Weight bench apparatus

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/441,313, filed May 19, 2003, now abandoned, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to weight benches and more particularly pertains to a new weight bench apparatus for to allow a user to lift weights without a spotter.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] The use of weight benches is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,507 describes a device for docking an exercise machine. Another type of weight bench is U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,921 having a exercise machine that has a barbell connected to a cable system for lifting the barbell away from the user when the user can no longer lift the barbell. U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,459 has a dumbbell rack attachment for a weight bench to support dumbbells to be used by a user positioned on the weight bench. U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,397 has an exercise bench that supports a pair of dumbbells on opposed sides of the bench to be used by the user. U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,166 has a portable apparatus for assisting weight lifters during weight lifting to prevent injury. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 441,813 shows a dumbbell holder stand support.

[0006] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that has certain improved features for assisting a user during weight lifting.

[0007] The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing a foot assembly that is pushed on to rotate the support assemblies to the horizontal position and lifted to allow the support assemblies to pivot to the vertical position.

[0008] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new weight bench apparatus that provides the user with two separate motions to pivot the support assemblies to reduce the chance of confusion while lifting weights.

[0009] To this end, the present invention generally comprises a bench assembly being designed for being positioned on a support surface whereby the bench assembly is designed for supporting the user. A pair of support assemblies are pivotally coupled to the bench assembly whereby each of the support assemblies is designed for supporting a weight training member being used by the user. A foot assembly is operationally coupled to the bench assembly. The foot assembly is operationally coupled to the support assemblies whereby the foot assembly pivots the support assemblies from a vertical position to a substantially horizontal position to allow the user to freely use the weight training member when the foot assembly is actuated by feet of the user. The support assemblies are designed for receiving the weight training member when the support assemblies are actuated by the foot assembly and pivoted back to a vertical position.

[0010] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0011] The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

[0017] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new weight bench apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0018] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the weight bench apparatus 10 generally comprises a bench assembly 11 being designed for being positioned on a support surface whereby the bench assembly 11 is designed for supporting the user.

[0019] A pair of support assemblies 12 is pivotally coupled to the bench assembly 11 whereby each of the support assemblies 12 is designed for supporting a weight training member being used by the user.

[0020] A foot assembly 13 is operationally coupled to the bench assembly 11. The foot assembly 13 is operationally coupled to the support assemblies 12 whereby the foot assembly 13 pivots the support assemblies 12 from a vertical position to a substantially horizontal position to allow the user to freely use the weight training member when the foot assembly 13 is actuated by feet of the user. The support assemblies 12 are designed for receiving the weight training member when the support assemblies 12 are actuated by the foot assembly 13 and pivoted back to a vertical position.

[0021] The bench assembly 11 comprises a bench member 14 and a frame assembly 15. The frame assembly 15 is designed for being positioned on a support surface. The bench member 14 is coupled to the frame assembly 15 whereby the bench member 14 is selectively positioned at a desired angle to the support surface. The bench member 14 is designed for supporting the user.

[0022] Each of the support assemblies 12 comprises a stanchion member 16 and a biasing member 17. The stanchion member 16 is pivotally coupled to the bench assembly 11. The biasing member 17 extends between the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12 and the bench assembly 11. The biasing member 17 biases the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12 to the vertical position when the foot assembly 13 is actuated by the user.

[0023] Each of the support assemblies 12 comprises a dumbbell member 18. The dumbbell member 18 is selectively coupled to the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12. The dumbbell member 18 of each of the support assemblies 12 is designed for supporting one of a pair of dumbbells to be used by the user when the support assemblies 12 are in the vertical position.

[0024] The dumbbell member 18 of each of the support assemblies 12 comprises a support portion 19 and a sleeve portion 20. The support portion 19 is coupled to the sleeve portion 20 whereby the support portion 19 extends outwardly from the sleeve portion 20. The support portion 19 is designed for receiving one of the dumbbells to be supported. The sleeve portion 20 receives the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12 to mount the support portion 19 to the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12.

[0025] Each of the support assemblies 12 comprises a locking pin 21. The locking pin 21 is selectively inserted through one of a plurality of mounting apertures 22 of the sleeve portion 20 selectively aligned with one of a plurality of positioning apertures 23 extending through the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12 to allow the dumbbell member 18 to be selectively positioned, vertically or rotationally, on the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12.

[0026] Each of the support assemblies 12 comprises a barbell member 24. The barbell member 24 is selectively coupled to the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12. The barbell member 24 of each of the support assemblies 12 is designed for receiving and supporting a barbell when the support assemblies 12 are in the vertical position.

[0027] The barbell member 24 of each of the support assemblies 12 comprises a pin portion 25 and a receiving portion 26. The pin portion 25 is coupled to the receiving portion 26 whereby the pin portion 25 extends away from the receiving portion 26. The pin portion 25 is selectively inserted in one of the positioning apertures 23 of the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12 whereby the receiving portion 26 is selectively coupled to the stanchion member 16 when the dumbbell members 18 are removed from the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12. The receiving portion 26 is designed for receiving the barbell when the support assemblies 12 are in the vertical position.

