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

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 336,274, filed Jan. 20, 2010.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]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.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]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 ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]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.

[0016]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.

[0017]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.

[0018]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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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.

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.

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