U.S. patent application number 11/474078 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for curling bar with dynamically rotating grips.
Invention is credited to Bryant Deray Johnson.
Application Number | 20080176723 11/474078 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39641852 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080176723 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Bryant Deray |
July 24, 2008 |
Curling bar with dynamically rotating grips
Abstract
A curling bar with dynamically rotating grips includes a curling
bar having a pair of grip assemblies that are positioned evenly
between two spaced apart weight receivers. Each grip assembly
includes a circular grip receiver sized to receive a grip insert
having a grip. The grip insert is equipped with a series of slide
bearings which allows the grip insert to rotate within the circular
grip receiver. The rotational position of the grip insert within
the grip receiver can vary depending on the rotational force
exerted by the weightlifter's wrists and forearms. More
particularly, the grip insert, and associated grip, will rotate to
minimize any stress placed upon the weightlifter's wrists.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Bryant Deray; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARY L. EASTMAN
EASTMAN & ASSOCIATES, 707 BROADWAY STREET, SUITE 1800
SAN DIEGO
CA
92101
US
|
Family ID: |
39641852 |
Appl. No.: |
11/474078 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4017 20151001;
A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/0724 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/106 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/072 20060101
A63B021/072 |
Claims
1. A curling bar, comprising: a center bar having a first end and a
second end and defining an axis; a pair of grip assemblies, each
said grip assembly attached to said center bar and coplanar; each
said grip assembly having a weight receiver extending therefrom and
opposite said center bar; each said grip assembly having a grip
receiver sized to receive a grip insert formed with a grip wherein
said grip insert is rotatable within said grip assembly.
2. The curling bar of claim 1, wherein the grip insert further
comprises a grip extending diametrically across the inside of the
grip insert.
3. The curling bar of claim 2, wherein the grip insert is formed
with a gripping surface.
4. The curling bar of claim 1, wherein said grip assembly further
comprises a circular bearing sleeve within said grip assembly and
between said grip receiver and said grip insert.
5. The curling bar of claim 4, wherein said circular bearing sleeve
is made from a synthetic material.
6. The curling bar of claim 5, wherein said circular bearing sleeve
is made from delrin.
7. The curling bar of claim 4, wherein said grip assembly further
comprises: said grip receiver formed with a base flange and an
interior circumferential groove; and a spring clip sized to be
received in said circumferential groove to capture said grip insert
in said grip receiver.
8. The curling bar of claim 7, wherein said grip assembly further
comprises: A lower slide washer disposed between said base flange
and said grip insert; and an upper slide washer bearing washer
disposed between said grip insert and said spring clip.
9. The curling bar of claim 4, wherein said grip assembly further
comprises: said grip receiver formed with a base flange; and a
circular washer sized to be received within said grip receiver to
capture said grip insert in said grip receiver.
10. The curling bar of claim 9, wherein said grip assembly further
comprises: a lower slide washer disposed between said base flange
and said grip insert; and an upper slide washer bearing washer
disposed between said grip insert and said circular washer.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains generally to devices used in
the field of physical fitness. The present invention is more
particularly, though not exclusively, useful as an exercise device,
and more specifically, a barbell having rotating grips for use in
weight training.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Strengthening the human upper body has long been a popular
activity. Long ago, the activity was practiced using a dumbbell
which consisted of a short bar equipped with a weight on each end,
and formed with a grip portion in the middle of the bar. The
weightlifter could grasp the grip portion and focus training on
specific muscle groups. For instance, by standing with the dumbbell
at his waist, and bending his elbow to "curl" or raise the wrist
and forearm upwards, the biceps are strengthened. Also, by standing
with the dumbbell being behind the weightlifter's shoulder with his
elbow bent, pushing the dumbbell upwards strengthens the triceps.
Also, by lying on his back and holding the dumbbell directly above
his chest, pushing up towards the sky in what is called a "press"
strengthens the triceps, pectoral, and other major muscle groups.
