Adjustable Squat Bar

Abstract

An exercise bar includes a center bar; a pair of weight bars, each weight bar rotatable relative to the center bar about a pivot axis to a plurality of camber positions; a pair of support bars configured to rest on a user's shoulder, each support bar extending from one of the weight bars; and a locking mechanism for locking the weight bars in any of the plurality of camber positions.

Claims

1. An exercise bar comprising: a center bar; a pair of weight bars, each weight bar rotatable relative to the center bar about a pivot axis to a plurality of camber positions; a pair of support bars extending from the center bar and configured to rest on a user's shoulder; and a locking mechanism for locking the weight bars in any of the plurality of camber positions.

2. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein in at least one of the plurality of camber positions, the weight bars are forward of the center bar in a horizontal direction toward the user.

3. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein in at least one of the plurality of camber positions, the weight bars are configured to be forward of the user's chest in a horizontal direction.

4. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein in at least one of the plurality of camber positions, the weight bars are configured to be behind the user's back in a horizontal direction.

5. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein each weight bar has a range of camber in a horizontal direction of between approximately 4 inches and approximately 10 inches.

6. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein each weight bar is rotatable about the pivot axis while each weight bar is attached to the center bar.

7. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: a bracket having a plurality of holes, each of the plurality of holes corresponding to one of the plurality of camber positions; and a pin extendable into the each of the plurality of holes to lock the weight bars into one of the plurality of camber positions.

8. The exercise bar of claim 7, wherein the pin is biased toward the plurality of holes.

9. The exercise bar of claim 7, wherein the plurality of holes comprises a first row of holes and a second row of holes, wherein the first row of holes is spaced apart from the second row of holes, and wherein the support bars are slidable relative to the center bar such that the pin is alignable with either of the first row of holes or the second row of holes.

10. The exercise bar of claim 7, wherein the bracket is rigidly connected to the support bars.

11. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein the support bars are slidable along to the center bar to adjust a spacing between the support bars.

12. The exercise bar of claim 1, further comprising: at least one attachment mount fixed to the center bar or to the weight bars and configured to attach to a chain or elastic band.

13. The exercise bar of claim 1, further comprising: a pad extending from the center bar and configured to engage the user's back.

14. The exercise bar of claim 13, wherein the pad comprises a substantially planar surface configured to engage the user's back.

15-20. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 is a side view of a user performing a back squat;

[0049] FIG. 2 is a side view of a user performing a front squat;

[0050] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exercise bar in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG. 4 is a side view of the exercise bar of FIG. 3;

[0052] FIG. 5 is a side view of the exercise bar of FIG. 3, illustrating various camber positions;

[0053] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the exercise bar of FIG. 3;

[0054] FIG. 7 is a top view of the exercise bar of FIG. 3;

[0055] FIG. 8 is a rear view of detail A of FIG. 6;

[0056] FIG. 9 is a side view of a user performing a squat with the exercise bar of FIG. 3;

[0057] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a user performing a squat with the exercise bar of FIG. 3;

[0058] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a user performing a squat with the exercise bar of FIG. 3;

[0059] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exercise bar in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0060] FIG. 13 is a side view of the exercise bar of FIG. 12;

[0061] FIG. 14 is a top view of the exercise bar of FIG. 12;

[0062] FIG. 15 is a front view of the exercise bar of FIG. 12;

[0063] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exercise bar in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0064] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the exercise bar of FIG. 16; and

[0065] FIG. 18 is a top view of the exercise bar of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0066] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as it is oriented in the figures. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary aspects of the disclosure. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0067] As used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”, when modifying a number or range of numbers, mean within 10% of the stated value, unless indicated to the contrary. All numbers and ranges of numbers herein are understood to include a range of plus or minus 10% of the stated value, unless indicated to the contrary.

[0068] As used herein, the term “substantially planar” means a surface that has a degree of curvature of less than 5%.

