WEIGHTLIFTING BAR

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Provisional U.S. Patent Application Number 63/704,350 filed October 7, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present teachings relate generally to an article of exercise equipment, in particular a weightlifting bar, and more particularly, to an open trap bar.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Open trap bars are commonly used for deadlift exercises. Conventionally, open trap bars may be designed with feet that include endcaps or pads to prevent damage to the open trap bar or gym floor. The feet may be built out of a hollow or lighter weight material which then are attached to the open trap bar. Damage and/or injury may result to the open trap bar, users, or the facility if the feet are removed or fall off.

The device of the present disclosure may solve one or more of the problems set forth in the art. The scope of the current disclosure, however, is defined by the attached claims, and not by the ability to solve any specific problem

SUMMARY

Additional objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary open trap bar, according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the exemplary open trap bar, according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the exemplary open trap bar, according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the exemplary open trap bar, according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the exemplary open trap bar, according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a use of the exemplary open trap bar, according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale; nor are the figures intended to illustrate every embodiment of the invention. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures or the specific components, configurations, shapes, relative sizes, ornamental aspects, or proportions as shown in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening element or layer present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although ordinal numerical terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, as a matter of convenience, and thus these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Further, the numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context, and the numerical terms are interchangeable. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “left,” “right,” “side,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

In the discussion that follows, terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and the like, when used in describing a numerical value, denote a variation of +/- 10% of that value, unless specified otherwise

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary open trap bar 100, open trap bar 100 including a body portion 110 including a left body portion 120, a right body portion 130, and a middle body portion 140 extending between left body portion 120 and right body portion 130. Left body portion 120 may include a left handle 122 configured to be grabbed and held by the left hand of a user, a left sleeve 124 configured to receive one or more weights, and a left foot 126 configured to rest on the ground. Left foot 126 may include a first left foot portion 127, a second left foot portion 128, and a third left foot portion 129.

Right body portion 130 may be a mirror image of left body portion 120. Thus, right body portion 130 may include a right handle 132 configured to be grabbed and held by the right hand of the user, a right sleeve 134 configured to receive one or more weights, and a right foot 136 configured to rest on the ground. Right foot 136 may include a first right foot portion 137, a second right foot portion 138, and a third right foot portion 139. With reference to FIG. 6, the left portion of open trap bar 100 is adjacent the left side of the user, and the right portion of open trap bar 100 is adjacent the right side of the user.

Body portion 110 may include a continuous bar (e.g., extending from left body portion 120 to right body portion 130). When viewed from the front or back, body portion 110 may have a polygonal shape (see, e.g., FIG. 2). For example, body portion 110 may have a hexagonal shape such that left body portion 120 includes two adjacent sides, right body portion 130 includes two adjacent sides, and middle body portion includes two opposing sides. In some embodiments, each of the two adjacent sides of the left body portion 120 and the right body portion 130 may have a bend of 20 degrees where the sides meet. In some embodiments, one side of middle body portion 140 may be open, such that a user may pass or step between left body portion 120 and right body portion 130 to the interior of body portion 110. The bar may be continuous from left body portion 120 to right body portion 130 and open between left foot 126 and right foot 136. Alternatively, in some embodiments, body portion 110 may be a fully enclosed polygonal shape. In some embodiments, the bar may be a cylindrical bar such that the cross section of the bar is a circular shape or an about circular shape. However, a shape of the cross section may be another shape, selected for comfort of the user and stability of the bar.

Left handle 122 and right handle 132 may be disposed on the interior of body portion 110. For example, left handle 122 and right handle 132 may extend from left body portion 120 and right body portion 130, respectively, toward a center of open trap bar 100. In some embodiments, left handle 122 may extend from left body portion 120 towards the center of the interior of the polygonal shape formed by body portion 110. Similarly, right handle 132 may extend from right body portion 130 towards the center of the interior of the polygonal shape formed by body portion 110.

