Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing weight resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-19
2002-06-18
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing weight resistance
C482S092000, C482S106000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06406409
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a free weight racking system. Specifically, the invention involves the combination of a group of different size free weight plates and a weight rack for racking those plates, in which each different plate of the group is prevented from being racked at a position on the rack not intended for that size weight plate.
It is known in the art to use free weight plates (often called Olympic weight plates) in conjunction with different types of exercise equipment, in order to vary the amount of weight used for different exercises. The free weight plates typically come in denominations of 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 35 and 45 lbs. plates. Generally, each weight plate is disk-shaped, and includes a hole through the plate that is concentric with the circumference of the disk.
The hole in the center of each weight plate allows the plate to be mounted on exercise equipment. Free weight plates may be mounted on various types of exercise equipment, but are most commonly used in conjunction with free weight bars. The ends of the bars are cylindrical in shape and have diameters that complement the size of the bar holes in the weight plates, such that weight plates may be slid onto both ends of the bar. Typically, the bars include collars near their ends that prevent the weights from sliding toward the center of the bar, past their intended position, and for keeping the weights on either end of the bar at the same relative positions with respect to the center of the bar. Typically, equal combinations of weight plates are placed on each side of the bar to maintain balance. Thus, when a user lifts the bar at a point near the center of its length, the weights are equally supported on both ends of the bar.
The bars are generally kept parallel with the ground while the user performs various exercises, such as bicep curls or bench presses. The user adds the plates to the ends of the bars in various combinations to achieve different overall weights, depending on the type of exercise to be performed and the user's strength. Users also may vary the weight on the weight bar for different sets of repetitions of the same exercise. Accordingly, it is not uncommon for the free weight plates to be added and removed often during the course of a user's workout.
When not in use, the weight plates are normally stored on a weight rack. The racks are often simple, framed structures with a system of elevated posts on which the weight plates may be mounted (racked). The posts are typically cylindrical and extend out from the rack in a manner substantially parallel with the ground (which may include a slight slope, with the elevation at the free end of the post being slightly higher than at the point of attachment to the weight rack frame). The size of posts (i.e., diameter of the cylinder) normally complements the size of the bar holes, but the diameter may be substantially smaller than that of the bar holes. To rack the weights, a user lifts the weight plate and aligns the bar hole with the post, and then slides the weight onto the post. The posts are usually long enough to allow multiple weight plates to be stored on a single post.
Often, a number of posts are provided on two different sides of a rack, with the posts on each side being vertically aligned. The distance between the vertically arranged posts may vary depending on the weight rack. However, the distances between posts normally coincide with the size of the weight plate intended to be racked at that position (i.e, the distance between the post for racking 45 lbs. plates and the next post may be greater than the distance between other posts, to account for the size (diameter) of the 45 lbs. plate). Most racks are constructed such that the heavier weight plates are intended to be placed on the lower posts and the lighter weight plates are to be placed on the upper posts. However, because each weight plate of a set has the same size bar hole and, therefore, the weight bar posts will inherently fit each different plate, there is nothing to prevent a user from racking particular size weight plates at a number of different positions on the rack.
In practice, users often put the weight plates back in a haphazard fashion, such that the posts on a rack may from time to time carry a variety of different size weight plates. This not only leads to a disorganized appearance, it may cause problems for those trying to use the weight plates. A user may encounter a problem in which the particular size weight plate he or she needs is buried behind a number of different size plates on that post. In order to obtain the desired plate, the user must remove all of the other weight plates in front of it. Also, the user may find that the weight plates in front of the plate he wishes to use are heavier than those he typically lifts in his workout. If the weights are too heavy for the user, the user could risk injury in trying to remove the heavier weights.
The present invention is directed to a combination of free weight plates and a free weight rack that overcomes these problems associated with traditional free weight racks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a group of free weight plates and a weight rack therefor. In the group of free weight plates of different sizes, each weight plate includes a center bar hole and at least one racking hole. The racking hole may vary in size, shape or placement from one size weight plate to another.
The weight plates will typically be used in conjunction with a special rack system. Therefore, the invention is also directed to the combination of the group of free weight plates and the free weight rack. The combination may include a group of two or more free weight plates of different sizes, in which each plate has a center bar hole and at least one racking hole, wherein the size, shape or placement of the racking hole varies from one size weight plate to another, and a rack for storing the group of plates. The rack includes a set of at least two parallel, substantially horizontal posts corresponding to each different size weight plate in the group. Each set includes a bar hole post, and at least one racking hole post complementary in size, shape and location to the racking hole of a corresponding weight plate.
Weights
The free weight plates of the present invention may be similar in design to traditional weight plates, preferably disk-shaped, and may be provided in the same denominations (2.5, 5, 10, 25, 35 and 45 lbs. plates). The diameter of the weight plates may vary. Preferably, however, the plates may fall within the following ranges: 2.5 lbs.—about 5.5 to 7.5 inches; 5 lbs.—about 7 to 9 inches; 10 lbs.;—about 8 to 11 inches; 25 lbs.—about 10 to 12 inches; 35 lbs.—about 13 to 15 inches; and 45 lbs.—about 16 to 18 inches. The thickness of each weight plate may also vary; however, the 2.5, 5 and 10lbs. weight plates will preferably have a thickness in the range of about 1.0 to 1.5 inches. The 25, 35 and 45 lbs. weight plates will preferably have a thickness in the range of about 0.5 to 1.5 inches.
The weight plates may include a lip around the periphery of one side of the plate (i.e., along the circumference) that allows a user to grip the plate with his/her fingers when carrying and/or racking the weight plates. In alternative embodiments, the weight plates may have one or more gripping holes through which a user's fingers may be inserted, so that the user can easily grip the weight plate.
Each weight plate should include one bar hole, so that it may be mounted at the end of a free weight bar or on other types of exercise equipment.
The weight bars in most commercial gyms have cylindrical ends all having a standard size (diameter) that complements a standard size (diameter) bar hole in the weight plate. The standard bar hole has a diameter that is approximately 1.9 inches. However, the size of the bar holes in free weight plates, and hence the size of the bar ends, may vary among different weight sets. Particularly, self-contained weight sy
Donnelly Jerome W.
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Nguyen Tam
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