Fitness Bar
A weight attachment mechanism for a barbell; the attachment mechanism may include: a base including a receiving end and a mounting end; a fixed arm; an opening arm; and a sheath having an inner surface and an outer surface. The fixed arm and the opening arm may be configured to be mounted to the mounting end of the base. The opening arm may be movable relative to the fixed arm in order to receive a weight between the fixed arm and the opening arm. The inner surface of the sheath may be configured to fittingly engage at least a portion of the base. The receiving end of the base may be configured to attach to an end of the barbell.
This disclosure relates generally to an attachment for a fitness bar and, more particularly, an attachment assembly that can attach to a fitness bar or barbell at one end and hold a weight at the other to allow a user to perform a variety of weighted exercises with limited or minimal equipment.
Description of Related ArtTypical barbells for strength training consist of an elongated bar, designed to be gripped by a user, and two elongated ends, designed to slide weight thereon. The elongated ends are smooth compared to the bar to facilitate the sliding of various sized weights onto and off of the ends. This configuration allows a user to perform numerous exercises for numerous muscle groups. However, the ability to perform these exercises at the desired resistance is often limited by the weights. The weights used on a standard barbell are typically plated with a hole in the center, so that they can slide onto the ends of a barbell. While barbells can be affordable, the plated weights can be expensive and often only come in sizes of 5, 10, 25, and 45 pounds, limiting the ability of a user to exercise at varying levels of resistance.
There is a need for another way to exercise with barbells, to make use of Olympic and other exercises that can only be performed with the barbell. Having a mechanism that will attach non-plated weights onto one or both ends of a barbell could reduce the amount of equipment needed to work out with a barbell.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a weight attachment mechanism for a barbell may include a base including a receiving end and a mounting end, a fixed arm, an opening arm, and a sheath having an inner surface and an outer surface. The fixed arm and the opening arm may be configured to be mounted to the mounting end of the base, the opening may be movable relative to the fixed arm in order to receive a weight between the fixed arm and the opening arm, the inner surface of the sheath may be configured to fittingly engage at least a portion of the base, and the receiving end of the base may be configured to attach to an end of the barbell.
According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixed arm and the opening arm may each include a body portion and a mounting portion extending from the body portion in the direction of the base, the body portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm may define a first space configured to receive the weight therein, and the mounting portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm may be configured to be mounted to the mounting end of the base. The mounting end may include a first tab and a second tab defining a second space therebetween, and the second space may be configured to receive the mounting portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm therein. The first tab and the second tab may each have a pair of apertures, and the pair of apertures on the first tab may correspond with the pair of apertures on the second tab. The mounting portions of the opening arm and the fixed arm may each include an aperture, each aperture aligning with one of the apertures of both the first and second tabs.
According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, pins may extend through each of the aligned apertures, fastening the opening arm and the fixed arm to the mounting end of the base. An outer surface of the mounting portion of the opening arm may be rounded so as to permit the rotation of the opening arm relative to the fixed arm. The mounting portion of the opening arm may extend a first length from the body portion of the opening arm and the mounting portion of the fixed arm may extend a second length from the body portion of the fixed arm, wherein the second length is longer than the first length. The mounting end of the base may include a slot configured to receive at least a portion of the mounting portion of the fixed arm therein. The base may further include a threaded portion between the receiving end and the mounting end. At least a portion of the inner surface of the sheath may be threaded, corresponding to the first threaded portion of the base. The weight may be a dumbbell. The weight may be a fitness ball.
According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a weightlifting assembly may include a first bar having a first end and a second end and a second bar having a first end and a second end, and at least one weight attachment mechanism which may include an attachment portion having a connecting end, a weighted end, and a locking sheath. The connecting end of the attachment portion may be configured to be mounted to the first end of the first bar or the second bar. The weighted end may be configured to receive a weight therein. The locking sheath may be configured to lock the weight within at least a portion of the weighted end. The second end of the first bar and the second end of the second bar may be configured to be attached to one another.
According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the weighted end may include a fixed arm and an opening arm movable relative to the fixed arm in order to receive the weight therebetween. The locking sheath may be configured to be rotatably mounted to the attachment portion so as to cover at least a portion of the fixed arm and the opening arm so as to prevent the opening arm from moving. The at least one weight attachment mechanism may further include a pair of locking pins configured to be received through at least a pair of corresponding apertures located on the attachment portion and the fixed arm and the opening arm. A surface of the opening arm may be rounded so as to permit the opening arm to rotate relative to the fixed arm. The weight may be a dumbbell. The weight may be a fitness ball.
