U.S. patent application number 10/923932 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-23 for exercise bar with head-accepting gap.
Invention is credited to Larry W. Vittone, Suzanne R. Vittone, William M. Vittone.
Application Number | 20060040802 10/923932 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35910350 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060040802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vittone; Larry W. ; et
al. |
February 23, 2006 |
Exercise bar with head-accepting gap
Abstract
An exercise bar including an elongated frame having two spaced
hand grips with which the bar is grasped by the user during an
exercise routine and a U-shaped mid-section which joins the hand
grips to one another. Each hand grip accommodates a change in
position of the wrists of the grasping hands relative to the frame
as the bar is moved with the hands during an exercise routine.
Furthermore, the opening of the U of the U-shaped mid-section
provides a gap disposed between the hand grips which is sized to
accommodate the passage of the mid-section over the head of the
user without the need to lift the grips of the bar any higher than
the user's head.
Inventors: |
Vittone; Larry W.; (Hurley,
WI) ; Vittone; Suzanne R.; (Hurley, WI) ;
Vittone; William M.; (Oak Ridge, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL E. MCKEE;Attorney at Law
804 Swaps Lane
Knoxville
TN
37923
US
|
Family ID: |
35910350 |
Appl. No.: |
10/923932 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/106 ;
482/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0724 20130101;
A63B 23/1263 20130101; A63B 21/4017 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/106 ;
482/093 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06; A63B 21/072 20060101 A63B021/072 |
Claims
1. An exercise bar for use during an exercise routine, the exercise
bar comprising: an elongated frame having two opposite ends; and
two hand grips with which the bar is grasped by the user during an
exercise routine performed with the bar and wherein each hand grip
is associated with a corresponding end of the bar so that the two
grips are spaced from one another and wherein the hand grips permit
the user's hands grasped thereabout to be arranged so that the
palms of the grasping hands face one another; and wherein the frame
includes a mid-section which joins the opposite ends of the bar to
one another and which provides a gap disposed between the hand
grips which is sized to accommodate the passage of the mid-section
over the head of the user without the need to lift the grips of the
bar any higher than the user's head.
2. The exercise bar as defined in claim 1 wherein the bar
mid-section has a U-shaped form and wherein the U of the U-shaped
form includes a base and two legs joined by the base, and each leg
has an end disposed opposite the base, and each hand grip is
secured to the frame adjacent the end of a corresponding leg of the
U of the U-shaped form of the bar mid-section.
3. The exercise bar as defined in claim 2 wherein the hand grips
are disposed outboard of the U of the U-shaped form of the bar
mid-section.
4. The exercise bar as defined in claim 3 wherein the frame
includes end sections disposed outboard of the hand grips which are
adapted to accept barbell weights placed thereover.
5. The exercise bar as defined in claim 4 wherein the end sections
are linear in form and aligned with one another along an axis which
intersects the hand grips.
6. The exercise bar as defined in claim 1 wherein each hand grip is
pivotally attached to the frame to accommodate a change in position
of the wrists of the grasping hands relative to the frame as the
bar is moved with the hands during an exercise routine.
7. The exercise bar as defined in claim 6 wherein each hand grip
provides a grip axis and is pivotally secured to the frame for
pivotal movement relative thereto about a pivot axis which is
disposed substantially perpendicular to the grip axis.
8. The exercise bar as defined in claim 7 wherein the bar
mid-section has a U-shaped form and wherein the U of the U-shaped
form of the bar mid-section includes a base and two legs joined by
the base, and each leg has an end disposed opposite the base, and
each hand grip is secured to the frame adjacent the end of a
corresponding leg of the U of the U-shaped form of the bar
mid-section.
9. The exercise bar as defined in claim 1 wherein the gap disposed
between the hand grips is at least about nine inches in width.
