Bicep Curl Device

Abstract

A bicep curl device is provided. In one embodiment, the device is comprised of a bar with ends that can receive and/or may be comprised of a weight. The weight may have ball bearings that allow rotation of the weight to indicate improper bicep curl form by causing the weights to swing if too much momentum is used. In a different embodiment, the device is only comprised of rotating weights that can be used with existing barbell types, wherein said weights rotate/swing during use if improper form or inappropriate weight is used.

Claims

1. A bicep curl device comprising: a weight comprised of an opening that is offset from the center of the weight, wherein the opening is comprised of a ball bearing.

2. The bicep curl device of claim 1, wherein the weight is comprised of a rectangular shape.

3. A bicep curl device comprising: a barbell comprised of a first end and a second end; a first weight positioned at the first end, the first weight comprised of a first opening comprised of a first ball bearing and a first member that extends outwards from the first weight; a second weight positioned at the second end, the second weight comprised of a second opening comprised of a second ball bearing and a second member that extends outwards from the second weight; and a cover.

4. The bicep curl device of claim 3, wherein the barbell is comprised of a grip area.

5. The bicep curl device of claim 4, wherein the grip area is comprised of a raised texture or a recessed texture.

6. The bicep curl device of claim 3, wherein the first weight is comprised of a rectangular shape.

7. The bicep curl device of claim 3, wherein the second weight is comprised of a rectangular shape.

8. The bicep curl device of claim 3, wherein the cover has a first diameter larger than a second diameter of the first member and a third diameter of the third member.

9. The bicep curl device of claim 3, wherein the cover is comprised of a set screw.

10. The bicep curl device of claim 3, wherein the first weight can rotate 360 degrees around a horizontal axis of the bar.

11. The bicep curl device of claim 3, wherein the second weight can rotate 360 degrees around a horizontal axis of the bar.

12. The bicep curl device of claim 9, wherein the cover removably attaches to the first member via the set screw.

13. The bicep curl device of claim 9, wherein the cover removably attaches to the second member via the set screw.

14. A method of using a bicep curl device, the method comprising the following steps: providing a bicep curl device comprised of a barbell bar comprised of a first end comprised of a first weight comprised of a first member and a second end comprised of a second weight comprised of a second member; putting a third weight on the first member; putting a fourth weight on the second member; and performing a bicep curl with the barbell bar such that the first weight and the second weight do not swing.

15. The method of using a bicep curl device of claim 14, wherein the first weight is comprised of a first opening comprised of a first ball bearing.

16. The method of using a bicep curl device of claim 15, wherein the first weight is fixedly attached to the first end of the barbell bar.

17. The method of using a bicep curl device of claim 14, wherein the second weight is comprised of a second opening comprised of a second ball bearing.

18. The method of using a bicep curl device of claim 17, wherein the first weight is fixedly attached to the first end of the barbell bar.

19. The method of using a bicep curl device of claim 14, wherein the barbell bar is comprised of a cover.

20. The method of using a bicep curl device of claim 19, wherein the cover removably attaches to the first member or the second member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of two potential embodiments of a bicep curl device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an enhanced perspective view of one potential embodiments of a bicep curl device of the present invention with a barbell in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a bicep curl device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a bicep curl device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0021] As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a bicep curl device that provides real-time feedback to the user. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art of weightlifting for a weight bar device that can be used to perform a bicep curl that can provide real-time feedback to the user if they are using proper form, appropriate amount of weight, and muscle groups to perform the exercise. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an intelligent weight bar device or specially designed weights to be used on existing weight bars that can be used to perform a bicep curl wherein the device provides users feedback if a bicep curl is performed incorrectly while using the device.

[0022] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a bicep curl device. In one embodiment, the device is comprised of a bar with ends that can receive and/or may be comprised of a weight. The weight may have ball bearings that allow rotation of the weight to indicate improper bicep curl form by causing the weights to swing if too much momentum is used. In a different embodiment, the device is only comprised of rotating weights that can be used with existing barbell types, wherein said weights rotate/swing during use if improper form or too much weight is used.

