Improved Weight Lifting System and Device for Fixing Positions of Weights on Bars

Abstract

A barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises is described. The barbell system includes an elongated barbell comprising a first end and a second end. Weights are provided for placing symmetrically on the first end and the second end. A locking device is provided for securing the weights to the bar wherein the locking device has a split collar capable of receiving the elongated bar therein; and a locking device capable of drawing the split collar into engaging relationship with the elongate barbell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises comprising:
 a elongated barbell comprising a first end and a second end;   weights for placing symmetrically on said first end and said second end; and   a locking device for securing said weights to said bar wherein said locking device comprises:   a split collar capable of receiving said elongated bar therein; and   a locking device capable of drawing said split collar into engaging relationship with said elongated barbell.   
     
     
         2 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said split collar comprises thermoplastic rubber. 
     
     
         3 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said split collar has a durometer of 65 to 100 Shore A. 
     
     
         4 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said split collar has a contoured surface on an interior diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 4  wherein said contoured surface has a contour depth of at least 0.1 mm to no more than 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said split collar has at least one raised edge on the outside diameter surface. 
     
     
         7 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 6  wherein said raised edge is at least 1 mm to no more than 4 mm in height. 
     
     
         8 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said locking device comprises a strap. 
     
     
         9 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 8  wherein said strap comprises nylon. 
     
     
         10 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 8  wherein said strap is wrapped at least partially around said split collar. 
     
     
         11 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 8  wherein said strap comprises a first end attached to a ring. 
     
     
         12 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 11  wherein said strap comprises a second end reversibly receivable by said ring. 
     
     
         13 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said strap comprises a closure element. 
     
     
         14 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 13  wherein said closure element comprises a hook and loop closure. 
     
     
         15 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said strap is secured to said split collar. 
     
     
         16 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said locking device comprises a ring. 
     
     
         17 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 16  wherein said locking device comprises a pivoting latch. 
     
     
         18 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 17  wherein said ring is attached to said pivoting latch. 
     
     
         19 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 18  wherein said ring reversibly engages with a fixed attachment. 
     
     
         20 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said elongated barbell is a flexible barbell. 
     
     
         21 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 20  wherein said flexible barbell comprises:
 an elongated shape comprising a center and ends; and 
 at least one flexible bar in said elongated shape wherein said flexible bar has a minor axis and a major axis and is capable of rotating in said elongated shape. 
 
     
     
         22 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 21  wherein said elongated shape bends relative to a tangent to said center in response to said center of said flexible barbell being moved. 
     
     
         23 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 21  wherein said flexible bar is rectangular. 
     
     
         24 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 21  further comprising at least one flexible rod. 
     
     
         25 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 24  wherein said flexible rod is round. 
     
     
         26 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 21  wherein said flexible bar has a hollow cavity which extends the entire length of said flexible bar. 
     
     
         27 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 21  wherein said flexible bar comprise a fiber reinforced resin. 
     
     
         28 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 27  wherein said flexible bar comprises fiberglass. 
     
     
         29 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 27  wherein said flexible bar comprises carbon. 
     
     
         30 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 21  comprising multiple flexible bars. 
     
     
         31 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 30  comprising at least 2 to no more than 3 flexible bars. 
     
     
         32 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said elongated barbell has a length of at least 25.4 cm to 2.4 M. 
     
     
         33 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 32  wherein said length is at least 1.5 M up to 2.4 M. 
     
     
         34 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 21  wherein said elongated shape is formed from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic and thermoset resin. 
     
     
         35 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 21  wherein said elongated shape is extruded using either a reinforced or unreinforced thermoplastic resin material. 
     
     
         36 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said elongated barbell has a stiffness of at least 1,000 lbs-in 2  to no more than 500,000 lbs-in 2 . 
     
     
         37 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 36  wherein said elongated barbell has a stiffness of at least 30,000 lbs-in 2  to no more than 350,000 lbs-in 2 . 
     
     
         38 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said weights are at least 1.13 Kg to no more than 227 Kg. 
     
     
         39 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 38  wherein said elongated shape bends in a static mode when supported in the center of the bar to the extent that said ends deflect at least 12.7 mm to no more than a 45 degree acute angle relative from said tangent to said center. 
     
     
         40 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 39  wherein said elongated shape bends in a static mode when supported in the center of the bar to the extent that said ends deflect at least 63.5 mm. 
     
     
         41 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  wherein said elongated barbell comprises a fiber reinforced resin. 
     
     
         42 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 41  wherein said resin is selected from the group consisting of vinyl ester thermoset, isophthalic polyester thermoset, epoxy thermoset, polyurethane thermoset, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, thermoplastic rubber, and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         43 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 1  further comprising a surface treatment on at least a portion of said elongated barbell. 
     
     
         44 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 43  wherein said surface treatment is selected from an applied coating and a wrap. 
     
     
         45 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 44  wherein said wrap comprises a tape. 
     
     
         46 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 44  wherein said applied coating comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         47 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 46  wherein said applied coating has a flexural modulus of at least 15,000 psi. 
     
     
         48 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 46  wherein said polymeric material has a thickness of at least 15 mils to no more than 250 mils. 
     
     
         49 . The barbell system for enhancing weight lifting exercises of  claim 48  wherein said polymeric material has a thickness no more than 90 mils.