US20060100075A1

US20060100075A1 - Safety squat and bench press bar

Info

Publication number: US20060100075A1
Application number: US11/118,799
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Harsh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-29
Filing date: 2005-04-28
Publication date: 2006-05-11

Abstract

A safety weight lifting device has a rigid bar configured to adjustably mount to a base unit and said base unit configured to hold weights, so as to allow a weight lifter to do squat or bench press exercises without the need of a spotter. The weight lifter can adjust the weight lifting bar with respect to the base unit to allow completion of the exercise by lifting the weight lifting bar, the base unit, and the weights all at once.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Weight lifting has become an integral part of many people's lives. Types of weight lifting exercises vary tremendously. However, two exercises that have been popular for a very long time are the bench press and the squat.
The squat exercise generally requires a rack device which holds a weight lifting bar. The weight lifting bar holds weights. The weight lifter stands inside the rack and places his/her body under the weight lifting bar. The weight lifter centers the bar on his/her shoulders and neck and balances it with their hands. Once the bar is secure on their shoulders and neck, the weight lifter extends his/her legs upward to lift the bar from the rack holding device. To complete the exercise, the weight lifter squats down trying to keep his/her back as vertical as possible and then stands back up fully extending their legs. This exercise can be repeated any number of times with any amount of weight depending on the ability of the weight lifter and the workout desired.
The bench press exercise also requires a rack device which holds a weight lifting bar. In addition, the exercise requires a bench. The weight lifting bar holds various numbers and sizes of weights. The bench allows the weight lifter to lay down on his/her back and complete the exercise. The exercise requires the lifter to lie horizontal on the bench facing upward and extend their arms upward and pick up the weight lifting bar from the rack. Once the weight lifting bar is picked up, the weight lifter lowers the bar to his/her chest and then pushes up on the bar to lift the bar back to its original position (arms fully extended upward). This exercise can also be repeated as the ability of the weight lifter allows.
One problem with these types of exercises is that they are quite dangerous if completed alone. Therefore, spotters are generally required to assist the weight lifter with things like putting the weight lifting bar properly on the rack after the exercise is completed or helping the weight lifter complete the exercise if the weight or number of repetitions is too great, so that if a weight lifter cannot complete the exercise and return the weight to the rack, they do not become pinned under the weight lifting bar which contains the weights. This could cause severe injury or even death. Therefore, most weight lifters must adjust their weight lifting schedule to that of someone else's who is willing to spot them during the exercise. Therefore, a weight lifting device which allows these and more exercises to be completed safely without the aid of a spotter is desirable.
The invention addresses these concerns and in an alternative mode of the invention, provides for a quickly exchangeable bench press bar.
Other objects and features of the invention and the manner in which the invention achieves its purpose will be appreciated from the foregoing and the following description and the accompanying drawings which exemplify the invention, it being understood that changes may be made in the specific method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the essentials of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Safety Weight Lifting Bar for squat exercises.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Safety Weight Lifting Bar for bench press exercises.
FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of adjustment lock means with lock pin engaged in weight lifting bar.
FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of adjustment lock means with lock pin locked-out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention is shown in the preferred mode in FIG. 1 having two base units, 22, constructed with rigid base plate 16 which is preferred to be a 3″ wide flat metallic bar, ⅜″ thick, but can be any similar rigid material. The purpose of the base plate 16 is to support or balance the invention while it is resting on the floor and when the weight lifter sets the bar down. Beneath the base plate 16, rubber bumper pad 17 may be attached for floor and base protection. It is preferred that the bumper pad 17 be a 3″ wide piece of rubber ½″ thick, however, the bumper pad 17 may be any other similar material or any other suitable thickness.
Attached to the base plate 16 is a main upright rigid tube 12. The main upright tube 12 has multiple purposes, all of which are not listed here. A first purpose of the main upright tube 12 is to adjustably connect the weight lifting bar 4 (and 4A in FIG. 2) to the base plate 16. A second purpose for the main upright tube 12 is to hold the weights to be lifted during the exercise via the weight bar 13, weight stop 14, and the weight support bar 15. A third purpose of the main upright tube 12 is to hold a spring locking means.
It is preferred that the main upright tube 12 be constructed of 1⅝″ steel receiver tube, however, any other suitable material such as aluminum, titanium, or the like can be used. The main upright tube 12 is preferred to be welded to the base plate 16, however, bolting, riveting or similar fastening method can be used.
