BACKGROUND
Free weights such as dumbbells and barbells provide a simple and inexpensive device for resistance based exercise. A rigid bar with weights at either end provides a reliable piece of equipment and an absence of moving parts that can impose maintenance and safety concerns. Resistance is provided by gravitational force on the weights, and in some designs is variable by adding additional weights, or plates. Others provide a unitary molded design and often take the form of multiple dumbbells in a series of increasing mass.
SUMMARY
A support assembly and exercise system provides safe and unconstrained movement of free weights within a movement zone encompassing normal travel of the free weights during exercise. The system allows safe user engagement and disengagement with the free weights while continually tethered against uncontrolled and possibly harmful movement. The support assembly is defined by a generally free-standing frame with rigid uprights for supporting takeoff and landing zones for the free weights, as well as tether attachments for movably supporting the free weights through the movement zone. A support member has a pivotal attachment to the upright frame for suspending the free weights against an uncontrolled release or fall. Launch and landing platforms attach to the upright frame for ideal positioning of the free weights prior to and following a usage session (workout).
Configurations herein are based, in part, on the observation that conventional approaches to conditioning and recreational weight training often employ free weights of substantial mass used for strength training simply by manual lifting against a natural gravitational resistance. While free weights offer a simple and direct resistance to muscular effort, they suffer from the shortcoming that that can cause injury if improperly handled or dropped. Accordingly, configurations herein substantially overcome the shortcomings of conventional free weight usage devices by providing an upright frame and selectively engageable tethers to free weights that allow lifting freedom around a movement zone yet support the free weight via the tethers secured to the upright frame in the event of uncontrolled release or movement.
A particular configuration provides a usage and support apparatus for recreational movement of a free weight or weights, including an upright frame defining an exercise region, and an overhead support member attached to the upright frame and extending horizontally over the exercise region. A pivotal attachment between the support member and the upright frame disposes the support member above the exercise region for selective engagement with a tethered attachment to a free weight, where the pivotal attachment has a cantilever or torque limiting engagement with the upright frame for supporting the free weight counter to a gravitational force. The support member attaches to the upright frame and extends horizontally over the exercise region for defining a movement zone of tethered attachment of the free weights. One or more horizontal surfaces attach between opposed pairs of the plurality of upright members provides a take-off and/or landing surface within the movement region defined by a length of the tethers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view on an exercise environment and apparatus suitable for use with configurations herein;
FIGS. 2A-2C are schematic views of a front elevation, plan and side elevation views, respectively, of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view with the support members pivoted outwards as in FIG. 2B;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of crossmember for the pivotal attachment as shown in FIGS. 1-3;
FIG. 5 shows the support members adapted to engage the crossmember of FIG. 4 to form the pivotal attachment;
FIG. 6 shows the pivotal attachment of FIGS. 4 and 5;
FIG. 7 shows a receptacle of the pivotal attachment of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 shows an alternate configuration of the support members using a hinge;
FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the hinge of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 shows a crossmember in the upright frame of FIGS. 1-3 including a launch platform;
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the launch platform of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 shows a side platform engaging the upright frame of FIGS. 1-3;
FIG. 13 shows a side perspective view of the upright frame with the pivotal attachment of FIGS. 4-7, the launch platform of FIGS. 10-11 and the side platform of FIG. 12;
FIGS. 14A-14B show a side and top view, respectively, of the launch platform;
FIGS. 15A-15C show an engagement progression of the freedom beam of FIGS. 14-14C with adjacent upright members on the frame;
FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the launch platform engaging an upright member for anti-torquing support; and
FIGS. 17A-17B show an offset mounting from the frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The description below presents an example of the upright frame and safety tethers in conjunction with free weights for preventing a free fall of a dropped or mishandled weight, typically a dumbbell. The restraint mechanism is applicable to a variety of configurations of resistance objects including weights and other potential or stored energy exercise members, such as elastic strands and spring or coil loaded approaches that invite physical exertion against a stored force.
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view on an exercise environment and apparatus suitable for use with configurations herein. Referring to FIG. 1, a tethered attachment defines a non-restrictive region around a movement zone of a normal exercise and workout routine, and engages the free weight if dropped or uncontrollably disposed outside the movement zone. The tethers engage the weights through a releasable engagement such as that disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 17/460,621, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,745,047, filed Aug. 30, 2021, entitled “EXERCISE WEIGHT SAFETY HARNESS AND CLAMP,” incorporated herein by reference in entirety.
