Barbell assembly with weight plate and integrated hook and related methods

Abstract

A barbell assembly may include a weight bar, and a pair of weight plates coupled to opposing ends of the weight bar. Each weight plate may include a medial opening to receive a respective end of the weight bar, and a peripheral hook to receive a kettlebell weight.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon prior filed copending Application No. 63 / 691,385 filed Sep. 6, 2024, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of fitness equipment, and, more particularly, to weight training equipment and related methods.BACKGROUND

[0003] Exercise is widely accepted as a means of promoting and maintaining good health and wellbeing. One common type of exercise is weight training, which comprises repeated lifting of varying weights. In weight training, there are two broad types of weight training exercises, machine based exercises (i.e., the varying weights and path of travel are controlled mechanically) and free weight exercises (i.e., the varying weights are directly carried and controlled by the user). Because of the need to activate stability muscles, free weight exercises may be preferred for many users.

[0004] A common tool for free weight exercises is a barbell. Barbells may comprise a long bar (i.e., a weight bar) ranging in length from 2 to 8 feet, and one or more pairs of disc shaped weights attached to each end. By adding and subtracting the disc shaped weights, the user may set the weight for the desired free weight exercise.SUMMARY

[0005] Generally, a barbell assembly may include a weight bar, and at one pair of weight plates coupled to opposing ends of the weight bar. Each weight plate may include a medial opening to receive a respective end of the weight bar, and a peripheral hook to receive a kettlebell weight.

[0006] Another aspect is directed to a method for making a weight plate for a barbell assembly comprising a weight bar, and at one pair of weight plates coupled to opposing ends of the weight bar. The method may comprise forming each weight plate to comprise a medial opening to receive a respective end of the weight bar, and a peripheral hook to receive a kettlebell weight.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is an image of a barbell assembly with a user, according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another weight plate, according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of another weight plate, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 3B is an image of the barbell assembly with the weight plate of FIG. 3A.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another weight plate, according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another weight plate, according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the invention are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and base 100 reference numerals are used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

[0014] In some applications, a user may wish to add weight to a barbell assembly in a different form than traditional weight plates. In particular, for home users with limited weight plates, the user may have access to additional kettlebell weights rather than additional weight plates. In this application, the user may wish to leverage the kettlebell weights and add the kettlebell weights to the barbell assembly.

[0015] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a barbell assembly 100 according to the present disclosure is now described. The barbell assembly 100 is used by a user 101 for weight training exercises (e.g., the illustrated squat free weight exercise).

[0016] The barbell assembly 100 illustratively includes a weight bar 102, and a pair of weight plates 103a-103b coupled to opposing ends of the weight bar. Each of the pair of weight plates 103a-103b may comprise a rigid and sufficiently dense material for weightlifting purposes, for example, iron or steel, and optionally an encapsulation overlayer, for example, rubber or polymer plastic.

[0017] Each weight plate 103a-103b illustratively comprises a plurality of openings 104, 105 to receive a respective end of the weight bar 102. The plurality of openings 104, 105 comprises a medial opening 104, and an offset opening 105. As will be appreciated, inserting the weight bar 102 into the offset opening 105 may create additional instability due to the weight plate 103a-103b pivoting about the weight bar, which enhances weight training exercises.

[0018] Each weight plate 103a-103b illustratively comprises a single peripheral hook 106 to receive a handle of a kettlebell weight 107 or another resistance mechanism, such as resistance bands or dumbbells with handle strap. Of course, in other embodiments (FIGS. 2-5), there may be more than one peripheral hook 106. Here, the peripheral hook 106 is opposite the offset opening 105. Helpfully, the adding of the kettlebell weight 107 allows the user 101 to add additional weight to the barbell assembly 100 with some instability, since the kettlebell weight would rock freely. Each weight plate 103a-103b illustratively comprises first and second handgrip openings 110a-110b for easy transport by the user 101. In this illustrated embodiment, the peripheral hook 106 illustratively comprises a C-shaped hook.

[0019] Another aspect is directed to a method for making a weight plate 103a-103b for a barbell assembly 100 comprising a weight bar 102, and at one pair of weight plates coupled to opposing ends of the weight bar. The method comprises forming each weight plate 103a-103b to comprise a medial opening 104 to receive a respective end of the weight bar 102, and a peripheral hook 106 to receive a kettlebell weight 107.

[0020] During typical use, the user 101 would load the weight bar 102 with the prescribed one or more pairs of weight plates 103a-103b, each having a set measured weight (e.g., 10 lb, 20 lb, 45 lb). Then, the user would load the peripheral hooks 106 of each plate 103a-103b with a supplementary weight, for example, the illustrated kettlebell weight 107.

[0021] Referring now additionally to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the weight plate 203 is now described. In this embodiment of the weight plate 203, those elements already discussed above with respect to FIG. 1 are incremented by 100 and most require no further discussion herein. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this weight plate 203 illustratively includes first and second peripheral hooks 206a-206b at opposite ends of the weight plate. The weight plate 203 also comprises a medial opening 204, and first and second offset openings 205a-205b flanking the medial opening. The weight plate 203 illustratively comprises first and second handgrip openings 210a-210b, each comprises undulating sides for comfortable grip by the user.

[0022] Referring now additionally to FIGS. 3A-3B, another embodiment of the weight plate 303 is now described. In this embodiment of the weight plate 303, those elements already discussed above with respect to FIG. 2 are incremented by 100 and most require no further discussion herein. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this weight plate 303 illustratively has a body with greater mass in that the body of the weight plate is further filled out to the peripheral boundaries. In FIG. 3B, the weight bar 302 is inserted the first peripheral hook 306a, which provides for more instability during weight training exercises.

[0023] Referring now additionally to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the weight plate 403 is now described. In this embodiment of the weight plate 403, those elements already discussed above with respect to FIG. 1 are incremented by 300 and most require no further discussion herein. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this weight plate 403 illustratively includes a reduced body without an offset opening or handgrip openings. The weight plate 403 illustratively includes first and second peripheral hooks 406a-406b, each comprising U-shaped hooks. In this embodiment, the kettlebell weight provides most of the weight for the exercise. For instance, this embodiment may be helpful for the home user who has only kettlebell weights and no weight plates.

[0024] Referring now additionally to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the weight plate 503 is now described. In this embodiment of the weight plate 503, those elements already discussed above with respect to FIG. 4 are incremented by 100 and most require no further discussion herein. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this weight plate 503 illustratively first and second peripheral hooks 506a-506b, each comprising C-shaped hooks.

[0025] It should be noted that the above embodiments with peripheral hooks are merely exemplary. Additional peripheral hooks can be added to these designs, and the placement of the depicted peripheral hooks may be changed.

[0026] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A barbell assembly comprising:a weight bar; andat one pair of weight plates coupled to opposing ends of the weight bar, each weight plate comprisinga medial opening to receive a respective end of the weight bar, anda peripheral hook to receive a kettlebell weight.

2. A method for making a weight plate for a barbell assembly comprising a weight bar, and at one pair of weight plates coupled to opposing ends of the weight bar, the method comprising:forming each weight plate to comprisea medial opening to receive a respective end of the weight bar, anda peripheral hook to receive a kettlebell weight.

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