Interchangeable Weight Bar Device

Abstract

An interchangeable weight bar device for attaching numerous weightlifting bars to a Smith machine includes a frame that has a base, a top, and a pair of columns that are coupled to and extend between the base and the top. A pair of sleeves are movably coupled to the pair of columns. A pair of tubes is coupled to the pair of sleeves. A barbell is movably coupled to the frame wherein the barbell is slidable along the pair of columns between the base and the top of the frame to facilitate a user in lifting weights. The barbell includes a pair of outer sections that are positioned to extend through the pair of tubes wherein each outer section of the pair of outer sections is positioned within a respective tube of the pair of tubes. A central section is removably couplable to the pair of outer sections.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A weightlifting assembly comprising:
 a frame having a base, a top, and a pair of columns being coupled to and extending between the base and the top, the frame further including:
 a pair of sleeves being movably coupled to the pair of columns; and 
 a pair of tubes being coupled to the pair of sleeves wherein each tube of the pair of tubes is positioned on a respective sleeve of the pair of sleeves; 
   a barbell being movably coupled to the frame wherein the barbell is slidable along the pair of columns between the base and the top of the frame and wherein the barbell is configured to facilitate a user in lifting weights, the barbell including:
 a pair of outer sections being positioned to extend through the pair of tubes wherein each outer section of the pair of outer sections is positioned within a respective tube of the pair of tubes; and 
 a central section being removably couplable to the pair of outer sections. 
   
     
     
         2 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 1 , the central section further comprising a plurality of interchangeable central sections wherein each interchangeable central section of the plurality of interchangeable central sections is selectively couplable to the pair of outer sections. 
     
     
         3 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 2 , the plurality of interchangeable central sections further comprising:
 a standard barbell insert; and   a buffalo bar insert.   
     
     
         4 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 3 , the plurality of interchangeable central sections further comprising a multi-grip barbell insert. 
     
     
         5 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 4 , the plurality of interchangeable central sections further comprising a safety squat bar insert. 
     
     
         6 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 5 , the plurality of interchangeable central sections further comprising an open trap bar insert. 
     
     
         7 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 5 , the plurality of interchangeable central sections further comprising a pair of independently operated levers. 
     
     
         8 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 7 , each independently operated lever of the pair of independently operated levers having a lever aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupler releasably securing the central section to the pair of outer sections of the barbell. 
     
     
         10 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 9 , the coupler further comprising:
 a pair of outer section end caps being coupled to the pair of outer sections;   an outer section end cap opening extending into each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps; and   a pair of insert end caps being coupled to the central section, the pair of insert end caps being removably positionable within the pair of outer section end caps through the outer section end cap opening.   
     
     
         11 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 10 , the coupler further comprising:
 a pair of slots extending through each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps;   a pair of coupler pegs being coupled to and extending outwardly from each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the pair of coupler pegs being alignable with the pair of slots whereby the pair of coupler pegs are positionable to rest within the pair of slots;   a coupler spring being positioned within each outer section of the pair of outer sections adjacent to the pair of outer section end caps;   a coupler button being coupled to the coupler spring within each outer section of the pair of outer sections, each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps pushing the coupler button to compress the coupler spring when each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps is inserted into the outer section end cap opening, the coupler button being released when the pair of coupler pegs are positioned within the pair of slots, the coupler spring being biased to expand when the coupler button is released wherein the coupler button and the coupler spring secure the pair of coupler pegs within the pair of slots.   
     
     
         12 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 10 , the coupler further comprising:
 a pair of grooves extending into each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps;   a pair of latches being pivotably coupled to each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps;   a pair of tongues being coupled to and extending outwardly from each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the pair of tongues being positionable within the pair of grooves;   a pair of bores extending into each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the pair of latches being pivotable to engage the pair of bores to secure the pair of insert end caps within the pair of outer section end caps.   
     
     
         13 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 10 , the coupler further comprising:
 a plate being coupled to each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps, the outer section end cap opening extending through the plate;   a cross-member aperture extending through the plate;   an insert cutout extending through each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps;   a plurality of plate through-holes extending through the plate;   a recess extending into each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps;   a fin being coupled to and extending outwardly from each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the fin being positionable within the cross-member aperture; and   a plurality of poles being coupled to and extending outwardly from each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the plurality of poles being positionable within the plurality of plate through-holes to secure a position of the pair of insert end caps within the pair of outer section end caps.   
     