In particular configurations, the system includes a free weight support and restraint safety apparatus 100, including a tether 102 engaged with an upright frame 110 for securing a free weight 104 against unintended release and droppage, and an attachment 106 for securing the tether to the free weight. A pivoting support member 120 (support member) is adapted for lateral movement in a movement zone, in which the movement zone is defined by a volume of controlled manipulation of the free weight for intended use. A linkage between the tether and the pivoting support member is adapted to pivotally dispose the tethered free weight proximally and distally around the movement zone for user engagement and disengagement with the free weight 104.
The pivoting tether allows ingress and egress to the movement zone by the user, and is adapted to bear the mass of the free weight 104 through the pivoting range. Typically it takes the form of a pair of longitudinal bars extending from a rotational bearing on one end, with a protrusion or hook on the other. The tethers 102 drape over the longitudinal bar and are secured by the protrusion or hook. The longitudinal bars (support members) are therefore allowed to pivot outward as needed to accommodate user movement, and pivot inward until substantially parallel and aligned with the user. A bench or seat 125 accommodates the user during lifting.
The linkage of the free weights therefore includes a tethered loop 108 around the pivoting support member 120 and the protrusion 112 at an end of the pivoting support member. Under tension, the tethers 102 may slide axially along the support members and as permitted by the pivotal outward motion, providing a large movement zone while still tethered in the event of droppage, while the protrusion 112 prevents the tethers from sliding off the end of the pivoting support member 120.
FIGS. 2A-2C are schematic views of a front elevation, plan and side elevation views, respectively, of the apparatus of FIG. 1. In the free weight harness system 100, a plurality of upright members 111-1 . . . 111-4 (111 generally) define the upright frame 110, such that the upright members are disposed vertically for supporting at least one of the pivoting support members 120. Typically, for a free standing approach, four upright members 111 define a full frame, and the two pivoting support members 120-1 . . . 120-2 (120 generally) attach to a horizontal bar, crossmember 113′ or support across two of the upright members 111.
The upright members 111 are rigid metal load-bearing structures, and join with horizontal crossmembers 113 where needed for stability, such as a launch platform 150, side platform (discussed below), and horizontal support crossmember 113′ for the pivoting support members 120. Other suitable frames may be envisioned. The pivotal attachments 122-1 . . . 122-2 (122 generally) define a movement zone 101 based on a sweeping arc 124 of the support member in a plane perpendicular to the uprights and based on a length of the tethered attachment in a region below the sweeping arc. In other words, the free weights 104 may be manipulated within the range or radius of the tether 102, and further by pivoting the support members 120 outwards. Generally, the support members are intended to be fixed in a parallel position during use, and pivot outwards to allow free weight placement on a side tray.
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view with the support members pivoted outwards as in FIG. 2B. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a typical exercise routine commences with weights in a launch position, where the user may proceed directly to resistance movement with the weights, and ends with a landing zone, ideally near the end of a cyclic pattern so that a possibly exhausted arm need not further manipulate the free weight very far. Accordingly, the frame 110 includes a launch platform 150 removably engaging the upright members. The launch platform is engaged in an interference fit with horizontal protrusions such as pegs extending from the engaged upright members, and is adapted to support the free weight in an accessible position. A typical launch platform 150 is disposed in front of the user just below the pivoting support members 120 so that the tethers 102 loop around the support members 120 with ample slack for movement within the movement zone 101. A particular feature includes a facilitated mounting for the launch platform. In operation, a user need only slide one end of the crossmember 113 into a horizontal recess, as with the support members crossbar 113′ and then allow the other end drop onto the opposing protrusions (on the opposing upright 111) via the vertical recess.
A landing zone 140 is provided by a side platform adapted to engage the frame 110, and is disposed for receiving and bearing the free weight within range of the tether. The side platform is defined by a longitudinal surface adapted to extend between opposed upright members of the frame, in which the longitudinal surface has a detachable engagement with a respective upright member at each opposed end. In a particular configuration, the landing zone extends along a side perpendicular to the horizontal support for the pivots and parallel to the ground or floor, thus disposed on right and left sides between front and rear uprights in a frame with four uprights.
