbells require a range of matching weights, they usually become costly and take up valuable space. In turn, this prevents many home gym users from acquiring both free weights and weights for a barbell.

However, there are shortcomings to exercising with either a set of dumbbells or a single barbell because each apparatus allows for a different range of motion and different muscles to become isolated during workout routines. Recent attempts to solve the problem of saving space by providing for a set of adjustable dumbbells has been successful, but also very costly and still only provides users with limited muscle groups that may be exercised.

There have been other attempts to overcome these problems. Examples of such devices are disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,312 (1977, Wright) discloses a weight-lifting device for use with hollow egg-shaped weights. Each shell has a first axis, a central aperture transverse to the first axis, and a tubular member aligned with the axis and extending across the aperture. A channel opens at one longitudinal end of the shell and extends along the axis and through the tubular member for telescopically receiving the bar therein. The aperture is adapted to receive a person's hand or foot to operatively engage the tubular member for exercising purposes and the weights may be used without the bar as individual dumbbells. The shells may be telescoped along the bar and selectively locked at spaced locations along its length. The shells also include compartments which can be filled or emptied of foreign materials such as water, sand, shot or the like to selectively increase or decrease the mass of the individual weights.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,017 (1988, Jaeger) discloses an auxiliary weight lifting device for attachment to a single dumbbell. The auxiliary add-on weight member has a central handle with outer legs that removably attaches between the ends of the dumbbell. The outer legs are releasably attached to the central bar by clips providing easy attachment with a push-on motion in a direction transverse to the bar, and easy release with a pull-off motion in a direction transverse to the bar.

U.S. Pub. No. 2009/0192027 (2009, Parker) discloses at least two dumbbells that releasably connect to the axial ends of a barbell. The dumbbells include a dumbbell connector portion positioned axially on a weight of the dumbbell, and the barbell includes a barbell connector portion on the axial ends of the barbell. The dumbbell connector portion engages the barbell connector portion to connect the dumbbell to the barbell. The dumbbell connector portion can be received in a recess of the weight. The user selects two dumbbells of a desired weight and connects the barbell with the dumbbells.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,243 (1996, Allen) discloses a weight lifting bar having a bracket attached to each end. Each bracket has an elongated slide extending transversely to the lifting bar and a latching cover for covering the elongated slot. Each of a pair of dumbbells has a handle bar portion between a pair of weighted ends with the handle bar sized to fit into the bracket elongated slot and to be removable latched therein so that a pair of dumbbells can be used as weights for a barbell. One embodiment has the brackets fixedly attached to each end of the bar with a latching cover slidable on the bar to cover the transverse slot. Another embodiment has the brackets removably attached to each end of the bar and locks the dumbbells in place by having the elongated slot slidable beneath the barbell bar and uses a locking collar to lock each bracket in place.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,081,072 (2006, Allen) discloses a bar clamp connection that connects an elongated bar, such as the handle of a dumbbell to a bar clamp. The bar clamp has a clamp body having an elongated open sided tube having a side opening sized to receive a predetermined elongated bar member. A tubular extension extends perpendicular from the open sided tube for attaching to a matching tubular member. A strip of hook and loop material has the hoop portion on one side of the material and the loop portion on the other side of the material and can be adhesively attached to the clamp body such that the strip of hook and loop material can be wrapped over the open side of the open sided tube having an elongated bar member therein and attached to the hook and loop material on the other side thereof. The hook and loop material is adhesively attached to the clamp body and also has an opening therein which is fitted over the clamp body tubular extension. The elongated bar member can be the handle of a dumbbell and one bar clamp body can be attached to each end of an elongated rod for supporting a dumbbell on each end thereof to thereby convert a pair of dumbbells into a barbell.

The disadvantage with some of these solutions has been that the barbells require specially adapted dumbbells to connect to the barbell. Other barbells contained connectors for conventional dumbbells that were awkward to exercise with because the barbell or dumbbells would not rotate as a traditional barbell does with circular weights. Also, heavier dumbbells were not adequately supported by the clamping device.

Therefore, what is needed is a barbell that supports a range of conventional free weight dumbbells and other free weight handles. What is also needed is a barbell that can be stored easily and take up minimal space. What is still further needed is an apparatus that safely, easily, and comfortably adapts free weights into a barbell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to easily expand the amount of exercises a person may experience with his current set of free weights. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cheap alternative to buying costly gym equipment. It is yet another object of the invention to reduce the amount of space additional weights would require.

