Barbell plate with apertures for use in lifting the plate

Abstract

A Barbell plate has a round configuration and has a central aperture and at least one aperture along the periphery thereof. The portion of the plate near its periphery has substantially less thickness than the central portion thereof, this end result being achieved by tapering the outer portion of the plate in the direction of the periphery. The aperture or apertures near the periphery are preferably elongated to facilitate fitting one or possibly two fingers in this aperture or apertures with another finger in the central aperture or an opposite peripheral aperture, in lifting the plate.

I claim:  
     
         1 - In a circular barbell plate has a central portion and a peripheral portion having an outer edge, a single aperture formed in the central portion, and at least one aperture formed in the peripheral portion, the improvement comprising: 
 a tapered portion running between the central and peripheral portions, said tapered portion tapering inwardly towards the peripheral portion so that the peripheral portion has a substantially lesser thickness than the central portion; and    A raised rim running around the outer edge of said peripheral portion.    
     
     
         2 - The device of  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of round apertures formed in said peripheral portion.  
     
     
         3 - The device of  claim 1  wherein said barbell is covered with a rubberized coating.  
     
     
         4 - The device of  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of elongated apertures formed in said peripheral portion.  
     
     
         5 - A method for forming a barbell plate from a circular plate member comprising the steps of: 
 Forming a round aperture in the central portion of said plate member;    Forming at least one aperture in the peripheral portion of said plate member, said peripheral portion having an outer edge; and    forming a tapered portion of said plate member between the central and peripheral portions thereof, said plate member being tapered inwardly towards the peripheral plate member portion, whereby said plate member is substantially thinner at the peripheral portion than the central portion thereof; and    Forming a raised rim running around the outer edge of the peripheral portion of the plate.    
     
     
         6 - The method of  claim 5  wherein the aperture formed is elongated.  
     
     
         7 - The method of  claim 5  and additionally including the step of placing a rubberized coating on the surfaces of the plate.