In a particular configuration, the tethers 102 engage the free weights as disclosed in the copending application cited above. Therefore, the attachment for securing the tether to the free weight further includes opposed clips adapted for attachment to a handle of a free weight, such that the clips have a spacing for engaging the handle at locations flanking a grip region of the handle. A receptacle on the clips receives the handle of the free weight, the tether attaches to the opposed clips, and a restraint secures the clip to the handle, such that the restraint has a spring loaded actuator for biasing the restraint in a secured position. This complements the support members 120 by ensuring that the free weight cannot disengage from the tether 102.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of crossmember for the pivotal attachment as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the support members 120 extend from a crossmember 113′ having opposed ends 115 including a receptacle having a horizontal opening 117 and a receptacle 119 having a vertical opening for engagement with protrusions 130 on the respective upright members 111.
FIG. 5 shows the support members 120 adapted to engage the crossmember 113′ of FIG. 4 to form the pivotal attachment 122. Each pivotal attachment has a receptacle 128 for receiving a shaft 126 at a proximate end 132 of the support member 120. The pivotal attachment also has a spring-loaded locking pin 136 for engaging a locking aperture 135 on the respective support member 120. When locked, the support members are parallel for use with tethered free weights. The pivotal attachment 122 with the shaft 126 fulling inserted is sufficiently rigid to avoid force or rotation imposed by a dropped free weight. The protrusions 112 on the distal end 134 retain the tethers 102 from sliding off the distal end 134.
FIG. 6 shows the pivotal attachment of FIGS. 4 and 5. Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the pivotal attachment further includes the vertical shaft 126 at the proximate end 132 of the support member 120, and the receptacle 128 on the crossmember 113′ attaches to the upright frame for receiving the vertical shaft 126. An intermediate support 142 engages the support member 120 along a longitudinal side just before the locking aperture 135 for accommodating downward forces from the tethered attachment imposed towards the distal end 134 of the support member, as in the case of a dropped free weight. The intermediate support 142 provides a bearing surface from absorbing the load from the dropped free weight. This provides for a torque limiting engagement from an interference fit with the intermediate support. Otherwise, the entire force of a dropped weight would tend to impose a forward, leveraged rotation on the receptacle 128. The transverse orientation of the intermediate support addresses pivotal movement in a plane parallel to the movement and perpendicular to an axis of the pivot, meaning even if the support members are swung out as in FIG. 2B, the support member 120 still bears on the intermediate support 142.
A dropped free weight (or even a gently hanging free weight) imposes the corresponding mass on the support member 120 and tether 102. Accordingly, the support member has an annular outer surface 144 from a radiused cover. The curvature spreads any point load that could affect the tether 102 if it had a sharp or square corner.
FIG. 7 shows a receptacle of the pivotal attachment of FIG. 6. The side elevation of FIG. 7 shows that the receptacle 128 is defined by two axially aligned bearings 146-1 . . . 146-2 bolted onto a vertical plate attached to the crossmember 113′. The annular outer surface 144 of the radiused element 145 can be seen disposed on an upper side of the support member 120.
FIG. 8 shows an alternate configuration of the support members using a hinge. In the configuration of FIG. 8, the support members attach to the upright frame and extending horizontally over the exercise region using a hinge between the support member and the upright frame. The hinge is defined by a through hole 160 in the support member allowing pivotal communication with a hinge bar 164. A landing bar 166 at an opposed end of the support members 120′ has a slot 162 receiving the support member 120′ to define a closed position. Alternatively, the slot could be in the support member 120′ to engage the landing bar 166. The hinge has an open position and a closed position for disposing the support member in selective engagement with a tethered attachment to the free weight 104. The closed position engages the support member 120′ with the perpendicular crossmember or landing bar 166 for securing the tethered attachment, and the open position releases the tethered attachment be lifting the support member off the landing bar 166 and allowing the tether 102 to slide out. As with the pivot arm configuration of the support arm 120, the tethered attachment is a tethered loop attached to the free weight, such that the support member has a terminal (open) end when the hinge is in the open position and secures the tethered loop in an interference fit when the hinge is in the closed position.
FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the hinge opening of FIG. 8. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the landing bar 166 has a receptacle 162 adapted to receive and engage the support member 120′ as the hinge transitions from the open position to the closed position. The closed position supports a gravitational force of the free weight on both the hinge 164 and the crossmember via the tethered attachment.
FIG. 10 shows a crossmember 130 in the upright frame of FIGS. 1-3 including a launch platform. The launch platform 150 is defined by one or more horizontal surfaces 170 attached between an opposed pair of the plurality of upright members 110, such that the horizontal surface 170 is within a movement region defined by a length of the tethers 102 and adapted for receiving the free weight 104. In a particular configuration, the horizontal surfaces 104 align with the distance of the opposed elements of the free weight 104. In operation, the launch platform 150 disposes the free weights 104 for commencement of an exercise routine.
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the launch platform of FIG. 10. The launch platform 150 attaches via a crossmember 113 similar to the pivot supports 122. Alternate configurations may alter the size and/or spacing of the horizontal surfaces 170.
FIG. 12 shows a side platform 140 engaging the upright frame of FIGS. 1-3. In a particular configuration, the side platform further comprises a wrap around attachment 172 extending from one end of the opposed ends for defining an interference fit with a surface of the respective upright 111. The wrap around forms at least a 90 degree bend for a square upright, or a semicircular shape for a circular upright, and need only contact the exterior surface 111′ surface without any need for a cross pin or protrusion 130. A lateral bar 174 supports the length of the side platform between two uprights 111.
FIG. 13 shows a side perspective view of the upright frame with the pivotal attachment of FIGS. 4-7, the launch platform of FIGS. 10-11 and the side platform of FIG. 12.
A further enhancement to the disclosed approach is demonstrated by the launch platform, shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 10-11. This provides a stable, elevated support for resting the free weight between exercise iterations, from where the free weight 104 may be “launched” for further iterations while the user remains within the frame. It may also function as a standalone enhancement to the upright frame independent of the support members 120 and pivotal operation. FIGS. 14A-14B show a side and top view, respectively, of the launch platform 150. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 10, 11 and 14A-14B, the launch platform 150 integrates into the upright frame between two adjacent upright members 111. The launch platform 150 serves as a stationary accessory in any suitable exercise support frame defined by a plurality of upright members 111 extending vertically. The launch platform 150 may be deployed using a single hand, described below, as in the case where the other hand supports a free weight.
The launch platform 150 includes an elongated, rigid crossmember 113 adapted to extend between a first upright 111-1 member and a second upright member 111-2 (111 generally) of the plurality of upright members, such that the crossmember 112 has a pair of opposed ends 115-1, 115-2 (115 generally). A horizontal receptacle 117 and a vertical receptacle 119 at each respective opposed end 115 of the pair of opposed are each adapted to engage a protrusion 130-1 . . . 130-2 (130 generally) on the upright members 111. Each opposed end 115 has a socket 116-1 . . . 116-2 (116 generally) for engaging and flanking a respective upright member 111, discussed further below.
On the launch platform 150, the crossmember 113 has one or more horizontal surfaces 170-1 . . . 170-N (170 generally) with a horizontally oriented planar area 171. The horizontal planar areas 171 are for bearing the free weight(s) 104 (dumbbell or barbell) such that the horizontally oriented planar area 171 is based on an area accommodating the free weight. A lip or curvature may extend from the planar (horizontal) region such that the upward curved region prevents the free weights, which are sometimes round, from rolling off. In the example configuration, the horizontally oriented planar area 171 is defined by a plurality of discontinuous regions (4 shown), such that each planar region of the discontinuous planar regions are disposed for alignment with a respective weight on the free weight. Thus, the discontinuous planar regions may have a spacing based on a handle region of the free weight 104, such that the handle region separates respective weights concentrically disposed on a cylindrical bar defining the handle region. The horizontal surfaces 170 may also define curved or contoured areas to cradle a curved or molded shape of the free weight, and need not be an absolutely flat surface. Typically, in a general configuration, the planar areas 171 align with the spacing of the circular or octagonal weights attached to a handle of the free weight. A continuous sheet could be employed to increase area, but weight of the launch platform is reduced for easy handling by limiting needed horizontal area.