[0069] As used herein, the term “at least one of” is synonymous with “one or more of”. For example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means any one of A, B, and C, or any combination of any two or more of A, B, and C. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C” includes one or more of A alone; or one or more of B alone; or one or more of C alone; or one or more of A and one or more of B; or one or more of A and one or more of C; or one or more of B and one or more of C; or one or more of all of A, B, and C. Similarly, as used herein, the term “at least two of” is synonymous with “two or more of”. For example, the phrase “at least two of D, E, and F” means any combination of any two or more of D, E, and F. For example, “at least two of D, E, and F” includes one or more of D and one or more of E; or one or more of D and one or more of F; or one or more of E and one or more of F; or one or more of all of D, E, and F.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 3-8, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an exercise bar 100. The exercise bar 100 may include a center bar 110 and a pair of weight bars 120. The exercise bar 100 may be particularly suited for use during a squat exercise, with the center bar 110 engaging a user's upper back either directly or via a pad 130. The pad 130 may include a substantially planar surface having a greater surface area than the center bar 110 to distribute the load of the exercise bar 110 over a greater area of the user's back as compared to a standard barbell. In other embodiments, the pad 130 may be rounded. In other embodiments, the pad 130 may be omitted and the center bar 110 may directly engage the user's back.

[0071] A pair of support bars 140 extend from the center bar 110 and are configured to rest on the user's shoulders. Each of the support bars 140 may include a handle portion 142 that the user may grasp to balance the exercise bar 100 in position for performing an exercise. In some embodiments, the support bars 140 may be slidable along the center bar 110 parallel to the pivot axis P, such that a spacing between the support bars 140 can be adjusted to accommodate users of different sizes. The support bars 140 may have padding 144 where the support bars 140 rest on the user's shoulders.

[0072] Each of the pair of weight bars 120 extend outward from the center bar 110 in opposite directions. An end portion 122 of each weight bar 120 may have a round cross-section sized to receive standard weight plates. The weight bars 120 may be rotatable relative to the center bar 100 about a pivot axis P. Each weight bar 120 may be secured to the center bar 110 by a pivot pin 124, such as a bolt, to allow rotation of the weight bars 120 relative to the center bar 110. In some embodiments, the weight bars 120 may be linked to one another such that the weight bars 120 rotate as a unit relative to the center bar 110. In other embodiments, each of the weight bars 120 may be independently rotatable relative to the center bar 110. Each weight bar 120 and/or the center bar 110 may include an attachment mount 126 for connecting to a supplemental device such as a chain, elastic band, or other device for altering the load profile of a weight-training exercise. The attachment mount 126 may include a hook, eye, U-bolt, clevis, or other fastening element to connect to the supplemental device.

[0073] Rotation of the weight bars 120 relative to the center bar 110 about the pivot axis P causes the end portions 122 of the weight bars 120 to move along an arc a, which adjusts a camber of the exercise bar 100. As used herein, the term “camber” refers to the position of the center of gravity of the weight bars 120, including any weight plates loaded thereon, viewed from the side of the user. Adjustment of the camber of the exercise bar 100 changes the position at which the weight of the exercise bar 100 acts on the user, forcing the user to adjust the angle of their hips, back, and knees to support the weight of the exercise bar 100.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5, the weight bars 120 may be rotated to a front camber position of the weight bars 120, a middle camber position of the weight bars 120′, and a rear camber position of the weight bars 120″. In the front camber position, the weight bars 120 may be rotated forward in a horizontal direction X, simulating the position of a conventional barbell during a front squat (see FIG. 2). The front camber position thus allows the user's back to be relatively upright as compared to the other camber positions. In the rear camber position, the weight bars 120′ may be rotated rearward in the horizontal direction X, simulating the position of a conventional barbell during a back squat (see FIG. 1). In the middle camber position, the weight bars 120″ may be rotated between the front and rear positions, resulting in a more neutral back angle relative to the front camber position and rear camber position. A range R of the camber of the weight bars 120 between the front camber position and the rear camber position may be at least 4 inches in the horizontal direction X, in some non-limiting embodiments between approximately 4 inches and approximately 10 inches in the horizontal direction X, in some embodiments at least 6 inches in the horizontal direction X, in some embodiments approximately 6 inches in the horizontal direction X. While three camber positions are illustrated in FIG. 5, it is to be understood that any number of camber positions may be provided.

[0075] With continued reference to FIGS. 3-8, the exercise bar 100 may include a locking mechanism 150 to lock or secure the weight bars 120 in any one of the camber positions. The locking mechanism 150 may include a bracket 152 having a plurality of holes 154. A pin 156 may be extendable into any one of the plurality of holes 154 to prevent rotation of the weight bars 120 relative to the center bar 110 and/or to the support bars 140. Each of the plurality of holes 154 may correspond to one of the camber positions. The locking mechanism 150 may include two brackets 152, each integral with one of the support bars 140, and two pins 156, each disposed on one of the weight bars 120. As may be appreciated from the accompanying drawings, the bracket 152 may include a plate bent into an arc having an axis coaxial with the pivot axis P. The holes 154 may extend through the bracket 152 along axes extending radially from the pivot axis P. It is to be understood that the shape and arrangement of the bracket 152 and the holes 154 are not limited to that shown in the drawings. For example, the bracket 152 may include a plate extending on a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis P, and the plurality of holes 154 may extend in an arc pattern along axes parallel to the pivot axis P.