10. An exercise bar comprising: an elongated frame having two
opposite ends and a U-shaped section disposed between the opposite
ends; a pair of hand grips being disposed along the length of the
frame so that the opening of the U of the U-shaped section is
disposed between the hand grips, each hand grip being pivotally
attached to the frame to accommodate a change in position of the
wrists of the grasping hands relative to the frame as the bar is
moved with the hands during an exercise routine; and the opening of
the U of the U-shaped section is sized to permit the passage of the
head of the user therethrough as the user holds the bar adjacent
his shoulders by the hand grips and subsequently rotates the bar
with his wrists between a first position at which a major portion
of the bar mid-section is disposed forwardly of the user's head and
a second position at which a major portion of the bar mid-section
is disposed rearwardly of the user's head.
11. The exercise bar as defined in claim 10 wherein the U of the
U-shaped section includes a base and two legs joined by the base,
and each leg has an end disposed opposite the base, and each hand
grip is secured to the frame adjacent the end of a corresponding
leg of the U of the U-shaped section.
12. The exercise bar as defined in claim 11 wherein the hand grips
are disposed outboard of the U of the U-shaped section.
13. The exercise bar as defined in claim 10 wherein the frame
includes linear end sections disposed outboard of the hand grips
which are adapted to accept barbell weights placed thereover.
14. The exercise bar as defined in claim 10 wherein each hand grip
provides a grip axis and is pivotally secured to the frame for
pivotal movement relative thereto about a pivot axis which is
disposed substantially perpendicular to the grip axis.
15. The exercise bar as described in claim 10 wherein the U of the
U-shaped section includes a base and two legs joined by the base,
and each leg has an end disposed opposite the base, and each hand
grip is secured to the frame adjacent the end of a corresponding
leg of the U of the U-shaped section.
16. An exercise bar which is held by the hands of the user during
the performance of an exercise routine, the exercise bar
comprising: an elongated frame; a pair of ring members which are
pivotally mounted within the frame at spaced locations therealong
to accommodate the pivotal movement of each ring member about a
corresponding pivot axis relative to the frame; a pair of elongated
grips wherein each grip extends across and is fixedly secured to a
corresponding ring member, and each grip is oriented along a grip
axis which is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of the
corresponding ring member so that as the user grasps the elongated
grips and moves the exercise bar during an exercise routine, each
ring member is permitted to pivot about its corresponding pivot
axis; and the elongated frame includes a U-shaped section having a
U which is disposed between the pair of ring members and wherein
the U of the U-shaped section provides a gap which accommodates the
passage of the U-shaped section over the head of the user without
the need to lift the grips of the bar any higher than the user's
head.
17. The exercise bar as defined in claim 16 wherein the pivot axes
about which the ring members are permitted to pivot are
coplanar.
18. The exercise bar as defined in claim 17 wherein the frame
includes linear end sections disposed outboard of the hand grips
which are adapted to accept barbell weights placed thereover and
which are aligned with one another along an axis which intersects
the hand grips, and the fixed pivot axes about which the ring
members are permitted to pivot are substantially co-planar with
said axis which intersects the hand grips.
19. The exercise bar as defined in claim 18 wherein the pivot axes
about which the ring members are permitted to pivot are each
oriented in an angular relationship with said axis which intersects
the hand grips.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to exercise equipment and
relates, more particularly, to exercise equipment intended to be
grasped by the hands of a user and moved between two positions
during an exercise routine.
[0002] To perform a common curling exercise with a conventional,
straight barbell bar, an individual stands on his feet and moves
the bar between raised and lowered positions in front of the
individual as the individual's hands remain grasped about the bar.
When the bar is in the lowered position, the arms of the individual
are straight and the bar (as well as the individual's hands) are
positioned slightly below the individual's waist. By comparison,
when the bar is in the raised position, the arms of the individual
are bent at the elbows and the bar (as well as the individual's
hands) are positioned adjacent (or slightly below) the individual's
chin.
[0003] While the aforedescribed curling exercise is known to work
the individual's biceps, the exercise does not work many more of
the individual's muscles than the biceps. Consequently, such a
curling exercise can be viewed as inefficient. It would be
desirable to provide a bar for a curling exercise which works many
more muscles of an individual than does a curling exercise
performed with a conventional, straight bar.
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved exercise bar for use during a curling
exercise routine.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
bar which enables a user to perform a full body curl as the user
moves the bar from a lowered position in front of the user's torso
to a position located behind the user's head.
