Barbell

Abstract

A barbell includes a bar having opposed end portions, each having an annular slot extending around the end portion, and a pair of sleeve assemblies connected to the end portions. Each sleeve assembly includes a sleeve having an axial bore receiving one of the end portions of the bar and a connection assembly including a split ring having two semi-annular pieces received within the slot, a proximal washer positioned axially inward from the split ring and engaging an inward side of the split ring, a distal washer positioned outward from the split ring, the distal washer engaging an outward side of the split ring, an annular member around the split ring, radially retaining the semi-annular pieces within the slot, and a retaining member engaging the distal washer and the bore to retain the connection assembly in connection with the bar and the sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A barbell comprising:
 a bar having opposed first and second end portions spaced from each other along an axial direction, the first end portion having a first annular slot located axially inward from a first end of the bar and a first head portion extending from the first annular slot to the first end of the bar, and the second end portion having a second annular slot located axially inward from a second end of the bar and a second head portion extending from the second annular slot to the second end of the bar;   a first sleeve assembly connected to the first end portion of the bar and comprising a first sleeve having a first axial bore receiving the first end portion and a first connection assembly for connecting the first sleeve to the first end portion, the first axial bore having a first annular abutment surface formed by a change in inner diameter of the first axial bore, the first connection assembly comprising:
 a first split ring positioned around the first end portion of the bar and comprising a first semi-annular piece and a second semi-annular piece both received within the first annular slot; 
 a first proximal washer positioned around the first end portion of the bar and axially inward from the first split ring, the first proximal washer axially engaging an inward axial side of the first split ring and axially engaging the first annular abutment surface; 
 a first distal washer positioned around the first end portion of the bar and axially outward from the first split ring, the first distal washer axially engaging an outward axial side of the first split ring; 
 a first annular member extending circumferentially around the first split ring and radially retaining the first and second semi-annular pieces of the first split ring within the first annular slot; and 
 a first retaining member positioned axially outward from the first distal washer and axially engaging the first distal washer and an inner surface of the first axial bore, such that the first proximal washer, the first distal washer, the first annular member, and the first split ring are axially fixed between the first annular abutment surface and the first retaining member; and 
   a second sleeve assembly connected to the second end portion of the bar and comprising a second sleeve having a second axial bore receiving the second end portion and a second connection assembly for connecting the second sleeve to the second end portion, the second axial bore having a second annular abutment surface formed by a change in inner diameter of the second axial bore, the second connection assembly comprising:
 a second split ring positioned around the second end portion of the bar and comprising a third semi-annular piece and a fourth semi-annular piece both received within the second annular slot; 
 a second proximal washer positioned around the second end portion of the bar and axially inward from the second split ring, the second proximal washer axially engaging an inward axial side of the second split ring and axially engaging the second annular abutment surface; 
 a second distal washer positioned around the second end portion of the bar and axially outward from the second split ring, the second distal washer axially engaging an outward axial side of the second split ring; 
 a second annular member extending circumferentially around the second split ring and radially retaining the third and fourth semi-annular pieces of the second split ring within the second annular slot; and 
 a second retaining member positioned axially outward from the second distal washer and axially engaging the second distal washer and an inner surface of the second axial bore such that the second proximal washer, the second distal washer, the second annular member, and the second split ring are axially fixed between the second annular abutment surface and the second retaining member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The barbell of  claim 1 , wherein the first annular member is formed by a first annular flange of the first proximal washer extending axially outward from the first proximal washer and around the first split ring, such that the first proximal washer is a first cup-shaped member defining a first cavity receiving the first split ring therein, and the second annular member is formed by a second annular flange of the second proximal washer extending axially outward from the second proximal washer and around the second split ring, such that the second proximal washer is a second cup-shaped member defining a second cavity receiving the second split ring therein. 
     
     
         3 . The barbell of  claim 1 , wherein the first retaining member is a first snap ring positioned in a first annular groove on the inner surface of the first axial bore, and the second retaining member is a second snap ring positioned in a second annular groove on the inner surface of the second axial bore. 
     
     
         4 . The barbell of  claim 1 , wherein the first sleeve assembly further comprises a first end cap removably secured to the first sleeve and covering a first distal opening of the first sleeve, and the second sleeve assembly further comprises a second end cap removably secured to the second sleeve and covering a second distal opening of the second sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The barbell of  claim 1 , wherein the first sleeve assembly further comprises a first distal bearing having a first inner race engaged with the bar, a first outer race engaged with the inner surface of the first axial bore, and a plurality of first roller bodies between the first inner race and the first outer race, wherein the first distal bearing of the first sleeve assembly is positioned axially inward of the first connection assembly, and the second sleeve assembly further comprises a second distal bearing having a second inner race engaged with the bar, a second outer race engaged with the inner surface of the second axial bore, and a plurality of second roller bodies between the second inner race and the second outer race, wherein the second distal bearing of the second sleeve assembly is positioned axially inward of the second connection assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The barbell of  claim 5 , wherein the first distal bearing has a first distal side axially abutting the first proximal washer and a proximal side axially abutting a first spacer engaged with the inner surface of the first axial bore to retain the first distal bearing in place, and the second distal bearing has a second distal side axially abutting the second proximal washer and a proximal side axially abutting a second spacer engaged with the inner surface of the second axial bore to retain the second distal bearing in place. 
     
