GB2482306A

GB2482306A - A barbell support with means to limit how far it drops

Info

Publication number: GB2482306A
Application number: GB1012613.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard May
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-28
Filing date: 2010-07-28
Publication date: 2012-02-01
Also published as: GB201012613D0

Abstract

A weight training apparatus comprising a support base 12, a lower stand element 5 extending from the base 12 and an upper stand element 2 which is connected to and can slide with respect to the lower stand element 5 and has means 1 to attach a barbell wherein the upper stand element 2 is provided with holes 4 and a pin 3 such that the pin 3 can be used to limit movement of the upper stand element 2 with respect to the lower stand element 5. The upper stand element 2 may extend telescopically from the lower stand element 2. There may also be pegs 13 on the base 12 upon which weights can be attached.

Description

Weight training apparatus The present invention is directed towards an apparatus for weight training. The invention is particularly concerned with an apparatus for the development of the muscles of the legs.

*Weight training is a very popular activity. Gym membership is very popular and people are also becoming increasingly interested in weight training at home. One of the most popular exercises for people weight training io is the squat. Performing a squat requires the individual to stand resting a barbell on his or her shoulder blades. The individual then slowly squat down until the upper legs run parallel with the floor. Then the individual lifts the weight up to the start position by use of the legs and lower back. In performing this act an individual is at risk of not being able to lift the weight back up and this can lead to injury. As a result a second person is sometimes used to assist the performer of this exercise if so needed, how ether a second person is not always easily at hand. A safer way to perform squats can be to use a squat rack or a smith machine. These are common place in most gyms worldwide. Such a device limits the distance a bar can be lowered and this assist the user in avoiding injury how ether these racks are not completely safe and take up too much space for most home gyms.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved weight training device s specifically aimed at stopping a person becoming injured under a barbell when exercising and which can be disassembled and stored away. To overcome this the present invention proposes a training apparatus comprising an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion being adapted to fix to a standard barbell. The lower portion being adapted to stabilise the upper portion and barbell when not in use.

The apparatus of the present invention allows the legs to be trained in safety. The apparatus provides the advantage that the user can more easily control the weight on a barbell where a user has attached the invention hereby described onto each end of a barbell. In particular, the apparatus of the present invention allows the user to perform exercises that require the user to lower and raise a weight for the exercise previously described, in a higher degree of safety than if the individual did not use said inventions.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a general view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, when in use.

Referring to fig 1, there is shown the preferred embodiment of the apparatus.

The apparatus comprises an elongate member having a lower portion 5 and an upper portion 2 which may slide into the lower portion to adjust the io height of the invention herby described. The upper portion may be fixed to a standard barbell through the placement of a fixing point 1. The upper portion 2 is preferably an elongate member comprising a number of fixing holes 4 for adjusting the height of the invention.

The lower portion consists of an elongate memberS. This elongate member may connect to other supporting members 12 for the act of stabilising said lower portion. These stabilising members are largely perpendicular from the longitudinal axis of the lower portion 5 herby described and maybe of the same construction of the lower portion. Mentioned portions 12 may also consist of a portion 13 to hold weights when not in use and act to further stabilise the lower portion 5.Bracing members 8 may be connect or replace the stabilising sections 12 or run at an angle that may connect the main lower portion 5 to the stabilising members 12 described.

Fig 2 is a detailed view of the invention herby described.

Referring to fig 2, there is shown the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. In use, the apparatus of fig 2 is connected to a standard barbell by means of fixing point 1. Weight disks 9, can be attached to the barbell to raise the bar to the desired weight and fixed into position by means of fixings 10 (fig 1). The user may then get into position under the barbell. The exercise involves the raising of the barbell by the user pushing against the floor to propel the barbell upwards. As the bar is lowered *and raised, the upper portion 2 of the apparatus may move in and out of the lower portion 5 along the same longitudinal axis or alternatively it may be fixed into position via fixing holes 4.

The apparatus comprises an elongate member having a lower portion 5 and an upper portion 2 which may slide into the lower portion 5 to adjust the height of the invention herby described. The upper portion 2 is adapted to fix to a standard barbell 11 through the placement of an area 1 that a barbell S could slide into and be fixed into pace similar to that of a weight disk 9. Devices for retaining and holding weights on the end portions of a barbell 10 are known in the art and may be employed in the present invention. The upper portion 2 is preferably an elongate member, in particular a box or oblong section of known configuration. The upper portion 2 may slide into the lower portion 5 to alloi the barbell to elevate from the ground. The upper portion may include holes 4 in which a pin 3 can be inserted to stop the upper portion 2 from retracting.into the lower portion 5 at a desired point.

The lower portion 5 can be used to largely hold the upper portion 2 and consists of an elongate member that may be hollow and possibly of box or oblong section of known configuration. This elongate member may connect to other supporting members 12 or, and 7 for the act of stabilising said lower portion 1. These stabitising members 12 or, and 7 are largely perpendicular from the longitudinal axis of the tower portion 5 herby described and maybe of the same construction of the lower portion. Mentioned portions may also consist of a facility 13 to hold weights when not in use and to act to thither stabilise the lower portion. These supporting members 12 or, and 7 may be connected or replaced by sections 8 running at an angle that may connect the main lower portion 5 to the stabilising members 12 formally described.

s In use, each end of a standard barbell 11 would fit to the upper portion 1 of the device by means of the invention here mentioned fitting over the weight holding area of the barbell 11. Currently, weight disks 9 are available with a range of bore diameters. The upper portion may be sized to accept any variation in barbell size.