[0006] Still another object of the present invention to provide
such a bar which does not have to be lifted entirely above the head
in order to move the bar between a position disposed in front of
the user's torso and a position situated behind the user's
neck.
[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
such a bar which can be readily maneuvered between a position
disposed in front of the user's torso and a position located behind
the user's neck and which reduces any likelihood that the user's
head will be struck by the bar during such a maneuvering of the
bar.
[0008] Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide such a bar which is capable of supporting barbell weights
added thereto for altering the total weight of the bar.
[0009] A further object of the present invention to provide such a
bar which incorporates hand grips which reduce any likelihood that
the wrists of the user will be exposed to undue strain during the
performance of an exercise routine.
[0010] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide such a bar whose hand grips accommodate a degree of
adjustment in position of the user's hands as the exercise bar is
moved between two positions.
[0011] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide
such a bar whose hand grips accommodate an adjustment in position
of the user's hands and forearms by enabling rotation of the user's
hands and forearms as they are pivoted about the elbow joint during
the performance of an exercise routine, such as a curling exercise
routine, performed with the bar.
[0012] One more object of the present invention is to provide such
a bar whose hand grips enable rotation of the hands and arms in a
new and improved manner which reduces the imposing of undue or
undesirable body stresses during an exercise routine.
[0013] Still one more object of the present invention is to provide
such a bar which is uncomplicated in structure, yet effective in
operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] This invention resides in an exercise bar for use during an
exercise routine.
[0015] The exercise bar includes an elongated frame having two
opposite ends and two hand grips with which the bar is grasped by
the user during an exercise routine performed with the bar.
Furthermore, each hand grip is associated with a corresponding end
of the bar so that the two grips are spaced from one another, and
the hand grips permit the user's hands grasped thereabout to be
arranged so that the palms of the grasping hands face one another.
In addition, the frame includes a mid-section which joins the
opposite ends of the bar to one another and which provides a gap
disposed between the hand grips which is sized to accommodate the
passage of the mid-section over the head of the user without the
need to lift the grips of the bar any higher than the user's
head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise bar within which
features of the invention are embodied.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the FIG. 1 bar as seen generally
from above in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the FIG. 1 bar as seen from
below in FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 2.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user preparing to perform
a fully body curl with the FIG. 1 bar.
[0021] FIGS. 6-8 are side views of the FIG. 5 user illustrating the
various positions of the bar of FIG. 1 when performing a full body
curl with the bar.
[0022] FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of a user performing a
behind-the-neck press with the bar of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
[0023] Turning now to the drawings in greater detail and
considering first FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an
embodiment, generally indicated 20, of an exercise bar within which
features of the present invention are embodied. The bar 20 includes
an elongated frame 22 having two opposite ends 24, 26 and a pair of
hand grip assemblies 28, 30 pivotally mounted along the length of
the frame 22. During the course of an exercise routine performed
with the bar 20, the grip assemblies 28, 30 are grasped by the
user's hands and are free to rotate, or pivot, relative to the
frame 22 about corresponding axes of pivot to accommodate an
adjustment in position of the wrists of the grasping hands. Because
the hand grip assemblies 28, 30 are permitted to pivot in the
manner described herein, the likelihood that the wrists of the
grasping hands will be exposed to undue strain is substantially
reduced.
[0024] Furthermore, the elongated frame 22 includes a U-shaped
section 32 disposed midway along the length of the frame 22. The U
of the U-shaped section 32 is positioned inboard of the hand grip
assemblies 28, 30 and is sized to accommodate the passage
therethrough of the user's head when the bar 20 is moved between
first and second positions by the user. In particular and as is
described in greater detail herein in conjunction with the use of
the bar, the U of the U-shaped section 32 is sized to accommodate
the passage therethrough of the user's head when the frame 22 is
held by the hand grip assemblies 28, 30 adjacent the shoulders and
is subsequently rotated with the wrists between a first position at
which a major portion of the U-shaped section 32 is disposed
forwardly of the user's head and a second position at which a major
portion of the U-shaped section is disposed rearwardly of the
user's head.
