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Weight lifting barRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Weight Resistance, Handheld Bar With Weight At Each End (e.g., Barbell, Dumbbell, Etc.) Or Component Thereof, Having Securing Member (e.g., Locking Collar, Etc.) For Retaining Weight On BarWeight lifting bar description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070123398, Weight lifting bar. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to exercise devices. More particularly, the invention relates to exercise devices employing weight securing means for releasably securing one or more weights at selected locations along the longitudinal axis of a support so to vary the exercise load. The invention also relates to exercise devices including a handle which can be angularly adjusted relative to the support. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Weight training typically involves the use of barbells and dumbbells. Both may consist of solid bars with opposite ends mounting removable weight training plates. The middle portion of the bar functions as a handle. The plates are supplied in sets with various weight increments. Additional plates must be added if the user wants to increase the amount of weight on the bar. Likewise, plates may be removed if the user wishes to decrease the amount of weight on the bar. [0003] Prior art exercise devices utilize a variety of methods for removably fastening or mounting a weight on the bar, generally against a stop. Typically, a retaining collar is fastened to the weight carrying member with set screws or the like. Such collars are illustrated in Pugh's U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,908. Another method is to utilize a retaining collar or retaining weight having an internally threaded aperture, so that the collar or weight can be threaded onto external threads on a weight carrying member; see, for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,756 to Hoagland and U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,192 to Nelson. A third type of securing means involves securing a weight with a spring clip or spring collar, such as those distributed by Sport Supply Group, Inc. of Dallas, Tex., United States of America. Each of these securing means rely on a certain frictional engagement which may not hold when using heavy weights or require cumbersome threading of threaded weights or threaded collars onto a externally threaded weight carrying member. [0004] The effective amount of weight on a bar can also be increased by extending the mass of the weight beyond the arms of the user. A typical example is the "swingbell". The swingbell consists of a bar having a set of weights mounted at one end. The free end of the bar is grasped at the other end. The mass of the weight thus extends outward from the user's arm. The relationship of weight and distance from the hand increases the leverage of the weight against the user's arms. The increase is a factor of the distance between the user's palm and the center of mass for the weights. A device similar to a swingbell is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,658,108. [0005] During weight training it is also often desirable to allow for angular adjustment of the handle portion relative to the weight carrying portion of the bar. Such angular adjustment of the handle, relative to the remainder of the barbell or dumbbell, changes the dynamics of the exercise and allows the user to perform lifting exercises benefiting different muscle groups using a single device and a single set of weights. Otherwise, for each different angle of handle grip, the exerciser would require a separate bar. [0006] Prior art exercise devices employ a variety of means for adjustably positioning a handle. For example, Harper's U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,840 discloses the use of set screws to adjust and secure a handgrip. Ammon's U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,655 discloses the use of a pair of set screws and a number of apertures to vary the distance between arcuate members of a frame. It also discloses the use of a plurality of holes for receiving removable bolts to vary the position of a grip unit. Hayes' U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,282 discloses the use of pins which pass through holes in a sleeve to adjust the position of a grip. These devices, however, only adjustably position the handle relative to the exercise device so as to accommodate variations in the length of the user's hand or to selectively adjust the distance between the carrying portion of the bar and the handgrip. None of these devices allow for angular adjustment of a handle relative to the bar so as to permit different exercises, work different muscle groups and supply a wide range of exercise loads to the user. [0007] Other prior art patents do teach angular adjustment of a handle or hand grip member, but these are either delicate devices generally unsuitable for use with the heavy weights used by a bodybuilder or powerlifter, or relate to barbells having a pair of handles or grip members. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,218 to Twardosz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,414,260 to Gust and U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,616 to Riley Jr. The prior art devices which relate to barbells generally comprise paired handles each having an outer ring member mounted to the barbell and an inner ring member with hand grip rotatably mounted therein. Such ring members are typically unsuitable for use at the end of a dumbbell. [0008] There is thus a continuing need to obtain some form of exercise device that will effectively increase the distance between the weight and user's hand, that will maintain the leverage produced thereby continuously during exercising, that will removably secure heavy weights and that will provide for angular adjustment of the handle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In one aspect, the invention provides a weight lifting bar having a weight carrying member with a longitudinal axis and an outer surface. A plurality of spring collar engaging ridges project from the outer surface and are oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. [0010] In another aspect, the invention provides a weight lifting bar comprising a weight carrying member and a grip. The weight carrying member has a longitudinal axis and a handle end. The grip is pivotally connected at a pivot point near the handle end. Preferably, means are provided for selectively securing the grip to said weight carrying member after the desired angular relationship between the hand grip member and the weight carrying member is selected, said means located at a point other than the pivot point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIGS. 1-4 are perspective views of a first embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIGS. 5-6 are exploded perspective views of the first embodiment; [0013] FIGS. 7-9 are a perspective views of the first embodiment of the invention showing a weight plate removably secured at different positions along the weight bar using spring collars; [0014] FIGS. 10-13 are perspective views of the first embodiment illustrating how the invention may be used and with the handle secured at various angular positions; [0015] FIGS. 14-15 are perspective views of a second embodiment showing a weight plate removably secured at different positions along the weight bar using spring collars; [0016] FIGS. 16-17 are side and cross-sectional views of a third embodiment of the invention; [0017] FIGS. 18-19 are side and cross-sectional views of a fourth embodiment of the invention; and [0018] FIGS. 20-25 are perspective views of the second embodiment illustrating how the invention may be used with the handle at various angular positions and/or with the user's wrist also at various positions (such as extension and flexion). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0019] Reference is to be had to the Figures in which identical reference numbers identify similar components. Continue reading about Weight lifting bar... Full patent description for Weight lifting bar Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Weight lifting bar 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Weight lifting bar or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Locking mechanism for a bicycle trainer Next Patent Application: Golf swing exerciser Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Weight lifting bar patent info. 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