[0076] The pin 156 may be biased toward the plurality of holes 154, for example with a spring, such that the pin 156 passively snaps into any of the holes 154 that come into alignment with the pin 156. The pin 156 may include a handle 158 for the user to grasp in order to pull the pin 156 out of engagement with the hole 154 during adjustment of the camber position.

[0077] To adjust the camber position of the exercise bar 100, the user may pull the handle 158 of the pin 156 to release the pin 156 from the hole 154 that the pin 156 is engaged with. The user may then rotate the weight bar 120 relative to the bracket 152 about the pivot axis P until the pin 156 is aligned with the hole 154 corresponding to the desired camber position. The pin 156 may then snap into the hole 154, locking the weight bar 120 into the desired camber position. The pivoting connection between the center bar 110, the weight bars 120, and the support bars 140 allows the camber to be adjusted without disassembly and reassembly of the exercise bar 100. That is, the camber may be adjusted by rotating the weight bars 120 about the pivot axis P while the weight bars 120 are connected to the center bar 110.

[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, the exercise bar 100 is shown in use during a squat exercise. The exercise bar 100 is supported by the user with the pad 130 engaging the user's upper back and the support bars 140 resting on the user's shoulders. The user grasps the handle portions 142 of the support bars 140 to prevent the exercise bar 100 from rolling forward or backward off of the user. With the exercise bar 100 oriented in this manner, the range R of the camber of the weight bars 120 between the front camber position and the rear camber position may be at least 4 inches in the horizontal direction X, in some non-limiting embodiments between approximately 4 inches and approximately 10 inches in the horizontal direction X, in some embodiments at least 6 inches in the horizontal direction X, in some embodiments approximately 6 inches in the horizontal direction X. In the front camber position, the weight bars 120 may be in front of the user's chest and in front of the center bar 110 in the horizontal direction X, thus simulating a front squat. In the rear camber position, the weight bars 120″ may be behind the user's back in the horizontal direction X, thus simulating a back squat. The various other camber positions place the weight bars 120 between the front camber position and rear camber position, including various positions between the user's chest and back in the horizontal direction X.

[0079] Referring again to FIGS. 3-11, in some embodiments, the support bars 140 may be slidable along the center bar 110 parallel to the pivot axis P to adjust the spacing between the support bars 140. This adjustment allows the exercise bar 100 to be calibrated for users of different body sizes, and particularly different shoulder widths. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the plurality of holes 154b may include a first row of holes 154a and a second row of holes 154b spaced apart from one another in a width direction W. The pin 156 may be engaged with any of the holes in the first row of holes 154a to reduce the spacing between the support bars 140. Conversely, the pin 156 may be engaged with any of the holes in the second row of holes 154b to increase the spacing between the support bars 140. The first row of holes 154a and the second row of holes 154 may be symmetrically arranged such that the camber position corresponding to each hole in the first row of holes 154a is identical to the camber position of an adjacent hole of the second row of holes 154b. Thus, the spacing between the support bars 140 may be adjusted without altering the camber position of the weight bars 120, by moving the pin 156 from one hole if the first row of holes 154a to an adjacent hole in the second row of holes 154b, and vice versa. Because the support bars 140 may slide along the center bar 110, the spacing between the support bars 140 can be adjusted without disassembly and reassembly of the exercise bar 100.

[0080] While the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings utilize the plurality of holes 154 and the pin 156 of the locking mechanism 150 to also adjust the spacing between the support bars 140, other embodiments may include a separate adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the support bars 140. In other embodiments, the support bars 140 may be fixed in the width direction W and not allow for adjustable spacing. In other embodiments, the locking mechanism 150 may only be used to adjust the spacing between the support bars 140, and the exercise bar 100 may not have an adjustable camber.

[0081] Referring now to FIGS. 12-15, shown is a non-limiting embodiment of an exercise bar 200 according to the present disclosure. The center bar 210, pad 230, support bars 240, padding 244, and handles 242 may be substantially similar to the center bar 110, pad 130, support bars 140, padding 144, and handles 142 described herein with reference to FIGS. 3-11, except that the center bar 310 may be immovable with respect to the weight bars 220.

