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  Adjustable barbell deviceUSPTO Application #: 20060160675Title: Adjustable barbell device Abstract: A device for weightlifting and bodybuilding that comprises a housing that has and cap on one end that allows the device to be placed onto a typical barbell bar, such as the bars used in plate-loading barbell sets. Small, incremental weights may be easily added or removed from the hollow internal section of the device by removing a lid. An end of a barbell can be fit through the center of a device to secure the device on each end of a bar, or an alternative configuration provides a clamp that attaches a device to an end of a bar. (end of abstract)
Agent: Zito Tlp - Damascus, MD, US Inventor: Michael H. Brown USPTO Applicaton #: 20060160675 - Class: 482093000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Weight Resistance The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060160675. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/641,941 filed Jan. 7, 2005. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to weight lifting equipment that can be used by bodybuilders, weightlifters, and other individuals desiring athletic or strength training. More specifically, the present invention relates to a barbell device for attaching to a bar. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Over a century ago, the shot-loading barbell was developed and used by weightlifters and bodybuilders. This device was a short bar with a large, metal globe at each end of the bar for lifting by hand. Each hollow globe was filled with lead shot in order to increase the weight of the barbell. Typical lead shot, such as a .44 caliber percussion (or cap and ball) round bullet weighs approximately one-third of an ounce. Thus, by loading a few lead shots at a time into each globe of the barbell, the weight could be increased in very small amounts. A problem with shot-loading barbells was the hassle and lengthy amount of time to perform a change of the amount of lead shot, and hence the amount of weight, for different exercises with those barbells. [0004] The famous British strongman Thomas Inch invented the plate-loading barbell around 1900. The plate loading barbell was an advance over the lead-shot barbell regarding the ease and efficiency of changing the amount of weight on the bar. However, one drawback to the plate-loading barbell was that the incremental weight increases were in pounds per each barbell, not in ounces like the lead-shot barbell. [0005] All serious bodybuilders and weightlifters at one point in their training encounter what is known in the field as a "sticking point," or plateau. That is, a lifter may be able to bench press 295 pounds but, when the lifter attempts to bench press 300 pounds, the lifter fails and cannot lift the mere five pounds of weight difference. With a conventional plate-loading barbell set, the smallest weight increment the lifter can increase by is 1.25 pounds on each side of the bar, or 2.5 pounds total. The lifter will likely fail with 297.5 pounds on the bar well before the 300 pound goal. In another example, if the lifter has 265 pounds on the bar and can perform five repetitions (one repetition being lifting the bar from a minimum height to a maximum height according to the specific exercise), increasing the weight to 267.5 will cost the lifter twenty percent of his or her ability to move the weight. This would typically reduce the lifter's ability to perform repetitions and reduce the five-repetition workout down to four repetitions. [0006] When lifting weights on a bar human body can differentiate a weight difference amount as low as a single pound (e.g., 8 ounces to a side) or less on a bar having a total weight of over 100 pounds. That is, if an exercise is performed with 120 pounds weight for eight repetitions, the typical person performing the exercise will not be able to notice a difference of one pound on the bar, such as using 120 pounds at one workout and using 121 pounds at the next workout. The addition of pounds of weight to the bar at a subsequent workout could either increase or decrease the number of repetitions if the sticking point has not been reached. The same is true of 122 pounds, 123 pounds, and so on. [0007] The larger increments of weight caused by the use of plates on a barbell does not allow the body to naturally progress to heavier and heavier weights for lifting. Instead, efficiency is lost by the jump in weight of a barbell or other lifting device that may be used (e.g. such as Nautilus machines) and the goals of bodybuilders and weightlifters compromised. This loss of efficiency may explain why Herman Goerner, a German strongman of the 1920s who stood 6 feet tall and weighed 245 pounds in his prime, was still training with shot-loading barbells a quarter century after the plate-loading barbell was invented. Goerner had a 330-pound shot-loading barbell with 2.5-inch diameter handles that he could lift overhead anytime, day or night. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art weight training devices by providing a device that is removably attached to a barbell bar and can be simply and efficiently adjusted in small incremental weight values, for example down to one-third of an ounce at a time in weight added to it in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the device comprises a cylinder housing that has a screw-on cap on one end and a sealed second end with an internal cylindrical tube section that is open along the center axis of the device. The open tube area allows the device to be placed onto a typical barbell bar, such as the bars used in plate-loading barbell sets. Small, incremental weights may be easily added or removed from the internal section of the device between the cylindrical housing and the internal tube section by unscrewing the removable lid of the device, allowing access to add or remove incremental weights. Weights could include lead balls, shot, or concentric rings that can be added to the internal section, one at a time if necessary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Preferred embodiments of the invention are discussed hereinafter in reference to the drawings, in which: [0010] FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment that is fully assembled; [0011] FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment with a removable lid detached from an end; [0012] FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment positioned onto an end of a barbell bar; [0013] FIG. 4 illustrates the first alternative embodiment that receives incrementally weighted plates internally to the device; [0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a second alternative embodiment of the weight lifting device that fits onto an end of a barbell bar; [0015] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the second alternative embodiment with a removable lid; and [0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a reverse view the second alternative embodiment that shows the built-in clamp that attaches to a barbell bar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] The preferred embodiment, illustrated fully assembled in FIG. 1, provides a weightlifting and bodybuilding training device 10 that may be removably attached to a barbell bar or other type of weightlifting and bodybuilding device or machine and has the advantages of simple and efficient adjustment in small incremental weight values. For example, weight of the device 10 can adjust up or down to one-third of an ounce using lead balls or other small, discrete weighted objects placed into the device 10. The device 10 comprises cylindrical housing 14 that is open on one end and closed on the other, distal end. The open end of housing 14 is closed by a removable lid 12. FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred device with lid 12, removed from housing 14, as a screw-on cap that threads into the open end of housing 14. Although FIG. 2 shows lid 12 completely detached from the housing 14, it is understood that the lid 12 could open and expose the internal area of the housing 14 while remaining partially attached to the housing 14 by a hinge, straps, or equivalent attachments. When fully assembled, lid 12 is preferably flush with the outer body of housing 14, as shown in FIG. 3. Further, although housing 10 is shown as a cylindrical shape, alternative embodiments for forming housing 10 could include spherical, oblong, square or rectangular, or equivalent shapes without exceeding the scope of the embodiments. [0018] FIG. 2 illustrates cylindrical housing 14 as a hollow body with a wall 18 having a thickness appropriate to hold metal weights and durability to withstand damage and breakage in a weight training scenario. Housing 14 as well as all parts of the preferred embodiment are preferably formed from metal, however, it is understood that alternative materials such as a plastics or composites are within the scope of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Adjustable barbell device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Adjustable barbell device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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