Other strengthening exercises are well known in the art which may
utilize one dumbbell or a pair of dumbbells--one in each hand.
[0003] In addition to the dumbbells which have been used for many
years, so too has the barbell. A barbell consists of an elongated
bar formed with a pair of grip portions in roughly the middle
portion for grasping with the weightlifter's two hands, and
equipped with a weight receiver on each end of the bar. By placing
weights of different sizes on the weight receivers, a barbell of
different weights could be constructed.
[0004] In use, a weightlifter grasps the barbell at two sides of
the middle portion, and lifts the barbell. Similar exercises to
those completed with the dumbbells discussed above are also
performed with a barbell. For instance, by standing up with the
barbell at the weightlifter's waist and bending his elbows to raise
the barbells upwards, a "curl" is performed strengthening the
forearms and biceps. Similarly, with the weightlifter lying down
and pushing the barbell upwards from his chest, a "press" or "bench
press" is performed thereby strengthening the triceps and
pectorals.
[0005] Because the weights placed on a barbell can be very heavy,
it is important to have a proper grip on the grip portion of the
barbell. During exercise routines, it is also important that the
weightlifter's grip be consistent with the exercise being
performed. For instance, the grip in a curl exercise may be very
different from an exercise in a press exercise.
[0006] However, the grip portion of the barbell is fixed as part of
a rigid steel bar, and often perfectly linear. As a result, even
though the grip portion may be in a proper position for a
weightlifter at the start of the exercise, it is likely that the
fixed grip portion of the barbell will be in a non-optimal position
during at least a portion of the exercise. For instance, when
performing a curl exercise with a barbell having a linear bar and
fixed grip portion, the weight lifter's hands are in an acceptable
position at the start of the exercise. However, as the barbell is
raised upwards, the wrist has a tendency to rotate as the elbow
bends upwards. Because the grip portion of the barbell is fixed,
there is a significant amount of strain placed on the
weightlifter's wrist and forearm.
[0007] When lifting weights using a typical straight-bar barbell,
there is a noticeable inability to adjust position of the grips for
wrist rotation. This shortcoming results in injury caused by
excessive torsion on the wrist and forearm, including pulled
muscles, strained ligaments, and other injuries requiring
orthopedic treatment.
[0008] There have been several attempts to overcome the
shortcomings of a straight-bar barbell. One such attempt was
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,8676,444 which issued to Castillo for
a "Crip Apparatus For Weightlifting Bar." This device included a
pair of conical grip elements sized to be positioned over the
barbell grip. As the weight lifter raised the barbell, the conical
grip elements would rotate about the barbell grip to minimize
strain on the weightlifter's wrists and forearms. The Castillo
device, however, did nothing to address the torsion strains placed
on the weightlifter's wrists during the exercise, but rather
focused only on the bone alignment instead of the musculature
strains.
[0009] Another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,113 which
issued to Roepke for a "Multi-Position Grip System for Barbells."
This device included a pair of circular rings, rotatably
intercoupled by a bar and axially coupled with a pair of
weight-supporting bars fitted with weights, with each ring being
concentrically and rotatably coupled with a par of arcuate members
to provide multiple axes of rotation of a handgrip. While the
Roepke product addresses the need for providing a multi-positional
grip, it is cumbersome and difficult to control during weight
lifting exercises because of its complicated linkage. Specifically,
the intercoupled circular rings can result in the pinching of the
weightlifter's wrists by the grips themselves, and is very
difficult to control the position of the weights. Moreover, the
metal-on-metal design of this device will result in a high level of
friction being created. This is particularly so in cases where the
work-out equipment is used outdoors where moisture may increase the
formation of rust on metal components.
[0010] A significant problem associated with increased friction and
rust includes the inability to operate the weight bars correctly.
The rust will cause the hand grip to "freeze" or "stick" in place,
and could present a significant risk of injury to the weight
lifter.