The main upright tube 12 may be constructed with a slot along the side of the tube. This slot allows a cap screw 11 which may be affixed to the weight lifting bar 4 to travel inside the main upright tube 12, but does not allow the weight lifting bar 4 to be lifted out of the main upright tube 12 without removing the cap screw 11 from the weight lifting bar 4. weights can be added to the safety weight lifting bar on the weight bar 13. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the invention having two weight bars 13 on each base unit 22, however, the invention may have any number of weight bars fixedly attached to the main upright tube 12 in any orientation. For example, the weight bars may be parallel to the base plate 16, perpendicular to the base plate 16, or may be attached in some other orientation compared to the base plate 16. In addition, the weight bars may be attached perpendicular to the main upright tube 12 or may be attached slightly angled upward allowing weights to remain on the weight bar 13 without sliding off easily. The weight bar 13 is preferred to be constructed of 2″ round cold rolled steel, however, any other rigid material may be used.
The weight bars 13 may be attached directly to the main upright tube 12 however, it is preferred to be constructed with a weight stop 14, and a weight support bar 15. It is further preferred that the weight stop be constructed of an 8″ diameter steel disk, 3/16″ thick, but any size, shape, or thickness rigid material can be used. A weight support bar 15 in the preferred mode is fixedly attached to the main upright tube 12 by welding, bolting, riveting, or the like. It is preferred that the weight support bar 15 be constructed of 1″ round cold rolled steel, however, other sizes and materials may be used.
An essential element in this invention is an adjustment locking means (described below) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. While the preferred embodiment of the locking means is shown, other embodiments of the locking device may be used. This locking means allows the weight lifting bar 4 to adjust heights with respect to the base unit 22.
The weight lifting bar 4 is preferred to be constructed of 1⅛″ round, stress proof steel, but other rigid materials can be used. The weight lifting bar 4 is also preferred to be bent with two approximately 90° angles for allowing the weight lifting bar 4 to slide into and out of the base units 22 and still remain relatively perpendicular to the base units 22.
The particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 can be used for squat weight lifting exercises among other exercises as will be obvious to one skilled in the art. This embodiment of the exercise bar is constructed with two shoulder support bars 1. The shoulder support bars 1 allow the weight lifter to lift the weight lifting bar 4 using their shoulders. The shoulder support bars 1 are preferred to be constructed of 1″ round cold rolled steel, but any other rigid material may be used. The shoulder support bars are to be fixedly attached to the weight lifting bar 4 by welding, bolting, riveting, or other similar attachment method. The shoulder support bars 1 are preferred to be attached to the weight lifting bar perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the weight lifting bar 4.
The shoulder support bars 1 may be covered with a shoulder bar pad 2. This shoulder support bar pad 2 spreads out the force of the weight on weight lifter's shoulders. The shoulder support bar pads may be constructed of foam, rubber, or other similar shock absorbing material.
The area on the weight lifting bar 4 between the shoulder support bars 1 may be covered with a neck and shoulder pad 3. This neck and shoulder pad 3 spreads out the force of the weight on weight lifter's neck and shoulders. The neck and shoulder pad may be constructed of foam, rubber, or other similar shock absorbing material.
The safety weight lifting bar for squats may additionally be constructed with two handle bars 20. The handle bars allow the weight lifter to balance themselves and the weight lifting bar on their shoulders while completing exercises. It is preferred that the handle bars 20 be constructed of ¾ round cold rolled steel, but any similar rigid material can be used. It is also preferred that the handle bars 20 be attached to the weight lifting bar 4 by welding, bolting, riveting, or the like. It is further preferred that the handle bars 20 be attached to the weight lifting bar 4 protruding outward the same or similar direction as the shoulder support bars 1 which allows for the weight lifter to grasp them easily.
The handle bars 20 may be covered with a handle bar grip 19. The handle bar grip 19 purpose is to allow the weight lifter to hold on to the handle bars and maintain a good grip throughout the exercise. The handle bar grip 19 may be constructed of foam, rubber or other similar material.
FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the invention used for bench press exercises as well as squats, among others. This particular embodiment of the invention uses the same type of base units 22, but a different weight lifting bar 4A. This weight lifting bar 4A is preferred to be constructed of 1⅛″ round, stress proof steel, but other rigid materials can be used. The weight lifting bar 4A is also preferred to be bent with two approximately 90° angles for allowing the weight lifting bar 4A to slide into and out of the base units 22 and still remain relatively perpendicular to the base units 22.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show the preferred embodiment of the adjustable locking means. The adjustable locking means fixedly attaches to the main upright tube 12 and allows the weight lifting bar to be raised or lowered in the main upright tube 12 when the locking means is locked out, and causes the weight lifting bar 4 and the base units 22 to move as one apparatus when engaged or locked together.
The adjustable locking means works by having a locking pin 6 which engages and disengages fixed locking pin holes 21 in the weight lifting bar. The weight lifting bar 4 has a plurality of locking pin holes 21 which allow for height adjustment of the weight lifting bar 4 with respect to the base units 22.
The preferred embodiment of the adjustable lock mechanism is constructed with a locking pin 6, a guide tube 8, a cap 9, a biasing device 10, a cap screw 11, and a piston boss 18. In addition, the locking pin 6 may have a gripping pad attached to the pin. However, other locking means may be incorporated with this invention.