     
         14 . A weightlifting assembly comprising:
 a frame having a base, a pair of forward rails, a pair of rearward rails, and a top, the pair of forward rails being coupled to and extending between the base and the top, the pair of rearward rails being coupled to and extending between the base and the top, the pair of forward rails being perpendicular to the base and the top, the pair of rearward rails being angled to extend upwardly from the base and inwardly toward the pair of forward rails, each forward rail of the pair of forward rails being aligned with a respective rearward rail of the pair of rearward rails, the frame further including:
 a pair of columns being coupled to and extending between the base and the top of the frame, the pair of columns being positioned proximate to the pair of forward rails, the pair of columns being positioned between the pair of forward rails and the pair of rearward rails, the pair of columns being parallel to the pair of forward rails; 
 a pair of sleeves being movably coupled to the pair of columns wherein each sleeve of the pair of sleeves is positioned on a respective column of the pair of columns, the pair of sleeves being slidable along the pair of columns between the base and the top of the frame, the pair of sleeves being parallel to the pair of columns; 
 a pair of tubes being coupled to the pair of sleeves wherein each tube of the pair of tubes is positioned on a respective sleeve of the pair of sleeves, the pair of tubes being perpendicular to the pair of sleeves; 
   a barbell being movably coupled to the frame, the barbell being slidable along the pair of columns between the base and the top of the frame wherein the barbell is configured to facilitate a user in lifting weights, the barbell including:
 a pair of outer sections being positioned to extend through the pair of tubes wherein each outer section of the pair of outer sections is positioned within a respective tube of the pair of tubes, each outer section of the pair of outer sections having a length exceeding a length of the respective tube of the pair of tubes; and 
 a plurality of interchangeable central sections being removably couplable to the pair of outer sections wherein the plurality of interchangeable central sections is configured to facilitate the user in sliding the barbell along the pair of columns when the user is lifting weights, the plurality of interchangeable central sections including:
 a standard barbell insert being linear; 
 a buffalo bar insert being arcuate; 
 a multi-grip barbell insert having a pair of barbell lateral members and a plurality of barbell cross-members being coupled to and extending between the pair of barbell lateral members; 
 a safety squat bar insert having a pair of arms extending outwardly from a rod, the pair of arms being spaced from each other wherein the pair of arms are configured to be positionable to rest on a pair of shoulders of the user, the safety squat bar insert further including a padding material, the padding material being positioned on each arm of the pair of arms, the padding material being positioned on the rod between the pair of arms; 
 an open trap bar insert having a pair of handles being coupled to and extending outwardly from a shaft; 
 a pair of independently operated levers, each independently operated lever of the pair of independently operated levers having a lever aperture being configured to facilitate the user in coupling attachments to the pair of independently operated levers; 
 
