Handle for Free Weights

Abstract

A handle assembly for lifting free weights includes a body, a weight shaft extending orthogonally from the body along a longitudinal axis for insertion into a through opening in a weight plate, and a handle assembly including a handle shaft extending upwardly from the body and terminating in a handle.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A handle assembly for lifting free weights comprising:
 a body;   a weight shaft extending orthogonally from the body along a longitudinal axis for insertion into a through opening in a weight plate; and   a handle assembly comprising a handle shaft extending upwardly from the body and terminating in a handle.   
     
     
         2 . The handle assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is pivotally attached to the handle shaft at a pivot. 
     
     
         3 . The handle assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the handle assembly further comprises a weight clamp pivotally coupled to the pivot. 
     
     
         4 . The handle assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the handle is pivotable such that the weight clamp is lifted above the weight plate to facilitate insertion or removal of the weight plate onto or from the weight shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The handle assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the handle comprises a pair of arms extending upwardly from the weight clamp. 
     
     
         6 . The handle assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the handle further comprises a horizontal connector connecting the arms. 
     
     
         7 . The handle assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the connector is rotatably attached to the arms such that the connector rotates as the assembly is lifted. 
     
     
         8 . The handle assembly according to  claim 3 , further comprising a lip extending from the weight clamp at an oblique angle relative to weight clamp. 
     
     
         9 . The handle assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the weight shaft has a generally rectangular cross section with upper and lower arcuate transverse ribs respectively having slots formed between adjacent ribs. 
     
     
         10 . The handle assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein parallel side walls extend between the ribs. 
     
     
         11 . The handle assembly according to  claim 9 , further comprising a retainer clip, wherein each of the slots is sized to accept the retainer clip. 
     
     
         12 . The handle assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cushion attached to the body, across the body from the weight shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The handle assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle shaft includes a lower shaft portion attached to the body and an upper shaft portion telescopically extendable from the lower shaft portion. 
     
     
         14 . A weight lifting assembly comprising:
 the handle assembly according to  claim 1 ; and   a weight vest wearable by a user to support the handle assembly.   
     
     
         15 . The weight lifting assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the vest comprises a handle nest extending outwardly therefrom that allows the to be inserted thereon and vertically support the handle assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The weight lifting assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the handle nest is attached to a vest frame. 
     
     
         17 . The weight lifting assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the vest further comprises a pair of shoulder straps extending upwardly from the frame and to a lower part of the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The weight lifting assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein the shoulder straps comprise front connector strap portions extending therefrom and releasably connectable to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The weight lifting assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the handle nest comprises a concave receiver configured to allow the handle of the handle device to be inserted thereon. 
     
     
         20 . The weight lifting assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the concave receiver comprises a releasable cover strap extending from a first receiver portion to a second receiver portion on the handle nest.