The present disclosure may be further defined by the following clauses:
Clause 1. A weight attachment mechanism for a barbell, the attachment mechanism comprising: a base comprising a receiving end and a mounting end; a fixed arm; an opening arm; and a sheath having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the fixed arm and the opening arm are configured to be mounted to the mounting end of the base, wherein the opening arm is movable relative to the fixed arm in order to receive a weight between the fixed arm and the opening arm, wherein the inner surface of the sheath is configured to fittingly engage at least a portion of the base, and wherein the receiving end of the base is configured to attach to an end of the barbell.
Clause 2. The weight attachment of clause 1, wherein the fixed arm and the opening arm each comprise a body portion and a mounting portion extending from the body portion in the direction of the base, wherein the body portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm define a first space configured to receive the weight therein, and wherein the mounting portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm are configured to be mounted to the mounting end of the base.
Clause 3. The weight attachment mechanism of clause 1 or 2, wherein the mounting end comprises a first tab and a second tab defining a second space therebetween, and wherein the second space is configured to receive the mounting portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm therein.
Clause 4. The weight attachment mechanism of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the first tab and the second tab each have a pair of apertures, the pair of apertures on the first tab corresponding with the pair of apertures on the second tab.
Clause 5. The weight attachment mechanism of any of clauses 1-4, wherein the mounting portions of the opening arm and the fixed arm each comprise an aperture, each aperture aligning with one of the apertures of both the first and second tabs.
Clause 6. The weight attachment mechanism of any of clauses 1-5, wherein pins extend through each of the aligned apertures, fastening the opening arm and the fixed arm to the mounting end of the base.
Clause 7. The weight attachment mechanism of any of clauses 1-6, wherein an outer surface of the mounting portion of the opening arm is rounded so as to permit the rotation of the opening arm relative to the fixed arm.
Clause 8. The weight attachment mechanism of any of clauses 1-7, wherein the mounting portion of the opening arm extends a first length from the body portion of the opening arm and the mounting portion of the fixed arm extends a second length from the body portion of the fixed arm, and wherein the second length is longer than the first length.
Clause 9. The weight attachment mechanism of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the mounting end of the base comprises a slot configured to receive at least a portion of the mounting portion of the fixed arm therein.
Clause 10. The weight attachment mechanism of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the base further comprises a threaded portion between the receiving end and the mounting end.
Clause 11. The weight attachment mechanism of any of clauses 1-10, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the sheath is threaded, corresponding to the first threaded portion of the base.
Clause 12. The weight attachment mechanism of any of clauses 1-11, wherein the weight is a dumbbell.
Clause 13. The weight attachment mechanism of any of clauses 1-12, wherein the weight is a fitness ball.
Clause 14. A weight lifting assembly of any of clauses 1-13, comprising: a first bar having a first end and a second end and a second bar having a first end and a second end; and at least one weight attachment mechanism comprising: an attachment portion having a connecting end and a weighted end; and a locking sheath, wherein the connecting end of the attachment portion is configured to be mounted to the first end of the first bar or the first end of the second bar, wherein the weighted end is configured to receive a weight therein, wherein the locking sheath is configured to lock the weight within at least a portion of the weighted end, and wherein the second end of the first bar and the second end of the second bar are configured to be attached to one another.
Clause 15. The weightlifting assembly of clause 14, wherein the weighted end comprises a fixed arm and an opening arm movable relative to the fixed arm in order to receive the weight therebetween.
Clause 16. The weightlifting assembly of clause 14 or 15, wherein the locking sheath is configured to be rotatably mounted to the attachment portion so as to cover at least a portion of the fixed arm and the opening arm so as to prevent the opening arm from moving.
Clause 17. The weightlifting assembly of any of clauses 14-16, wherein the at least one weight attachment mechanism further comprises a pair of locking pins configured to be received through at least a pair of corresponding apertures located on the attachment portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm.
Clause 18. The weightlifting assembly of any of clauses 14-17, wherein a surface of the opening arm is rounded so as to permit the opening arm to rotate relative to the fixed arm.
Clause 19. The weightlifting assembly of-any of clauses 14-18, wherein the weight is a dumbbell.
Clause 20. The weight lifting assembly of any of clauses 14-19, wherein the weight is a fitness ball.