[0011] In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide a
barbell having a grip that can adjust to accommodate the
weightlifter's grip style and physiological positioning to minimize
the strain placed on the weightlifter's forearms and wrists. It
would also be advantageous to provide a dynamically positioned grip
which adjusts throughout a weight lifting exercise to minimize
strain placed on the weightlifter's wrists and forearms. It would
further be advantageous to provide a barbell having a grip which,
though moveable, still provides a high degree of control of the
barbell. It would also be advantageous to provide a barbell having
a resistance to moisture damage and a high degree of reliability to
avoid the risks of injury to the weightlifter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The curling bar with dynamically rotating grips includes a
curling bar having a pair of grip assemblies that are positioned
evenly between two spaced apart weight receivers. Each grip
assembly includes a circular grip receiver sized to receive a grip
insert having a grip. The grip insert is equipped with a series of
slide bearings, preferably made of delrin material, which allows
the grip insert to rotate within the circular grip receiver.
[0013] The rotational position of the grip insert within the grip
receiver can vary depending on the rotational force exerted by the
weightlifter's wrists and forearms. More particularly, the grip
insert, and associated grip, will rotate to minimize any stress
placed upon the weightlifter's wrists.
[0014] In use, a weightlifter can grasp the grip within each grip
insert and rotate the grip to a position most comfortable for the
exercise being performed. As the weightlifter proceeds through the
exercise and his wrist and forearm rotate, the grip and associated
grip insert rotate within the grip receiver to maintain a proper
rotational orientation corresponding to the wrist and forearm
position thereby minimizing the stresses placed on the
weightlifter's arms.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0015] The nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after
considering the following detailed description in connection with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals
designate like parts throughout, and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the curling bar with
dynamically rotating grips of the present invention showing a
curling bar formed with a pair of grip receivers each having a grip
insert formed with a grip;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the curling bar with
dynamically rotating grips with a grip assembly shown in an
exploded view to identify the cooperation of the grip receiver,
grip insert, associated bearing materials, and spring retaining
clip;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the curling bar with
dynamically rotating grips of the present invention taken along
line FIG. 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the placement of upper, lower, and
circular bearing materials, and detailing how the assembly is
retained together with the spring retaining clip;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the curling bar with dynamically rotating grips of
the present invention showing the placement of upper, lower, and
circular bearing materials, and detailing how the assembly is
retained together with the retaining band rigidly fastened to the
grip receiver;
[0020] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, depict a weightlifter performing a "curl"
exercise using the curling bar with dynamically rotating grips of
the present invention and demonstrating the rotation of the grips
as the exercise is performed in order to minimize the stress placed
on the weightlifter's wrists and forearms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1, the curling bar with
dynamically rotating grips of the present invention is shown and
generally designated with reference numeral 100. Curling bar 100
includes a linear bar 102 defining an axis 103 and having a pair of
spaced apart rotating grip assemblies 104 and 106, having grips 108
and 110, respectively. On each end, bar 102 is formed with a weight
receivers 112 and 116, and position stops 114 and 118. As shown,
weight receivers 112 and 116 are shown to be what is known as
"Olympic" weight receivers, however, other styles known in the art,
including the "standard" weight receivers and collars, are fully
contemplated herein.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the curling bar
with dynamically rotating grips 100 is shown, with grip assembly
106 shown in an exploded view to identify the cooperation of the
component parts. More specifically, grip assembly 106 includes a
grip receiver 150 formed with a base flange 151 and an interior
circumferential groove 152. A lower slide washer 153 which serves
as a rotational bearing, is seated against base flange 151, and a
circular band bearing 154 is positioned within the grip receiver
150.
[0023] A grip insert 156 having a circular ring 158 and formed with
a grip 110 is inserted within grip receiver 150 such that circular
bearing band 154 is between grip insert 156 and grip receiver 150.
Once in position, an upper slide washer is positioned within grip
receiver 150 over grip insert 156, with a retaining washer 162 held
within grip receiver 150 with a spring clip 164 which seats firmly
in circumferential groove 152.