[0025] With reference still to FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 22 includes
two opposite end sections 34 and 36 which are each disposed
adjacent a corresponding end 24 or 26, respectively, of the bar 20.
Each end section 34 or 36 is linear in form and is substantially
aligned with the other end section 36 or 34 along an axis,
indicated 39 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each of the end sections 34 and 36
is substantially square in cross section and comprised, for
example, of hollow steel tubing.
[0026] Each end section 34 or 36 is adapted to accept barbell
weights placed thereupon to permit the user to alter the total
weight of the bar 20 for an exercise routine. To this end, each end
section 34 or 36 is sized to accept the central opening 38 of
olympic-style barbell weights 40 (illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1)
positioned over the free ends of the sections 34, 36. Therefore,
the total weight of the bar 20 can be altered, as desired, by
adding or removing barbell weights from the end sections 34, 36.
For securement of the weights upon the end sections 34, 36, each
end section 34 or 36 includes a series of through-openings 42 (FIG.
1) disposed along the length thereof for accepting the shank of a
retainer pin 44. In other words, after positioning a desired number
of weights 40 along the length of a corresponding end sections 34
or 36, a retainer pin 44 can be releasably positioned within a
selected one of the through-openings 42 provided along the length
of the section 34 or 36 to releasably secure the weights 40 upon
the end section 34 or 36.
[0027] If desired, a through-opening 43 can be formed in the end of
each end section 34 or 36 opposite the frame end 24 or 26 for
accepting the threaded shank of a headed pin 45 (only one shown in
FIG. 1) which, in turn, is releasably securable to the end section
34 or 36 with a nut 47. When secured to the end sections 34, 36
through the through-openings 43, the headed pins 45 provide an
(inside) abutment surface along the length of the end sections 34,
36 against which the barbell weights 40 can be positioned.
Therefore, when the barbell weights 40 are secured upon the end
sections 34, 36, the weights 40 are captured between the retainer
pins 44 and the headed pins 45.
[0028] With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 22 further
includes a pair of arcuate sections 46, 48 which are each attached
to a corresponding end section 34 or 36 at the end thereof opposite
the corresponding end 24 or 26 of the frame 22. In the depicted bar
20, each arcuate section 46 or 48 is in the form of a C having one
leg which is joined to the end section 34 or 36. Moreover, the
distance that each arcuate section 46 or 48 is spaced from its
corresponding frame end 24 or 26 is equal to the distance that the
other arcuate section 48 or 46 is spaced from its corresponding
frame end 26 or 24, and the arcuate sections 46, 48 so that the Cs
of the sections 46 and 48 open to the same side of the frame 22 and
are coplanar with one another. Preferably, the arcuate sections 46,
48 are constructed of steel and attached to the end sections 34 or
36, for example, with welds. As will be apparent herein, the hand
grip assemblies 28 and 30 provide a means by which the hand grip
assemblies 28 and 30 are joined to the frame 22.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, each hand grip assembly 28 or
30 includes an elongated, substantially straight grip 50 having two
opposite ends 52, 54 and a ring 56. The grip 50 extends generally
across the center of the ring 56, and its ends 52, 54 are fixedly
joined, as with welds, at diametrically opposed locations on the
ring 56. The grip 50 is cylindrical in form, sized to be
comfortably grasped by the hand of the user and, as is the case
with the ring 56, is preferably constructed of steel. As the hand
of a user grips a grip 50 so that the fingers extend therearound,
the axis of the grip extends through the palm of the hand toward
each side thereof. Therefore and in the interests of the present
invention, each grip 50 provides a grip axis, indicated 55 in FIG.
2, for the user which corresponds with the longitudinal axis of the
grip 50. Furthermore, each grip 50 is arranged in such a relation
to the bar frame 22 so as to be intersected by the axis 39 along
which the end sections 34 and 36 are aligned.