[0082] With continued reference to FIGS. 12-15, the weight bars 220 may be rigidly mounted to opposite ends of the center bar 210, or the weight bars 220 may be integral with the center bar 210. The support bars 240 may be rigidly mounted on the center bar 210. The support bars 240 may be arranged on the center bar 210 such that the support bars 240 may be parallel with each other at the center bar 210 and extend in the same direction substantially perpendicular from the center bar 210. The support bars 240 may be spaced apart such that the space between the support bars 240 allows the padding 244 of each handle 242 to simultaneously rest on a shoulder of the user. The pad 230 may be mounted directly to the center bar 210 such that the pad 230 engages with the user's back during use of the exercise bar 200. The pad 230 may be arranged such that it is between the support bars 240. In non-limiting embodiments, the pad 230 may be rigidly mounted to a pad support bar 232. The pad support bar 232 may extend the entire width of the pad 230 or may extend to a width wider than the pad 230 (e.g., a width as wide as the distance between the centers of the support bars 240). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the pad support bar 232 is less wide than the pad 230. The pad support bar 232 may be rigidly attached to the center bar 210. The pad support bar 232 may be rigidly attached to the center bar 210 by connection bars 234. The connection bars 234 may be spaced apart such that they align with the support bars 240. The connection bars 234 may extend from the center bar 210 such that the angle between the connection bars 234 and the support bars 240 is between 5° and 90°. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the pad support bar 232 may be rigidly attached to the support bars 240.

[0083] Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, shown is a non-limiting embodiment of an exercise bar 300 according to the present disclosure. The center bar 310, weight bars 320, end portion 322, pivot pin 324, attachment mount 326, pad 330, support bars 340, padding 344, and handles 342, locking mechanism 350, bracket 352, holes 354, and pin 356 may be substantially similar to the center bar 110, weight bars 120, end portion 122, pivot pin 124, attachment mount 126, pad 130, support bars 140, padding 144, and handles 142, locking mechanism 150, bracket 152, holes 154, and pin 156 described herein with reference to FIGS. 3-11.

[0084] With continued reference to FIGS. 16-18, in non-limiting embodiments, the pivot pin 324 may be supported by a gusset 370 (e.g. a support bracket) extending from the center bar 310. The gusset 370 may include at least one slot or hole for receiving the pivot pin 324. The pivot pin 324 may be secured to a support arm 374 of the gusset 370 or may be secured to the gusset 370 directly. The support arm 374 may be secured to the gusset 370 on one end and secured to the center bar 310 on the other end. The support arm 374 may be secured to the gusset 370 by a weld, a fastener, and/or the like. The gusset 370 may be secured to the center bar 310 at more than one location to increase the rigidity of the exercise bar 200.

[0085] In some non-limiting embodiments, the gusset 370 may also be secured to the center bar 310 by a support ring 372. The support ring 372 may have a slot with a large enough diameter that the center bar 310 may be inserted through the slot of the support ring 372. The support ring 372 and the pivot pin 324 may be located on the same plane. The support ring 372 may be secured to the gusset 370. One end of the support ring 372 may have one or more slots for a fastener (e.g., two slots, three slots, etc.) such as a bolt, pin, rivet, screw, and/or the like. In some non-limiting embodiments, there may be two or more support rings 372 such that the gusset 370 is located between the two support rings 372 and the gusset 370 may secured to the support rings 372 with a fastener.

[0086] The gusset 370 may be secured to the weight bar 320 in one or more locations (e.g., two locations, three locations, etc.). The gusset 370 may be secured to the weight bar 320 by welding and/or a fastener to increase the rigidity of the exercise bar 200. The gusset 370 may be welded to the weight bar 320 such that the gusset 370 is welded to a substantial portion of the circumference of the weight bar 320 (e.g., 30-40%, 40-50%, 50-60%, etc.). Two portions of the gusset 370 may be secured to the same straight length of the weight bar 320, or two portions of the gusset 370 may be secured to different straight portions of the weight bar 320 separated by a bend.

[0087] While various embodiments of an exercise bar were provided in the foregoing description, those skilled in the art may make modifications and alterations to these aspects without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, it is to be understood that this disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any aspect can be combined with one or more features of any other aspect. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims, and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.