Barbell with plural hand gripping angles

Abstract

A barbell apparatus comprises a pair of hand gripping bars arranged end-to-end and thereby defining a longitudinal axis of the apparatus. Each of the hand gripping bars is formed as a rectangular frame defining a window within which is positioned several cross bars oriented at selected angles relative to the longitudinal axis. Preferably the cross bars are not orthogonal to the axis of the apparatus so that the hands gripping these cross bars are oriented in preferred positions for improved muscle relationship during power moves such as bench presses and arm curls.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A barbell apparatus comprising: a pair of hand gripping bar portions arranged end-to-end for defining a longitudinal axis of the apparatus; each of the hand gripping bar portions providing a rectangular frame defining a hand gripping window, and positioned integrally within the hand gripping window, plural linear cross bars oriented at selected angles relative to the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the selected angles are identical.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the selected angles is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the selected angles is non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the hand gripping bar portions are separated by an axially aligned integral center linear bar portion.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the selected angles are identical.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein at least one of the selected angles is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein at least one of the selected angles is non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the center linear bar portion engages a rotatable collar, the collar having an attachment means fixed thereto.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the attachment means is an eyelet.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of linear weight engagement bars axially aligned and engaged in lateral positions relative to the hand gripping bars.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the selected angles are identical.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the selected angles is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the selected angles is non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the center linear bar portion engages a rotatable collar, the collar having an attachment means fixed thereto.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the attachment means is an eyelet.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the selected angles is approximately 70 degrees.