For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as it is oriented in the figures. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary aspects of the disclosure. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
The present disclosure is directed, in general, to a weight lifting assembly and, more particularly, to a weight attachment mechanism that allows a user to connect different types of weights to a barbell. Certain aspects of the components of each are illustrated in
As shown in
With reference to
As shown in
After the barbell 8 is slid into and received within the hole 22, the pins 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D can then be screwed or placed into their corresponding apertures 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D thereby locking the barbell 8 within the hole 22. When the pins 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D are to be screwed into their respective aperture 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, each may have a correspondingly engaging threaded portion. The pins 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D are screwed into the apertures 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D until an end of the pin contacts the barbell 8. The holding force provided by the pins 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D and minimal clearance between the inner surface 24 of the hole 22 and the barbell 8 serve to keep the barbell 8 in place within the receiving end 20. In instances where the pins 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D are to be screwed into the apertures 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, a tool, such as a screwdriver, may be used, or a user may perform the screwing manually. The pins 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D may also be frictionally fit within the apertures 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D. In either instance, it is contemplated that the end of the barbell 8 may have corresponding apertures (not shown) or indentations (not shown) that are configured to align with the apertures 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D in order to help increase the holding forces on the barbell 8.
As shown in
In other aspects, the barbell 8 may be maintained within the hole 22 by way of a friction or interference fit. In this configuration, the inner surface 24 of the hole 22 of the receiving end 20 directly and tightly contacts the barbell 8, so that the base member 12 maintains its connection with the barbell 8 during use. In this instance, the forces applied to the attachment mechanism 10 and barbell 8 during use are less than the frictional forces keeping the barbell 8 within the hole 22. Only when enough force is applied to the mounting end 36 of the base member 12 in a direction away from the barbell 8 can the frictional forces be overcome, causing the barbell 8 to be released from the hole. It is contemplated that in yet other aspects, the inner surface 24 may be threaded (not shown) to receive a correspondingly threaded barbell 8 end inside of it. In yet other aspects, there may be flexible protrusions (not shown) that extend from the inner surface 24 to engage the end of the barbell 8. In this configuration, the barbell 8 would be pressed within the hole 22, pushing the flexible protrusions toward the inner surface 24. As the barbell 8 slides within the hole 22, the flexible protrusions apply a force against the barbell 8 to retain the barbell 8 within the hole 22 during use. Other methods of retaining the barbell 8 within the hole 22 of the receiving end 20 known to those having skill in the art may also be used and are understood to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the attachment mechanism 10 may be permanently attached to the barbell 8 by an adhesive, a weld, or the like.
As shown in
Referring now to
With reference now to
With continued reference to
Referring back to
Referring now to
The mounting portion 82 extends from the body portion 80 in the direction of the base member 12. Specifically, the mounting portion 82 is to be received within the space 42 of the mounting end 36 of the base member 12. As can be seen from
An aperture 92B extends through the mounting portion 82 in order to receive the mounting pin 96B therethrough. The aperture 92B aligns with one of the first apertures 44B and one of the second apertures 46B, respectively located on the first tab 38 and the second tab 40. The mounting pin 96B extends through each aperture 44B, 92B, 46B and connects the opening arm 16 to the mounting end 36 of the base. While shown and described as a pin, the mounting pin 96A may be threaded, and apertures 44B, 92B, 46B may be correspondingly threaded to engage with the mounting pin 96B. In these instances, a user of the attachment mechanism may screw the mounting pin 96B into the apertures 44B, 92B, 46B by hand or with a tool to insert and remove the mounting pin 96B during assembly and disassembly of the attachment mechanism 10. It is further contemplated that the mounting pin 96B may also be frictionally fit through each aperture 44B, 92B, 46B. Other attachment mechanisms known to those having ordinary skill in the art may also be used.
Regardless of how the mounting pin 96B (or another attachment mechanism) connects the mounting portion 82 of the opening arm 16 to the mounting end 36 of the base member 12, the mounting pin 96B must permit the opening arm 16 to rotate when it is connected to the mounting end 36. This is so that, when assembled, the opening arm 16 can rotate or pivot relative to the base member 12 and the fixed arm 14 to allow for enough space to insert a weight within spaces 54, 84. In particular, the opening arm 16 rotates away from the fixed arm 14. To facilitate the rotation of the opening arm 16, the mounting portion 82 has a rounded surface 90. The rounded surface 90 provides clearance to allow the opening arm 16 to rotate relative to the fixed arm 14. In some aspects, the rounded surface 90 may contact and rotate against the first mounting part 60 of the fixed arm 14 during operation.
