Dumbbell Supporting Device

Abstract

A dumbbell supporting device comprises a cradle for supporting a dumbbell therein and a frame adjustably supporting the cradle thereon at a selected one of various heights above the ground. A worm gear driven lift mechanism safely raises the dumbbells from ground level to the user's desired starting position for the exercise they are performing. The device eliminates the need for unnecessary lifting, making for a safer and more efficient workout.

1 . A dumbbell supporting device comprising: 
 a cradle for supporting a dumbbell therein; and    a frame adjustably supporting the cradle thereon at a selected one of various heights above the ground.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the frame includes an upright track along which the cradle is supported for sliding movement.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein a motor is provided for controlling the movement of the cradle in relation to the frame between the various heights.  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein the cradle is coupled to the motor through a worm gear.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein there is provided a pair of cradles for supporting dumbbells respectively thereon and wherein each cradle is coupled to a respective motor for displacing the cradle between the respective various heights above the ground, in which the motors are commonly actuated.  
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein the motor is actuated by a foot pedal.  
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein the motor is actuated by a control which can be located at various positions remotely from the motor.  
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the frame comprises a pair of uprights each supporting a cradle thereon for adjustment between various heights above the ground.  
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 8  wherein the two uprights are joined at respective top ends thereof by a cross member.  
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 8  wherein the cradles are moveable along the respective uprights commonly with one another.  
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 8  wherein the uprights are spaced apart in a lateral direction and wherein the cradles are oriented to support the dumbbells in a longitudinal direction oriented perpendicularly to the lateral direction of spacing between the uprights.  
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the cradles comprises two cupped portions for supporting weighted end portions of a dumbbell thereon in which the cupped portions are spaced apart from one another by a distance suitable for receiving a hand of a user therebetween.  
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 12  wherein an inner end of each cupped portion nearest to the opposing cupped portion includes an upwardly projecting divider member fixed thereon.  
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein each cradle comprises two plates which are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction along a common axis, each plate including a lower portion for supporting a respective weighted end portion of a dumbbell thereon and extending upwardly from the lower portion to respective spaced apart free edges which are higher in elevation than the lower portion and which are located in opposing radial directions in relation to the common axis.  
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the cradle comprises a pair of cupped portions which are curved about a common axis, with the cupped portions being spaced apart from one another in the direction of the common axis.  
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 15  wherein an inner end of each cupped portion nearest to the opposing cupped portion includes a divider plate which is oriented generally perpendicularly to the common axis.  
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 1  in combination with a dumbbell comprising a handle suitably sized for gripping in a single hand of a user, the handle spanning between a pair of weighted members.