VARIABLE GRIP EXERCISE BAR

[0001] This invention relates generally to a weightlifting exercise bar having a variety of hand positions and used to lift or pull weights connected via a cord to a weight pulley system.

[0002] Many exercise enthusiasts use a weight system to accomplish health and strength goals. Typically, the weight system employs a stack of weight(s) attached to a cable. The cable is then strung through one or more pulleys and has a means to attach to an exercise weightlifting bar. There are typically many different types of exercise weightlifting bars, each having a different geometry or bar configuration. The different geometries allow the exerciser to isolate a different muscle or muscle group during the weight pull or lift. The exerciser can isolate different muscle or muscle groups by changing to a different weightlifting exercise bar, which has a different geometry or bar configuration for the pulling or lifting of weight.

[0003] Many exercisers and weightlifters use multiple weightlifting exercise bars and other accessories to accomplish a complete workout, wherein they sufficiently isolate their different muscles or muscle groups. Changing out multiple weightlifting exercise bars and accessories wastes time and energy, which is used to locate, attach and secure the different weightlifting exercise bars for each desired workout. If a single bar could meet the muscle isolation goals and ergonomic comfort needs of a weightlifter, much time and energy would be saved. Further, gyms would need less equipment if one weightlifting exercise bar provided similar advantages compared to multiple weightlifting exercise bars and accessories. Thus, there is a long felt need for alternatives to multiple weightlifting exercise bars and accessories.

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a variable grip exercise bar for attachment to a weight system.

[0005] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the variable grip exercise bar for attachment to a weight system is presented herein. The variable grip exercise bar comprises a first horizontal bar, a second horizontal bar parallel to the first horizontal bar, a plurality of intermediate bars connecting the first and second horizontal bars and the first and second horizontal bars each having a medial portion and two lateral portions.

[0006] The variable grip exercise bar provides a weight lifter multiple angles with which to grab the bar. Multiple weight lifting gripping angles provides the means for a weightlifter to isolate various muscles or muscle groups without having to change out weightlifting exercise bars.

[0007] Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing variable grip exercise bar, which is portable and functions to provide economically a means to achieve multiple lifts and muscle isolations via multiple grip positions in one variable grip exercise bar.

[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference characters refer to the same or similar elements in all figures.

[0015] FIG. 1 depicts the one embodiment of the variable grip exercise bar for attachment to a weight system. The variable grip exercise bar comprises a first horizontal bar 10 and a second horizontal bar 20, which is parallel to the first horizontal bar 20. The plurality of intermediate bars 11B, 11C, 12B, 12C, 13B, 13C, 14B, 14C, 15B, 15C, 16B, 16C, 17B, 17C and 18 connect the first horizontal bar 10 and second horizontal bar 20. Other non-depicted embodiments of the instant invention would include more and fewer intermediate bars.

[0016] As depicted in FIG. 1, the first horizontal bar 10 has a medial portion 10A and two lateral portions 10B and 10C. The second horizontal bar 20 has a medial portion 20A and two lateral portions 20B and 20C.

[0017] In FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of intermediate bars comprise intermediate bars 11B, 11C, 13B, 13C, 15B, 15C, 17B, 17C and 18, which provide a perpendicular connection between the first horizontal bar 10 and the second horizontal bar 20. The plurality of intermediate bars comprise intermediate bars 12B, 12C, 14B, 14C, 16B and 16C, which provide a diagonal angle connection between the first horizontal bar 10 and the second horizontal bar 20. The term “diagonal angle” is meant to contemplate more angles than the approximate 45 degree angle, as shown in FIG. 1, and contemplates any non-perpendicular angle.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an attachment means 30 to secure connection of the variable grip exercise bar to a cable (not depicted) of the weight system. Although the attachment means depicted in FIG. 1 is one attachment means in contact with the intermediate bar 18, the invention contemplates multiple attachment means at other locations on the variable grip exercise bar, including attachment means disposed on one or both of the horizontal bars. These multiple attachments means allow the weightlifter to employ various pulling and lifting geometries.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the variable grip exercise bar wherein the first horizontal bar 10 is shown in a side planar view. The lateral portion 10B and lateral portion 10C are bent relative to the medial portion 10A. FIG. 2 depicts the two lateral portions, 10B and 10C, and the one medial portion 10A of the first horizontal bar as one integral piece. Although not depicted in the side planar view of FIG. 2, the second horizontal bar is similarly bent. FIG. 2 also depicts the attachment means 30 comprising a chassis 32 and a ring 31 for attachment of the cable of the weight system, not depicted. It is contemplated within the scope of this invention that a ring could be attached to the variable weightlifting exercise bar without the accompanying chassis, as well as other attachment means, known in the attachment arts.

[0020] FIG. 3 depicts a top side perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention attached to a cable via the ring and chassis of the attachment means as previously depicted in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows matted or coated gripping surfaces on the medial and lateral horizontal bar surfaces as well as on the plurality of intermediate bar surfaces.

[0021] FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the instant invention comprising a hinge 22A disposed between the medial portions 10A and 20A of the horizontal bars 10 and 20 and the lateral portions 10B and 20B. The hinge allows for adjustment of the angle 24 of the lateral portion relative to the medial portion. Such adjustment of angle 24 allows a weightlifter to vary or isolate the muscle or muscle groups used during a particular lift. FIG. 4 also depicts the hinge 22B, which is disposed between the medial portions 10A and 20A of the horizontal bars 10 and 20 and the lateral portions 10C and 20C and functions similarly to 22A. The hinges lock the lateral portions of horizontal bars via locking mechanisms known in the hinge locking arts.

[0022] FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of the instant invention attached to the weight system via the cable. In this embodiment, some of the benefits of the instant invention are seen. A weightlifter can grip the variable grip exercise bar in a variety of different hand positions allowing for isolation of one muscle or muscle group. With the instant invention, a weightlifter can address and isolate different groups and does not have to change out weight lifting exercise bars and accessories to accomplish such isolation of muscles or muscle groups.

[0023] The instant invention may be comprised of a variety of strong materials, including metals, alloys of metals, graphite, wood, plastics, etc., as know in the art of strong materials. The matting and coating may be of a variety of patterns or materials as used to assist the exerciser in maintaining a grip to the weightlifting exercise bar, including, diamond-shaped marks, hash marks, foam, spongy foam, rubber, spongy rubber, etc., as is known in the gripping arts.

[0024] It is believed that the apparatus of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, geometry, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without sacrificing its material advantages. The forms described are merely exemplary and explanatory embodiments thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.