     
         7 . The barbell of  claim 5 , wherein the first roller bodies and the second roller bodies are needle roller bodies. 
     
     
         8 . The barbell of  claim 5 , wherein the first annular member is formed by a first annular flange of the first proximal washer extending axially outward from the first proximal washer and around the first split ring, such that the first proximal washer is a first cup-shaped member defining a first cavity receiving the first split ring therein, and the second annular member is formed by a second annular flange of the second proximal washer extending axially outward from the second proximal washer and around the second split ring, such that the second proximal washer is a second cup-shaped member defining a second cavity receiving the second split ring therein. 
     
     
         9 . A barbell comprising:
 a bar having opposed end portions spaced from each other along an axial direction, each of the end portions having an annular slot having a reduced diameter and extending around the end portion, and a head portion extending from the annular slot to a distal end of the bar; and   a pair of sleeve assemblies connected to the end portions of the bar, each of the sleeve assemblies comprising a sleeve having an axial bore receiving a respective one of the end portions of the bar and a connection assembly for connecting the sleeve to the respective one of the end portions of the bar, the connection assembly comprising:
 a split ring comprising a first semi-annular piece and a second semi-annular piece received within the annular slot; 
 a proximal washer positioned axially inward from the split ring and engaging an inward axial side of the split ring; 
 a distal washer positioned axially outward from the split ring, around the head portion of the end portion of the bar, the distal washer engaging an outward axial side of the split ring; 
 an annular member extending circumferentially around the split ring and radially retaining the first and second semi-annular pieces within the annular slot; and 
 a retaining member positioned axially outward from the distal washer and axially engaging the distal washer and an inner surface of the axial bore to retain the proximal washer, the distal washer, the annular member, and the split ring in connection with the bar and the sleeve. 
   
     
     
         10 . The barbell of  claim 9 , wherein the annular member of each sleeve assembly is formed by an annular flange of the proximal washer extending axially outward from the proximal washer and around the split ring, such that the proximal washer is a cup-shaped member defining a cavity receiving the split ring therein. 
     
     
         11 . The barbell of  claim 9 , wherein the retaining member of each sleeve assembly is a snap ring positioned in an annular groove on the inner surface of the axial bore. 
     
     
         12 . The barbell of  claim 9 , wherein each sleeve assembly further comprises an end cap removably secured to the sleeve and covering a distal opening of the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The barbell of  claim 9 , wherein each sleeve assembly further comprises a distal bearing having an inner race engaged with the bar, an outer race engaged with the inner surface of the axial bore, and a plurality of roller bodies between the inner and outer races, wherein the distal bearing of each sleeve assembly is positioned axially inward of the connection assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The barbell of  claim 13 , wherein the distal bearing of each sleeve assembly has a distal side axially abutting the proximal washer and a proximal side operably engaging an abutment surface of the axial bore to retain the distal bearing in place. 
     
     
         15 . The barbell of  claim 14 , wherein each sleeve assembly further comprises a spacer abutting the abutment surface and the proximal side of the distal bearing. 
     
     
         16 . The barbell of  claim 13 , wherein the distal bearing of each sleeve assembly has a distal side and a proximal side, wherein the proximal washer axially abuts the distal side of the distal bearing and a first abutment surface of the axial bore, and the proximal side of the distal bearing operably engages a second abutment surface of the axial bore to retain the distal bearing in place. 
     
     
         17 . The barbell of  claim 9 , wherein each sleeve assembly has an abutment surface abutting a proximal side of the proximal washer, such that the proximal washer, the split ring, the distal washer, and the annular member are axially fixed between the abutment surface and the retaining member. 
     