The orientation of left handle 122 and right handle 132 may allow the user to use a neutral grip, i.e., grip the handles with their palms facing inward. A distance between left handle 122 and right handle 132 may be approximately shoulder width of an average user of open trap bar 100. In some embodiments, the distance between left handle 122 and right handle 132 may be wider (e.g., for a wider grip) or more narrow (e.g., for a narrow grip closer to the body of the user.) The position of left handle 122 and right handle 132 may allow the user to step into the interior of body portion 110, lift, and put down open trap bar 100 during use while performing an exercise.

In some embodiments, left handle 122 may have upper gripping portion 125 and a lower gripping portion 123. Similarly, right handle 132 may have upper gripping portion 135 and lower gripping portion 133. Lower gripping portions 123 and 133 may be on the same plane as body portion 110 and upper gripping portions 125 and 135 may be raised above lower gripping portions 123 and 133. This may allow the user to grip the left handle 122 and right handle 132 such that upper gripping portions 125 and 135 are closer to the user’s shoulders during exercise or farther from the user’s shoulders during exercise, depending on the orientation of open trap bar 100 during exercise. In some embodiments, upper gripping portions 125 and 135 and the lower gripping portions 123 and 133 may be equidistant from the plane of body portion 110.

Left sleeve 124 may extend from left body portion 120 away from body portion 110. For example, left sleeve 124 and right sleeve 134 may extend from left body portion 120 and right body portion 130, respectively, toward a center of open trap bar 100. Right sleeve 134 may extend from right body portion 130 away from body portion 110. Left sleeve 124 and right sleeve 134 may be configured to receive and hold one or more weights during exercise, e.g., dead lift exercise. For example, left sleeve 124 and right sleeve 134 may be configured and dimensioned to receive Olympic weight plates, standard weight plates, or any other suitable size. In some embodiments, left sleeve 124 may be coupled to left body portion 120 using fasteners such screws and bolts, or welded directly to body portion 110.

In some embodiments, left sleeve 124 may be a coupled directly to left body portion 120 such that left sleeve 124 and left body portion 120 are formed of a continuous bar. Similarly, in some embodiments, right sleeve 134 may be coupled to right body portion 130 using fasteners, such as screws and bolts, or welded directly to body portion 110. Additionally or alternatively, right sleeve 134 may be a coupled directly to right body portion 130 such that right sleeve 134 and right body portion 130 are formed of a continuous bar on a single plane.

Left foot 126 may be coupled directly to left body portion 120. For example, left foot 126 may be welded directly to left body portion 120. Left foot 126 may include first left foot portion 127, second left foot portion 128, and third left foot portion 129 where third left foot portion 129 extends between first left foot portion 127 and second left foot portion 128. In some embodiments, left body portion 120 may be coupled to left foot 126 at third left foot portion 129, such that left foot 126 extends equally from body portion 120. Left foot 126 may extend orthogonally from the plane of body portion 110. Left foot 126 may be a solid material, e.g., a unitary piece, such that left foot 126 consists of a solid material and is not hollow.

In a similar design to left foot 126 and left body portion 120, right foot 136 may be coupled directly to right body portion 130. For example, right foot 136 may be welded directly to right body portion 130. Right foot 136 may include first right foot portion 137, second right foot portion 138, and third right foot portion 139 where third right foot portion 139 extends between first right foot portion 137 and second right foot portion 138. In some embodiments, right body portion 130 may be coupled to right foot 136 at third right foot portion 139, such that right foot 136 extends equally from body portion 110. Right foot 136 may extend orthogonally from the plane of body portion 110. Right foot 136 may be a solid material, e.g., a unitary piece, such that right foot 136 consists of a solid material and is not hollow.

