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Universal handlebar for exercise equipmentRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, User Interface ElementUniversal handlebar for exercise equipment description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060211552, Universal handlebar for exercise equipment. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a handlebar for exercise equipment, and, more particularly, to a universal handlebar attachable to and usable with weight and pulley training machines, or other training machines. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Exercising machines employing suspended weights for providing a resistance to body motions are well known in the prior art. These machines generally include a frame supporting weights attached to a tether. The tether is connected, in turn, to levers and similar components that are grasped by a user and manipulated. Manipulation against the resistance of the weights forces muscles to exert great effort, and thus will increase the strength or bulk of the muscles, or both, over time. Typically, the component grasped by the user is in the form of a handle. [0003] In these and other handle operated exercise machines, the handle portion is often an elongate rigid bar with grips on its opposite ends, and a connector (usually in the form of a lug with a hole) midway along its length for attachment to the free end of a cable. The user stands or sits with his hands on the grips at the opposite ends of the handle and pulls it up or down against the force of the weights along a path of movement. Typically, a user will wish to sequentially use a number of differently shaped handles, each handle having a shape adapted to provide exercise for a different set of muscles, thereby to increase the tone, strength, or bulk of that set of muscles. An array of typically shaped handles 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 known to the prior art are shown in FIGS. 1A-1E. Each handle is seen to have two hand grips and a connector between the grips for attaching to the free end of a cable extending from the exercise machine. [0004] It is therefore typical to find, in a gymnasium setting, that the gymnasium will provide at least one full set of the preferred differently shaped handles for its patrons to use with the exercise machine provided. However, it is also commonly found that the gymnasium may provide a plurality of weight exercise machines, and further that, in order to economize, there may be provided fewer full sets of differently shaped handles than the number of exercise machines, in the anticipation that not each user will require the same type of handle at the same time. [0005] This way of providing handles in a commercial gymnasium has a number of disadvantages. First, it may frequently occur that a user on one exercise machine cannot obtain the particularly shaped handle that he wishes to use because all of that type of handle are being used on other weight machines. Second, it is expensive to provide a plurality of differently shaped handles of which some will always be lying unused while a few are being used. Third, it may frequently occur that, because of the number of handles present in the gymnasium, some become lost or misplaced, and some are not replaced in their storage space so they lie around obstructing proper use of the gymnasium and create the risk of injury. [0006] Others have attempted to address the described problems. Some have provided handles that include elongate bars with grips on opposite ends, and a connector midway along its length for attachment to the free end of the cable, but whose shape may be mechanically adjusted. These devices have the disadvantage that they permit a limited number of possible shapes, they require complex and therefore expensive mechanisms to permit adjustment of the shape, and the resulting configuration is bulky and difficult to connect to the free end of the cable. [0007] Thus, there is need in the art for a more comprehensive solution to problems, such as these, experienced in the art. The present invention addresses these and other needs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention includes a universal handlebar configured for use with an exercise machine. The handlebar is configured to permit a user to exercise a plurality of muscle sets using only the single universal handlebar, as compared with having to use a plurality of different handlebars to achieve a similar result. The universal handlebar of the present invention includes a generally U shaped bar having a left extending portion and, parallel to the left extending portion, a right extending portion, the left and right extending portions being connected to each other at their respective ends by a transverse portion. In one aspect of the invention, the transverse portion may be substantially linear, and in another aspect the transverse portion may be generally V shaped. A plurality of connectors are attached to the U shaped bar, the connectors being adapted to receive a fastener, such as a hook, of the exercise machine for attachment thereto. By successively connecting the bar to the exercise machine at different connectors, the bar presents the user with a variety of shapes, allowing the user to successively exercise a different muscle set with each shape. Most of the bar shapes found in the prior art can be found in the universal handlebar, and additional shapes not found in the prior art may also be found. Another aspect of the universal handlebar is that it has grips, that may be formed of rubber or similar resilient material, interspersed along the length of the handlebar, to provide the user with a convenient point of gripping the handlebar, depending on which connector has been attached to the exercise machine. [0009] In another aspect, the invention includes a method for exercising in conjunction with an exercise machine. In one embodiment, an exercise machine is provided, the exercise machine being configured to provide resistance to motion, and having a loose cable with a free end for attachment to a handlebar. A handlebar is provided having a plurality of potential points for attachment to the free end of the loose cable. The cable is connected to a first point of attachment on the handlebar. The user then exercises a first muscle set using the handlebar. Upon completion, the user disconnects the handlebar from the cable, and connects the cable to a second point of attachment on the handlebar, whereupon he exercises a second muscle set using the handlebar. In further aspects, third, fourth, fifth, etc. muscle sets are exercised by an extension of the same procedure. [0010] These and other aspects of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description thereof and the accompanying exemplary drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIGS. 1A-1E show a collection of prior art bars for use in conjunction with an exercise machine. [0012] FIG. 2 depicts a universal handlebar incorporating features of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 3 depicts an alternative embodiment of a universal handlebar incorporating features of the invention [0014] FIG. 4 depicts a person exercising a particular muscle set using the handlebar of FIG. 1A. [0015] FIG. 5 depicts a person exercising the same muscle set as the person in FIG. 4, using the universal handlebar. [0016] FIG. 6 depicts a person exercising a particular muscle set using the handlebar of FIG. 1B. [0017] FIG. 7 depicts a person exercising the same muscle set as the person in FIG. 6, using the universal handlebar. [0018] FIG. 8 depicts a person exercising a particular muscle set using the handlebar of FIG. 1C. [0019] FIG. 9 depicts a person exercising the same muscle set as the person in FIG. 8, using the universal handlebar. [0020] FIG. 10 depicts a person exercising a particular muscle set using the handlebar of FIG. 1D. Continue reading about Universal handlebar for exercise equipment... Full patent description for Universal handlebar for exercise equipment Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Universal handlebar for exercise equipment 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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