[0030] The ring 56 of each hand grip assembly 28 or 30 is pivotally
connected to the frame 22 in a manner which permits the wrists of
the user to be adjusted in position, such as by either rotating the
wrists or bending of the hands at the wrists, during an exercise
routine to lessen the likelihood of wrist strain. In the depicted
bar 20, each ring 56 is positioned within a corresponding C of an
arcuate section 46 or 48 and is pivotally joined thereto by means
of headed bolts 58 having shanks that loosely extend through
openings provided at diametrically opposed locations on the sides
of the ring 56. The bolts 58, in turn, are fixed, as by welding, to
the arcuate sections 46, 48. A spacer 62 is positioned about the
shank of each bolt 58 between the outer surface of the ring 56 and
the inner surface of the corresponding arcuate section 46 or 48 to
maintain the rings 56 centrally of the arcuate sections 46, 48.
[0031] As best shown in FIG. 2, the bolts 58 join the rings 56 to
the arcuate sections 36 so that the axis of pivot, indicated 66, of
each ring 56 is generally orthogonal to its corresponding grip 50
so as to intersect the grip 50 at a location substantially midway
between the grip ends 52, 54 and is oriented at a fixed angle with
respect to the longitudinal axis 39 of the frame 22. In the
depicted embodiment 20, each pivot axis 66 forms with the
longitudinal axis 40 an angle 68 of about seventy degrees so that
the ring pivot axes 66 and 66 intersect at a location remote of the
frame 22 at an angle of about forty degrees. Such an angular
disposition of the pivot axes 66 relative to the frame axis 39 has
been found to be desirable when performing curling and other
two-handed exercises with the bar 20. It also follows that pivot
axes 66 are coplanar with one another and the axis 39 along which
the end sections 34 and 36 are aligned.
[0032] The ring pivot axes 66 are fixed in position relative to the
frame 22. For present purposes, the term "fixed pivot axis" should
therefore be understood as referring to a pivot axis which is fixed
in position relative to the frame 22 of the bar 20.
[0033] As best shown in FIG. 2, the U-shaped section 32 of the
frame 22 includes two elongated strips of steel which have each
been bent at two corners to form a U disposed midway along the
length of the frame 22. In particular, one such steel strip,
indicated 76 in FIG. 2, is bent at two right-angle corners 80, 82
to form a first U, indicated 83 in FIG. 2, having two legs 84, 86
and a base 88 extending between the legs 84, 86, and the second
such steel strip, indicated 90, is bent at two obtusely-angled
corners 92, 94 to form a second U, indicated 95 in FIG. 2, having
two legs 96, 98 and a base 100 extending between the legs 96, 98.
The Us 83, 95 formed by the steel strips 76, 90 are arranged in
substantially a coplanar relationship with one another (and the
axis 39 along which the end sections 34 and 36 are aligned) and so
that the Us 83, 95 open in the same direction. The bases 88 and 100
of the formed Us are fixedly joined to one another with struts 102,
104 whose opposite ends are welded to the steel strips 76, 90.
[0034] With reference still to FIG. 2, the Us 83, 95 formed by the
steel strips 76, 90 are arranged within the frame 22 so that the
end of the legs 84 and 96 opposite the bases 88 and 100 of the Us
83, 95 are positioned against surfaces disposed on opposite sides
of the arcuate section 46 and so that the end of the legs 88 and 98
opposite the bases 88 and 100 of the Us 83, 95 are positioned
against surfaces disposed on opposite sides of the arcuate section
48. With the legs of the Us 83, 95 arranged against the arcuate
sections 46, 48 in such a manner, each leg 84, 96, 86 or 98 is
fixedly joined, as with welds, to the corresponding surface of the
arcuate section 46 or 48 which the leg is positioned to thereby
secure the U-shaped section 32 to the remainder of the bar frame
22.
[0035] It follows that with the U-shaped section 32 fixedly joined
to the remainder of the bar frame 22 as aforedescribed, a sizable U
(i.e. the formed U 83) is provided between the two ends 24, 26 of
the bar frame 22 or, more particularly, between the two hand grip
assemblies 28. As will be apparent herein, the formed U 83 provides
a gap which permits the passage of the user's head as the bar 20 is
moved from a position disposed in front of the user's torso to a
position disposed behind the user's neck. The U 83 of the depicted
bar 20 has a width (as measured between the hand grip assemblies
28) of at least nine inches (e.g. about ten inches) and a depth (as
measured along the legs 84, 86 of the U 83) of about eleven inches,
but alternative dimensions can be had.
