WEIGHTLIFTING BAR CLAMP
A constrictable clamp has an opening configured for insertion of an end of a weightlifting bar therethrough. A tightening mechanism includes a knob coupled to a spool for manually winding a length of a cable around the spool and tightening the constrictable clamp onto the weightlifting bar. The knob is movable between an engaged position locked with the spool and a disengaged position from the spool to relax the cable and open the clamp.
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The present application generally relates to clamps for weightlifting bars. More particularly, the present invention relates to a weightlifting bar constrictable clamp having a tightening mechanism for manually winding a cable and tightening the constrictable clamp onto a weightlifting bar.
Weightlifting is a sport or activity enjoyed by many which includes the lifting of barbells and other heavy weights. Weights may be lifted as part of a strength training program or as a competitive sport.
In weightlifting, it is common to have a weightlifting bar, such as a barbell or the like, that has a central gripping portion and opposing ends onto which are placed weights, often in the form of plates, which can be increased or decreased in amount according to the strength of the user. Once the desired number of plates or weight have been added to the bar, clamps are placed on the bar next to the weights to hold them in place while the weightlifter performs his or her exercise. It is typically important to have an equal number of plates or weight on each end of the weightlifting bar so that the weightlifting bar is balanced as the weightlifter performs the exercise. Shifting of the weight can create imbalance and in extreme cases weights falling from the weightlifting bar. This can present a dangerous scenario for both the weightlifter as well as those that might be in the proximity of the weightlifter.
There are a wide variety of clamps which are used in an attempt to hold the weight plates in place on the weightlifting bar. Spring clip collars have handles or free ends which are squeezed to enable the spring clip collar to be placed over the end of the weightlifting bar adjacent to the outermost weight plate. These are generally inexpensive, light in weight, and can be quickly positioned. However, it is difficult to obtain a tight fit between the clips and the plates, which gap can create damage to the weightlifting plates. The spring clips can also be difficult to squeeze to sufficiently open to place over the end of the bar. Moreover, the spring clips can lose tension over time which can present the dangerous scenario of the weight plates sliding off the weightlifting bar during the exercise. Furthermore, spring clips are limited in the amount of weight which they can hold in place.
Screw ring collars are essentially a shaft collar having a collar which is insertable over the end of the weightlifting bar and has a manually actuated screw which is moved downwards and pressed against the bar, so as to hold the ring against the bar like a vice. These are generally comprised of metal and very durable and the user can adjust the tightening by continuing to increase the screw into the end of the bar. However, the screwing collar may apply pressure to the bar to the point where the screw damages the bar. Furthermore, tension is not applied around the entre circumference of the weightlifting bar, raising security issues. Furthermore, the screw threads may be worn over time which can adversely affect the functionality of the screw ring collar clamp.
An alternate form of the screw ring collar is the compression ring collar, wherein tightening of a bolt causes a compression ring to wrap itself around the outer circumference of the bar. Thus, tension is applied around the entire circumference of the bar. However, the screw threads may be damaged over time similar to the screw ring collars, which will weaken the tightening mechanism.
There are also snap ring collars, also known as lock-jaw collars, which are slid over the end of the barbell and a lever is used to tighten the collar onto the end of the weightlifting bar. While being able to be quickly and conveniently inserted onto the end of the weight bar, these collars have drawbacks as well in that it is not possible to tighten them once they have been snapped shut, and thus they may not be effective clamps when applied to specialty bars or bars with slightly larger or smaller diameters than they have been designed to fit. Moreover, if the weightlifting bar and weights are dropped to the floor the lever can become disengaged, resulting in the unclamping of the clamp from the bar.
There are also strap collars which are pieces of material that are wrapped around the ends of the weightlifting bars and held in place by Velcro. While strap collars have the advantages of being portable, not damaging the bar and fitting most bars as the strap collars are adjustable, strap collars have the disadvantages of being less secure than other types of collars and are limited in the amount of weight in which they can effectively hold on to the weightlifting bar.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an improved weightlifting bar clamp. Such a clamp should be quickly and easily attached onto the bar to hold the plates of weight in place. Such a clamp should be durable and not prone to failure, yet not heavy. Such a clamp should be adjustable to variations in sizes of the ends of the weightlifting bars. The present invention fulfills these needs, and provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a weightlifting bar clamp which is quickly and easily inserted over an end of a weightlifting bar and clamp thereto adjacent to the weights so as to firmly hold the weights in place on the weightlifting bar. The clamp generally comprises a constrictable clamp having an opening configured for insertion of an end of the weightlifting bar therethrough. A tightening mechanism is associated with the constrictable clamp and includes a knob coupled to a spool for manually winding a length of a cable around the spool and tightening the constrictable clamp onto the weightlifting bar.