     
         18 . A barbell comprising:
 a bar having opposed first and second end portions spaced from each other along an axial direction;   a first sleeve assembly rotatably connected to the first end portion of the bar and comprising:
 a first sleeve having a first axial bore receiving the first end portion, the first axial bore having a first proximal opening receiving the first end portion of the bar therethrough, wherein the first sleeve has a first proximal abutment surface on an inner surface of the first axial bore located axially distal from the first proximal opening and formed by a first change in an inner diameter of the first axial bore, such that a first section of the first axial bore extends from the first proximal opening to the first proximal abutment surface, and a first distal abutment surface on the inner surface of the first axial bore located axially distal from the first proximal abutment surface and formed by a second change in an inner diameter of the first axial bore, such that a second section of the first axial bore extends from the first proximal abutment surface to the first distal abutment surface, and wherein the second section of the first axial bore has a smaller diameter than the first section; 
 a first proximal bearing positioned in the second section of the first axial bore and having a first inner race engaged with the bar, a first outer race engaged with the inner surface of the first axial bore, and a plurality of first roller bodies between the first inner race and the first outer race; 
 a first seal holder positioned in the first section of the first axial bore and axially abutting the first proximal abutment surface, the first seal holder covering the first proximal opening and having a first passage receiving the bar therethrough; and 
 a first dust seal connected to the first seal holder and engaging the bar to resist ingress of dust between the first seal holder and the bar; and 
   a second sleeve assembly rotatably connected to the second end portion of the bar and comprising:
 a second sleeve having a second axial bore receiving the second end portion, the second axial bore having a second proximal opening receiving the second end portion of the bar therethrough, wherein the second sleeve has a second proximal abutment surface on an inner surface of the second axial bore located axially distal from the second proximal opening and formed by a first change in an inner diameter of the second axial bore, such that a first section of the second axial bore extends from the second proximal opening to the second proximal abutment surface, and a second distal abutment surface on the inner surface of the second axial bore located axially distal from the second proximal abutment surface and formed by a second change in an inner diameter of the second axial bore, such that a second section of the second axial bore extends from the second proximal abutment surface to the second distal abutment surface, and wherein the second section of the second axial bore has a smaller diameter than the first section; 
 a second proximal bearing positioned in the second section of the second axial bore and having a second inner race engaged with the bar, a second outer race engaged with the inner surface of the second axial bore, and a plurality of second roller bodies between the second inner race and the second outer race; 
 a second seal holder positioned in the first section of the second axial bore and axially abutting the second proximal abutment surface, the second seal holder covering the second proximal opening and having a second passage receiving the bar therethrough; and 
 a second dust seal connected to the second seal holder and engaging the bar to resist ingress of dust between the second seal holder and the bar. 
   
     
     
         19 . The barbell of  claim 18 , wherein the first sleeve assembly further comprises:
 a third proximal bearing positioned in the second section of the first axial bore adjacent to the first proximal bearing, and having a third inner race engaged with the bar, a third outer race engaged with the inner surface of the first axial bore, and a plurality of third roller bodies between the third inner race and the third outer race;   
       and the second sleeve assembly further comprises:
 a fourth proximal bearing positioned in the second section of the second axial bore adjacent to the second proximal bearing, and having a fourth inner race engaged with the bar, a fourth outer race engaged with the inner surface of the second axial bore, and a plurality of fourth roller bodies between the fourth inner race and the fourth outer race. 
 
     
     
         20 . The barbell of  claim 19 , wherein the first proximal bearing has a distal side operably engaged with the first distal abutment surface, the third proximal bearing has a distal side axially abutting a proximal side of the first proximal bearing, and the first dust seal axially abuts a proximal side of the third proximal bearing, such that the first proximal bearing and the third proximal bearing are axially fixed between the first dust seal and the first distal abutment surface, and wherein the second proximal bearing has a distal side operably engaged with the second distal abutment surface, the fourth proximal bearing has a distal side axially abutting a proximal side of the second proximal bearing, and the second dust seal axially abuts a proximal side of the fourth proximal bearing, such that the second proximal bearing and the fourth proximal bearing are axially fixed between the second dust seal and the second distal abutment surface. 
     
     
         21 . The barbell of  claim 20 , wherein the first sleeve assembly further comprises a first washer axially abutting the first distal abutment surface, and the distal side of the first proximal bearing axially abuts the first washer, and wherein the second sleeve assembly further comprises a second washer axially abutting the second distal abutment surface, and the distal side of the second proximal bearing axially abuts the second washer. 
     
     
         22 . The barbell of  claim 18 , wherein the first roller bodies and the second roller bodies are needle roller bodies. 
     
     
         23 . The barbell of  claim 18 , wherein the first seal holder and the second seal holder are formed of a resilient material, and wherein the first seal holder is press fit within the first section of the first axial bore, and the second seal holder is press fit within the first section of the second axial bore. 
     
     
         24 . The barbell of  claim 18 , wherein the first seal holder has a first recess on a distal end thereof and a first flange extending distally from the first seal holder and radially around the first recess, and the first dust seal is connected to the first seal holder within the first recess, and wherein the second seal holder has a second recess on a distal end thereof and a second flange extending distally from the second seal holder and radially around the second recess, and the second dust seal is connected to the second seal holder within the second recess.