Barbell having magnetic weight retaining member

Abstract

A barbell assembly includes a plurality of magnetic weights selectively positioned on opposite end portions of an axially elongated bar. A single weight or group of weights on each end of the bar is retained between an inner collar mounted in fixed position on the bar and an outer collar releasably secured to the bar by a locking device. Each outer collar is magnetically coupled to an associated weight or group of weights and aids in positioning the weights so that no axial play occurs between the weights and the collars. Each inner collar may also be magnetically coupled to the weight or weights associated with it. Alternatively, both the inner and outer collars may be magnetically coupled to the weights and to each other and to the supporting bar.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A barbell assembly comprising; an axially elongated lifting bar having axially opposite ends, a positioning member mounted in fixed position on said lifting bar and spaced axially inwardly from one of said ends, at least one plate made from magnetic material and having an aperture therethrough sized to receive said lifting bar therethrough, said at least one plate being received on said lifting bar axially outwardly of and in substantial engagement with said positioning member, a retention member received on said lifting bar axially outwardly of and in substantial engagement with said at least one plate, said retention member and said at least one plate being magnetically coupled to each other, and a locking device carried by said retention member for gripping engaging said lifting bar to releasably retain said retention member in a fixed position on said lifting bar.  
     
     
         2 . A barbell assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the members which comprise said positioning member and said retention member is magnetized.  
     
     
         3 . A barbell assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said retention member comprises said one of said members.  
     
     
         4 . A barbell assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said positioning member comprises said one of said members.  
     
     
         5 . A barbell assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one plate and said retention member are made from ferromagnetic material.  
     
     
         6 . A barbell assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said positioning member is made from ferromagnetic material and is magnetically coupled to said at least one plate.  
     
     
         7 . A barbell assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said lifting bar is made from magnetic material.  
     
     
         8 . A barbell assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said bar is magnetized.  
     
     
         9 . A barbell assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said lifting bar is made from a diamagnetic material.  
     
     
         10 . A barbell assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said lifting bar is made from a paramagnetic material.  
     
     
         11 . A barbell assembly comprising; and axially elongated magnetic bar having axially opposite ends, a positioning member mounted in fixed position relative to said bar and spaced from one of said ends at least ferromagnetic weight having an aperture for slidably receiving said bar therethrough, said at least one weight being received on said bar and disposed in adjacent engagement with said positioning member, a magnetic retention member received on said bar and disposed in engagement with said at least one plate, said magnetic retention member being magnetically coupled to said one plate and to said bar, and a locking device disposed in positive locking engagement with said bar to releasably retain said retention member on said bar.