With continued reference to
Referring now to
When the sheath 18 is screwed onto the base member 12, as shown in
When applied to a barbell 8, the sheath 18 first slides over the end of the barbell 8 because, given the configuration of the attachment mechanism 10 described above, both diameters D1, D2 are larger than the diameter of the barbell 8. The sheath 18 is slid down the barbell 8 and placed temporarily out of the way. The hole 22 of the receiving end 20 of the base member 12 is then placed on the end of the barbell 8, and pins 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D are then screwed or pressed into apertures 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D in order to contact the barbell 8 and secure the receiving end 20 about the barbell 8. This step is omitted when the hole 22 connects to the barbell 8 via a friction fit. The opening arm 16 is then moved to an open position so as to permit a weight to be received in the cooperating spaces 54, 84. To help with this movement, edges 58, 88 can be used. Specifically, a force can be applied to edge 88 to push the body portion 80 of the opening arm 16 away from the body portion 50 of the fixed arm 14. Edge 58 can be ergonomically shaped to help a user hold the attachment mechanism 10 when the opening arm 16 is moved. When the weight is received within the spaces 54, 84, the opening arm 16 is then closed. The sheath 18 can then slide back up the barbell 8 and over the receiving end 20 of the base member 12. The sheath 18 is then screwed to the base member 12, with the threaded portion 108 of the inner surface 102 engaging with the threaded portion 37 of the base member 12. A user can now use the barbell 8 with the weight 112, 114 to exercise.
As shown in
While various aspects of the weight attachment mechanisms 10 were provided in the foregoing description, those skilled in the art may make modifications and alterations to these aspects without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, it is to be understood that this disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any aspect can be combined with one or more features of any other aspect. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims, and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. A weight attachment mechanism for a barbell, the attachment mechanism comprising:
- a base comprising a receiving end and a mounting end;
- a fixed arm;
- an opening arm; and
- a sheath having an inner surface and an outer surface,
- wherein the fixed arm and the opening arm are configured to be mounted to the mounting end of the base,
- wherein the opening arm is movable relative to the fixed arm in order to receive a weight between the fixed arm and the opening arm,
- wherein the inner surface of the sheath is configured to fittingly engage at least a portion of the base, and
- wherein the receiving end of the base is configured to attach to an end of the barbell.
2. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the fixed arm and the opening arm each comprise a body portion and a mounting portion extending from the body portion in the direction of the base, wherein the body portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm define a first space configured to receive the weight therein, and wherein the mounting portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm are configured to be mounted to the mounting end of the base.
3. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 2, wherein the mounting end comprises a first tab and a second tab defining a second space therebetween, and wherein the second space is configured to receive the mounting portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm therein.
4. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 3, wherein the first tab and the second tab each have a pair of apertures, the pair of apertures on the first tab corresponding with the pair of apertures on the second tab.
5. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 4, wherein the mounting portions of the opening arm and the fixed arm each comprise an aperture, each aperture aligning with one of the apertures of both the first and second tabs.
6. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 5, wherein pins extend through each of the aligned apertures, fastening the opening arm and the fixed arm to the mounting end of the base.
7. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 2, wherein an outer surface of the mounting portion of the opening arm is rounded so as to permit the rotation of the opening arm relative to the fixed arm.
8. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 2, wherein the mounting portion of the opening arm extends a first length from the body portion of the opening arm and the mounting portion of the fixed arm extends a second length from the body portion of the fixed arm, and wherein the second length is longer than the first length.
9. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 8, wherein the mounting end of the base comprises a slot configured to receive at least a portion of the mounting portion of the fixed arm therein.
10. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a threaded portion between the receiving end and the mounting end.
11. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the sheath is threaded, corresponding to the first threaded portion of the base.
12. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the weight is a dumbbell.
13. The weight attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the weight is a fitness ball.
14. A weightlifting assembly comprising:
- a first bar having a first end and a second end and a second bar having a first end and a second end; and
- at least one weight attachment mechanism comprising: an attachment portion having a connecting end and a weighted end; and a locking sheath,
- wherein the connecting end of the attachment portion is configured to be mounted to the first end of the first bar or the first end of the second bar,
- wherein the weighted end is configured to receive a weight therein,
- wherein the locking sheath is configured to lock the weight within at least a portion of the weighted end, and
- wherein the second end of the first bar and the second end of the second bar are configured to be attached to one another.
15. The weightlifting assembly of claim 14, wherein the weighted end comprises a fixed arm and an opening arm movable relative to the fixed arm in order to receive the weight therebetween.
16. The weightlifting assembly of claim 15, wherein the locking sheath is configured to be rotatably mounted to the attachment portion so as to cover at least a portion of the fixed arm and the opening arm so as to prevent the opening arm from moving.
17. The weightlifting assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one weight attachment mechanism further comprises a pair of locking pins configured to be received through at least a pair of corresponding apertures located on the attachment portions of the fixed arm and the opening arm.
18. The weightlifting assembly of claim 15, wherein a surface of the opening arm is rounded so as to permit the opening arm to rotate relative to the fixed arm.
19. The weightlifting assembly of claim 14, wherein the weight is a dumbbell.
20. The weightlifting assembly of claim 14, wherein the weight is a fitness ball.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 7, 2020
Publication Date: Feb 10, 2022
Inventor: Thomas L. Jordan (Washington, PA)
Application Number: 16/988,038