In some embodiments, left foot 126 is configured to act as a counterweight for body portion 110. In some embodiments, when the user is exercising with open trap bar 100 (e.g., during a dead lift exercise) the plane of body portion 110 may be parallel to the surface the user is standing on. Left foot 126, in conjunction with right foot 136, may act as a counter weight for body portion 110 on the opposite side of left sleeve 124 and right sleeve 134. This may provide a more balanced and stable open trap bar 100, which may increase the safety for users during exercise. For example, when lifting with heavy weights that could cause injury if open trap bar 100 was off balance.

Similarly, the configuration may allow right foot 136 to act as a counterweight for body portion 110. In some embodiments, when the user is exercising with open trap bar 100 (e.g., during a dead lift exercise) the plane of body portion 110 may be parallel to the surface the user is standing on and right foot 136, in conjunction with left foot 126, may act as a counterweight for body portion 110 on the opposite side of right sleeve 134 and left sleeve 124. This may provide a more balanced and stable open trap bar 100, which may increase the safety for users during exercise. For example, when lifting with heavy weights that could cause injury if open trap bar 100 was off balance and the weights were dropped and/or fell off of left sleeve 124 and/or right sleeve 134.

Additionally, due to left foot 126 including a solid material, in some embodiments left foot 126 does not use caps or pads. For example, in such embodiments, first left foot portion 127 and/or second left foot portion 128 do not use caps or pads as covers on the ends. This may reduce the number of removable and/or potentially loose pieces associated with open trap bar 100, which may improve safety of open trap bar 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, open trap bar 100 may use caps and/or pads on left foot 126 and/or right foot 136.

In some embodiments, left foot 126 may comprise two solid pieces, neither of which use caps or pads. For example, left foot 126 may comprise a metal body and a plastic body. In some embodiments, both the metal body and plastic body may be solid bodies such that the bodies are not hollow and do not use caps and/or pads. The metal body may be formed in a curvature, as described below. The plastic body may be formed in a single piece, molded to correspond to the exact curvature of the metal body.

For the same reasons described above, right foot 136 may include a solid material and, as a result, may not use caps or pads. For example, first right foot portion 137 and/or second right foot portion 138 may not use caps or pads as covers on the ends. This may reduce the number of removable and/or potentially loose pieces associated with open trap bar 100, which may improve safety of open trap bar 100.

In some embodiments, right foot 136 may comprise two solid pieces, neither of which use caps or pads. For example, right foot 136 may comprise a metal body and a plastic body. In some embodiments, both the metal body and plastic body may be solid bodies such that the bodies are not hollow and do not use caps and/or pads. The metal body may be formed in a curvature, as described below. The plastic body may be formed in a single piece, molded to correspond to the exact curvature of the metal body.

In some embodiments, left foot 126 may be curved and/or have a bend, as shown in at least FIGS. 1 and 5. The shape of left foot 126 may allow left foot 126 and right foot 136 to support open trap bar 100 when it is placed on a surface. In some embodiments, first left foot portion 127 and second left foot portion 128 may curve outward to be wider than third left foot portion 129. This may create a wider base for open trap bar 100 when it is resting on left foot 126 and/or right foot 136. For example, the user may place open trap bar 100 on a surface (e.g., a gym floor) such that the plane of body portion 110 is orthogonal to the surface and first left foot portion 127 and second left foot portion 128 extend parallel to the surface. First left foot portion 127 and second left foot portion 128 having a curved portion allowing those portions to be wider than third left foot portion 129, may establish a more stable base for open trap bar 100. The stable base may prevent open trap bar 100 from tipping over first left foot portion 127 and/or second left foot portion 128.

Additionally, left foot 126 may have a bend such that first left foot portion 127 and/or second left foot portion 128 extend farther from left body portion 120 than third left foot portion 129. Similarly, this may contribute to a more stable base, preventing open trap bar 100 from tipping over unexpectedly and potentially causing damage or injury.