   a coupler releasably securing a selectable interchangeable central section of the plurality of interchangeable central sections to the pair of outer sections of the barbell, the coupler including:
 a pair of outer section end caps being coupled to the pair of outer sections wherein each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps is positioned on a respective outer section of the pair of outer sections; 
 an outer section end cap opening extending into each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps; 
 a pair of insert end caps being coupled to each interchangeable central section of the plurality of interchangeable central sections, the pair of insert end caps being removably positionable within the pair of outer section end caps through the outer section end cap opening; 
   a safety cache being coupled to the barbell and the frame, the safety cache releasably securing a position of the barbell relative to the base and the top of the frame wherein the safety cache is configured to inhibit the barbell from falling while the user is lifting weights, the safety cache including:
 a plurality of posts being coupled to each forward rail of the pair of forward rails, the plurality of posts extending outwardly from each forward rail of the pair of forward rails wherein a first set of posts being positioned on a first forward rail of the pair of forward rails extend toward a second set of posts being positioned on a second forward rail of the pair of forward rails, the first set of posts being vertically aligned with each other along the first forward rail, the second set of posts being vertically aligned with each other along the second forward rail, each post of the first set of posts being horizontally aligned with a respective post of the second set of posts; 
 a pair of hooks being coupled to the pair of outer sections of the barbell, each hook of the pair of hooks being positioned proximate to a respective forward rail of the pair of forward rails of the frame, the pair of hooks extending upwardly from the barbell toward the top of the frame, the barbell being pivotably coupled to the pair of tubes wherein the barbell is pivotable forwardly toward the pair of forward rails and backwardly toward the pair of rearward rails within the pair of tubes, the pair of hooks including:
 a first hook being positionable to engage a selectable post of the first set of posts when the barbell is pivoted forwardly toward the pair of forward rails; 
 a second hook being positionable to engage the respective post of the second set of posts; 
 the first hook and the second hook being spaced from the plurality of posts while the barbell is pivoted backwardly toward the pair of rearward rails. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 14 , the coupler further comprising:
 a pair of slots extending through each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps, the pair of slots being spaced from each other, each slot of the pair of slots including:
 a slot first portion extending through an outer section end cap forward edge toward a respective outer section of the pair of outer sections, the slot first portion being parallel to the pair of outer sections; 
 a slot second portion being coupled to and extending from the slot first portion, the slot second portion having a slot second portion primary edge and a slot second portion secondary edge; 
 a slot third portion being coupled to and extending from the slot second portion away from the respective outer section, the slot third portion being parallel to the slot first portion, the slot second portion primary edge being convexly arcuate between the slot first portion and the slot third portion, the slot second portion secondary edge being concavely arcuate between the slot first portion and the slot third portion; 
   a pair of coupler pegs being coupled to and extending outwardly from each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the pair of coupler pegs being spaced from each other wherein the pair of coupler pegs are alignable with the pair of slots whereby the pair of coupler pegs are positionable to rest within the pair of slots, the pair of coupler pegs being parallel to each other, the pair of coupler pegs being perpendicular to the pair of insert end caps;   a coupler spring being positioned within each outer section of the pair of outer sections adjacent to the pair of outer section end caps, the coupler spring being biased to expand; and   a coupler button being coupled to the coupler spring within each outer section of the pair of outer sections, each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps pushing the coupler button to compress the coupler spring while the pair of coupler pegs are positioned within the slot first portion and the slot second portion of the pair of slots, the coupler button being released while the pair of coupler pegs are positioned within the slot third portion of the pair of slots, the coupler spring being biased to expand when the coupler button is released wherein the coupler button and the coupler spring secure the pair of coupler pegs within the slot third portion of the pair of slots.   
     
     
         16 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 14 , the coupler further comprising:
 a pair of grooves extending into an outer section end cap interior surface of each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps, the pair of grooves being spaced from each other across each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps, the pair of grooves being parallel to the respective outer section;   a pair of latches being pivotably coupled to each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps wherein the pair of latches are pivotable upwardly away from each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps and downwardly toward each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps, the pair of latches being spaced from the outer section end cap opening;   a pair of tongues being coupled to and extending outwardly from each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the pair of tongues being spaced from each other wherein the pair of tongues are alignable with the pair of grooves, the pair of tongues being positionable within the pair of grooves when the pair of insert end caps are positioned within the pair of outer section end caps; and   a pair of bores extending into each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the pair of bores being spaced from each other wherein the pair of bores are alignable with the pair of latches when the pair of insert end caps are positioned within the pair of outer section end caps, the pair of latches being engageable with the pair of bores when the pair of latches are pivoted downwardly toward each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps to secure the pair of insert end caps within the pair of outer section end caps, the pair of latches releasing the pair of bores when the pair of latches are pivoted upwardly away from each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps to release the pair of insert end caps from the pair of outer section end caps.   
     
     
         17 . The weightlifting assembly of  claim 14 , the coupler further comprising:
 a plate being coupled to each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps, the plate being distally positioned on each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps relative to the respective outer section, the outer section end cap opening extending through the plate wherein the outer section end cap opening is perpendicular to the respective outer section of the barbell;   a cross-member aperture extending through the plate, the cross-member aperture being coupled to the outer section end cap opening, the cross-member aperture being perpendicular to the outer section end cap opening wherein the cross-member aperture and the outer section end cap opening define a T-shape extending through the plate;   an insert cutout extending through each outer section end cap of the pair of outer section end caps, the insert cutout being coupled to the outer section end cap opening adjacent to the cross-member aperture wherein the insert cutout extends away from the plate toward the respective outer section of the barbell, the insert cutout being parallel to the respective outer section of the barbell;   a plurality of plate through-holes extending through the plate;   a recess extending into each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps;   a fin being coupled to and extending outwardly from each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the fin being perpendicular to each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the fin being positionable within the cross-member aperture; and   a plurality of poles being coupled to and extending outwardly from each insert end cap of the pair of insert end caps, the plurality of poles being positionable within the plurality of plate through-holes to secure a position of the pair of insert end caps within the pair of outer section end caps.