[0023] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of two potential embodiments of a bicep curl device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In one embodiment, the device 100 is comprised of a barbell bar 110. The bar 110 may be any length and diameter in different embodiments. The bar 110 may be made from any material such as but not limited to metal. The bar 110 may be comprised of at least one grip area 112. The grip area 112 may be comprised of a raised and/or recessed texture that improves grip on the bar 110, such as but not limited to knurling. The grip area 112 may be made from the same material as the bar 110 or may be made from a different material.

[0024] The bar 110 is comprised of a first end 114 and a second end 116. The first end 114 may receive at least one weight 120 in a fixedly or removably attached manner. More specifically, at least one opening 122 (of any diameter) of the weight 120 attaches to the bar 110, wherein the opening 122 is comprised of at least one ball bearing 124, as seen in FIG. 2. The ball bearing 124 allows the weight 120 to rotate 360 degrees around the perimeter (i.e., the horizontal axis) of the bar 110. The weight 120 may weigh any weight increment in different embodiments. In a removable embodiment, the weight 120 can be attached to an existing barbell type known in the art.

[0025] The weight 120 may also be comprised of at least one member 130 that preferably extends perpendicular from the side surface 121 of the weight 120. The member 130 may be any diameter that allows a user to place a weight plate on the member 130. In one embodiment, the member 130 is comprised of a member 130 of a first diameter and a cover 130 for the member 130 of a second diameter. In this manner, the cover 132 can be placed over the member 130 if the diameter of an opening of a weight plate exceeds the diameter of the member 130. The cover 132 may be secured around the member 130 via at least one mechanism 134 such as but not limited to a set screw. In a different embodiment, the weight 120 is not comprised of a member 130 and can simply be placed on the end of a barbell in lieu of a traditional weight plate. This embodiment of the weight 120 may or may not have ball bearings.

[0026] During use, the device 100 can be used to perform bicep curls. Due to the ball bearing 124 of each weight 120 (in an embodiment with a bar 110), if improper form (i.e., just too much momentum) is used when performing a bicep curl the weights 120 will begin to swing. This notifies a user that they are using improper form to perform the bicep curl and that they should be using stricter form with less momentum. This same behavior occurs in an embodiment of the device 100 comprised only of a weight 120 with no member 130 and no ball bearing 124 that is placed on the end of a barbell in lieu of a traditional weight plate.

[0027] The present invention is also comprised of a first method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in FIG. 3. First, a device 100 is provided comprised of a bar 110 comprised of a first end 114 comprised of a first weight 120, the first weight 120 comprised of a member 130, a cover 132, and a first opening 122 comprised of a first ball bearing 124; and a second end 116 comprised of a second weight 120, the second weight 120 comprised of a second 130, a second 132, and a second opening 122 comprised of a second ball bearing 124 [Step 202]. Then, a user can place a weight plate on the member 130 [Step 204]. If a diameter of an opening of the weight plate is exceedingly larger than diameter of the member 130, at least one cover 132 can be placed over the member 130 (wherein the cover 132 is larger in diameter than the member 130) and secured via at least one mechanism 134 [Step 206]. Next, a user can perform a bicep curl while gripping the bar 110 [Step 208]. If the weights 120 begin swinging during the bicep curl, a user can stop performing the bicep curl and restart the movement using stricter form and/or appropriate amount of weight with less momentum [Step 210].

[0028] The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in FIG. 4. First, a device 100 is provided comprised of weight 120 comprised of an opening 122 [Step 302]. Then, a user can place the weight 120 onto the end of a barbell [Step 304]. Next, a user can perform a bicep curl while gripping the barbell [Step 306]. If the weights 120 begin swinging during the bicep curl, a user can stop performing the bicep curl and restart the movement using stricter form and/or using appropriate amount of weight with less momentum [Step 308].

[0029] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein bicep curl device and device are interchangeable and refer to the bicep curl device 100 of the present invention.

[0030] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the bicep curl device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the bicep curl device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the bicep curl device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the bicep curl device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the bicep curl device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0031] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0032] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.