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  Weight lifting exercise devices with arm straightening feature: zar-bar and zar-bellUSPTO Application #: 20080051270Title: Weight lifting exercise devices with arm straightening feature: zar-bar and zar-bell Abstract: A new weight-training device for the arm involves an arm-straightening feature. The device comprises a weight at the distal end and one or more elongated members extending from the hand to the mid-shoulder of the user. The device further comprises a ring at the proximal end to encircle the user's arm, a grip bar for the user's hand and a wrist-protecting bar. The elongated members and the proximal ring ensure that the user's arm remains straight during the weight-lifting exercise thus fully targeting various muscle groups. Various exercises with the device are also suggested. (end of abstract) Agent: Trojan Law Offices - Beverly Hills, CA, US Inventor: Edward Lazar USPTO Applicaton #: 20080051270 - Class: 482105 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080051270. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CLAIM OF PRIORITY [0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of a co-pending application Ser. No. 11/467,630 filed on Aug. 28, 2006. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]Weight lifting has been a popular exercise at least since the times of Ancient Greece. Modem exercise devices have grown increasingly complex. However, the free weights such as dumbbells have not lost their appeal since they were first described by a Greek physician Galen in the second century C.E. Free weights have many advantages over stationary exercise machines: they are portable and easy to store. Furthermore, nearly everyone can learn to use the free weights without special training or supervision. Although some free weights have a predetermined weight, others have an option to vary the weight. For example, many dumbbells can accommodate several weight disks. [0003]Nevertheless, exercising with free weights has some drawbacks. One such drawback is that a user can "cheat" by assuming an improper posture or performing an incorrect movement. For example, while curling a forearm, the user may "help" himself by engaging the muscles in his legs and back. Such cheating reduces the work done by the target muscle, the bicep, and at least partially defeats the purpose of the exercise. Similarly, by lifting an arm sideways (in order to train the shoulder muscles) one may bend the arm and recruit additional muscles. The target muscles, once again, will do less work. By comparison, the stationary weight lifting machines are better able to address this problem. Often the user must assume a certain fixed position in the seat of the stationary machine. Such a position usually assures a correct posture and isolation of the target muscle groups. [0004]The prior art offers several ways of isolating the target muscles. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,799,675 and 6,616,581 describe restraining belts that hold the user's arms in the correct position relative to the body during exercise with dumbbells or barbells. Another solution is to attach a bracket to a conventional dumbbell or barbell. As taught for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,756, when the user grips the bracket, it becomes impossible to bend the wrist while lifting the weight. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,515 teaches a bracket through which an arm must pass. The user is grabbing the barbell while the bracket has a crossbar that prevents bending of the arm at the wrist. Finally, a bracket disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,341 locks the arm in an L-shaped position for the proper exercise of the pectoral muscles. [0005]Another drawback of using the free weights is the risk to the user's joints. Inexperienced, unfit or overly ambitious users often attempt lifting weights that are excessive for their level of fitness. When a muscle cannot properly handle such a weight, an injury to a joint may occur. The risk of an injury is even greater when the user's movement is improper. For example, inexperienced users often flex their wrists when doing bicep curls. This creates a risk of injury to the wrist joint. The devices protecting the wrist joint are known in the art. These devices mainly ensure that the wrist remains straight. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,819,081, 4,858,916 and 6,001,049 describe plates to which the forearm must be strapped. Not less cumbersome is a laced-up sleeve disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,740. The easiest to use are the devices that offer a frame. As taught by the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,617,650 and 4,109,908, the forearm is placed between the two parallel side bars connected by two cross bars. When the user is passing the forearm between the cross bars, the frame locks the wrist in a straight position because the side bars cannot be bent. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,569 discloses the device with planar arm supports. As the user holds onto the bar of the dumbbell-like device, the arm supports become flush with the wrist and prevent bending. [0006]These prior art devices are limited to protecting the wrist. No device currently in use protects either the elbow or the shoulder of the user in a similar way. [0007]Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a free weight exercise device that would borrow some advantages from a stationary device. Specifically, it would be advantageous to have a free exercise device capable of isolating the target muscles and assuring a correct posture. Additionally, it would be advantageous to have a free weight exercise device that offers protection to all the joints of the user challenged by arm exercises, such as wrist, elbow and shoulder. Finally, it would be advantageous to have an exercise device with the above-mentioned features that is also comfortable and easy to use. [0008]Many exercise devices are equally popular among men and women. Others are preferred by a particular gender because they help build up a particular group of muscles. For example, bench press with a bar is often preferred by men, while women prefer a seated chest press. Similarly, women are generally less interested in building up the upper shoulder muscles, such as deltoids. Instead, women aim to build up arm muscles, such as biceps and triceps. It would be advantageous to have an embodiment of the device targeted to the arm muscles. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009]The object of the present invention is to provide a weight lifting device that minimizes the engagement of the secondary muscles of the arm by virtue of an arm-straightening feature. It is another object of the invention to provide protection to the wrist and elbow joints of the user. It is a further object of the invention to allow for the use of variable weights on the same device. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device that is comfortable and easy to use without special training or supervision. In accordance with these objectives the device includes the arm-straightening frame with means for attaching variable weights at the distal end. [0010]The device is sized to fit an arm of average adult, but will perform equally well with the users of different sizes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011]FIG. 1 is a side view of the device of the first preferred embodiment with the weight attached. [0012]FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of the first preferred embodiment with the weight removed. [0013]FIG. 3 is a view of the weight assembly means. [0014]FIG. 4 is a view of the user's arm engaging the device of the first preferred embodiment. [0015]FIG. 5 is a view of the user holding the device of the first preferred embodiment. [0016]FIGS. 6 A-F show various exercises that can be done using the device of the first preferred embodiment. [0017]FIG. 7 is a view of the second preferred embodiment. [0018]FIGS. 8 A-B show various exercises that can be done using the device of the second preferred embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019]The invention provides a free weight device that can easily be used by experienced weightlifters and novices alike. As shown on FIG. 1, the exercise device (1) involves a weight (2) attached to the end of a straightening feature. For convenience the end of the device closest to the user's body is termed "proximal" and the end farthest away from the body is called "distal". Thus the weight is attached to the distal end. The straightening feature in turn comprises two long members (3) connected by a ring (4) at the proximal end. The device further provides a grip bar (5) to be held by the user's hand. An additional ring or arc (6) may be provided proximally to the grip bar. The position of the ring or arc is such that it protects the wrist joint of the user during exercise as will be further explained below. The weight (2) rests on a post (7). On the proximal side the weight abuts a stopper-ring (8). On the proximal side the weight is held in place by a holding ring (9). Continue reading... Full patent description for Weight lifting exercise devices with arm straightening feature: zar-bar and zar-bell Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Weight lifting exercise devices with arm straightening feature: zar-bar and zar-bell 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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