Exercise apparatus including a barbell

Abstract

An apparatus for resistance training is provided. The apparatus can include a bar having a pulley hub at an end thereof. The apparatus can further include two slings, each sling including a connector and a rigid straight or arcuate rod. The slings can be suspended on the pulley hub and support an elastic band that can provide resistance during exercise. A foot plate can also be provided to hold a portion of the band on the floor during use.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 107,065 entitled “Weight Bar”, filed October 29, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 107,065 entitled “Weight Bar”, filed November 20, 2020.

[0003] Priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 116,714, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 214,192, filed June 23, 2021, entitled “Weight Bar and Footplate,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0004] Resistance training is a form of physical exercise that typically involves using muscle strength to resist a force opposing the movement of an object, causing it to move repeatedly. Weightlifting is a common form of resistance training. However, the large size and weight of weightlifting equipment can make it difficult to maintain and use at home.

[0005] Resistance bands can be used for resistance training. The resistance band can be attached to or supported by a bar, such as one similar to those used in weightlifting. The bar and band are configured such that the exercise moves the bar in the direction that stretches the band, thereby applying a force on the bar to the band in the opposite direction of movement.

[0006] Existing resistance training equipment using resistance bands has limitations. One such limitation is that changing the resistance level for any particular exercise may require the use of one or more different bands. Therefore, equipment supporting comprehensive resistance training programs may inconveniently require a large number of bands to allow for sufficient variation in resistance levels.

[0007] Another drawback is that existing devices for attaching resistance bands to the bar are unsatisfactory. Simply wrapping the end of the resistance band around the end of the weightlifting bar is not secure and is often unbalanced.

[0008] Thus, the bar can have, for example, a hook at its end. However, during exercise, the hook can not fully secure the strap in place; and a sudden detachment of the strap from the bar can cause a sudden unexpected movement of the bar, which can very likely result in bodily injury or damage to property. The hook can also cause an asymmetric loading of the bar, or relatedly, cause the strap to exert force in a direction that is not fully aligned with the user's intention, which similarly can cause injury or damage, or even just an inefficient or uncomfortable workout. The strap can also, for example, bunch up at the location supported by the hook, which can in turn cause excessive wear on the strap, which can very likely result in premature failure of the strap.

[0009] Hooks have other disadvantages when used in this context. For example, this geometry means that more metal must be used to support a certain weight, as the weight is supported from only one side.

[0010] Thus, there is a need for an improved way of coupling one or more elastic straps to a bar for resistance training. SUMMARY

[0011] Embodiments of the invention relate to exercise equipment for resistance training. The equipment provides a stable and secure support for elastic straps, which are elements that provide resistance against the exercise being performed.

[0012] According to embodiments of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for resistance training. The apparatus comprises an elongate bar, a first pulley hub arranged near a first end of the bar, and a second pulley hub arranged near a second end of the bar, the second end being opposite the first end. The apparatus further comprises two lanyards, each lanyard comprising an arm and two connectors extending from respective ends of the arm and terminating in the form of a loop, such that for each lanyard, the two loops can be held by one of the pulley hubs in a manner that the lanyard can support a resistance strap during resistance exercise using the bar.

[0013] In embodiments, each pulley hub is attached to the bar in a manner that prevents the pulley hub from moving relative to the bar. As an alternative, in embodiments, each pulley hub is fixed to the bar in a manner that substantially prevents the pulley hub from moving longitudinally relative to the bar while allowing the hub to rotate freely around the bar.

[0014] In embodiments, each arm is a rod having two ends, each end having a hole passing through the rod in a transverse direction. In further embodiments, each arm is substantially straight. In another alternative embodiment, each arm is arc-shaped in shape.

[0015] In embodiments, each connector is a flexible cord. In further embodiments, each connector is a flexible cord with its ends tied together, thereby forming a loop in the cord, such that the loop can pass through one of the holes in one of the arms, but the knot cannot pass through the hole.

[0016] In embodiments, the apparatus comprises an elastic resistance band. In further embodiments, the apparatus comprises a pedal having an upper side and a lower side opposite the upper side, the lower side having one or more channels for holding the resistance band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A person using an apparatus according to embodiments of the application is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 An elastic band such as can be used in connection with embodiments of the application is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 A weight bar according to embodiments of the application is shown.

[0020] Figure 4 An end of a weight bar for supporting a sling according to embodiments of the application is shown in detail.

[0021] Figure 5 A sling according to embodiments of the application is shown.

[0022] Figure 6 A weight bar, a sling and an elastic band in connection with embodiments of the application are shown.

[0023] Figure 7 A pedal according to embodiments of the application is shown.

