The present invention relates to weightlifting equipment, and more particularly to handle attachment arrangement.
Weightlifters perform various exercises for the purpose of developing particular muscles throughout the body. These exercises can be performed through the use of free weights, such as barbells, or with machines. Many weightlifters prefer free weights because free weights permit the lifter to perform the exercises in a natural motion while utilizing pure body leverage in performing the exercise. This facilitates isolation of particular muscle groups and simulates actual athletic sports motions. Oftentimes it is desirable to simulate the range of motion of free weights within a controlled environment of a machine. Most machines however are limited to a two-dimensional plane of movement. The machines are often further limited as the handles or grips are typically fixed in a specific orientation. Although effective, numerous machines are required as each machine is typically dedicated to only a few or a single exercise.
Machines are also relatively limited in the amount of weight which is contained within the machines stack of plates. As such, machines are undesirable for power lifting and for the training of powerful weightlifters who may find the stack of plates to be less than their capabilities.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a weightlifting system that will support a significant amount of weight, yet provide various handle orientations to specifically tailor an exercise to a specific athlete or specific exercise.
A weightlifting system according to the present invention includes various arm systems such as an incline arm system or a decline arm system. Each arm system includes a handle which may be mounted in one of a multitude of clocked positions.
The handle includes an attachment member with a threaded section which extends from an end section of the handle. A handle engagement member extends radially from the handle adjacent the end section and includes a multitude of radially extending engagement members which take the shape of a gear or multi-pointed star.
The multitude of radially extending engagement members of the handle engagement member corresponds with a multitude of radially extending engagement members which defines an arm engagement member on the weight arm about an opening. The arm engagement member is the opposite of the handle engagement member such that the handle engagement member is received therein at a multitude of clocked positions as defined by the multitude of radially extending engagement handle members and the multitude of radially extending engagement arm members.
In use, the attachment member and the end section of the handle are passed through the arm opening such that the threaded section is accessible from a side opposite from which the handle has been inserted. The handle is clocked to a desired position relative the weight arm and an internal threaded section of the weight horn is threaded to the threaded section of the handle to axially retain the handle to the weight arm.
Alternatively, a threaded knob is utilized to axially retain the handle on other arm systems which locate the weight horn a distance from the handle.
Interaction between a tubular reinforcement within the weight arm and the handle supports the lever force applied through the handle. The threaded sections need only provide an axial force to sandwich the weight arm between the handle and the weight horn or knob such that the handle engagement member and the arm engagement member maintains the clocked position of the handle relative the weight arm. An exceedingly strong attachment is thereby provided to resist significant force yet provides for the handle to be readily repositioned.
The present invention therefore desirable to provide a weightlifting system that will support a significant amount of weight, yet provide various handle orientations to specifically tailor an exercise to a specific athlete or specific exercise.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
Referring to
The openings O are arranged in horizontally opposed pairs of openings Oa, Ob perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A (best seen in
A lock opening 24 is located through the front face 18 between each vertically separated pair of openings Oa, Ob. Each lock opening 24 is displaced parallel to the longitudinal axis A and is generally square in shape. It should be understood that other shapes will also be readily usable with the present invention. Preferably, the lock opening 24 is longitudinally staggered above each pair of openings Oa, Ob. For further understanding of other aspects of the rack system, attachment thereto and associated components thereof, attention is directed to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed ______ and entitled: WEIGHTLIFTING SUPPORT ASSEMBLY which is assigned to the assignee of the instant invention and which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.
The weight arm system 14 may include various arm systems such as an incline arm system 26 (
Referring to
Referring to
A handle engagement member 46 extends radially from the handle 38 adjacent the end section 44. The handle engagement member 46 defines a multitude of male members 48. Preferably, the handle engagement member 46 takes the shape of a gear or multi-pointed star mounted about the attachment section 40.
The multitude of male members 48 of the handle engagement member 46 corresponds with a multitude of female members 50 which defines an arm engagement member 52 formed on the weight arm 34 about an opening 54. The handle engagement member 46 is the opposite of the arm engagement member 52 such that the handle engagement member 46 may be received therein at a multitude of clocked positions as defined by the multitude of male members 48 and the multitude of female members 50. In other words, the number of multitude of male and female members 48, 50 fit in a male and female relationship to define the number of clocked positions (
The arm engagement member 52 is preferably a plate attached to the weight arm 34 about the opening 54 preferably through welding or the like to define a recessed receipt area 55 to receive the handle engagement member 46 adjacent an inner side 34iof the weight arm 34. It should be understood that other openings may combine or individualize these features while still providing receipt at a multitude of clocked positions.
In use, the end section 44 of the handle 38 is passed through the opening 54 such that the threaded section 42 is accessible from the side of the arm 34o opposite from which the handle 38 has been inserted. The handle 38 is clocked to a desired position relative the weight arm 34 (
Preferably, a tubular reinforcement 68 is located within the weight arm 34 to receive the end section 44 of the handle 38. Notably, interaction between the tubular reinforcement 68 and the handle supports the force applied through the handle 38 as the threaded sections 42, 58 need only provide an axial force along axis H to sandwich the weight arm 34 between the handle 38 and the weight horn 36 while the handle engagement member 46 and the arm engagement member 52 maintain the clocked position of the handle 38 relative the weight arm 34. An exceedingly strong attachment is thereby provided to resist significant force yet provide for the handle to be readily repositioned.
Referring to
Since the weight horn 36D and the handle 38D are located at generally opposite ends, a knob 60 is utilized to retain the handle 38D to the weight arm 34D. Preferably, the knob 60 includes an internal thread 62 and a reduced diameter portion 64 which fits within a complementary opening 66 (
It should be understood that relative positional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are with reference to the normal operational attitude and should not be considered otherwise limiting.
The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.