U.S. patent application number 10/042596 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-10 for barbell with plural hand gripping angles.
Invention is credited to LaCroce, Joseph Laurence.
Application Number | 20030130096 10/042596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21922769 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030130096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LaCroce, Joseph Laurence |
July 10, 2003 |
Barbell with plural hand gripping angles
Abstract
A barbell apparatus comprises a pair of hand gripping bars
arranged end-to-end and thereby defining a longitudinal axis of the
apparatus. Each of the hand gripping bars is formed as a
rectangular frame defining a window within which is positioned
several cross bars oriented at selected angles relative to the
longitudinal axis. Preferably the cross bars are not orthogonal to
the axis of the apparatus so that the hands gripping these cross
bars are oriented in preferred positions for improved muscle
relationship during power moves such as bench presses and arm
curls.
Inventors: |
LaCroce, Joseph Laurence;
(Raleigh, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GENE SCOTT
PATENT LAW & VENTURE GROUP ITTT
3151 AIRWAY AVE
SUITE K 105
COSTA MESA
CA
92626
US
|
Family ID: |
21922769 |
Appl. No.: |
10/042596 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4035 20151001;
A63B 21/0724 20130101; A63B 21/4017 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/106 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/072; A63B
021/075 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A barbell apparatus comprising: a pair of hand gripping bar
portions arranged end-to-end for defining a longitudinal axis of
the apparatus; each of the hand gripping bar portions providing a
rectangular frame defining a hand gripping window, and positioned
integrally within the hand gripping window, plural linear cross
bars oriented at selected angles relative to the longitudinal
axis.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the selected angles are
identical.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the selected
angles is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the selected
angles is non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the
apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hand gripping bar portions
are separated by an axially aligned integral center linear bar
portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the selected angles are
identical.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the selected
angles is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the selected
angles is non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the
apparatus.
9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the center linear bar portion
engages a rotatable collar, the collar having an attachment means
fixed thereto.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the attachment means is an
eyelet.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pair of linear
weight engagement bars axially aligned and engaged in lateral
positions relative to the hand gripping bars.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the selected angles are
identical.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one of the selected
angles is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one of the selected
angles is non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the
apparatus.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the center linear bar portion
engages a rotatable collar, the collar having an attachment means
fixed thereto.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the attachment means is an
eyelet.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one of the selected
angles is approximately 70 degrees.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to weight lifting apparatus
and more particularly to a barbell configuration having a choice of
several hand positions for improved muscle orientation.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] The prior art relative to the present invention is a linear
or straight weight bar almost universally used in assembling
weight-training barbells. Such a bar takes weights at its end
positions and these are held in place by screw-set collars.
Alternatives to the straight bar include slight modifications such
as a "V" shaped portion at the center of the bar, and offset ends
to assure that the bar tends to be more stable in use.
[0005] The prior art teaches the use of the straight bar, but does
not teach the possibility of providing plural hand gripped portions
to provide a selection of the hand angle most comfortable to the
weight lifter. The present invention fulfills these needs and
provides further related advantages as described in the following
summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention teaches certain benefits in
construction and use which give rise to the objectives described
below.
[0007] The commercial version of the present invention is
trademarked: Masterbar System.TM. and consists of three different
steel bars upon which iron weights/plates, standard in the weight
training industry, are loaded to increase resistance for various
forms of weight training exercises. The Masterbar System includes:
an arm bar, a back bar and bench bar. Unlike straight steel bars,
which dominate the exercise equipment industry, these bars feature
handles that make it possible to grip the bar 12 different ways by
rotating the bar upon which the handles are attached. The handles
are angled at 70 degrees to the axis of the frames, which hold
them.
[0008] Twisting the hands to grasp a straight bar when performing
the popular bench press, incline press, and decline press exercises
impinges the muscles and tendons in the shoulder rotator cuff.
Users of heavy weights in those movements often develop rotator
cuff damage requiring surgical repair. Dumbbells are often used
instead of a straight bar for those exercises since they can be
held at various angles in relation to the chest, thereby relieving
some rotator cuff stress. However, very heavy dumbbells become
awkward to handle while positioning them to execute those
exercises. A partner or helper is often necessary to hand dumbbells
to the user already in position to perform the exercise. Without a
partner dumbbells can also cause extreme stress to the rotator cuff
when releasing them to the floor at the completion of the exercise.
Also, dumbbells are not often available in weights over 150 pounds.
Many users regularly bench press over 400 pounds for repetitions.
In addition to delivering a new angle of training force which
strengthens muscles from a different position/angle, the bench bar
offers the shoulder the safety of a dumbbell and the convenience of
a straight bar for independent training.
[0009] Curls are a popular exercise to develop strength and size of
the biceps. Many variations are practiced, most using a straight
bar similar to, but shorter than the bars used in the bench press
and related exercises. The natural anatomical position of the hands
resting at the sides of a standing subject is 180 degrees--straight
up and down. Using a straight bar places intense and unusual
pressure on the biceps because the hands must be twisted 90 degrees
in order to hold the bar.