It is preferred that the guide tube 8 be constructed of 1½″ round cold rolled steel receiver tube and have a slot cut into the side of the tube. However, other rigid materials such as aluminum, titanium, or the like may be used. This slot allows the cap screw 11 to move back against the tension of the biasing device 10 and lock into the locked out position as shown in FIG. 4. Then, with a twist of the locking pin 6, the locking pin uses the tension of the biasing device 10 and engages a locking pin hole 21 in the weight lifting bar 4 which is to be lined up with the locking pin 6 as shown in FIG. 3. This allows the base unit 22 and the weight lifting bar 4 to move up and down during weight lifting exercises as one unit.
It is preferred that the locking pin 6 be constructed of ⅝″ round cold rolled steel rod, however, other sizes, shapes, and materials may be used. The gripping pad 5 which may be attached to the locking pin 6 may be constructed of foam, rubber, or other similar material. The cap 9 is preferred to be steel and thread onto the guide tube, but the cap 9 may be constructed by other rigid materials and may attach by welding, riveting, pinning, or other attachment means.
The locking pin 6 slides through the guide tube 8 and is supported by a piston boss 18. The piston boss 18 is preferred to be ¾″ round tube with a ⅝″ hole through the center, however, other sizes and shapes may be used to accommodate different size and shape locking pin 6 and guide tube 8.
The biasing device is preferred to be made of spring steel, but can be made of other biasing type-materials. Additionally, the biasing device 10 is preferred to mount around the locking pin 6 and inside the guide tube 8. The biasing device is held in place by a steel washer 7 on each end which cannot travel past the cap screw 11 or the cap 9. However, the biasing device may attach to the guide pin and mount differently than shown. Additionally, the washers 7 may be constructed of aluminum, titanium, or other similar rigid materials.
The cap screw 11 is preferred to be constructed of ⅜″ #16 threaded steel which threads onto the locking pin 6 and another is attached to the weight lifting bar 4 and slides in the slot in tube 12, however, it may be a different size and also may be constructed of pins, rivets, or the like.
The locking pin holes 21 are preferred to be through holes in the weight lifting bar 4. It is also preferred that the locking pin holes 21 be countersunk at the opening to allow the locking pin 6 to easily penetrate the locking pin hole 21 and engage weight lifting bar 4. The preferred embodiment of the invention has a plurality of locking pin holes 21 on each side of the weight lifting bar 4. These locking pin holes 21 allow the weight lifting bar to be adjusted up and down with respect to the base unit 22.
The current invention relates to exercise equipment, namely weight lifting bars. This invention is capable of allowing a weight lifter to complete exercises such as but not limited to the bench press and the squat without the need for a spotter. The safety weight lifting bar essentially works as the weight lifting bar and the rack combined in one apparatus.
In use, the weight lifter positions the weight lifting bar 4 to a height that he/she can easily get under to complete the exercises that they wish to do and then he/she position themselves in place to complete the exercises. Once in place to complete the exercises, the weight lifter locks out the adjustable locking means. This allows the weight lifting bar 4 to be raised or lowered in the base unit 22. After the weight lifter positions the weight lifting bar to the proper height for completing the exercises, he/she engages the adjustable locking means with the weight lifting bar 4. This fixes the height of the weight lifting bar with respect to the base unit 22. Therefore, when the exercises are being completed, the weight lifting bar 4, the base unit 22, and any attached weights (not shown) are lifted up as one unit by the weight lifter. When the weight lifter has completed the exercise, he/she disengages the adjustable locking means from the weight lifting bar 4 and push up the weight lifting bar. This allows the base unit with any attached weights to remain on the floor. Then when the weight lifter raises the weight lifting bar to a height where they can safely get out from under it, they re-lock or re-engage the adjustable locking device. This holds the weight lifting bar 4 up allowing the weight lifter to climb out from under the weight lifting bar 4.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show two embodiments of the safety weight lifting bar which can be used for bench press or squat exercises among other things. Each embodiment of the safety weight lifting bar has two base units 22 and one weight lifting bar 4 or 4A. This invention allows a weight lifter to add weights to the base unit 22, (which can be resting on the floor) on the weight bars 13, position themselves to do the desired exercise, adjust the height of the weight lifting bar 4 or 4A, complete the exercise, and then raise the weight lifting bar 4 or 4A leaving the base unit 22 and the weight resting on the floor. The weight lifting bar 4 or 4A is configured to adjust heights in the base units 22 by having a multiplicity of locking pin holes 21 which allow locking pins 6 to lock into place with the base unit 22.
While there have been shown and described particular embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention or its equivalent.

Claims

1. A safety squat and bench press bar comprised of:

a. two elongated rigid upright members, each having a top end and a bottom end;

b. a third essentially horizontal member elongated member attached near the tops of the two upright members;

c. two upright sleeve members for slidably receiving the two upright rigid members, said sleeve members having base means for stabilization;

d. locking means for temporarily locking the upright members in place in the upright sleeves;

e. rigid handle members extending from the rigid upright members, said extensions extending in a firs direction perpendicular to the rigid members, then in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal rigid member;

f. a pair of rigid extension members extending perpendicular to the horizontal rigid member and spaced apart so as to allow the bars to be placed on a typical adult shoulders with neck therebetween;

g. Weight holding means attached to the upright rigid members, with means for varying the amount of weights to be held.