A barbell support

Abstract

A barbell support 100 is pyramidal in shape and comprises a substantially rectangular base 10 with four side walls 20A-20D that taper inwards and extend to an upper surface 30 that has a substantially

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a barbell support, in particular a portable support to elevate at least part of a barbell from the ground. Background It is common to perform weight training using a barbell. However, when not in use a barbell must be positioned so that it can be easily picked up again but does not roll away. It is also necessary to elevate a barbell when changing weights. Often bars are left on the ground or are put in a hold vertically. Sometimes a stand is provided to support the bar and any weights mounted on the bar, however these stands can be bulky requiring considerable space that may not be practical in all locations. The stands may also be difficult to move or may require securing to a surface. The present invention provides a support for holding part of a barbell to prevent rolling, allow weights to be easily changed and for the bar to be easily lifted. Prior Art GB2205680.8 (ELLIS) discloses a pair of barbell holding devices with a base wider than an upper part and an indentation for receiving a bar. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a barbell support comprising: a substantially rectangular base with four tapering side walls that extend to an upper surface that has a groove for receiving a bar of the barbell; wherein the groove increases in depth from a first end to a second end and the groove includes a weight distribution node upon which the bar of a barbell is received. In this way a barbell can be placed upon a barbell support and at least part of the barbell remains elevated from the ground, making it easier to pick up, easier to change weights and preventing the barbell from rolling when not in use. The weight distribution node is intended to receive a point load and dissipate weight through the support. Advantageously the barbell support provides a simple, reliable means of supporting a barbell that does not take up much space and can be easily moved when required. The base of the support that interfaces the ground is substantially rectangular and has four side walls that extend up towards the upper surface. In a preferred embodiment the substantially rectangular base includes foot at each corner. In some embodiments the feet may be adjustable to compensable for an unlevel surface. In some embodiments each foot includes or is formed from an anti-slip material to help prevent movement of the support in use. In a preferred embodiment an edge of the base includes at least one recessed hand grip which allow a user’s fingers to locate under the base to assist with lifting the support from the ground. A side wall extends from each side of the rectangular base. A first and third side wall extend from the long sides of the rectangular base and second and fourth side walls extend from short sides of the rectangular base. Preferably the edges of the sides join to adjacent sides and to the upper surface. In a preferred embodiment the first and third side walls taper at different angles, so that a first side wall is substantially upright and the third opposed side wall is angled so that the support tapers from the base to the upper surface. In this way the base footprint is larger than the upper surface to provide a stable base that will not topple under load. Preferably in use the bar is arranged to extend from the third, more angled side of the support to further reduce the likelihood of the support toppling when under load. In a preferred embodiment the second and fourth walls taper inwards at the same angle. The side walls together with the upper surface form a volume. In a preferred embodiment an inner surface of the side walls may include one or more rib to provide structural strength. In another embodiment the volume may be filled at least in part with a honeycomb structure to provide strength whilst remaining lightweight. The upper surface extends between the upper edge of all four side walls to define a volume. As the support is substantially hollow the weight of the support can be reduced and, in some embodiments, the hollow nature may permit stacking. In some embodiments the upper surface is displaceable so that it can be exchanged or replaced. For example upper surfaces with different sized grooves may be provided to accommodate different bars, and the upper surface can be replaced if damaged. The upper surface has a groove that transects the upper surface from the first side wall across to the opposed third side wall. The groove provides a channel in which the bar is received. The depth of the groove varies across the length so that the depth of the groove increases from a first end to a second end. Preferably the groove depth increases from the first side wall across to the opposed third side wall. In this way the bar sits in a groove at an angle so that the bar extending from the third side is angled towards the ground and may contact the ground. This arrangement provides great stability for the bar. The weight distribution node is a rounded projection that extends from the bottom of the groove so that it is presented to a bar placed in the groove. In this way the bar does not sit completely in the bottom of the groove but is spaced apart from the bottom of the groove. The node is intended to take a point load from the bar so that weight from the barbell is dissipated through the node, to the side walls to the base. Preferably the node is provided at the second end of the groove adjacent to the third side wall so that the support has greatest stability with the load being directed down on the side with the more angled wall. The upper surface may be provided with different shape and size nodes to accommodate different bars, for example to accommodate bars with different diameters. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the barbell support; Figure 2 shows a front view of the barbell support; Figure 3 shows a rear view of the barbell support; Figure 4 shows a left side view of the barbell support; Figure 5 shows a right side view of the barbell support; Figure 6 shows a top view of the barbell support; and Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the barbell support. Detailed Description of Figures The Figures show a preferred embodiment of a barbell support 100. The barbell support 100 has a substantially rectangular base 10 with four tapering side walls 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D that extend to an upper surface 30 that has a groove 40 across the upper surface 30 for receiving a bar of the barbell (not shown). All side walls 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D taper inwards from the base 10 to the upper surface 30. The base 10 has four feet 11, one arranged at each corner of the base 10. The base 10 has a hand grip 12 at each end to aid with lifting the support 100 from the ground. In the pictured embodiment 100 the second wall 20B and fourth wall 20D taper inwards to the same degree. The first side wall 20A is substantially upright, only tapering inwards a small amount from being perpendicular to the plane of the base 10. The third wall 20C is tapered to the greatest degree. The upper surface 30 is substantially V-shaped and is displaceable from the side walls 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D. The upper surface 30 has hand grip regions 31 to aid with removal and replacement of the upper surface 30. The groove 40 increases in depth from a first end 41 to a second end 42. This is intended to guide the bar so that part of the barbell that extends from the second end of the groove 40 engages with the ground or is close to the ground. The groove 40 includes a weight distribution node 50 upon which the bar (not shown) of a barbell is received. The node 50 is a rounded projection that extends from the bottom of the groove 40. The node 50 is provided at the second end of the groove 40 that is the deeper end of the groove 40 and that is at the edge of the third side wall 20C. An inner surface of the side walls 20 has ribs 33 that provide additional structural strength (see Figures 5, 6, 7). The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A barbell support comprising: a substantially rectangular base with four tapering side walls that extend to an upper surface that has a groove for receiving a bar of the barbell; wherein the groove increases in depth from a first end to a second end and the groove includes a weight distribution node upon which the bar of a barbell is received.

2. A barbell support according to claim 1 wherein a first side wall and a third opposed side wall each taper to a different degree; and wherein a second side wall and opposed fourth walls are tapered to the same degree to form a stable base.

3. A barbell support according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the upper surface is displaceable.

4. A barbell support according to any preceding claim wherein the volume defined by the four side walls and upper surface includes ribs extending from one or more side wall, and / or from the upper surface to provide structural strength.

5. A barbell support according to any preceding claim wherein the substantially rectangular base includes a foot at each corner.

6. A barbell support according to any preceding claim wherein the base includes at least one recessed hand grip.

7. A barbell support according to any preceding claim wherein the upper surface includes at least one recessed hand grip.

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