UPGRADEABLE WEIGHT TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

An upgradable weighted training device to help condition and train forearm and shoulder muscles. The angular bar design helps put leverage against the user. By turning the apparatus, the user is able to activate the forearm muscles more effectively through the full range of motion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly to an apparatus for weight training for shoulder and forearm muscles.

[0002] Certain skills in gymnastics require a "shift" or flexion of the forearm through a range of motion. Developing this shift strength and timing for an athlete is essential to being able to perform certain skills within the sport of gymnastics.

[0003] With conventional weight training equipment, there are only straight bars or dumb bells. These apparatus do not provide adequate muscle conditioning or timing for proper gymnast training.

[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for a system and method for activating the forearm and shoulder muscles more effectively through the full range of motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention an exercise apparatus, an elongate horizontal member having a joint attached at opposed ends thereof; an upright member releasably attached to the joints to dispose the upright members at an angle offset to a longitudinal length of the horizontal member. In certain embodiments, the upright members are releasably attached to the joint via a pin extending through an aperture of the joint and a corresponding aperture defined in an attachment end of the upright member, such as via a threaded coupling. The upright members are filled with a weighted material, which may include at least one of a granular or pelletized material. The weighted material may also be a solid, and in some embodiments may be integrally formed with the upright member. The exercise apparatus may also include a plurality of upright member pairs, wherein each upright member pair has a corresponding length. Each upright member pair may also have a corresponding weight.

[0006] In other aspects of the invention, an exercise apparatus, is formed as an elongate horizontal member having a joint attached at opposed ends thereof. An upright member is releasably attached to the joint via a pin extending through an aperture of the joint and a corresponding aperture defined in an attachment end of the upright member to dispose the upright member at an angle offset to a longitudinal length of the horizontal member. The upright member is filled with a weighted material. The exercise apparatus may also include a plurality of upright member pairs, wherein each upright member pair has a corresponding length. Each upright member pair may also have a corresponding weight.

[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the weight training device in use.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the weight training device.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded detail view.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a second exploded detail perspective view.

[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the weight training device.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a detail side elevation view of a third configuration of the weight training device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0016] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an upgradable weight training device to develop forearm and shoulder muscles. As seen in reference to FIG. 1 an embodiment of the weight training device 10 is shown being utilized by an athlete for shoulder and forearm muscle conditioning.

[0017] The weight training device 10 is formed as a substantially U-shaped apparatus having a horizontal member 12 at the base of the U and a pair of upright members 14 as the upright legs of the U, extending at an angle from the longitudinal length of the horizontal member 12. The upright members 14 may be coupled to the horizontal member 12 via a joint 16. An endcap 18 may be attached to a free end of the upright member 14. 1. The horizontal member 12 is preferably at the least 1 foot in length and at most about 4 feet in length. The diameter of the member 12 should be about 1/2'' (inch) and should preferably not exceed about 2'' (inch) in diameter. The horizontal member 12 may be made of wood, plastic, composites, or metal.

[0018] As shown in reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the upright members 14 may be releasably coupled to the joint 16 via a retainer 20, such as a pin. The retainer 20 is received within a joint aperture 22 and a corresponding upright member aperture 24 defined in a coupling end of the upright member 14.

[0019] As seen in reference to FIG. 4, the upright members 14 may be formed from substantially hollow tube which contains a weighted material 26. The weighted material may be integrally formed with the upright member 14, such as shown in the upright member 32 FIG. 6. In a preferred embodiment, the upright member may be filled with a granular, or pelletized weighted material 26, such as sand, metal pellets, and the like to a desired weight. A plug 28 may be inserted to retain the weighted material 26 within the upright member 14.

[0020] As shown in reference to FIG. 5, the size of the upright member 14 may be varied so as to provide a variable capacity for carrying the weighted material 26. In addition, the length of the upright member 14 may be selected so as to provide a greater or reduced offset from the longitudinal axis of the horizontal member 12. The offset can provide a requirement for an increased or reduced amount of forearm muscle force to utilize the apparatus through a full range of motion.

[0021] The offset also provides the athlete the ability to condition their muscles and timing throughout a full range of motion for both a positive lifting and a negative releasing action. A positive lifting action would be required to rotate the horizontal member 12 to raise the upright member 14 from a downward facing 6 o'clock point to an elevated 12 o'clock position. A negative lifting action would be required to rotate the upright member 14 from the 12 o'clock position to the lowered 6 o'clock position.

[0022] As stated above, certain skill maneuvers in gymnastics require a "shift" or flexion of the forearm during maneuver execution by the gymnast. The unique aspects of the present invention foster developing and conditioning an athlete for this shift strength and the associated timing that is essential to within the sport of gymnastics. The ability to change the weight and the lateral offset of the weights provided by the invention introduces an ideal conditioning apparatus that may be utilized by new or seasoned gymnasts alike.

[0023] Other non-limiting embodiments are shown in reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. For example, as seen in FIG. 6, an upright member 30 may be formed as a solid weighted rod 32 with a pair of opposed apertures 34 that may be coupled to the horizontal member 12 via the pin 30. As shown in FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the conditioning apparatus 40 may have a horizontal member 42, a joint 46. The joint 46 may have a sleeve 47 with apertures 49. The upright member 44 may be fitted with a bushing 48 having corresponding apertures 49. The sleeve 47 is received within the bushing 48 and a pin 20 may be inserted to retain the upright member 44, as previously described. As will be appreciated, the upright members could alternatively be releasably joined by any suitable method, such as by a threaded coupling with the joint.

[0024] The bar may be utilized throughout a full range of shoulder movement, from the overhead position, illustrated in FIG. 1, to an under hand position. By correlating the position of the bar to the placement of the body it will also help gymnasts to realize the proper shift timing as the athlete adjusts between positive and negative lifting regimens.

[0025] In use, the user would grip the horizontal member 12 with selected upright members 14 attached to the joints 16. Gripping the horizontal member 12, the user would rotate the horizontal member with their hand and wrists impart an oscillation in the movement of the apparatus 10. This activates the forearm muscles and helps the athlete with developing timing and body control.

[0026] The grip may be an overhand, under hand, or mixed grip. The athlete may also manipulate the apparatus 10 so as to impart a spinning motion to the upright members 14. While spinning, the user can train their shift motion to effectively activate the muscles in the forearm. The versatility of the apparatus 10 allows the user work different muscle groups with a wide variety of exercises.

[0027] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising: an elongate horizontal member having a joint attached at opposed ends thereof; an upright member releasably attached to the joints to dispose the upright members at an angle offset to a longitudinal length of the horizontal member.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright members are releasably attached to the joint via a pin extending through an aperture of the joint and a corresponding aperture defined in an attachment end of the upright member.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright members are releasably attached to the joint via a threaded coupling.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright members are filled with a weighted material.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the weighted material comprises at least one of a granular or pelletized material.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the weighted material is solid.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein the weighted material is integrally formed with the upright member.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of upright member pairs, wherein each upright member pair has a corresponding length.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein each upright member pair has a corresponding weight.

10. An exercise apparatus, comprising: an elongate horizontal member having a joint attached at opposed ends thereof; an upright member releasably attached to the joint via a pin extending through an aperture of the joint and a corresponding aperture defined in an attachment end of the upright member to dispose the upright member at an angle offset to a longitudinal length of the horizontal member, wherein the upright member is filled with a weighted material.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a plurality of upright member pairs, wherein each upright member pair has a corresponding length.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein each upright member pair has a corresponding weight.