[0010] The arm bar is a smaller version of the bench bar and is
engineered to deliver a more natural and ergonomically
complimentary stress to the biceps. A standing subject with
straight arms at the sides and hands relaxed, raising the arms
forward to chest level, results with the hands angled naturally at
approximately 70 degrees perpendicular to the vertical when the
arms are 90 degrees in relation to chest. Like the bench bar, the
arm bar is built with six, 70 degree angled handles. Twelve
different grips become quickly and easily available by rotating the
bar upon which the handles are attached. The latter grip exercises
both the forearms and the biceps, adding yet another level of
functionality to the bar.
[0011] Triceps presses are popular movements in the standing,
sitting, incline, and decline positions used to exercise the
triceps muscles of the upper arm. Holding the arm bar changes the
angle of the forearm and the wrist normally used when performing
that exercise using a straight bar, thereby introducing a more
direct training force to the triceps.
[0012] Like the bench bar and the arm bar, the back bar is
engineered to deliver a new form of training resistance force
through angled handles. It attaches to any exercise machine
designed with metal eyes at the end of a cable or chain upon which
handles are attached in various ways; metal clips or u-bolts are
common methods. Six angled handles offer users six new
angles/degrees of resistance. Twelve grips become quickly and
easily available by rotating the bar upon which the handles are
attached and affixed to the selected exercise machine. Unlike the
bench bar and the arm bar, two handles are mounted within the
frame; the outside portion of the frame is also angled to match the
handles and can be used as a handle as well. The back bar is
designed to use any back, biceps, and triceps exercise, which can
be done using straight bars, or other handle accessories used on
exercise machines.
[0013] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides
advantages not taught by the prior art.
[0014] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of
providing an improved, more ergonomic angle of grip for heavy
weight lifting.
[0015] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable
of reducing stresses on shoulder rotator cuff muscles during
exercising.
[0016] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable
of providing a choice of different grips.
[0017] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable
of providing improved ergonomic compatibility with natural hand
positioning for many exercises.
[0018] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable
of strengthening wrist stabilizer muscles from the vertical
position, an area of concern largely ignored by weight training
specialists.
[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
In such drawings:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second preferred embodiment of
the invention;
[0023] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the first embodiment
as used in a pull-down exercise wherein a resisting force is
attached to the invention by a cable; and
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment as
used in a bench press type of exercise where the resisting force is
acquired by placing weights on lateral bars of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention
in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further
defined in detail in the following description.
[0026] The present invention is a barbell apparatus made of steel
rods, industrial pipe, etc., as for instance, those materials with
high tensile strength and high yield. The apparatus is completed
using welded construction, and comprises a pair of hand gripping
bar portions 10 arranged end-to-end for defining a longitudinal
axis 20 of the apparatus. Each of the hand gripping bar portions 10
provides a rectangular frame 30 defining a hand-gripping window 40.
Positioned integrally within each of the hand gripping windows 40
is at least one linear cross bar 50 and preferably plural liner
cross bars 50, and these are oriented at selected angles .alpha.
relative to the longitudinal axis 20. It has been found that angle
.alpha. is preferably 70 degrees, as this angle meets the needs of
the widest number of weight lifters and exercise trainers. Because
the cross bars 50 are positioned in pairs with plural spacings, the
apparatus is able to be used to benefit by individuals with widely
varying shoulder widths and natural hand orientations. As shown in
FIG. 2, the selected angles .alpha., may be identical for all
crossbars 50, and in FIG. 1 it is shown that, these angles may be
different, depending on the use of the apparatus. Clearly, the
selected angles .alpha. may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis
20, as seen in FIG. 1, or non-orthogonal, as seen in FIG. 2.
[0027] In the preferred manner of making the invention, the hand
gripping bar portions 10 are separated by an axially aligned and
integral center linear bar portion 60, as seen in the figures,
although, this bar 60 may be eliminated while still meeting the
basic conceptual invention objectives. In a first embodiment of the
invention, shown in FIG. 1, the center linear bar portion 60
engages a rotatable collar 70, the collar having an attachment
means 80 fixed thereto such as an eyelet, although the attachment
means 80 might also be a hook or any other mechanical fastening
device, as would be understood by one of skill in the art. Such an
attachment means 80 is used for engaging a cable 85, as seen in
FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0028] Alternately, the apparatus may be made as shown in FIG. 2,
wherein a pair of linear weight engagement bars 90 are axially
aligned and engaged in lateral positions relative to the hand
gripping bar portions 10 for further engagement with weights 100 as
shown in FIG. 6.
[0029] Alternately, the apparatus may be made as shown in FIG. 3,
wherein the frame's outer portion assumes an angle .alpha. and may
be used in the same manner as one of the gripping cross bars
50.
[0030] While the invention has been described with reference to at
least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by
those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims.
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