U.S. patent application number 14/205235 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for weightlifting bar system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Philip Patti. Invention is credited to Philip Patti.
Application Number | 20140274595 14/205235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51529713 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140274595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patti; Philip |
September 18, 2014 |
WEIGHTLIFTING BAR SYSTEM
Abstract
An example weightlifting bar system includes a bar shaft, and a
sleeve on at least one end of the bar shaft. A first bearing and
race assembly supporting the sleeve in a first position and at
least a second bearing and race assembly supporting the sleeve in a
second position, each bearing and race assembly having an outer
bearing assembly adjacent the sleeve and an inner bearing race
adjacent the bar shaft. The outer bearing assembly rotates around
the inner bearing race while the inner bearing race remains
substantially stationary relative to the bar shaft.
Inventors: |
Patti; Philip; (San Luis
Obispo, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Patti; Philip |
San Luis Obispo |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51529713 |
Appl. No.: |
14/205235 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61778926 |
Mar 13, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4049 20151001;
A63B 21/0724 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/106 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00 |
Claims
1. A weightlifting bar system, comprising: a bar shaft; a sleeve on
at least one end of the bar shaft; and a first bearing and race
assembly supporting the sleeve in a first position and at least a
second bearing and race assembly supporting the sleeve in a second
position, each bearing and race assembly having an outer bearing
assembly adjacent the sleeve and an inner bearing race adjacent the
bar shaft; wherein the outer bearing assembly rotates around the
inner bearing race while the inner bearing race remains
substantially stationary relative to the bar shaft.
2. The weightlifting bar system of claim 1, wherein the inner
bearing race is stationary and does not move relative to the bar
shaft.
3. The weightlifting bar system of claim 1, wherein the outer
bearing assembly includes needle bearings.
4. The weightlifting bar system of claim 1, wherein a separate race
system is provided having bearings that do not touch the bar shaft
to reduce or altogether eliminate damage to the bar shaft.
5. The weightlifting bar system of claim 1, further comprising a
precision fit between the sleeve and the bearing and each bearing
and race assembly to reduce or altogether eliminate contaminants
from coming into contact with sealed bearings in the sleeve.
6. The weightlifting bar system of claim 1, wherein the rotation of
sleeve provides a user with a smooth feel during a weightlifting
exercise.
7. The weightlifting bar system of claim 1, wherein the outer
bearing assembly does not come into direct contact with the bar
shaft even when the bar shaft is dropped.
8. The weightlifting bar system of claim 1, wherein a size of the
outer bearing assembly is sized to provide a higher load
rating.
9. A weightlifting bar system, comprising: a bearing and race
system assembled on opposite ends of a bar shaft, each of the
bearing and race systems having at least two outer bearing
assemblies and at least two inner bearing races; a sleeve installed
over the bearing and race systems at a precision fit; and wherein
the outer bearing assemblies of each bearing and race system is
rotatable relative to the inner bearing race while the inner
bearing race remains substantially stationary relative to the bar
shaft.
10. The weightlifting bar system of claim 9, wherein the inner
bearing race is stationary and does not move relative to the bar
shaft.
11. The weightlifting bar system of claim 9, wherein the outer
bearing assemblies of each bearing and race system includes needle
bearings.
12. The weightlifting bar system of claim 9, further comprising a
separate race system, wherein outer bearing assemblies of the
separate race system do not touch the bar shaft, reducing or
altogether eliminating damage to the bar shaft.
13. The weightlifting bar system of claim 9, further comprising
sealed bearings in the sleeve.
14. The weightlifting bar system of claim 13, wherein the precision
fit reduces contaminants from contacting the sealed bearings in the
sleeve.
15. The weightlifting bar system of claim 1, wherein the outer
bearing assemblies do not directly contact the bar shaft.
16. The weightlifting bar system of claim 1, wherein a size of the
outer bearing assemblies is selected to provide a desired load
rating.
17. A weightlifting bar system, comprising: a first and second
sleeve, each sleeve configured to be assembled on one end of the
bar shaft; and a first bearing and race assembly supporting a
single sleeve in a first position and a second bearing and race
assemblies supporting the single sleeve in a second position, each
bearing and race assembly having an outer bearing assembly adjacent
the single sleeve and an inner bearing race adjacent the bar
shaft.
