Exercise device

Abstract

A self-spotting free weight device wherein the free weights are retained by arms which are pivotal in the horizontal plane of the arm and wherein the supporting arms are also pivotally supported from a support structure such that they move in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which the free weights may be moved.

1 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a free weight connecting member adapted to be supported from a supporting member having a horizontal stop, said free weight connecting member being pivotably connected through a first pivot for forward and backward movement relative to said supporting member and being pivotably connectable through a second pivot to a free weight for pivotable movement thereof, said free weight connecting member being adaptable to rest upon said horizontal stop of said supporting member when said free weight connecting member is otherwise not supported; whereby    free weights may be attached to said free weight connecting member and supported by said supporting member until used by a weightlifter.    
   
   
       2 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a vertical attachment member being adaptable to be slidably and selectably attachable to a vertical support, said vertical attachment member coupled to said supporting members.    
   
   
       3 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a vertical post, said vertical post coupled to said horizontal supporting member and serving to support said supporting member, said vertical post adapted to fit to a weight stand; whereby    the exercise device may be supported by said weight stand and said weight stand may be retrofit by the exercise device.    
   
   
       4 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said vertical attachment member is attachable to said vertical support by means selected from the group consisting of: 
 said vertical attachment member defining a hole through which a pin may pass to secure said vertical attachment member to said vertical support;    an adjustable set screw selectably fixing said vertical attachment member to said vertical support; and    a clamp selectably fixing said vertical attachment member to said vertical support.    
   
   
       5 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 said free weight connecting member having a free end connectable to said free weight and a fixed end pivotably coupled to said vertical attachment member; whereby    a free weight connected to said free end is free to move vertically about said pivotable fixed end.    
   
   
       6 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a counterweight coupled to and counterbalancing said vertical attachment member.    
   
   
       7 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 said counterweight traveling through said vertical support; and    said counterweight defining a slot, said pin traveling through said slot when said counterweight travels past said pin.    
   
   
       8 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 said supporting member being a horizontal supporting member supporting said free weight connecting member at a height sufficient to allow a maximal lift distance for said weightlifter of said free weights, the height sufficient to allow a minimal descent distance of hands of said weightlifter upon disengaging said free weights.    
   
   
       9 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 said horizontal supporting member performing as a mechanical spotter enabling said weightlifter to disengage said free weights without letting said free weights drop.    
   
   
       10 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 the height being approximately equal to a height of shoulders of said weightlifter.    
   
   
       11 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a free weight connecting system including a vertical attachment member attached to said free weight connecting member.    
   
   
       12 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said free weight connecting system further comprises: 
 an extending member extending outwardly and rearwardly from said vertical attachment member.    
   
   
       13 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said free weight connecting system further comprises: 
 a vertical coupling member pivotably coupled to said extending member and pivotably coupled to said free weight connecting member, said vertical coupling member pivotable in a generally horizontal direction.    
   
   
       14 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a free weight clamp pivotably coupled to said free weight connecting member.    
   
   
       15 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said free weight clamp further comprises: 
 first and second forks respectively defining first and second parallel slots, said first fork spaced apart from and parallel to said second fork;    a pivotable coupling coupled to said first and second forks, said pivotable coupling attachable to said free weight connecting member and providing a pivotable connection between said pivotable coupling and said free weight connecting member; and    first and second free weight retaining members pivotably and respectively coupled to said free weight clamp generally adjacent said first and second forks, said first and second free weight retaining members capable of retaining a free weight held by said first and second forks by preventing extraction of said free weight from said first and second forks until said first and second free weight retaining members are pivoted away from said first and second forks; whereby    said free weight may be removably attached to said free weight clamp, said free weight clamp holding said free weight until selectably released from said free weight clamp to prevent said free weight clamp from dropping said free weight.    
   
   
       16 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a frame; and first and second freeweight connecting members each of said first and second freeweight connecting members operatively coupled to said frame for forward and backward movement relative to said frame, said first and second freeweight connecting members being pivotably connectable to first and second free weights and adapted to rest upon stop means operatively supporting said first and second freeweight connecting members; whereby    freeweights may be supported by the exercise device for use by a weightlifter.    
   
   
       17 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said frame further comprises: 
 a vertical support, said vertical support being vertically adjustable; and    first and second vertical coupling members, said first and second vertical coupling members pivotably coupling said first and second freeweight connecting members to said vertical support.    
   
   
       18 . An exercise device as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a horizontal support, said horizontal support being said stop means; and    a vertical post supporting said horizontal support, said vertical post being vertically adjustable, said vertical post aligned with said frame.    
   
   
       19 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a free weight connecting member adapted to be supported from a supporting member having a horizontal stop, said free weight connecting member being pivotably connectable to a free weight, said free weight connecting member being adaptable to rest upon said horizontal stop of said supporting member when said free weight connecting member is otherwise not supported said free weight connecting member being pivotably connected to a vertical coupling member;    a vertical attachment member being adaptable to be slidably and selectably attachable to a vertical support, said vertical attachment member coupled to said supporting members;    a vertical post, said vertical post coupled to said horizontal supporting member and serving to support said supporting member, said vertical post adapted to fit to a weight stand; whereby 
 the exercise device may be supported by said weight stand and said weight stand may be retrofit by the exercise device; whereby  
 free weights may be attached to said free weight connecting member and supported by said supporting member until used by a weightlifter.