[0024] Figure 8 A pedal according to embodiments of the application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 An apparatus 100 used by a person 110 according to embodiments of the application is shown. Figure 1 The illustration of a person is merely intended to show the apparatus and its functioning according to embodiments of the application. Embodiments of the application can for example comprise devices and / or apparatuses intended to be used by a person and / or methods of using such devices and / or apparatuses by a person, but they do not comprise a human organism.

[0026] In embodiments such as Figure 1 The apparatus 100 shown in the figure comprises a weight bar 120. The weight bar 120 supports a sling 125, which in turn supports an elastic band 130. In embodiments of the application, the elastic band 130 is a continuous loop, for example as Figure 2 shown, but it is understood that other configurations are possible. For example, the elastic band in connection with embodiments of the application can be a straight band having looped ends (not shown), which can for example be attached to an object to provide resistance to the movement of the bar.

[0027] Back Figure 1 An elastic band passes through a feature of the weightlifting bar 120 and wraps around the underside of the footplate 140. As shown, the weight of the user 110 standing on the footplate 140 holds the band 130 below the footplate 140. Therefore, raising the bar 120 stretches the band 130, thereby increasing the force resisting movement. Lowering the bar 120 reduces the stretch, thus reducing the force exerted by the band 130.

[0028] Figure 3 An example of a lifting bar 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The lifting bar 120 can have any size and can be made of any material suitable for its intended use. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the lifting bar 120 can be a solid steel bar having a substantially uniform, generally circular cross-section along its entire length. For example, the bar 120 can be 3 to 4 feet long and 1 inch thick.

[0029] If the lifting bar 120 does not deviate from roundness to a perceptible degree during normal use, it can be considered that the lifting bar used for this purpose is substantially round. Although in embodiments there are treatments such as knurling, tape or other treatments to enhance grip, for example, applied to the discontinuous area 210 of the bar, the bar can also be considered substantially round and substantially uniform.

[0030] Other shapes and sizes are also possible if needed. For example, a bar designed to be manipulated like a dumbbell could be 9 inches long. Figures 1 to 3 The bar 120 shown is straight, but other bars (not shown) can deviate from this shape if needed. For example, barbells (not shown) with shapes suitable for bicep curls are known in the art, and weightlifting bars according to embodiments of the invention can have shapes similar to such barbells.

[0031] In embodiments of the invention, the lifting bar 120 may have a pulley hub 220 at or near its end, for example, as Figure 3 As shown. Figure 4 The end of the lifting bar 120 and its pulley hub 220 are shown in more detail. As shown, the pulley hub 220 is held on the end of the bar 120 by a thin cap 410 attached to the end of the bar 120.

[0032] At the distal end of the pulley hub 220 can be a structure (not shown) to prevent the hub 220 from moving toward the other end of the bar 120. For example, a groove (not shown) can be cut into the bar 120 and a retaining ring (not shown) can be placed in the groove. As an alternative, such a structure can be, for example, a flanged protrusion of the bar 120, or a collar attached to the bar by adhesive or welding or held in place by friction alone. (Any groove or protrusion or collar used to retain the pulley hub 220 can be ignored when determining whether the cross-section of the bar is substantially uniform.) In such a construction, the pulley hub 220 can rotate freely or not freely or substantially freely about the bar.

[0033] As an alternative, the pulley hub 220 itself can be permanently fixed to the bar 120 at or near the end of the bar 120.

[0034] For balance, it can be desirable to place the pulley hub 220 as close as possible to the end of the bar 120. However, it should be understood that the pulley hub 220 need not be precisely at the end of the bar 120 in order for the bar 120 to exhibit acceptable balance when in use. It can be considered that the pulley hub 220 is near the end of the bar 120 while still being far enough from the end of the bar 120 to permit the pulley hub 220 to be safely secured to the bar 120.

[0035] As an alternative, in an embodiment of the invention (not shown), the pulley hubs 220 can be merely spaced apart enough to allow a user to securely hold the bar 120 during exercise. For example, when using the length of the barbell-like bar, the pulley hubs can be spaced apart a sufficient distance so that the bar is securely grasped in one hand, and can have sufficient additional margin for comfort, safety, or both. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the inner edges of the pulley hubs 220 can be spaced apart a distance of, for example, 5 inches, 5.5 inches, 6 inches, 6.5 inches, 7 inches, 7.5 inches, or 8 inches.

