Systems For Supporting Dumbbells

Abstract

The present disclosure generally pertains to barbell and dumbbell support systems that allow for a user to perform exercises without requiring movement of the body of the user from the proximity of weight support assemblies when weights are in use. Weight support systems include extendable arm assemblies for the holding and positioning of barbells or dumbbells in a location conducive to performing exercises. Extendable arm assemblies automatically retract when a user removes the barbell or dumbbells from the assemblies, allowing the user to perform the intended exercise without moving away from the system. The retracted position of the extendable arm assemblies allows the user to replace the weights without the assistance of others at the conclusion of the exercise.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting a weight used during exercises comprising:
 a base configured for being movably coupled to and extending horizontally from a vertically extending support frame,   an arm assembly including a first arm having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being pivotally coupled to and extending vertically from the base, and   a cradle coupled to the upper end of the first arm, the cradle being configured for supporting the weight,   wherein the arm assembly is configured for selectively pivoting the cradle between a first position when the weight is supported by the cradle and a second position when the weight is removed from the cradle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first position includes the cradle being at a first distance from the support frame and the second position includes the cradle being at a second distance from the support frame, the first distance being longer than the second distance. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the arm assembly includes a second arm pivotally coupled to and between the base and the cradle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further including a strut assembly coupled to and between the first arm and the second arm, the strut assembly being configured to move the cradle from the first position to the second position when the weight is removed from the cradle. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle includes a lower cradle frame having a pair of opposed support plates, each support plate having an upturned free end. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a vertically arranged sleeve to which the base is coupled, the sleeve being configured to slidably engage the support frame. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further including a first hinge arm pivotally coupled to the sleeve, a second hinge arm pivotally coupled at one end thereof to the first arm and hingedly coupled to the first hinge arm at a second end thereof, and a spring assembly coupled to and between the base and the second end of the second hinge arm. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further including a roller arm having a first end portion pivotally coupled to the upper end of the first arm and a second end portion supporting a wheel arranged to roll against the sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the weight is selected from the group consisting of a barbell and a dumbbell. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for supporting a weight used during exercises comprising:
 a base operatively coupled to and extending horizontally from a support frame,   an arm assembly extending vertically from the base, and   a cradle supported by the arm assembly and configured for holding the weight,   wherein the arm assembly is configured for (i) maintaining the cradle in a first position when the weight is located on the cradle, (ii) pivoting the cradle from the first position to a second position when the weight is removed from the cradle, and (iii) pivoting the cradle from the second position to the first position when the weight is placed on the cradle, the first position including the cradle being at a first distance from the support frame and the second position including the cradle being at a second distance from the support frame, the first distance being longer than the second distance.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the arm assembly includes a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm being pivotally coupled to the base. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further including a strut assembly coupled to and between the first arm and the second arm, the strut assembly being configured for forcing the cradle to pivot from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further including a vertically arranged connection plate to which the base is coupled, the connection plate being configured for selectively attaching to the support frame. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further including a first hinge arm pivotally coupled to the connection plate, a second hinge arm pivotally coupled at one end thereof to the arm assembly and hingedly coupled to the first hinge arm at a second end thereof, and a spring assembly coupled to and between the base and the second end of the second hinge arm. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further including a roller arm having a first end portion pivotally coupled to the arm assembly and a second end portion supporting a rotatable member, the support frame being arranged between the rotatable member and the arm assembly. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for supporting a weight used during exercises comprising:
 a frame arm extending vertically,   a base operatively coupled to and extending horizontally from the frame arm,   a cradle for supporting the weight,   a pivot arm extending vertically to and between the base and the cradle, the pivot arm being pivotally coupled to the base,   a first cradle position, the first cradle position including the cradle being at a first distance from the frame arm,   a second cradle position, the second cradle position including the cradle being at a second distance from the frame arm, the first distance being longer than the second distance, and   a first force exerted on the pivot arm sufficient to cause the cradle to pivot from the first cradle position to the second cradle position when the weight is not supported by the cradle.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the cradle is pivotally coupled to the pivot arm. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first force is exerted on the pivot arm by a strut. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first force is exerted on the pivot arm by a spring. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first force is exerted on the pivot arm by a downwardly-curved arm coupled to and between the pivot arm and a rotatable member wherein the frame arm is located between the pivot arm and the rotatable member.