18. The weightlifting bar system of claim 17, further comprising
three or more bearing and race assemblies supporting each
sleeve.
19. The weightlifting bar system of claim 17, further comprising
more than three bearing and race assemblies supporting the
sleeve.
20. The weightlifting bar system of claim 17, wherein the outer
bearing assembly rotates around the inner bearing race while the
inner bearing race remains substantially stationary relative to the
bar shaft.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/778,926 filed Mar. 13, 2013 titled
"Weightlifting Bar" of Philip Patti, hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Weightlifting equipment is available for recreational use
(e.g., in the home), commercial use (e.g., in gyms), and
competitive sports (e.g., the Olympics and other venues). Bars may
be loaded with hundreds of pounds of weights. During lifting, the
bars may be dropped and/or thrown down onto the floor, sometimes
landing at an angle relative to the floor. The bar shaft material
is typically HRC 38-45 hardness and the bearings are HRC 60+
hardness. The shaft over time may become damaged when dropped on
hard surfaces similar, e.g., creating flat spots or indentations to
hitting a round surface with a hammer. This may cause an effect of
the sleeves mounted on the bar that is similar to a bent wheel
being "out of round" on a car.
[0003] Manufacturers have attempted to combat this condition by
using extra hardening procedures at the ends of the bar shaft.
These procedures are expensive and potentially dangerous if the
shaft hardness is elevated to such an extent that the bar shaft is
too stiff for weightlifting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1a is an illustration of an example weightlifting bar
system.
[0005] FIG. 1b is an exploded view showing components of the
example weightlifting bar system shown in FIG. 1a.
[0006] FIGS. 2a-d are illustrations of the example weightlifting
bar system.
[0007] FIG. 3a shows an example weightlifting bar system as it may
be suitable for a larger user.
[0008] FIG. 3b shows an example weightlifting bar system as it may
be suitable for a smaller user.
[0009] FIG. 4 shows an example bearing and race of the
weightlifting bar system.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows an example bearing race assembly of the
weightlifting bar system.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates example assembly of the bearing
assemblies on the weightlifting bar system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] An example weightlifting bar system is disclosed including a
bar shaft, and a sleeve on at least one end of the bar shaft. A
first bearing and race assembly supporting the sleeve in a first
position (e.g., on one end of the sleeve) and at least a second
bearing and race assembly supporting the sleeve in a second
position (e.g., on the second end of the sleeve). More bearing and
race assemblies may be provided. In the example shown in the
drawings, two bearing and race assemblies support the sleeve in the
first position, and one bearing and race assembly support the
sleeve in the second position. Other configurations are also
possible. For example, a plurality of bearing and race assemblies
(e.g., more than two, or more than three) may be provided at
various spacing (or positions) along a length of the sleeve. It is
also noted that the bearing and race assemblies may be positioned
substantially at the ends of the sleeve and/or may be spaced
further inward along the sleeve.
[0013] Each bearing and race assembly have an outer bearing
assembly adjacent the sleeve and an inner bearing race adjacent the
bar shaft. The outer bearing assembly rotates around the inner
bearing race while the inner bearing race remains substantially
stationary relative to the bar shaft.
[0014] In an example, the bearing and race system may be installed
in the sleeve and over the bar shaft at a precision fit. The
precision fit may also reduce contaminants from coming into contact
with the sealed bearings. The bearing rotates around the inner
race, which remains fairly stationary on the shaft. In an example,
the bearings are needle bearings. A separate race system may also
be provided, wherein the bearings do not touch the bar shaft, thus
reducing or altogether eliminating damage to the bar shaft.
[0015] The example weightlifting bar system provides the user with
a smooth feel during weightlifting. In addition, dropping example
weightlifting bar system does not affect the bar because the hard
needles (e.g., when needle bearings are used) do not come into
direct contact with the bar. Furthermore, the size of the bearings
can be much larger than otherwise provided with bar shafts, giving
the example weightlifting bar system a higher load rating.
[0016] Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the
terms "includes" and "including" mean, but is not limited to,
"includes" or "including" and "includes at least" or "including at
least." The term "based on" means "based on" and "based at least in
part on."
[0017] FIG. 1a is an illustration of an example weightlifting bar
system 100. FIG. 1b is an exploded view showing components of the
example weightlifting bar system 100 shown in FIG. 1a. In this
example, a bar or bar shaft 101 is provided (e.g., fitted) on each
end of the bar shaft (although only one end of the bar shaft is
shown), with a sleeve 102 with collar 103. As can be seen in FIG.