[0036] An advantage provided by the bar 20 relates to its capacity
to be readily moved between a position disposed forwardly of the
user's torso (e.g. a position adjacent the user's chest) and a
position at which a major portion of the U-shaped section 32 is
disposed rearwardly of the user's head as the bar 20 is pivoted at
the wrists and the grips 50 are positioned adjacent the user's
shoulders. In order to move, for example, the bar 20 from a
position as illustrated in FIG. 7 at which the grips 50 of the hand
grip assemblies 28, 30 are grasped by the hands of the user and the
bar 20 is held in front of the user's chest and torso to a position
at which the major portion of the U-shaped section 32 is disposed
rearwardly of the user's head, the user pivots the bar 20
rearwardly about his shoulders (i.e. in a counter-clockwise
direction as viewed in FIG. 7) with his wrists about an axis
oriented substantially parallel to the user's shoulders so that the
U-shaped section 32 passes over the head of the user to the
position, as illustrated in FIG. 8, at which a major portion of the
U-shaped section 32 of the bar 20 is disposed rearwardly of the
user's head. It follows that as the U-shaped section 32 passes over
the user's head during this front-to-back maneuver, the gap
provided between the legs 84, 86 of the U 83 of the U-shaped
section 32 enables the head to be cleared by the U-shaped section
32 without the need to lift the grips 50 of the bar 20 any higher
than the user's head.
[0037] By comparison and in order to return the bar 20 from its
FIG. 8 position to its FIG. 7 position, the user pivots the bar 20
forwardly about the shoulders from its FIG. 8 position (i.e. in a
clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8) with his wrists about an
axis oriented substantially parallel to the user's shoulders so
that the U-shaped section 32 passes over the head of the user to
the FIG. 7 position. Again, it follows that as the U-shaped section
32 passes over the user's head during this back-to-front maneuver,
the gap provided between the legs 84, 86 of the U 83 of the
U-shaped section 32 enables the head to be cleared by the U-shaped
section 32 without the need to lift the grips 50 of the bar 20 any
higher than the user's head.
[0038] The bar 20 is especially advantageous in that it permits a
user to perform a full body curl exercise--which exercise cannot be
performed with a conventional, straight barbell bar. More
specifically and with reference to FIGS. 5-8, the bar 20 can be
moved between a lowered position as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6
and a raised, behind-the-neck position as illustrated in FIG. 8 to
exercise a large number of muscles in the user's arms through a
broad range of movement. To begin such an exercise, the user stands
and holds the bar 20 in a lowered position as illustrated in FIGS.
5 and 6 at which the user's arms are straight and the grips 50 of
the bar 20 are held slightly below the user's waist. The bar 20 is
then raised from the lowered position of FIGS. 5 and 6 as the user
simultaneously pivots his forearms upwardly about his elbows and
pivots his biceps about his shoulders through, for example, the
position depicted in FIG. 7 until the bar 20 is positioned behind
the user's neck as is illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0039] It follows that as the bar 20 is moved from the FIG. 7
position toward the FIG. 8 position, the U-shaped section 32 passes
across the user's head while the hand grips 50 are lifted no higher
than the user's head. When the bar 20 has been moved to the
behind-the-neck position of FIG. 8, the user's elbows are directed
upwardly and forwardly of the user. It is noteworthy that when the
bar 20 and hands of the user are arranged in the FIG. 8
behind-the-neck orientation, the heads of the biceps of the user's
arms are shortened to the maximum extent and the heads of the
triceps of the user's arms are lengthened to a maximum
extent--which effect cannot be achieved by performing a common
curling exercise with a conventional, straight barbell bar. A
repetition of the full body curl movement is completed upon return
of the bar 20 from the FIG. 8 behind-the-neck position to the
lowered position of FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0040] It also follows that the capacity of the grips 50 (and
associated rings 56) to pivot about the axes 66 permits the hands
of the user to pivot at the wrists throughout the performance of,
or at least a portion of, a full body curl exercise. For example
and as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the palms of the user's hands are
directed generally rearwardly (i.e. toward the user's thighs) when
the bar 20 is held in the lowered position of FIGS. 5 and 6, and
the hands begin to supinate (e.g. turn toward a palm-upward
condition) as the bar 20 is raised toward the intermediate position
illustrated in FIG. 7. When the bar 20 reaches the intermediate
position illustrated in FIG. 7, the user's hands are arranged so
that the palms thereof generally face one another (i.e. so as to
simulate an orientation at which a hammer handle is commonly held).