The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing an exercise barbell with hinged couplers. In one embodiment of the present invention there is an exercise barbell that includes a first cylindrical bar having an open end slidably engageable with a second cylindrical bar, a first hinged coupler and second hinged coupler, the first hinged coupler and the second hinged coupler having a back plate and a front plate, and wherein the back plate is attached to the first cylindrical bar and the second cylindrical bar. The front plate is operatively connected to the back plate by a lower hinge pin, which forms a free weight handle support that may be locked by a fastener. The exercise barbell also has a first rotational point and second rotational point, the first and the second rotational points being operatively connected to the exercise barbell.

The hinged coupler presents an opportunity to make a free weight easily attachable to a barbell because the first and second hinged couplers are hinged to open and close over a free weight handle. In the closed position, the hinged couplers form a free weight handle support that engages the handle of a free weight. For example, a dumbbell contains a handle that connects two weighted ends. This handle is easily and quickly coupled with the exercise barbell by opening the hinged coupler over the handle and closing it and latching it. Because the width of a dumbbell handle varies in shape and size, the hinged coupler is large enough to accommodate a variety of different handle sizes. A shim is provided to wrap around a smaller free weight handle in order to order to provide for a safe and effective grip of the dumbbell handle in the free weight handle support when closed. One example of a shim is a cut up bicycle tire having a knobby tread. The sleeve of the cut up tire comfortably fits over a free weight handle and provides for a secure grip in the free weight handle support. The shim may also be made of leather, rubber, fabric, or other material.

The exercise barbell contains two rotational points in order for an exerciser to safely and comfortably exercise with the barbell. In one embodiment, the exercise barbell has a first rotatable grip and a second rotatable grip, which allows the coupled free weights to easily rotate to a center of gravity, and in turn allows for comfortable manipulation and balance of the exercise barbell during any exercise. In another embodiment, the hinged couplers may be rotatable, such that the free weights themselves rotate. This provides for a similar effect where the bar may become balanced and comfortable for the exerciser to manipulate the barbell.

The exercise barbell also presents another opportunity to expand a gym while taking up minimal space because the exercise barbell is collapsible and easily storable. For example, the exercise barbell has a first and second cylindrical bar that slidably engages each other. In one embodiment, the first cylindrical bar has an open end that allows the second cylindrical bar to slide in and out of the first cylindrical bar, such that the overall length of the barbell changes. A slit and a quick release latch allow the bars to be locked into place so that no sliding occurs during use. Furthermore, when the barbell is not being used and a person wishes to store their equipment, the bars may become completely detached to allow for easier storage. One example of how this would be advantageous is to consider a personal trainer making house calls. In this scenario, the trainer may easily store the barbell in his car, and then easily take it out and slide it together when arriving at a client's home. The personal trainer may also keep with him a set of adjustable in weight dumbbells, which could easily be coupled to the barbell to provide for additional exercises and weight training that a trainer on the go would not ordinarily provide for his clients.

The first and second hinged couplers may be attached to the first and second cylindrical bars several different ways. In one embodiment the back plate of the hinged coupler is welded to the cylindrical bar. In another embodiment the back plate of the hinged coupler is threaded to the cylindrical bar. Similarly, the open end up the first cylindrical bar may be connected several different ways. In one embodiment, the open end of the first cylindrical bar is welded to the first cylindrical bar and in another embodiment it is clamped to the first cylindrical bar.

