Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing weight resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-03-06
Mulcahy, John (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing weight resistance
C482S093000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196951
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to weightlifting equipment. More particularly, it relates to an improved exercise apparatus for isolating the triceps muscles.
STATEMENT OF THE PRIOR ART
Various types of barbell and dumbbell arrangements for isolating specific muscle groups are known. Additionally, other non-traditional exercising apparatus purporting to isolate and exercise a specific muscle group or groups are available. These apparatuses generally suffer from major drawbacks. One major drawback is that all barbell apparatuses having a relatively long bar are difficult to balance. There are two reasons for this difficulty. First, because the bar is long and the weight is very heavy relative to the bar, significant torque is generated since the weights are connected to the end of the bar thus producing a long lever arm depending upon the user hand positions. Also, even most accomplished body builders have strength differences between their left and right arms, requiring the user to exert extra strength to both compensate for the strength difference and balance the weight. Once the user becomes fatigued, the ability to compensate for the weight difference is seriously compromised resulting in a dangerous off balance position which has often resulted in injury.
Accordingly, some apparatuses which do not use weights have been devised. These apparatuses tend to be associated with large expensive fitness machines which have limited effectiveness for serious body builders and are thus rarely used by them. Furthermore, these apparatuses tend to use mechanical parts which are highly specialized and subject to failure such as rubberized bands and tension means, and hydraulics. Finally, weight bearing exercise apparatuses having a centered weight or weights have been devised. None of these apparatuses is seen to be as effective as the present invention.
Another common problem, specifically associated with triceps exercisers is that most equipment used for working triceps require that palms face upward. This type of hand position makes it difficult to keep the elbows inward especially while lifting heavy weight. Without strict form, other upper body muscles are recruited while lifting the weight. This action reduces the effectiveness of the exercise.
Another common problem with triceps exercisers is the inability to keep proper and strict form while performing overhead triceps extensions. The traditional way to perform this exercise is with either a straight bar or curl bar, in an overhead position, with palms facing up. This exercise requires that the bar be lowered behind the neck and then back up above the head. The problem with this movement is keeping strict form. Due to palm position (facing up) it's awkward keeping elbows in and palms facing up throughout this movement. There's a natural tendency to allow the elbows to protrude outward, away from the body.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,222 issued to Shannon discloses a weightlifting exercising bar. The bar has a center section with grasping handles formed therein. The weights are disposed on either end of the bar. While this apparatus can be used to isolate triceps, it suffers from the aforementioned balancing problem. The apparatus also allows for only one hand placement. By contrast, the present invention has a centrally located weight plate securing means which substantially reduces the balancing problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,634 issued to Pointer discloses a dumbbell adapted to be held behind the user's head while performing sit ups. While Pointer does disclose a central weight, he does not disclose hand position and spacing conducive to triceps extensions. By contrast, the present invention discloses a triceps extension apparatus which allows multiple hand positions and spacing.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a weightlifting apparatus for exercising the triceps. The apparatus includes a central weight bearing section with opposing handles, each handle having multiple gripping positions. The apparatus may be held behind the head and then repeatedly extended over the head in order to isolate and exercise the triceps. The weight bearing section can accommodate a number of weight plates and includes a clamping arrangement for securely holding the plates in a central position. A number of other exercises are facilitated with the apparatus.
The primary hand position on the apparatus of the present invention requires a closed (facing each other) hand position. By utilizing this unique hand position, the arms are forced to stay closer together, therefore retaining strict triceps isolation throughout the movement. When fatigue sets in during an exercise, there is a tendency to break form to complete the exercise. The apparatus will not allow deviation because the hand position forces the elbows to remain inward.
Alternatively, the apparatus allows for a standard or traditional hand position. This hand position is achieved by using both hands and grabbing hold of each inside arch of the unit.
The apparatus alleviates the tendency to resort to improper form, thereby recruiting other muscles to complete the exercise, by changing hand position, by changing from a palms up hand position to an end-to-end hand position. This creates a natural feel, making it easier to keep the elbows perpendicular to the body.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved weightlifting apparatus for exercising the triceps.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved weightlifting apparatus for exercising the triceps which has a centrally located weight bearing section.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved weightlifting apparatus for exercising the triceps which has opposing handles with multiple gripping positions.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved weightlifting apparatus for exercising the triceps which allow for end to end hand placement.
Finally, it is a general object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
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patent: 4641836 (1987-02-01), Clifton
patent: 4730828 (1988-03-01), Lane
patent: 5076578 (1991-12-01), Askonen
patent: 5496240 (1996-03-01), Damm
patent: 5540640 (1996-07-01), Povilaitis
patent: 5709634 (1998-01-01), Pointer
patent: 2 176 123 (1986-12-01), None
patent: 1146068 (1985-03-01), None
Hoyte, Jr. Alfred F.
Hwang Victor K.
Mulcahy John
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