Safety device for lifting and supporting barbells

Abstract

The present invention is a safety device and method of use that comprises a generally round eccentric disk having a peripheral edge and central rotation axis. The generally round eccentric disk has a barbell access slot extending from the peripheral edge to a seat. A cam lobe is formed with a support base adjacent the cam lobe and opposite the central rotation axis from the barbell access slot. The distance is from the peripheral edge adjacent the slot to the seat is greater than the radius of the barbell weights. Rolling the peripheral edge to orient the cam lobe beneath the seat lifts the barbell above the ground.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A safety device for raising and supporting a barbell above a floor for addition to or removal from the barbell of barbell weights having a barbell radius, the safety device comprising:
 an eccentric disk having a peripheral edge, a central rotation axis, and a cam lobe, the eccentric disk being rotatable from a first position to a second position, and the cam lobe being parallel to the eccentric disk along the peripheral edge;   an access slot extending from the peripheral edge to the central rotation axis configured to receive the barbell in the first position;   a support base configured to support the eccentric disk in the second position, the support base being substantially perpendicular to and affixed to the peripheral edge adjacent the cam lobe and radially opposite the access slot; and   a seat adjacent the rotation axis and radially aligned with the cam lobe and the support base, wherein a first distance from the seat to the support base is greater than the radius of the barbell weights, and wherein the support base is configured to support the barbell above the floor when the safety device is rotated to the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The safety device of  claim 1  wherein the support base has a generally flat bottom surface to prevent rolling. 
     
     
         3 . The safety device of  claim 2  wherein the support base extends perpendicularly outward from the disk. 
     
     
         4 . The safety device of  claim 3  wherein the support base includes one or more reinforcing buttresses coupled to and extending between the support base and the disk. 
     
     
         5 . The safety device of  claim 1  wherein the seat includes a support collar extending perpendicularly outward from the disk. 
     
     
         6 . The safety device of  claim 5  wherein the support collar extends away from the support base and parallel to the eccentric disk. 
     
     
         7 . The safety device of  claim 1  further comprising a hole in the disk defining a handle between the peripheral edge and the hole. 
     
     
         8 . A safety device for raising and supporting a barbell above a floor for addition to or removal from the barbell of barbell weights having a barbell radius, the safety device comprising:
 an eccentric disk being rotatable from a first position to a second position, the eccentric disk including a central rotation axis and a peripheral edge having a cam lobe parallel to the eccentric disk;   an opening extending from the central rotation axis toward the peripheral edge and configured to receive the barbell in the first position;   a support base configured to support the eccentric disk in the second position, the support base being substantially perpendicular to and affixed to the peripheral edge adjacent the cam lobe; and   a seat adjacent the rotation axis and radially aligned with the cam lobe and the support base, wherein a first distance from the seat to the support base is greater than the radius of the barbell weights, and wherein the support base is configured to support the barbell above the floor when the safety device is rotated to the second position.   
     
     
         9 . The safety device of  claim 8  wherein the support base has a generally flat bottom surface to prevent rolling. 
     
     
         10 . The safety device of  claim 9  wherein the support base extends perpendicularly outward from the disk. 
     
     
         11 . The safety device of  claim 10  wherein the support base includes one or more reinforcing buttresses coupled to and extending between the support base and the disk. 
     
     
         12 . The safety device of  claim 8  wherein the seat includes a support collar extending perpendicularly outward from the disk. 
     
     
         13 . The safety device of  claim 12  wherein the support collar extends away from the support base and parallel to the eccentric disk. 
     
     
         14 . The safety device of  claim 8  further comprising a hole in the disk defining a handle between the peripheral edge and the hole. 
     
     
         15 . A safety device for raising and supporting a barbell above a floor for addition to or removal from the barbell of barbell weights having a barbell radius, the safety device comprising:
 a body having a central rotation axis and being rotatable from a first position to a second position, the body including a peripheral edge having a shape of at least portions of an eccentric disk with a cam lobe, one of the portions including the cam lobe;   a seat coupled to the body adjacent the rotation axis and radially aligned with the cam lobe;   an opening adjacent the rotation axis and radially opposite the cam lobe, the opening configured to receive the barbell in the first position; and   a support base radially aligned with the cam lobe and substantially perpendicular to and affixed to a peripheral edge of the body, a distance from the seat to the support base being greater than the radius of the barbell weights, and the support base being configured to support the barbell above the floor when the body is rotated to the second position.   
     
     
         16 . The safety device of  claim 15  wherein the support base has a generally flat bottom surface to prevent rolling. 
     
     
         17 . The safety device of  claim 16  wherein the support base extends perpendicularly outward from the body. 
     
     
         18 . The safety device of  claim 17  wherein the support base includes one or more reinforcing buttresses coupled to and extending between the support base and the body. 
     
     
         19 . The safety device of  claim 15  wherein the seat includes a support collar extending perpendicularly outward from the body. 
     
     
         20 . The safety device of  claim 19  wherein the support collar extends away from the support base and parallel to the body.