[0028] The foot assembly 13 comprises a carriage assembly 27 and a foot member 28. The carriage assembly 27 is operationally coupled to the bench assembly 11. The foot member 28 is operationally coupled to the stanchion member 16 of each of the support assemblies 12 whereby the foot member 28 is for pivoting the stanchion member 16 of the support assemblies 12 when the foot member 28 is actuated with respect to the bench assembly 11. The carriage assembly 27 is coupled to the foot member 28. The carriage assembly 27 is for indexing the foot member 28 and retaining the support assemblies 12 in a substantially horizontal position when the foot member 28 is actuated by feet of the user.

[0029] The carriage assembly 27 comprises an indexing member 29 and an indexing pin 30. The indexing member 29 comprises a plurality of angled slots 31 extending through the indexing member 29. The indexing pin 30 is coupled to the bench assembly 11 whereby the indexing pin 30 selectively extends through one of the angled slots 31 of the indexing member 29. Each of the angled slots 31 of the indexing member 29 is angled away from the foot member 28 whereby the angled slots 31 provided minimal resistance to the indexing pin 30 sliding out of the associated one of the angled slots 31 when the foot member 28 is engaged by the feet of the user. The angled slots 31 of the indexing member 29 resist sliding of the indexing from the associated one of the angled slots 31 when the foot member 28 is not engaged by the feet of the user.

[0030] The foot member 28 comprises a link portion 32 and a plurality of foot portions 33. The link portion 32 is coupled to the carriage assembly 27. The foot portions 33 are coupled to the link portion 32 whereby the foot portions 33 are positioned opposite the carriage assembly 27. The foot portions 33 are designed for being engaged by the feet of the user to rotate the support assemblies 12 by pushing the foot member 28 away from the support assemblies 12. The foot portions 33 are designed for being engaged by the feet of the user to lift the foot member 28 and actuate the carriage assembly 27 and permit the support assemblies 12 to rotate to the vertical position.

[0031] The foot assembly 13 comprises a pair of cable assemblies 34. Each of the cable assemblies 34 is operationally coupled between one of the support assemblies 12 and the foot member 28 of the foot assembly 13. The cable assemblies 34 are for pivoting the support assemblies 12 when the foot member 28 is actuated by the feet of the user.

[0032] Each of the cable assemblies 34 comprises a cable member 35 and a plurality of pulleys 36. Each of the pulleys 36 is coupled to the bench assembly 11. The cable member 35 is coupled between foot member 28 and the stanchion member 16 of the associated one of the support assemblies 12. The cable member 35 is operationally coupled to the pulleys 36 whereby actuation of the foot member 28 actuates the cable member 35 of each of the cable assemblies 34 to pivot the stanchion member 16 of each of the support assemblies 12.

[0033] At least one securing pin 37 is selectively coupled to the bench assembly 11. The securing pin 37 selectively engaging at least one of the support assemblies 12 whereby the securing pin 37 inhibits pivoting of the support assemblies 12 with respect to the bench assembly 11.

[0034] In an optional embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a cable safety apparatus 40 is provided for providing support to dumbbells 18 when used with the bench assembly 11 of the weight bench apparatus 10. The cable safety apparatus 40 comprises a standard assembly 42 mounted on the frame assembly 15 adjacent to the support assemblies 12 when the support assemblies are in the vertical position. The standard assembly 42 comprising a base 44 and a pair of arms 46, 48 extending from the base 44. The base 44 has a lower end 50 and an upper end 52. The lower end 50 is mounted on the frame assembly 15. The arms 46, 48 extend from the upper end 52 of the base 44, and each of the arms has an inboard end 54 mounted on the base 44. Each of the arms 46, 48 terminate at an outboard end 56. The arms 46, 48 may diverge from each other in a substantially V-shaped configuration. A channel 58 extends through each of the arms 46, 48 from the inboard end 54 to the outboard end 56. The base 44 comprises an upstanding tube 60, and the upstanding tube defines a receiving chamber 62. The channel 58 of each of the arms 46, 48 is in communication with the receiving chamber 62 in the base 44. The arms 46, 48 may be generally arcuate in shape with the inboard 54 and outboard 56 ends being directed downwardly.

[0035] A counterweight 64 is positioned in the receiving chamber 62 and being movable in the receiving chamber. A cable 66 extends through the channel 58 in each of the arms 46, 48, and the cable is mounted on the counterweight 64. The cable 66 has a free end 68 that is located opposite of the counterweight 64, and the free end 68 may be mounted on a dumbbell 18 so that the dumbbell is restricted from quickly moving in a downward direction and possibly injuring the user. The cable 66 connected to the counterweight 64 impedes the downward motion of the connected dumbbell in case the user loses control of the dumbbell. The connection between the free end of the cable and the dumbbell is preferable disconnectable so that various dumbbells may be used with the cable safety apparatus.

[0036] In use, the user couples either the dumbbell members 18 or the barbell members 24 to the stanchion member 16 of each of the support members depending on the desired exercise to be performed by the user. The user then lies on the bench member 14 and removes either the dumbbells from the dumbbell members 18 or the barbell from the barbell members 24. The user then places their feet on the foot member 28 of the foot assembly 13 and pushes on the foot member 28 which rotates the support assemblies 12 to the horizontal position and out of the way of the user. After the user has finished exercising with the dumbbells or the barbell the user lifts up on the foot member 28 of the foot assembly 13 which disengages the indexing member 29 from the indexing pin 30 and allows the biasing member 17 of each of the support assemblies 12 to return the support assemblies 12 to the vertical position to receive the dumbbells or the barbell to eliminate the need for a spotter for the user.

[0037] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0038] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.