Free weight support device

Abstract

A free weight support device for use with an exercise bench that is pivotally positionable between a first and second position, and having a base, first and second vertical members pivotally coupled to the base and positioned on opposite sides of the bench, and a foot member coupled to the first and second vertical members and operable by one or more feet of the weightlifter. The foot member being proximate to a front end of the bench and pivotally coupled to the base for pivotally adjusting the position of the first and second vertical members between a first position and a second position. When adjusted into the first position, the first and second vertical members are positioned generally vertically to support the weight of the free weights away from the weightlifter's arms. When adjusted into the second position, the first and second vertical members are pivotally positioned to permit the weightlifter to retrieve the free weights. The first and second vertical members include weight supports having notches to permit the retrieval and replacement of the free weight by the weightlifter.

1 . A free weight support device for use with an exercise bench, the free weight support device comprising: 
 (a) a base;    (b) first and second vertical members positionable on opposite sides of the bench, the first and second vertical members being pivotally coupled to the base and adapted to support one or more free weights; and    (c) a foot member coupled to the first and second vertical members and operable by one or more feet of a weightlifter, the foot member being proximate to a front end of the bench and pivotally coupled to the base for pivotally adjusting the position of the first and second vertical members between a first position and a second position, whereby in the first position the first and second vertical members are positioned generally vertically to support the weight of the free weights away from the weightlifter's arms, and whereby in the second position the first and second vertical members are pivotally positioned to permit the weightlifter to retrieve the free weights.    
   
   
       2 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second vertical members include a weight support having an interior surface adapted for receiving and supporting the free weight.  
   
   
       3 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 2 , wherein the interior surface is formed with a notch on a bottom edge to permit the retrieval and replacement of the free weight.  
   
   
       4 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 3 , wherein the interior surface has generally arcuate shape.  
   
   
       5 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 3 , wherein the interior surface has a generally v-shape.  
   
   
       6 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 3 , wherein the interior surface is shaped to conform to the profile of the free weight.  
   
   
       7 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second vertical supports including an adjustment means for positioning said weight supports at a desired location on the first and second vertical supports.  
   
   
       8 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 1 , wherein in the first position the first and second vertical supports are positioned generally vertically to stably support the free weights by the weightlifter before and after weight training exercises.  
   
   
       9 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 1 , wherein in the second position the first and second vertical supports are pivotally adjusted forwardly towards the weightlifter's arms to permit the retrieval of the free weights from the weight supports.  
   
   
       10 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 1 , wherein in the second position the first and second vertical supports are pivotally adjusted rearwardly towards the weightlifter's arms permit the retrieval of the free weights from the weight supports.  
   
   
       11 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 1 , wherein in the second position the first and second vertical supports are pivotally adjusted forwardly towards the weightlifter's arms to permit the replacement of the free weights on the weight supports.  
   
   
       12 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 1 , wherein in the second position the first and second vertical supports are pivotally adjusted rearwardly towards the weightlifter's arms to permit the replacement of the free weights on the weight supports.  
   
   
       13 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the advancement of the first and second vertical members between the first and second positions is in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the exercise bench.  
   
   
       14 . The free weight support device defined in claim, wherein the advancement of the first and second vertical members between the first and second positions is in a direction generally parallel to the transverse axis of the exercise bench.  
   
   
       15 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the foot member has a bar which is pivotally coupled to the first and second vertical members at a pivot axis.  
   
   
       16 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the foot member includes a stop means for releasably securing the first and second vertical members in the first position and second position.  
   
   
       17 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the stop means is operable between an engaged position and a released position, whereby in the engaged position the stop means releasably secures the first and second vertical members in the first and second positions, and whereby in the released position the stop means permits the movement of the first and second vertical members between the first and second positions.  
   
   
       18 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the stop means is releasably secured by a ratchet member.  
   
   
       19 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the stop means is releasably secured by a pneumatic member.  
   
   
       20 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the stop means is releasably secured by a hydraulic member.  
   
   
       21 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the stop means is releasable secured by a spring member.  
   
   
       22 . An exercise apparatus for use with free weights, the exercise apparatus comprising: 
 (a) an exercise bench having a back end, a front end and a base    (b) first and second vertical members coupled to opposite sides of the exercise bench, the first and second vertical members being adapted to support one or more free weights; and    (c) a foot member coupled to the first and second vertical members and operable by one or more feet of a weightlifter, the foot member being proximate to a front end of the bench and pivotally coupled to the base for pivotally adjusting the position of the first and second vertical members between a first position and a second position, whereby in the first position the first and second vertical members are positioned generally vertically to support the weight of the free weights away from the weightlifter's arms, and whereby in the second position the first and second vertical members are pivotally positioned to permit the weightlifter to retrieve the free weights.    
   
   
       23 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein each of the first and second vertical members include a weight support having an interior surface adapted for receiving and supporting the free weight.  
   
   
       24 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 23 , wherein the interior surface is formed with a notch on a bottom edge to permit the retrieval and replacement of the free weight.  
   
   
       25 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 24 , wherein the interior surface has a generally arcuate shape.  
   
   
       26 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 24 , wherein the interior surface has a generally v-shape.  
   
   
       27 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 24 , wherein the interior surface is shaped to conform to the profile of the free weight.  
   
   
       28 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein each of the first and second vertical supports including an adjustment means for positioning said weight supports at a desired location on the first and second vertical supports.  
   
   
       29 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein in the first position the first and second vertical supports are positioned generally vertically to stably support the free weights by the weightlifter before and after weight training exercises.  
   
   
       30 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein in the second position the first and second vertical supports are pivotally adjusted forwardly towards the weightlifter's arms to permit the retrieval of the free weights from the weight supports.  
   
   
       31 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein in the second position the first and second vertical supports are pivotally adjusted rearwardly towards the weightlifter's arms permit the retrieval of the free weights from the weight supports.  
   
   
       32 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein in the second position the first and second vertical supports are pivotally adjusted forwardly towards the weightlifter's arms to permit the replacement of the free weights on the weight supports.  
   
   
       33 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein in the second position the first and second vertical supports are pivotally adjusted rearwardly towards the weightlifter's arms to permit the replacement of the free weights on the weight supports.  
   
   
       34 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein the advancement of the first and second vertical members between the first and second positions is in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the exercise bench.  
   
   
       35 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein the advancement of the first and second vertical members between the first and second positions is in a direction generally parallel to the transverse axis of the exercise bench.  
   
   
       36 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein the foot member has a bar which is pivotally coupled to the first and second vertical members at a pivot axis.  
   
   
       37 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 22 , wherein the foot member includes a stop means for releasably securing the first and second vertical members in the first position and second position.  
   
   
       38 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 37 , wherein the stop means is operable between an engaged position and a released position, whereby in the engaged position the stop means releasably secures the first and second vertical members in the first and second positions, and whereby in the released position the stop means permits the movement of the first and second vertical members between the first and second positions.  
   
   
       39 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 37 , wherein the stop means is releasably secured by a ratchet member.  
   
   
       40 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 37 , wherein the stop means is releasably secured by a pneumatic member.  
   
   
       41 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 37 , wherein the stop means is releasably secured by a hydraulic member.  
   
   
       42 . The free weight support device defined in  claim 37 , wherein the stop means is releasable secured by a spring member.