Patent Application
20230302321
The present invention is directed to weightlifting and more particularly to a device for enhancing the efficiency of certain weightlifting activities.
An offset weight support assembly for use in conjunction with a weight rack structure is disclosed. More particularly the offset weight support assembly is readily attachable to a pivot arm coupled to the weight rack. The subject device is designed such that weights positioned upon the offset weight assembly are disposed out in front of and away from the weight rack and generally above the handles. By positioning the weights in this manner, a more efficient work out can be accomplished in a shorter period of time than with currently known linear designs where weights are disposed in the same plane as the users hands opposite the handles. The subject device is extremely durable, easy to connect to the weight rack during use and easy to remove during periods of non-use.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
According to a first embodiment of the presentation invention the offset weight support assembly 30 of the present invention can be used with a variety of weight racks including a cage type weight rack 10 such as that shown in
The offset weight support assembly 30 generally includes a handle 32, a coupling 40 and a weight support structure 56. The assembly is typically formed from high strength steel or aluminum sufficient to withstand the load of weight applied to the assembly. The handle 32 is preferably in the form of a rounded or tubular loop 34 which can be easily grasped thus making it ergonomic. The loop may include a crossbar 36 to provide structural integrity. The ends of the loop are attached to a first fixture plate 38 which may have one or more holes 44 for receiving one or more fasteners 42. When attached to a first side wall 22 of a lever arm 16 at least one fastener 42, preferably in the form of a spring-loaded mounted pin is inserted through an aperture 18 thereof and a properly aligned hole 44 on the fixture plate 38 to assist in securing the weight support assembly. Extending from the first fixture plate 38 is a perpendicularly disposed second fixture plate 46 which is in turn integrally connected to a third fixture plate 48 to be positioned adjacent a second sidewall 24 of the same lever arm. Under this configuration the first and third fixture plates are mutually opposing.
As shown most clearly in
The weight support structure 56 includes a first leg 58 extending upwardly and at an angle from an outer wall of the third fixture plate 48 and a second leg 62 which extends perpendicularly from the outer wall of the third fixture plate. The second leg intersects with a terminal end 60 of the first leg and extends beyond the intersection point. In the embodiment shown in
According to this design once the free weight is applied to the weight bar 68, one or more weights 80 as shown in
Turning now to
Extending substantially perpendicularly along the lower portion of a first edge of the plate 146 is a first fixture plate 138. Extending substantially perpendicularly along the upper portion of a second edge of a plate 146 is a third fixture plate 148. The third fixture plate 148 may include one or more holes 150 for hosting a fastener 142 to assist in coupling the weight support assembly to the rotating pivot arm. The fastener 142 may be a spring-loaded push pin which locks in place once fully inserted through one of the holes 150. Extending inwardly from the third fixture plate 148 proximate a first end thereof is a fixed post member 154 which projects into and through one of the holes disposed on the pivot arm to help robustly secure the weight support assembly 130 to a weight rack 10 as shown in
Projecting outwardly from an opposite side of the coupling plate 146 is the weight support structure 156. As with the first embodiment 30 the weight support structure includes a first leg 158 and second leg 162 adjoined at 160 to form a triangular base 164 in conjunction with the plate 148. A portion 166 of the second leg 162 extends beyond the intersection 160 and includes an outwardly extending bar 168 for receiving one or more free weights 80. As should be appreciated the second embodiment can be utilized in the same manner of the first embodiment.
While not shown, under certain embodiments the handle of the offset weight support assembly may be inwardly foldable to provide better access to the interior of the weigh rack. Under the foldable embodiment the handle may also be spring-loaded such that the handle is rotatably folded and is only extended during use. Further, while the weight bars are shown as being welded to the second leg, it should be noted that the weight bars can be bolted or otherwise fastened to the second leg for ease in shipping.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63324074 | Mar 2022 | US |