The present invention also includes a method for utilizing free weights on a barbell. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a barbell attached to a first hinged coupler and a second hinged coupler. The front plate of the first hinged coupler and the second hinged coupler are opened and a free weight handle is placed into the open first hinged coupler and the open second hinged coupler. The front plate of the first hinged coupler and the second hinged coupler are closed and latched shut. The length of the barbell may also be manipulated by opening a quick release latch on the first cylindrical bar and sliding the barbell to a desired length and then latching the quick release latch. If the free weight handles are too thin to be secured to the hinged couplers, a shim may be wrapped over the free weight handle before placing the handle into the open hinged coupler.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hinged coupler attached to a barbell.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hinged coupler attached to a barbell.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of exercise barbell 10. Exercise barbell 10 includes a first cylindrical bar 58 and a second cylindrical bar 62. First cylindrical bar 58 has an open end 60. Second cylindrical bar 62 slides into open end 60. First cylindrical bar 58 also has a first hinged coupler 30 attached to one end and second cylindrical bar 62 has a second hinged coupler 31 attached to one end. A first rotational point 66 is preferably housed over first cylindrical bar 58. A second rotational point 68 is preferably housed over second cylindrical bar 62. In the preferred embodiment, first and second rotational points 66, 68 are grips that a person would grab with their hands. First rotational point 66 is housed over first cylindrical bar 58 between the first hinged coupler 30 and open end 60. Second rotational point 68 is housed over second cylindrical bar 62 between the second hinged coupler 31 and open end 60. In another embodiment, first and second rotational points 66, 68 may allow first and second hinged couplers 30, 31 to rotate instead of the cylindrical bars 58, 62.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a perspective view of hinged coupler 30, 31 attached to exercise barbell 10. Hinged coupler 30, 31 each have a back plate 34 and a front plate 32. Back plate 34 on first hinged coupler 30 preferably attaches to first cylindrical bar 58 through a bolt 80. Bolt 80 fits partly through the center of back plate 34 and threads into nipple 78. Nipple 78 is threaded to receive bolt 80. Back plate 34 on hinged coupler 31 preferably attaches the same way to second cylindrical bar 62. However, back plate 34 could be secured by other means, including welding it to first or second cylindrical bars 30, 31. Nipple 78 sits in the center of end cover 56. Although nipple 78 preferably protrudes through end cover 56, its positioning may be inside end cover 56 or sit flush with the opening in end cover 56. End cover 56 caps first rotational point 66 and second rotational point 68. End cover 56 may also be integrated with first rotational point 66 and second rotational point 58 instead of capping.

Front plate 32 is operatively connected to back plate 34 by a lower hinge pin 40. Front plate 32 swings open and closed around lower hinge pin 40, which is housed by lower hinge 38. Front plate 32, when closed, may contact back plate 34 and form free weight handle support 36.

Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a perspective view of hinged coupler 30, 31. On the top side of hinged coupler 30, 31 there is a recess 46 that runs from the back plate 34 through front plate 32. Intersecting recess 46 in back plate 34 is an upper hinge pin 42. Upper hinge pin 42 also runs through a screw 50, which preferably rotates around upper hinge pin 42. Screw 50 extends past the edge of recess 46 on front plate 32. Upper hinge pin 42 may also rotate and screw 50 may rotate with upper hinge pin 42. A turnkey 45 threads onto screw 50 until it runs into recess 46. Turnkey 45, when threaded onto screw 50, hinges up and down in order to allow front plate 32 to open up or close. Turnkey 45 preferably has a circumference bigger than recess 46, such that when turnkey 45 hits recess 46, front plate 32 is pushed to back plate 34. A washer may be used on screw 50 in front of turnkey 45 to secure front plate 32 to back plate 31. When a free weight handle is in free weight handle support 36, turnkey 45 may thread into screw 50 pushing front plate 32 into back plate 34 and the free weight handle may be secure without front plate 32 touching back plate 34.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a perspective view of exercise barbell 10. Exercise barbell 10 includes first cylindrical bar 58 joined to second cylindrical bar 62 by open end 60. Open end 60 is preferably welded 74 to first cylindrical bar 58, but may also be clamped or otherwise attached to first cylindrical bar 58. The outer edge of open end 60 has a slit 72. Quick release latch 70 is housed at the edge of open end 60 and sits near slit 72. Slit 72 is cut long and wide enough to allow quick release latch 70 to secure second cylindrical bar 62 to first cylindrical bar 58 and form exercise barbell 10. Quick release latch 70 preferably is a lever that clamps slit 70 but could also be a turnkey or other fastener. Quick release latch 70 latches and unlatches quickly to allow second cylindrical bar 62 to engage and disengage open end 60. Preferably first cylindrical bar 58 and second cylindrical bar 62 are straight bars that form a straight barbell, however, first and second cylindrical bars 58, 62 may be bent or curved to form a barbell such as an ez-curl barbell.

