Dual grip barbell

Abstract

An exercise barbell comprises two separated pairs of rings, all lying along the length of the barbell in a common plane, each ring rotatably supporting a handle member which bisects the ring. The members of each pair are closely separated at their edges, or abutting one another, and are connected by very short bars extending on opposite sides of the center line of the bar. The two pairs are separated by a pair of longer bars disposed on opposite sides of the center line of the bar. Shafts extend outwardly along the length of the barbell from the outermost ring of each pair and these extending shafts may be rotatable, for gripping by the exerciser, and can support individual weights with center holes for surrounding the bar. The dual sets of handles allow a variety of different exercises to be performed with the barbell, most commonly by a user gripping the handle supported in either the two innermost rings or the two outermost rings of each pair.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a barbell for exercise purposes such as weightlifting and more particularly to such a barbell comprising two spaced sets of handgrips supported in rings, all lying in a common plane, with each handle bisecting its supporting ring and being rotatably supported within the ring.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Barbells are commonly used to perform exercises including weightlifting, and it has been proposed to provide rotating handgrips for use in such apparatus so that the user's grip may be accommodated in any rotational position and not restricted to a single angle relative to the axis of the device. U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,186, of which I am an inventor, discloses a barbell with two spaced rings lying in the same plane, with each ring rotatably supporting a bisecting handle that can be adjusted to any angle relative to the bar and may be rotated as the user exercises. Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,384,370; 4,618,183; 4,629,184; 5,334,1...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a barbell that solves problems by providing different handle combinations and locks to secure the handles in a desired position. The two handles on each pair are connected by short connecting bars, while the two pairs are spaced from each other by larger connecting bars that are curved to face the arms of the exerciser. This design allows the bariej to rest on the shoulder with the connecting bar between the two sets extending around the neck.

Problems solved by technology

A problem with all of these devices is that they are limited to two spaced rotatable handles for the user to grasp at a single spaced separation from one another, despite differences in the exercise being performed or the strength or physique of the user, which might make a different separation more appropriate.

Another problem with the existing art is that in some circumstances it would be desirable to prevent rotation of the handles within their rings for use in particular exercises.

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