[0036] Figure 4 Also shown is a sling 125 suspended from the pulley hubs 220 of the weight lifting bar 120 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the sling 125 is an assembly comprising an arm 430. The arm 430 shown is curved into an arc, but in alternative embodiments (not shown) the arm can be substantially straight. At each end, the arm 430 terminates in a loop or opening 435. In the embodiment shown, a folded rope 440 is passed through the openings 435 to serve as a connection between the sling 125 and the bar 120. The ends 445 of the rope 440 are tied together to form a knot too large to pass through the holes 435, and a bight of each rope 440 is passed into the pulley hub 220. Figure 4

[0037] ​The knot at end 445 of rope 440 can be any knot large and strong enough to support arm 430 when using the device. In embodiments of the invention, for example, a figure-8 knot with two strands can be used: the figure-8 knot retains more tensile strength of the rope compared to many other knots that may be used, and it fails by slipping (which can give a warning of impending failure) rather than by catastrophic collapse.

[0038] Although both curved arms and straight arms are acceptable according to embodiments of the invention, for example, Figure 4 The curved arm 430 shown can have the advantage of preventing the elastic band from getting squeezed at the corner, for example, between the arm 430 and the rope 440. For example, in situations such as Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, arm 430 can be formed as an arc with a radius of 3 to 4 inches.

[0039] Figure 5 A sling 125, detached from the rod 120, is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the pulley hub 220 may be made of, for example, ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene, and the rope 440 may be, for example, a rope woven from UHMW polyethylene, such as Dyneema SK78. UHMW polyethylene is particularly suitable for this application due to its high strength, low friction, and abrasion resistance. However, it should be understood that any material exhibiting satisfactory strength and other properties may be used.

[0041] Similarly, arm 430 can be made of any material that exhibits sufficient strength, stiffness, and durability for the stated purpose. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the arm can be steel.

[0042] Furthermore, the arm can have any size consistent with the use described in this application. In one exemplary embodiment, the arm 430 can be 6 1 / 16 inches long and 1 / 2 inch thick (except at the hole 435). The hole 435 can have any size and shape consistent with the required strength of the arm 430 and necessary for the rope 440 to pass through. In some embodiments of the invention, the hole can be shaped as, for example, oval, elliptical, rectangular with rounded corners, or similar. In one embodiment, for use with a 6 mm thick rope 440, the hole can be measured as 8 mm × 16 mm.

[0043] Similarly, the cord 440 can be any length desired, and in fact, using different lengths of cord can allow for fine tuning of the force applied by a particular resistance band during a particular exercise. In one embodiment, the cord can be, for example, 5 inches long from the top of the knot to the middle of the loop. Since the cord 440 bends to support the sling 220 when placed on the pulley hub 220, a cord of this size can support the arm at a distance of approximately 3 inches from the center of the bar 120. In embodiments of the invention, one or more spacers (not shown) can be provided to be inserted between the knot and the bottom of the arm 430, effectively shortening the cord 440.

[0044] Figure 6 The relative positions of the weight bar 120, the sling 220, and the resistance band 130 in relative position are shown prior to hanging the sling 220 on the pulley hub 220. As shown, the band 130 is threaded through the arm 430 of the sling assembly 125 such that there is one connecting cord 440 on each side of the band 130. For exercise use, the components shown can be assembled by sliding the loop of the cord 440 over the outer rim of the pulley hub 220, which then holds the cord 440 in place.

[0045] The arm 430 as part of the sling assembly 125 according to embodiments of the invention can be effectively stronger than a hook of the same weight because it is supported at both ends. This in turn can allow the arm 430 to support the band over a longer length than a comparable hook. Thus, an arm 430 such as shown can result in less bunching of the band and thus less friction and wear on the band than a comparable hook. For similar reasons, an arm 430 such as shown can permit stacking (that is, using more than one band at a time) to achieve a greater range of resistance with a smaller set of bands.

[0046] In embodiments of the invention, an optional base plate (or equivalently, platform plate, foot plate, or pedal) can support the user with the resistance bands, for example, singly or doubled through the base plate. As an alternative, if the plate is not used, the user can stand directly on the band, for example, in conjunction with embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that the use of the base plate can be preferred for exercises using high loads.

[0047] Other variations are possible. For example, in embodiments of the invention, a platform (not shown) having hooks on its upper surface and / or (if the platform is elevated) lower surface can anchor the bands during an exercise. For example, the user can stand on the platform during an exercise, pressing the platform against the floor while moving the bar to stretch the bands. As another example, one or more bands can be anchored using a door anchor during an exercise.

[0048] Figure 7 and Figure 8 A number of views of a footplate 140 according to embodiments of the application are shown. Figure 7 The views include a top view (a), a side view (b), a bottom view (c), an end view (d), and a perspective view (e) of the illustrated footplate 140. These views show an exemplary footplate 140 having an upper surface of 23.99 inches by 12.00 inches and a height of 2.00 inches. (Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the dimensions of the illustrated footplates given in the disclosure of the application are not critical; in embodiments of the application, footplates 140 and any components of footplates can have any dimensions consistent with their intended function.)

