Bench press shoulder protection device and method therefor

Details Bench press shoulder protection device and method therefor Bench press shoulder protection device and method therefor

1999-10-07

2001-05-01

Mulcahy, John (Department: 3739)

Exercise devices

User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...

Utilizing weight resistance

C482S104000, C482S106000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06224518

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to exercise devices and methods therefor and, more specifically, to a device and a method for protecting the shoulder muscles of a person performing a bench-press-type exercise.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The bench press is one of the most popular free weight exercises. While there are flat bench, incline bench, and decline bench versions, the flat bench version is the one most commonly practiced. Generally, to perform a flat bench press, a person lies in a supine position on a bench that is parallel to the ground, grasps a barbell that is positioned on a rack above the person's head, lifts the barbell to a position that is over the person's chest with the person's arms essentially fully extended, lowers the barbell until it touches the person's chest, and then lifts the barbell to a fully extended position. At the point in this motion when the barbell touches the chest, it is generally the case that at least a portion of the upper arms of the person will break the horizontal plane formed by the back of the user, and indeed will travel below the surface of the bench.
The bench press helps develop a person's pectoral muscles and, to some extent, the front deltoid and triceps muscles. However, as the upper arms break the horizontal plane defined by the back of the user, the head of the humerus moves forward within the glenoid cavity. This creates a pull against the posterior deltoid, infraspinatus and teres minor muscles, which are relatively weaker and smaller than the pectoral muscles. Where too much pull is created, the humeral head will push with sufficient force to stretch out the relatively weak anterior capsule and impinge the supraspinatus against the coracoacromial ligament and the acromion. Over time, these shoulder muscles and ligaments can become strained or torn.
Thus, a need existed for a device and method for allowing a person to perform a free weight, bench-press-type exercise with an ordinary barbell; to realize at least a substantial portion of the benefit to the pectoral muscles from bench press exercises; and to protect to a significant degree the shoulder muscles, including the deltoid and subscapuralis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a shoulder protection device for use with an ordinary barbell.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a shoulder protection device that allows a person to perform a bench press-type movement with substantial benefit to the pectoral muscles and protection for the shoulder muscles, including the deltoid and subscapularis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a shoulder protection device is disclosed. The shoulder protection device comprises, in combination: a pad adapted to be coupled to a barbell substantially at a location where the barbell contacts a person's chest during a bench-press-type exercise; wherein the pad projects outwardly from the barbell so as to reduce a distance the barbell can travel toward the chest during the bench-press-type exercise; a securing member adapted to secure the pad to the barbell during the bench-press-type exercise.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing a shoulder protection device is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of: providing a pad adapted to be coupled to a barbell substantially at a location where the barbell contacts a person's chest during a bench-press-type exercise; wherein the pad projects outwardly from the barbell so as to reduce a distance the barbell can travel toward the chest during the bench-press-type exercise; and providing a securing member adapted to secure the pad to the barbell during the bench-press-type exercise.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4867444 (1989-09-01), Castillo
patent: 5897468 (1999-04-01), Lumpkins
Bodybuilder's Discount OutletSummer 1995 Catalogp. 31 Bar Pad.

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