Impact-Absorbing Mechanism

Abstract

A portable, impact-absorbing apparatus having a striking portion, an energy-absorbing portion, and a mounting portion. The striking portion may be a padded plate and the mounting portion may be a collar that may mount to the vertical frame member of a squat rack. The energy-absorbing portion may be an insert that slides into the barrel of a hollow sleeve in which a spring is disposed. The sleeve may have slots in the top and bottom for bolts or pins, which are inserted therethrough for attachment to the insert, to define the longitudinal limits of the insert's extension.

1 . A strike-absorbing apparatus for receiving strikes from a person, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a striking portion configured to receive strikes;   (b) a mounting portion removably mounted to at least one of first and second substantially vertical posts of a squat rack that are connected by at least one brace member that is above the mounting portion and transverse to the posts; and   (c) an energy-absorbing portion having a first end mounted to the striking portion and a second, opposite end mounted to the mounting portion, wherein the energy-absorbing portion permits movement of the striking portion at least toward the mounting portion.   
     
     
         2 . The strike-absorbing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion further comprises a U-shaped collar that extends partially around the at least one squat rack post, the collar having three transverse legs for extending around the at least one squat rack post and a horizontally-directed opening to permit insertion of the at least one squat rack post into the collar. 
     
     
         3 . The strike-absorbing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing portion that is disposed between, and mounted to, the striking portion and the mounting portion further comprises an elongated insert extending slidably into a barrel formed in an elongated sleeve, wherein the barrel defines a chamber in which a spring is mounted for compression when the elongated insert extends into the barrel, wherein the striking portion mounts at a first end of the energy-absorbing portion, and the mounting portion mounts at a second, opposite end of the energy-absorbing portion. 
     
     
         4 . The strike-absorbing apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , further comprising at least one pin extending into the insert through at least one slot formed in the sleeve, wherein said at least one slot defines at least one limit on relative movement of the insert in the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . A strike-absorbing apparatus for receiving strikes from a person, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a striking portion configured to receive strikes;   (b) a mounting portion removably mounted to at least one of first and second substantially vertical posts of a squat rack that are connected by at least one brace member that is above the mounting portion and transverse to the posts, wherein the mounting portion comprises a plate on a first side of the at least one post and a member on an opposite side of the at least one post, wherein the member is fastened to the plate and clamps the at least one post between the member and the plate; and   (c) an energy-absorbing portion having a first end mounted to the striking portion and a second, opposite end mounted to the mounting portion.   
     
     
         6 . The strike-absorbing apparatus in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the energy-absorbing portion permits movement of the striking portion at least toward the mounting portion. 
     
     
         7 . The strike-absorbing apparatus in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the energy-absorbing portion that is disposed between, and mounted to, the striking portion and the mounting portion further comprises an elongated insert extending slidably into a barrel formed in an elongated sleeve, wherein the barrel defines a chamber in which a spring is mounted for compression when the elongated insert extends into the barrel, wherein the striking portion mounts at a first end of the energy-absorbing portion, and the mounting portion mounts at a second, opposite end of the energy-absorbing portion. 
     
     
         8 . The strike-absorbing apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising at least one pin extending into the insert through at least one slot formed in the sleeve, wherein said at least one slot defines at least one limit on relative movement of the insert in the sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . A strike-absorbing apparatus for receiving strikes from a person, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a striking portion configured to receive strikes;   (b) a mounting portion removably mounted to at least one of first and second substantially vertical posts of a squat rack that are connected by at least one brace member that is above the mounting portion and transverse to the posts, wherein the mounting portion may be removably mounted to the at least one post in a substantially horizontal direction; and   (c) an energy-absorbing portion having a first end mounted to the striking portion and a second, opposite end mounted to the mounting portion, wherein the energy-absorbing portion permits movement of the striking portion at least toward the mounting portion.   
     
     
         10 . The strike-absorbing apparatus in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the mounting portion further comprises a U-shaped collar that extends partially around the at least one squat rack post, the collar having three transverse legs for extending around the at least one squat rack post and a horizontally-directed opening to permit insertion of the at least one squat rack post into the collar. 
     
     
         11 . The strike-absorbing apparatus in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the mounting portion comprises a plate on a first side of the at least one post and a member on an opposite side of the at least one post, wherein the member is fastened to the plate and clamps the at least one post between the member and the plate.