The constrictable clamp comprises a plurality of arcuate clamping segments having elastomeric spacers connecting adjacent ends of the clamping segments. The clamping segments and spacers cooperatively define a cable track extending therethrough through which the cable is inserted. The elastomeric spacers bias the clamping segments away from one another when the cable is in a relaxed state and compress as the cable is tightened such that the clamping segments constrict and are tightened onto the weightlifting bar.
A gripper may be attached to an inner surface of each clamping segment which is configured to grip the weightlifting bar. The gripper may be comprised of an elastomeric material. The grippers may each include an weight bar engaging surface having spaced apart ridges for tightly gripping the weight bar.
The tightening mechanism includes a plurality of spaced apart ratcheting teeth associated with the knob or spool for incrementally rotating the spool and winding the cable. The knob is movable between an engaged position locked with the spool and a disengaged position from the spool. For example, the knob may be movable along an axis of rotation between the engaged and disengaged positions. The cable is in a relaxed state when the knob is in a disengaged position, permitting the clamp to be removed from the weightlifting bar. However, rotating the knob in the engaged position winds the length of cable around the spool and tightens the constrictable clamp onto the weightlifting bar and maintains the tension and tightening until the knob is disengaged.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
As shown in the accompanying drawings, for purposes of illustration, the present invention resides in a weight lifting bar clamp, generally referred to by the reference number 10. As will be more fully described herein, the clamp 10 of the present invention is designed so as to quickly and easily attach onto a weight lifting bar and firmly hold weights in place. The clamp 10 is durable and not prone to failure, yet is not heavy and does not damage the weight lifting bar. Moreover, the clamp 10 is adjustable to variations in sizes of the ends of weight lifting bars.
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An elastomeric biasing element 34 is disposed between the spacer inserts 30. Element 34 is comprised of a material having elastomeric and biasing properties. As illustrated, the elastomeric biasing element has opposite curved surfaces so as to have a generally circular or oval configuration. In a relaxed state, the elastomeric biasing element 34 pushes the spacer inserts 30 away from one another, and thus the clamping segments 24 away from one another. However, force can be applied to the spacer inserts 30, such as by tension being applied to the clamping segments 24, which will overcome the bias and cause the curved surfaces of the elastomeric biasing element 34 to flatten. In this condition, the clamping segments 24 are constricted or brought towards one another so as to decrease the size of the end bar receiving aperture 16.
The clamp 10, and more particularly the constrictable portion 14 of the clamp, defines a cable receiving track therein. This cable receiving track is defined, at least in part, by apertures 36 extending through the spacer 26, and more particularly through the spacer inserts 30 and elastomeric biasing element 34. These apertures 36 are substantially aligned with one another and also aligned with a track 38 formed in the clamping segments 24. The track 38 may be formed by means of an open-faced channel, an enclosed channel, an elongated aperture extending through the clamping segment 24 or the like.
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With continuing reference to
As mentioned above, when the cable 20, which is extended through the apertures and cable track 36 and 38 is tightened, it causes the arcuate clamping segment 24 to be brought towards one another and to compress the elastomeric biasing element 34 of spacer 26, decreasing the diameter of the weight bar receiving aperture 16. This occurs progressively as the knob 22 of the tightening mechanism 12 is rotated. As such, the constrictable portion 14 of the clamp 10 is tightened onto the end 4 of the weight lifting bar 2. This is illustrated diagrammatically in
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Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A weight lifting bar clamp, comprising:
- a constrictable clamp having an opening configured for insertion of an end of a weight lifting bar therethrough and defining a cable receiving track; and
- a tightening mechanism including a knob coupled to a spool for manually winding a length of cable associated with the cable receiving track of the clamp around the spool, whereby actuating the knob winds the cable onto the spool and tightens the constrictable clamp onto the weight lifting bar.
2. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 1, wherein the tightening mechanism includes a plurality of spaced apart ratcheting teeth associated with the knob or spool for incrementally rotating the spool and winding the cable.
3. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 1, wherein the knob is movable between an engaged position locked with the spool and a disengaged position from the spool.
4. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 3, wherein the knob is movable along an axis of rotation between the engaged and disengaged positions.
5. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 1, wherein the cable is in a relaxed state when the knob is in the disengaged position, permitting the clamp to be removed from the weightlifting bar.
6. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 1, wherein the constrictable clamp comprises a plurality of arcuate clamping segments having elastomeric spacers connecting adjacent ends of the clamping segments.
7. The weight lifting bar of claim 6, wherein the clamping segments and spacers cooperatively define the cable track extending therethrough.
8. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 6, wherein the elastomeric spacers bias the clamping segments away from one another when the cable is in a relaxed state and compress as the cable is tightened.
9. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 6, including a gripper attached to an inner surface of each clamping segment configured to grip the weight lifting bar.
10. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 9, wherein the gripper includes a weight bar engaging surface having spaced apart ridges.
11. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 9, wherein the gripper is comprised of an elastomeric material.
12. A weight lifting bar clamp, comprising:
- a constrictable clamp having an opening configured for insertion of an end of a weight lifting bar therethrough, the clamp comprising a plurality of arcuate clamping segments having elastomeric spacers connecting adjacent ends of the clamping segments, the clamping segments and spacers cooperatively defining a cable track extending therethrough; and
- a tightening mechanism including a knob coupled to a spool for manually winding a length of cable associated with the cable track around the spool;
- wherein the elastomeric spacers bias the clamping segments away from one another when the cable is in a relaxed state; and
- wherein actuating the knob winds the cable onto the spool compresses the elastomeric spacers and tightens the constrictable clamp onto the weight lifting bar.
13. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 12, wherein the tightening mechanism includes a plurality of spaced apart ratcheting teeth associated with the knob or spool for incrementally rotating the spool and winding the cable, and wherein the knob is movable between an engaged position locked with the spool and a disengaged position from the spool.
14. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 13, wherein the knob is movable along an axis of rotation between the engaged and disengaged positions.
15. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 13, wherein the cable is in a relaxed state when the knob is in the disengaged position, permitting the clamp to be removed from the weightlifting bar.
16. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 12, including a gripper attached to an inner surface of each clamping segment configured to grip the weight lifting bar.
17. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 16, wherein the gripper includes a weight bar engaging surface having spaced apart ridges.
18. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 16, wherein the gripper is comprised of an elastomeric material.
19. A weight lifting bar clamp, comprising:
- a constrictable clamp having an opening configured for insertion of an end of a weight lifting bar therethrough and defining a cable receiving track; and
- a tightening mechanism including a knob coupled to a spool for manually winding a length of cable associated with the cable receiving track around the spool to tighten the constrictable clamp onto the weight lifting bar;
- wherein the tightening mechanism includes a plurality of spaced apart ratcheting teeth associated with the knob or spool for incrementally rotating the spool and winding the cable;
- wherein the knob is movable between an engaged position locked with the spool and a disengaged position from the spool; and
- wherein the cable is in a relaxed state when the knob is in the disengaged position, permitting the clamp to be removed from the weightlifting bar.
20. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 19, wherein the constrictable clamp comprises a plurality of arcuate clamping segments having elastomeric spacers connecting adjacent ends of the clamping segments, the clamping segments and spacers cooperatively defining a cable track extending therethrough.
21. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 20, wherein the elastomeric spacers bias the clamping segments away from one another when the cable is in a relaxed state and compress as the cable is tightened.
22. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 19, including a gripper, comprising an elastomeric material, attached to an inner surface of each clamping segment configured to grip the weight lifting bar.
23. The weight lifting bar clamp of claim 22, wherein the gripper includes a weight bar engaging surface having spaced apart ridges.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 10, 2017
Publication Date: Feb 14, 2019
Applicant: Setwear Products, Inc. (Canoga Park, CA)
Inventor: Lance Michael Coury (Canoga Park, CA)
Application Number: 15/673,700