Cushion disposed on weightlifting bar

Abstract

A cushion disposed on a weightlifting bar whereby a weightlifter's body is protected from direct contact with the weightlifting bar during periodic impact and whereby the weightlifter is protected from hyperextension, and provided with bounce, a convenient assistance to spotting, and unencumbered use of the weightlifting bar. In a preferred embodiment, a cushion assembly is disposed on a bench press bar whereby the bench press bar extends through a hollow axis of a cylindrical cushion and the cushion assembly comprises the cylindrical cushion made of foam rubber with a radial slit and a removable cover for protecting the cylindrical cushion. The removable cover may be either rectangular material fastened with hook and loop strips or pliable material sewn into a cylindrical shape.

1 . A resilient cushion disposed on a weightlifting bar whereby a weightlifter's body is protected from direct contact with the weightlifting bar and the weightlifter is protected from hyperextension and provided with bounce, unencumbered use of the weightlifting bar, and a convenient assistance to spotting.  
     
     
         2 . The cushion of  claim 1  wherein the cushion is cylindrical and the weightlifting bar extends through a hollow axis of the cylindrical cushion.  
     
     
         3 . The cushion of  claim 1  wherein the cushion is made of foam rubber.  
     
     
         4 . The cushion of  claim 1  wherein the cushion is permanently attached to the weightlifting bar.  
     
     
         5 . The cushion of  claim 1  wherein the cushion is removable.  
     
     
         6 . The cushion of  claim 2  wherein the cushion is manufactured with a radial slit.  
     
     
         7 . The cushion of  claim 1  wherein the weightlifting bar is a bench press bar and the cushion protects a weightlifter's chest.  
     
     
         8 . The cushion of  claim 1  wherein the weightlifting bar is a curl bar and the cushion protects a weightlifter's chest.  
     
     
         9 . The cushion of  claim 1  wherein the weightlifting bar is a lat pull-down bar and the cushion protects a weightlifter's head, chest, shoulders, neck or upper back.  
     
     
         10 . The cushion of  claim 1  wherein the weightlifting bar is a bar for doing military lifts and the cushion protects a weightlifter's head, chest, shoulders, neck or upper back.  
     
     
         11 . The cushion of  claim 1  wherein the weightlifting bar is a bar for doing squats and the cushion protects a weightlifter's head, shoulders, neck or upper back.  
     
     
         12 . A cover for a cushion disposed on a weightlifting bar.  
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 12  wherein the cover is removable.  
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 13  wherein the cover is manufactured of material cut into a rectangular shape with a perimeter comprising two length ends and two width ends, wherein the material is wrapped around the cushion, and joined at the length ends with hook and loop strips.  
     
     
         15 . The cover of  claim 12  wherein the cover is permanently secured to the cushion.  
     
     
         16 . The cover of  claim 15  wherein the cover is manufactured of pliable material cut into a rectangular shape with a perimeter comprising two length ends and two width ends, curled until the length ends meet, joined together where the length ends meet by a seam and made to fit firmly with elastic around edges formed by the width ends, said cover can be made to cover the cushion by removing weights at an end of the bar and sliding the cover from the end of the bar with weights removed towards a central portion of the weightlifting bar and then disposing the cover neatly about the cushion.  
     
     
         17 . The cover of  claim 12  wherein the cover protects the cushion.  
     
     
         18 . The cover of  claim 12  wherein the cover secures the cushion about the weightlifting bar.  
     
     
         19 . A cushion assembly disposed on a bench press bar whereby a weightlifter's body is protected from direct contact with the weightlifting bar and the weightlifter is protected from hyperextension and provided with bounce, unencumbered use of the weightlifting bar, and a convenient assistance to spotting, and wherein the bench press bar extends through a hollow axis of the cylindrical cushion, comprising: 
 a. a removable resilient cylindrical cushion made of foam rubber with a radial slit;    b. a removable cover for securing the cylindrical cushion.    
     
     
         20 . The cushion assembly of  claim 19  wherein the removable cover is manufactured of material cut into a rectangular shape, wrapped around the cylindrical cushion, and joined at the ends with hook and loop strips.  
     
     
         21 . The cushion assembly of  claim 19  wherein the removable cover is manufactured of pliable material cut into a rectangular shape with a perimeter comprising two length ends and two width ends, curled until the length ends meet, joined together where the length ends meet by a seam and made to fit firmly with elastic around edges formed by the width ends, said cover can be made to cover the cushion by removing weights at an end of the bench press bar and sliding the cover from the end of the bench press bar with weights removed towards a central portion of the bench press bar and then disposing the cover neatly about the cushion.  
     
     
         22 . A method of weightlifting comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a weightlifting bar with a cushion disposed thereon, the cushion being positioned such that the cushion comes into contact with a user of the bar, whereby protecting the user;    b. using the weightlifting bar.