In some embodiments, right foot 136 may be curved and/or have a bend. The shape of right foot 136 may allow left foot 126 and right foot 136 to support open trap bar 100 when it is placed on a surface. In some embodiments, first right foot portion 137 and second right foot portion 138 may carve outward to be wider than third right foot portion 139. This may create a wider base for open trap bar 100 when it is resting on left foot 126 and/or right foot 136. For example, the user may place open trap bar 100 on a surface such that the plane of body portion 110 is orthogonal to the surface and first right foot portion 137 and second right foot portion 138 extend parallel to the surface. First right foot portion 137 and second right foot portion 138 having a curved portion allowing those portions to be wider than third right foot portion 139, may establish a more stable base. The stable base may prevent open trap bar 100 from tipping over first right foot portion 137 and/or second right foot portion 138.

Additionally, right foot 136 may have a bend such that first right foot portion 137 and/or second right foot portion 138 extend farther from right body portion 130 than third right foot portion 139. Similarly, this may contribute to a more stable base, preventing open trap bar 100 from tipping over unexpectedly and potentially causing damage or injury.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of exemplary open trap bar 100, according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. As discussed above, in some embodiments, the user may rest open trap bar 100 on a surface via left foot 126 and right foot 136. Left foot 126 and right foot 136 may stabilize open trap bar 100 while the user is adding and removing weights. For example, the user may rest open trap bar 100 on a gym floor and add one or more weights to left sleeve 124 and right sleeve 134. This may create an unbalanced weight distribution between left sleeve 124 and right sleeve 134 while the weights are being added and/or removed. The weight and curved design of left foot 126 and right foot 136 may allow the user to add and/or remove weight one at a time to left sleeve 124 and right sleeve 134 without open trap bar 100 tipping over due to the unbalanced between left sleeve 124 and right sleeve 134.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a top view and bottom view of the exemplary open trap bar, respectively, according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. As discussed above, in some embodiments, left foot 126 may include first left foot portion 127 and second left foot portion 128 which are wider and/or extend farther from body portion 110 than third left foot portion 129. Similarly, right foot 136 may include first right foot portion 137 and second right foot portion 138 which are wider and/or extend farther from body portion 110 than third right foot portion 139. In some examples, first left foot portion 127 and second left foot portion 128 may be curved at an angle between 30°–45°, outward from third left foot portion 128. Additionally or alternatively, first left foot portion 127 and second left foot portion 128 may bend downward (e.g., away from body portion 110) at an angle of between 30°–45°. The angle may be dependent on the weight and design of body portion 120 and/or the weight left sleeve 124 and/or right sleeve 134 are configured to hold. For example, in some embodiments the angle may be 33° to best support the body portion 120, the weight left sleeve 124 and/or right sleeve 134. Additionally or alternatively, the angle to best support the body portion 120, the weight left sleeve 124 and/or right sleeve 134 may be 44°.

Similarly, first right foot portion 137 and second right foot portion 138 may be curved at an angle of between 30°–45°, outward from third right foot portion 138. Additionally or alternatively, first right foot portion 137 and second right foot portion 138 may bend downward (e.g., away from body portion 110) at an angle of between 30°–45°. For example, in some embodiments the angle may be 33° to best support the body portion 120, the weight left sleeve 124 and/or right sleeve 134. Additionally or alternatively, the angle to best support the body portion 120, the weight left sleeve 124 and/or right sleeve 134 may be 44°.

The curve(s) of left foot 126 and/or right foot 136 may stabilize open trap bar 100. Additionally, the use of a solid material for left foot 126 and right foot 136 may create a stronger base for open trap bar 100 when weights are coupled to left sleeve 124 and/or right sleeve 134.

In some embodiments, left foot 126 and right foot 136 may comprise two solid pieces, neither of which use caps or pads. For example, right foot 136 may comprise a metal body and a plastic body. In some embodiments, both the metal body and plastic body may be solid bodies such that the bodies are not hollow and do not use caps and/or pads. The metal body may be formed in a curvature, as described below. The plastic body may be formed in a single piece, molded to correspond to the exact curvature of the metal body.