FIGS. 15A-15C show a progression of installing the launch platform 150, illustrating placement which can be performed with a single hand. The receptacle at each opposed end 115 comprises the first (horizontal) receptacle 117 at the first opposed end 115-1 of the pair of opposed ends, and the second receptacle 119 at a second opposed end 115-2 of the pair of opposed ends. The first receptacle 117 has a horizontally facing opening and is adapted to engage the respective protrusion 130 based on travel in a horizontal direction, shown by the arrow 117′ in FIG. 15A. The user positions and slides the angularly oriented launch platform onto the first protrusion 130-1. The second (vertical) receptacle 119 has a downward facing opening for engagement from travel in a vertical direction, and engages the protrusion 130-2 by the receptacle 119 from travel in the direction of arrow 119′, shown in FIG. 15B.
Only two upright members 111 are needed to define an upright frame such that the upright frame is adapted for freestanding deployment on a floor surface and defining an exercise region, often extending from a rectangular base disposed on the floor surface. The plurality of upright members (usually 2 or 4) may also be joined by another transverse member 113 at an upper portion of the upright members 111 for stability. The protrusions 130 are disposed on each of at least two of the upright members 111 at a common height on the respective upright member for receiving the receptacles 117, 119 in respective horizontal and vertical directions. This establishes the launch platform supported from both opposed ends 115 in a level orientation, as shown in FIG. 15C.
FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the launch platform engaging a protrusion 130 passed through the upright member for anti-torquing support. The horizontal areas 171 may extend asymmetrically forwards (towards the user/exercise region). The disproportionate weight tends to torque the crossmember 113 in rotation shown by arrows 173. Each receptacle 117, 119 is defined by a slot having parallel sides formed in a rigid planar material, where each of the parallel sides converges to a semicircular union forming a continuous edge between the parallel sides, terminating in prongs 118. The opposed ends 115 and receptacles 117, 119 form an array of prongs 118 flanking the socket 116-1, 116-2 around the upright member 111. Protrusions 130 are formed from a peg or similar rigid member inserted through an aperture in the upright 111. Prongs 118 and protrusions 130 maintain stability by resisting rotational torque 173. By resisting rotational torque, the crossmember 130 stabilizes the launch platform 150 as it removably engages the upright members 111. The launch platform 150 is engaged in an interference fit with the horizontal protrusions 130 extending from the engaged upright members, where the launch platform 150 adapted to support the free weight(s) 104.
FIGS. 17A-17B show an offset mounting from the frame. Referring to FIGS. 13-17B, the protrusions 130 may be elongated steel bars 130′ (safety bars) sized for extending laterally between two uprights 111 and extending through corresponding level apertures in the uprights. The steel bars define elongated supports for mounting the crossmember at an offset from the vertical uprights 111, which are typically at the corners of the frame. Typically 1″ diameter steel rod would be employed, however anu suitable weight bearing thickness would suffice. In the offset configuration, the crossmember 130 may be disposed or “slid” across the respective apertures in two uprights 111.
It should be noted that the upright member is not necessary for anti-torquing. Recall that the launch platform can be placed anywhere along the length of the 1 inch safety bar 130′ perpendicular to the upright member 111 and passes through the 1 inch holes of the upright members 111. Without the socket 116 engaging the upright 111 via flanking prongs 118, the crossmember 113 slidably bears on the steel bars 130, while the horizontal 117 and vertical 119 receptacles absorb torque and lateral movement to maintain the crossmember 113 perpendicular to both of the steel bars 130′ and avoid “tipping” from the mass of the free weights 104 disposed thereon.
The configuration of FIGS. 17A and 17B differs only to the placement of the crossmember 113 being offset or unaligned with a pair of vertical uprights 111. Rather, a pair of elongated supports 130′ extends in parallel from a respective upright member. These elongated supports 130′ provide similar bearing strength as the protrusions 130, but rather extend between the uprights so that the crossmember prongs 118 need not flank the uprights 111. The elongated, rigid crossmember is therefore adapted to extend between the pair of elongated supports, such that the receptacle at each opposed end of the pair of opposed ends, the receptacle adapted to engage a respective elongated support in a horizontal direction on one side and a vertical downward direction on the opposed side.
While the system and methods defined herein have been particularly shown and described with references to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20240342574