[0024] As described herein, slide washers are contemplated to be a
low friction materials, such as Teflon, polypropylene, nylon,
delrin, or similarly functioning materials. It is to be
appreciated, however, that in an alternative embodiment, in place
of the slide washers, a friction reducing material, such as bearing
grease. This alternative, however, is not optimal because of the
risk that grease would escape from the grip receiver creating a
slippery grip and possibly result in injury to the
weightlifter.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the curling bar with
dynamically rotating grips of the present invention taken along
line FIG. 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the placement of upper, lower, and
circular bearing materials, and detailing how the assembly is
retained together with the spring retaining clip. More
specifically, grip assembly 106 includes a grip receiver 150 formed
with a base flange 151 and an interior circumferential groove 152.
A lower slide washer 153 which serves as a rotational bearing, is
seated against base flange 151, and a circular band bearing 154 is
positioned within the grip receiver 150. The grip insert 156 having
a circular ring 158 and formed with a grip 110 is captured within
grip receiver 150 such that circular bearing band 154 is between
grip insert 156 and grip receiver 150. An upper slide washer is
positioned within grip receiver 150 over grip insert 156, with a
retaining washer 162 held within grip receiver 150 with a spring
clip 164 which seats firmly in circumferential groove 152.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of an
alternative embodiment of the curling bar with dynamically rotating
grips of the present invention is shown. This embodiment partially
resembles device 100, and includes a grip receiver 150 formed with
a base flange 151. A lower slide washer 153 which serves as a
rotational bearing, is seated against base flange 151, and a
circular band bearing 154 is positioned within the grip receiver
150. Grip insert 156 having a circular ring 158 and formed with a
grip 110 is inserted within grip receiver 150 such that circular
bearing band 154 is between grip insert 156 and grip receiver 150.
Once in position, an upper slide washer is positioned within grip
receiver 150 over grip insert 156, with a retaining washer 162 held
within grip receiver 150 with a circular washer 172 held in place
with fasteners 174, such as screws or other fasteners known in the
art.
[0027] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, depict a weightlifter performing a "curl"
exercise using the curling bar with dynamically rotating grips of
the present invention and demonstrating the rotation of the grips
as the exercise is performed in order to minimize the stress placed
on the weightlifter's wrists and forearms. Specifically, the
present invention, as used by the weightlifter 200, minimizes the
stress on elbows 202 because as the weightlifter proceeds through
his exercises, grips rotate through an angle 204 to minimize
stresses on his wrists and forearms.
[0028] A particular advantage of the curling bar with dynamically
rotating grips of the present invention is that a weightlifter can
perform many different exercises using the device, and without the
need to set the device down or re-position his hands. For example,
a common practice for weightlifters is to perform "super sets."
These super sets include a group of exercise sets performed
sequentially with no delay between them. For instance, a super set
may include the following: a set of 10 curls which focus on the
central biceps and pectoralis; a set of 10 "hammer" curls performed
with the grips in vertical orientation which focus on the lateral
portions of the biceps, the coraco-brachialis and the brachialis
anticus; and 10 back-arm extensions focusing on the triceps.
[0029] The ability of the weightlifter to rotate the grips 360
degrees freely within the grip receiver facilitates the performance
of super sets, and any other combination of exercises without
repeatedly having to stop and re-position the hands. Moreover,
because the grips in the grip receivers may be positioned in any
angle within the plane of rotation, the weightlifter can utilize
the curling bar with dynamically rotating grips of the present
invention to focus development of specific muscle groups. This is a
particular advantage over any previously available curl bars as the
ability to dynamically rotate the grip position with a grip
receiver provides the weightlifter with an unlimited number of
muscle-specific exercises. Further, the rotation of the grip allows
the weightlifter to rotate his wrist to a specific position for an
exercise, however, since the rotation is dynamic, the grip will
rotate prior to an overstraining of the muscle or ligament occurs
thereby minimizing the risk of injury to the weightlifter.
[0030] While there have been shown what are presently considered to
be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and
modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope
and spirit of the invention
* * * * *