In some embodiments, when left foot 126 includes first left foot portion 127, second left foot portion, 128, and third left foot portion 129, each portion may comprise a portion of the two bodes (e.g., metal body and plastic body) as described with reference to a single body. For example, first left foot portion 127 may include a metal body and a corresponding plastic body of left foot 126. Additionally or alternatively, when right foot 136 includes first right foot portion 137, second right foot portion, 138, and third right foot portion 139, each portion may comprise a portion of the two bodes (e.g., metal body and plastic body) as described with reference to a single body. For example, first right foot portion 137 may include a metal body and a corresponding plastic body of right foot 136.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the exemplary open trap bar, according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. As discussed above, in some embodiments, first left foot portion 127 and second left foot portion 128 may extend outward from third left foot portion 129. Third left foot portion 129 may be coupled to left body portion 120 at the plane of body portion 110, such that first left foot portion 127 and second left foot portion 128 extend from third left foot portion 129 at an equal distance. This may stabilize open trap bar 100 when being rested on left foot 126 and/or right foot 136.

Additionally or alternatively, first left foot portion 127 and second left foot portion 128 may be curved or rounded on the ends farthest from third left foot portion 129. This may allow the user to rest open trap bar 100 on a surface such that the plane of body portion 110 is parallel to the surface and left foot 126 is orthogonal to the surface. Conventionally, caps and/or pads may be used to protect the foot and/or surface from damage. However, the design of left foot 126 being a solid material may allow the ends to be shaped so that they are curved, rounded, and/or bent to prevent damage. Additionally, the edges may be beveled or rounded so that they are not hard edges, to prevent damage to open trap bar 100 and/or the surface.

The side view described in FIG. 5 may be described with reference to left body portion 120. However, the description similarly applies to the corresponding elements of right body portion 130, which may mirror left body portion 120, as described below.

First right foot portion 137 and second right foot portion 138 may extend outward from third right foot portion 139. Third right foot portion 139 may be coupled to right body portion 130 at the plane of body portion 110, such that first right foot portion 137 and second right foot portion 138 extend from third right foot portion 139 at an equal distance. This may stabilize open trap bar 100 when being rested on left foot 126 and/or right foot 136.

Additionally or alternatively, first right foot portion 137 and second right foot portion 138 may be curved or rounded on the ends farthest from third right foot portion 139. This may allow the user to rest open trap bar 100 on a surface such that the plane of body portion 110 is parallel to the surface and right foot 136 is orthogonal to the surface. Conventionally, caps and/or pads may be used to protect the foot and/or surface from damage. However, the design of right foot 136 being a solid material may allow the ends to be shaped so that they are curved, rounded, and/or bent to prevent damage. Additionally, the edges may be beveled or rounded so that they are not hard edges, to prevent damage to open trap bar 100 and/or the surface

FIG. 6 illustrates a use of open trap bar 100, according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. For example, the user may place weights on left sleeve 124 and/or right sleeve 134. The user may step into the interior of body portion 110. The user may grip left handle 122 and/or right handle 132. The user may then proceed to exercise using open trap bar 100 by lifting, holding, and/or placing back down open trap bar 100 on a surface (e.g., the gym floor). In some embodiments, before, during, and/or after use the user may rest open trap bar 100 on the surface when the user is not lifting open trap bar 100 via left handle 122 and/or right handle 132. Open trap bar may be rested on left foot 126 and/or right foot 136. As described throughout, left foot 126 and/or right foot 136 may be configured such that the plane of body portion 110 is parallel or orthogonal to the surface.

In some instances, there may be additional methods for using open trap bar 100 during exercise beyond what is illustrated in FIG. 6. This disclosure is not limited to the exercise shown in FIG. 6. The features and elements described with reference to open trap bar 100 may apply to different variations and uses of open trap bars generally. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the system will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.