Weightlifting bar system

Abstract

An example weightlifting bar system includes a bar shaft, and a sleeve on at least one end of the bar shaft. A first bearing and race assembly supporting the sleeve in a first position and at least a second bearing and race assembly supporting the sleeve in a second position, each bearing and race assembly having an outer bearing assembly adjacent the sleeve and an inner bearing race adjacent the bar shaft. The outer bearing assembly rotates around the inner bearing race while the inner bearing race remains substantially stationary relative to the bar shaft.

1 . A weightlifting bar system, comprising:
 a bar shaft;   a sleeve on at least one end of the bar shaft; and   a first bearing and race assembly supporting the sleeve in a first position and at least a second bearing and race assembly supporting the sleeve in a second position, each bearing and race assembly having an outer bearing assembly adjacent the sleeve and an inner bearing race adjacent the bar shaft;   wherein the outer bearing assembly rotates around the inner bearing race while the inner bearing race remains substantially stationary relative to the bar shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner bearing race is stationary and does not move relative to the bar shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer bearing assembly includes needle bearings. 
     
     
         4 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 1 , wherein a separate race system is provided having bearings that do not touch the bar shaft to reduce or altogether eliminate damage to the bar shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 1 , further comprising a precision fit between the sleeve and the bearing and each bearing and race assembly to reduce or altogether eliminate contaminants from coming into contact with sealed bearings in the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotation of sleeve provides a user with a smooth feel during a weightlifting exercise. 
     
     
         7 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer bearing assembly does not come into direct contact with the bar shaft even when the bar shaft is dropped. 
     
     
         8 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 1 , wherein a size of the outer bearing assembly is sized to provide a higher load rating. 
     
     
         9 . A weightlifting bar system, comprising:
 a bearing and race system assembled on opposite ends of a bar shaft, each of the bearing and race systems having at least two outer bearing assemblies and at least two inner bearing races;   a sleeve installed over the bearing and race systems at a precision fit; and   wherein the outer bearing assemblies of each bearing and race system is rotatable relative to the inner bearing race while the inner bearing race remains substantially stationary relative to the bar shaft.   
     
     
         10 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 9 , wherein the inner bearing race is stationary and does not move relative to the bar shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 9 , wherein the outer bearing assemblies of each bearing and race system includes needle bearings. 
     
     
         12 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 9 , further comprising a separate race system, wherein outer bearing assemblies of the separate race system do not touch the bar shaft, reducing or altogether eliminating damage to the bar shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 9 , further comprising sealed bearings in the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 13 , wherein the precision fit reduces contaminants from contacting the sealed bearings in the sleeve. 
     
     
         15 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer bearing assemblies do not directly contact the bar shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 1 , wherein a size of the outer bearing assemblies is selected to provide a desired load rating. 
     
     
         17 . A weightlifting bar system, comprising:
 a first and second sleeve, each sleeve configured to be assembled on one end of the bar shaft; and   a first bearing and race assembly supporting a single sleeve in a first position and a second bearing and race assemblies supporting the single sleeve in a second position, each bearing and race assembly having an outer bearing assembly adjacent the single sleeve and an inner bearing race adjacent the bar shaft.   
     
     
         18 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 17 , further comprising three or more bearing and race assemblies supporting each sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 17 , further comprising more than three bearing and race assemblies supporting the sleeve. 
     
     
         20 . The weightlifting bar system of  claim 17 , wherein the outer bearing assembly rotates around the inner bearing race while the inner bearing race remains substantially stationary relative to the bar shaft.