Turning now to FIG. 5 there is illustrated a bottom view of exercise barbell 10. First and second hinged couplers 30, 31 each have a lower hinge 38. Preferably, lower hinge 38 pivots by a ring connected to front plate 32 with lower hinge pin 40 running through it. Back plate 34 has two outer rings, also with lower hinge pin 40 running through them, and the ring connected to front plate 32 pivots around lower hinge pin 40 and the outer two rings.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for utilizing free weights on a barbell. The method includes obtaining a barbell having a first hinged coupler 30 and a second hinged coupler 31. The front plate 32 on the first hinged coupler 30 and the second hinged coupler 31 is then opened and a free weight handle is placed into the open first hinged coupler 30 and the open second hinged coupler 31. The front plate 32 of the first hinged coupler 30 and the second hinged coupler 31 is closed and latched. If the free weight handle is too small to be adequately secured in the open first hinged coupler 30 and open second hinged coupler 31, a shim may be wrapped over the free weight handle. The shim increases the thickness of the free weight handle such that the free weight is secured to hinged couplers 30, 31 without moving around.

In a further embodiment, the method includes unlatching a quick release latch 70 on a first cylindrical bar 58, sliding the barbell 10 to a desired length and latching the quick release latch 70 shut. The length of exercise barbell 10 is preferably long enough such that when the exerciser lifts barbell 10, hinged couplers 30, 31 do not the exerciser's shoulders.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An exercise barbell comprising:

a first cylindrical bar having an open end slidably engageable with a second cylindrical bar;

a first hinged coupler and second hinged coupler, the first hinged coupler and the second hinged coupler having a back plate and a front plate, and wherein the back plate is attached to the first cylindrical bar and the second cylindrical bar, the front plate being operatively connected to the back plate by a lower hinge pin forming a free weight handle support, the free weight handle support being lockable by a fastener; and

a first rotational point and a second rotational point, the first rotational point and the second rotational point being operatively connected to the exercise barbell.

2. The exercise barbell of claim 1 wherein the first rotational point is a first rotatable grip housed over the first cylindrical bar, the first rotatable grip being positioned between the first hinged coupler and the open end of the first cylindrical bar.

3. The exercise barbell of claim 1 wherein the second rotational point is a second rotatable grip housed over the second cylindrical bar, the second rotatable grip being positioned between the second hinged coupler and the open end of the first cylindrical bar.

4. The exercise barbell of claim 1 wherein the open end of the first cylindrical bar has a slit on an outer edge.

5. The exercise barbell of claim 4 further comprising a quick release latch seated over the slit.

6. The exercise barbell of claim 1 wherein the first cylindrical bar and the second cylindrical bar have a nipple on one end.

7. The exercise barbell of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the first rotatable grip and the second rotatable grip have an end cover converging towards the back hinged plate of the first hinged coupler and the second hinged coupler.

8. The exercise barbell of claim 6 wherein the back hinged plate is threaded into the nipple.

9. The exercise barbell of claim 6 wherein the back hinged plate is welded to the nipple.

10. The exercise barbell of claim 1 wherein the fastener is a turnkey threaded onto a hinged screw, the hinged screw being hinged to the back plate and extending past the front plate through a recess.

11. The exercise barbell of claim 1 wherein the open end is welded to the first cylindrical bar.

12. The exercise barbell of claim 1 wherein the open end is clamped to the first cylindrical bar.

13. The exercise barbell of claim 1 wherein the free weight handle support contains a shim.

14. The exercise barbell of claim 13 wherein the shim is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, leather, fabric, and any combination thereof.

15. The exercise barbell of claim 1 wherein the first cylindrical bar and the second cylindrical bar are separated.

16. A method for utilizing free weights on a barbell comprising:

obtaining a barbell having a first hinged coupler and a second hinged coupler;

opening a front plate of the first hinged coupler and the second hinged coupler;

placing a free weight handle into the open first hinged coupler and the open second hinged coupler; and

closing and latching the front plate of the first hinged coupler and the second hinged coupler.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

unlatching a quick release latch on a first cylindrical bat;

sliding the barbell to a desired length; and

latching the quick release latch.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising wrapping a shim over the free weight handle.

19. The method claim 18 further comprising placing the free weight handle with the shim into the open hinged coupler.