Plate-lock

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/659,568 filed on Feb. 9, 2005, specifications which are incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the health and fitness industry, specifically free weight training, and provides a safer and more convenient alternative to the use of bar clamps and/or locking collars as a method of securing weighted plates to weight lifting bars.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In the past and present, gyms, fitness centers and health clubs which provide free weights for their clients would also provide bar clamps or safety collars to secure weighted plates on a barbell and/or dumbbell. This would allow the end user or weight lifter to use the weights without the weights sliding off or wandering on the bar during use allowing the end user to lift in a safer capacity.

There are many types of safety collars, but nothing as unique as Plate-Lock. What makes Plate-Lock a far superior product to all safety collars?

• • A. Plate-Lock is defined as a weighted plate with a built in locking mechanism
  • B. Plate-lock puts the free weight securing mechanism at the users' fingertips whenever a weight is applied to a bar.
  • C. Due to the convenience of an all-in-one weight plate with safety mechanism built in more users will secure their weight plates while lifting.
  • D. Plate-Lock is less time consuming to use than a weighted plate with separate safety collar.
  • E. Plate-lock eliminates an inconvenient accessory, which can at times become a tripping hazard on gym and/or home gym floors.
  • F. Plate-Lock will prevent the weight plate from sliding and or wandering on the bar, keeping weights balanced while in use.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Besides the objects and advantages of the Plate-Lock illustrated and described above, many objects and advantages of the present invention are:

• • A. To provide a weighted plate with self-contained securing mechanism.
  • B. To prevent the end user from having to search for a safety collar or bar clamp with which to secure a weighted plate to a weight lifting bar or dumbell.
  • C. To provide the end user more time lifting free weights and less time searching for safety collars.
  • D. To provide a safer environment in a weight lifting facility and/or home gym by keeping it free from the obstruction of safety collars and/or bar clamps on the floor.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, Plate-Lock comprises a self-contained securing mechanism which is manufactured into the weighted plate.

DRAWINGS AND FIGURES

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different numerical suffixes.

FIG. 1.1 illustrates the weighted plate.

FIG. 1.2 illustrates the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 1.3 illustrates the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 1.4 illustrates the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

FIG. 2.1 illustrates the weighted plate.

FIG. 2.2 illustrates the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 2.3 illustrates the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 2.4 illustrates the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

FIG. 3.1 illustrates the weighted plate.

FIG. 3.2 illustrates the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 3.3 illustrates the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 3.4 illustrates the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

FIG. 4.1 illustrates the weighted plate

FIG. 4.2 illustrates the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 4.3 illustrates the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 4.4 illustrates the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. Weighted Plate. 3. Clamp decreasing mechanism.

2. Handle of the clamp decreasing 4. Decreasing clamp ring and/or mechanism. gripping mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS—FIGS. 1(4), 2(4), 3(4), & 4(4)

FIG. 1.1 illustrates the angled view of the weighted plate. FIG. 1.2 illustrates the angled view of the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 1.3 illustrates the angled view of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 1.4 illustrates the angled view of the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism. FIG. 2.1 illustrates the side view of the weighted plate. FIG. 2.2 illustrates the side view of the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 2.3 illustrates the side view of the clamp decreasing mechanism.. FIG. 2.4 illustrates the side view of the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism. FIG. 3.1 illustrates the reverse angled view of the weighted plate. FIG. 3.2 illustrates the reverse angled view of the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 3.3 illustrates the reverse angle view of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 3.4 illustrates the reverse angle view of the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism. FIG. 4.1 illustrates the reverse side view of the weighted plate. FIG. 4.2 illustrates the reverse side view of the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 4.3 illustrates the reverse side view of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 4.4 illustrates the reverse side view of the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

OPERATIONS—FIGS. 1, 2, 3, & 4

Plate lock is used to secure a weighted plate on a bar.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, & 4 depict the self-contained securing mechanism of Plate-Lock.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, & 4 depict the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, & 4 depict the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, & 4 depict the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

From the description above, a number of advantages of Plate-Lock become evident.

• • A. With a self-contained securing mechanism, accessory safety collars and/or bar clamps will be no longer be needed.
  • B. With Plate-Lock there will be no time spent searching for safety collars, making time spent in the gym and/or home gym more efficient.
  • C. Due to it's increased convenience, Plate-lock will make securing weighted plates to bars and dumbbells easier and therefore more widely practiced. In essence it will make free weight training in gyms and/or home gyms safer and more user friendly.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see how Plate-Lock will be beneficial to the weight lifting and/or health industry.

• • Plate-Lock will help create a safer environment in the gym and/or home gym.
  • Plate-Lock will free up end users time, in that they will no longer have to search for safety collars which are used today.
  • Plate-Lock will be the safe way to secure a weighted plate on a bar. Due to it's convenience more users will secure their weights to the bar.