1b, the sleeve 102 may be fitted to the bar shaft 101 with two
bearing assemblies on one end of the sleeve, 104 and 105, each
formed by an inner race, 106 and 108, and a bearing, 107 and 109.
In an example, the bearings 107 and 109 may be a needle bearing.
Other types of bearings may also be employed. At the other end of
the sleeve 102, a single race 110 and outer bearing assembly 111
(or simply "bearing 111") may fit the sleeve 102 to the bar shaft
101. In an example, two bearings on provided on the collar end, and
one bearing on the other end.
[0018] An example end of a bar shaft 101 is shown as it may be
about 25 mm (millimeters) or 28 mm in diameter with a collar 103
having a 2.750 to 3.250 inch diameter and being about 30 mm wide,
although the disclosure herein is not limited to any particular
size components. The bar shaft 101 may be installed inside an
example bar sleeve 102. An inner bearing race 110 (or simply "race
110") and bearing 111 are also fitted within the other end of the
sleeve 102 between the sleeve 102 and the bar shaft 101 at a
proximal end of the bar shaft 101.
[0019] FIGS. 2a-d are illustrations of the example weightlifting
bar system shown in FIG. 1a, with FIGS. 2b-d being cross sectional
views of the example bar sleeve shown in FIG. 2a. It is noted that
the bearing (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2c) can be moved down if
desired (e.g., to about 1.750 inches). Bearing assemblies 104 and
105, which include races 106, 108 and bearings 107, 109, may be
fitted within one end of the sleeve 102 onto the bar shaft 101 that
is on an interior position on the bar. Although two assemblies 104,
105 are shown, fewer or more assemblies may be used. In an example,
more bearings provide added benefits (e.g., smoother operation
during lifting and higher load ratings).
[0020] A second bearing assembly 112, with race 110 and bearing
111, may be fitted in the sleeve over the bar near a proximal end
of the bar. A second weightlifting bar system 100 may also be
fitted to the distal end of the bar shaft (not shown).
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, a weightlifting bar system 100
with a sleeve length of approximately 445 mm may be used for
example with a 28 mm diameter bar, as is shown in FIG. 3a. A sleeve
with a length of approximately 350 mm may be used with a for
example 25 mm diameter bar, as shown in FIG. 3b. However, these may
vary in other examples. These lengths include the mm wide collar
103. FIGS. 3a-b illustrate example design specifications for a
weightlifting bar system configured for use by a larger competitor
which may be a man or male competitor, as in FIG. 3a, and a smaller
competitor, which may be a woman or female competitor or a junior
competitor being a younger male or female, as in FIG. 3b (or other
users). The sizes are illustrated and non-limiting.
[0022] In an example, the weightlifting bar system may be
manufactured as a 20 kg (kilogram) bar or a 15 kg bar. Other sizes
are also contemplated. It is also noted that the designs disclosed
herein can be made of a variety of different types and/or hardness
material(s), and the hardness of the bar shaft is not a limiting
factor. In a non-limiting example, the materials used for
manufacture may include steel or stainless steel.
[0023] Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples
described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are
not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device
configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations
described herein.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows an example bearing and race of the
weightlifting bar system. The example race 106 and bearing 107 are
shown as these may form a bearing assembly 104. FIG. 5 shows an
example bearing race assembly 104 of the weightlifting bar system.
The bearings, which may be needle or other bearings, and bearing
race for an improved weightlifting bar system may be, as discussed
above, a 32 mm inner diameter (ID) bearing race or a 29 mm ID
bearing race. In an example, the bearings inner diameters are
substantially equal to the outside diameter of the race. These
bearings offer a higher load rating per bearing, so that extra
bearings are not needed. The bearings may also be considered to be
a precision bearing.
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates example assembly of the bearing
assemblies on the weightlifting bar system. The bearing assembly
104 is shown with a race 106 and bearing 107 partially assembled on
a bar shaft 101. A second race 108 is assembled onto the bar shaft
101 ready to accept a bearing 109, the sleeve 102, and collar 103
(not visible in FIG. 6).
[0026] It is noted that the examples shown and described are
provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be
limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.
* * * * *