[0049] The footplate 140 as shown includes a number of channels 710, 720 to restrict the position of one or more elastic bands (not shown) when the footplate is in use. As shown, the central channel 710 has a lip 730 that curves along a 3.5 inch radius when viewed from above, spanning a 4.15 inch wide channel. It will be appreciated that this shape can tend to pull the band toward the center when the band is under tension, thereby making the placement of the band between sets more consistent.

[0050] The footplate 140 according to embodiments of the application can be made of any material and can be manufactured by any manufacturing process consistent with the intended function of the footplate 140. In one exemplary embodiment, the footplate 140 can be made of UHMW polyethylene, and the surface can be polished to, for example, a 500-1000 grit finish. Such polishing or similar surface treatment can reduce the surface friction of the band on the UHMW of the footplate 140, which can improve the smooth travel performance of the latex band along the surface.

[0051] In embodiments of the application, the lip 730 can protrude beyond the surface of the central channel 710. Such a configuration, for example, can reduce the surface contact of the footplate 140 with the band, thereby further reducing the friction between the band and the footplate 140.

[0052] Returning to Figure 1 which shows a bar 120, an elastic band 130, and a footplate 140 according to embodiments of the application for resistance training. In the configuration shown, the band is "single", that is, only one thickness of band 130 passes under the footplate 140. As shown, when the band is single, another thickness of band 130 is hanging directly below the bar 120. For many exercises, the band can be "doubled" (not shown), with two thicknesses passing under the footplate 140. It will be appreciated that doubling the band enables the band to impart more stretch for a given movement than when the band is in the single configuration, thereby increasing the resistance of the exercise.

[0053] As shown, the thickness of the band 130 passes under the footplate 140, although the use of the footplate 140 can be optional in embodiments of the present application. For example, a bench press exercise can be performed by passing a single band or doubled band directly under either foot or both feet of the user, as shown in the variation of the exercise shown. As another example, a chest press can be performed with a single band or doubled band passing behind the back of the user, again without the use of the footplate 140. Figure 1 As shown, the thickness of the band 130 passes under the footplate 140, although the use of the footplate 140 can be optional in embodiments of the present application. For example, a bench press exercise can be performed by passing a single band or doubled band directly under either foot or both feet of the user, as shown in the variation of the exercise shown. As another example, a chest press can be performed with a single band or doubled band passing behind the back of the user, again without the use of the footplate 140.

[0054] According to embodiments of the present application, other objects can be used in conjunction with the bar, sling, footplate, and one or more elastic bands. For example, for a bench press exercise, a yoga block or other object (not shown) can be used to prop up one end of the footplate 140. The user can lie down with the upper body resting on the footplate 140 and the head at the elevated end. If a single band or doubled band 130 is passed under the elevated end of the footplate 140, the user can experience a greater range of motion when performing the exercise than if the user were lying flat on the floor.

[0055] Many resistance training exercises can be performed with the apparatus according to embodiments of the present application described herein. Non-limiting uses of examples can include a bench press, a close-grip bench press, an overhead press, a tricep extension, a deadlift, a bent over row, a curl, a Ferro curl, a shrug, a front squat, a back squat, a lunge, a calf raise, a hack squat (also known as a reverse deadlift), trap deadlifts (using two dumbbell-like bars, or "handles"), Arnold curls (using one handle and one footplate), and one-arm dumbbell rows (using a handle and a footplate).

Claims

1. A device for resistance training, comprising: A long rod; The first pulley hub is arranged near the first end of the rod; A second pulley hub is arranged near the second end of the rod, which is opposite to the first end; Two slings, each sling including an arm and two connectors extending from a respective end of the arm and terminating in a loop, such that for each sling, the two loops can be held by one of the pulley hubs in such a way that the sling can support the resistance band during resistance training using the rod.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, Each pulley hub is attached to the rod in a manner that prevents the pulley hub from moving relative to the rod.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein, Each pulley hub is fixed to the rod in a manner that allows the pulley hub to rotate freely about the rod while preventing longitudinal movement of the pulley hub relative to the rod.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein, Each arm is a rod with two ends, each end having a hole that passes through the rod laterally.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein, Each arm is straight.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein, Each arm is arc-shaped.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein, Each connector is a flexible rope.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein, Each connector is a flexible rope with its ends knotted together, thereby forming a loop in the flexible rope such that the loop can pass through one of the holes in one of the arms, but the knot cannot pass through the hole.

9. The device according to claim 1, comprising an elastic resistance band.

10. The device of claim 9, comprising a pedal having an upper side and a lower side opposite to the upper side, the lower side having one or more channels for retaining a resistance band.

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