Spotter for use with dumbbell weights

Abstract

A spotter assembly is disclosed where multiple vertical uprights, cross bars and individual spotters are possible. The cross bars are vertically movable relative to the uprights and the spotters are movable relative to the crossbars.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from provisional applications 60 / 733,104, filed Nov. 3, 2005; 60 / 760,654 filed Jan. 20, 2006; and 60 / 807,629 filed Jul. 18, 2006.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The field of the invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly to a dumbbell rack and spotter. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Weight lifting using free-weights is widely enjoyable as a form of exercise and strength conditioning. Barbells and dumbbells are used in different workout routines to exercise and strengthen various muscle groups, such as biceps, triceps, pectorals, etc., depending upon the manner in which the free-weights are lifted and for the body position of the user. [0004] The user must use the strength of his arm muscles, particularly the biceps, in order to move the dumbbells from the floor or rack into the starting exercise position. Such exercises were designed to develop chest and / or shoulder muscles and not arm muscles. Further, particularly at hi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] The dumbbell release holders may be comprised of a tray to hold the dumbbells, the trays being positioned at a third vertical height, where the third vertical height is less than the first vertical height. The dumbbell release holders may be comprised of a tray to hold the dumbbells. The tray

Problems solved by technology

Further, particularly at higher weights, it may be difficult for a user to lift heavy weight dumbbells from the floor or rack using only the smaller bicep muscles rather than the larger chest or shoulder muscles.

Further, any attempts to lift large weights off of the floor to the starting exercise position could result in an injury to the user's back.

This places the dumbbell handles at an inconvenient position for gripping by a weightlifter when in a seated position in front of the dumbbell supports.

Further, such dumbbell supports, while providing vertical adjustability, do not have and or have only limited means for horizontal adjustment of the pair of dumbbell rests relative to each other.

Thus, dumbbell rests which are fixed at a given spacing on a support frame(s) may not be in an ideal position for some weightlifters to easily grasp the dumbbells or, at the completion of the exercise, easily and safely placing the dumbbells back onto the rests.

Due to the high weight levels which may be lifted, the support frame, crossbar, and rest represent a considerable weight which presents an inconvenience to the weightlifter in setting up the dumbbell rest support for an exercise.

If the weight is transferred to the easily damaged ligaments or tendons, a serious injury may occur.

A drawback with these dumbbell support attachments is that the pair of dumbbells are positioned at 180 degree angle from each other.

Therefore, the lifter is limited to initiate the lifting exercise from the same position every time, regardless of the muscle exercise to be conducted.

The risk of muscle injury may be high, especially if the lifter has to shift or change muscle motions while lifting very heavy dumbbells.

However, positioning of the dumbbell position rack involves lifting each rack and stand assembly individually, making the initial positioning rather cumbersome.

In addition, the individual rack and stand assembly may be easily bumped out of place while being used.

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