Such a "hammer-holding" orientation can be maintained as the user
moves the bar 20 from the FIG. 7 position to the FIG. 8 position
or, in the alternative, the user can chose to rotate the hands
about the wrist from the "hammer-holding" orientation so that when
the bar 20 reaches the behind-the-neck position of FIG. 8, the
user's hands are arranged so that the palms are directed generally
downwardly.
[0041] The aforedescribed permitted rotation of the user's hands at
the wrists throughout the performance of a full body curl routine
reduces the likelihood of wrist strain as the bar 20 is moved
between the FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 positions and is believed to be
partly responsible for the relatively broad range of movement of
the many muscles (e.g. biceps, triceps and shoulders) of the user's
arms worked throughout the exercise routine. Moreover, such a broad
range of movement of the user's arms is not possible with a
conventional, straight barbell bar which prevents rotation of the
hands from a fixed stationary position (from, for example, a
palm-up or a palm-down orientation) with respect to the bar during
a common curling exercise routine nor can such a conventional,
straight barbell bar be passed over the user's head without raising
the hands above the user's head.
[0042] In addition to its use to perform a full body curl exercise
routine as has been described above, the bar 20 can be used to
perform behind-the-head presses as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.
To perform a behind-the-neck press, the bar 20 is grasped with the
user's hands by the grips 50, and the bar 20 is moved between a
lowered position adjacent the user's shoulders as depicted in FIG.
9 and a raised position above the user's head as depicted in FIG.
10. When in its lowered FIG. 9 position, the bar 20 is arranged so
that the user's head is positioned within the gap, or opening,
provided by the U of the U-shaped section 32. With the head
disposed within the opening of the U of the U-shaped section 32 in
such a manner, the bar 20 can be held so that the center of gravity
of the bar is substantially vertically aligned with the center of
gravity of the user's torso, and the bar 20 provides an advantage
in this respect. In contrast, a conventional, straight bar which is
held behind the neck for behind-the-head presses is difficult to
maintain in vertical alignment with the center of gravity of the
user's torso because of the impediment posed by the user's
head.
[0043] Although the bar 20 has not been depicted in FIGS. 7-10 as
supporting any additional barbell weights (such as the weights 40
of FIG. 1) thereon, it will be understood that the weight of the
bar 20 can be altered, as necessary, through the addition of
weights (such as the weights 40 of FIG. 1) to the end sections 34,
36 of the bar 20.
[0044] It will be understood that numerous modifications and
substitutions can be had to the aforedescribed embodiment without
departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although
the aforedescribed bar 20 has been shown and described as including
hand grips 50 which are capable of pivoting at the wrists during
the performance of a full body curl (depicted in FIGS. 5-8), it is
believed that a full body curl can also be performed by fixing the
hand grips 50 in a stationary position relative to the remainder of
the bar as long as the grips are arranged so that the palms of the
hands grasped thereabout generally face one another (as in the
manner of the user's hands depicted in FIG. 7). By fixing the hand
grips in such a position, the several muscles (e.g. biceps, triceps
and shoulders) of the user's arms are not worked through as great a
range of motion as is the case when the grips 50 are free to pivot
about the axes 66, but in the broader interests of the present
invention, a free body curl can be performed with a bar, like that
of the bar 20, whose grips permit the grasping hands to be oriented
so that the palms thereof generally face one another.
[0045] Accordingly, the aforedescribed embodiment 20 is intended
for the purpose of illustration and not as limitation.
* * * * *