HYBRID HOOK FOR WEIGHT TRAINING

CROCHET HYBRIDE DESTINE A L'ENTRAINEMENT AUX POIDS

English Abstract

Here is disclosed an attachment for a pull up cable of a weight training
machine. The attachment
is for use with a free weight having a pair of weights on either end of a
handle. The attachment
includes an elongated member having opposite ends with a hook formed on each
of the opposite
ends of the elongated member. An attachment member is formed on the elongated
member
midway between the opposite ends. Each of the hooks are dimensioned to hook
onto the handle
portion of the free weight. The hooks are separated from each other by a
distance sufficient to
permit a user to grasp the handle of the free weight between the hooks.
Finally, the attachment
member is configured to couple to the pull up cable of the weight machine.

Claims

Therefore, what is claimed is:
1. An attachment for a pull up cable of a weight training machine for use
with a free
weight having a pair of weights on either end of a handle, the attachment
comprising:
a. An elongated member having opposite ends, a hook formed on each of the
opposite ends of the elongated member, an attachment member formed on the
elongated member midway between the opposite ends;
b. each of the hooks dimensioned to hook onto the handle portion of the
free weight;
c. the hooks being separated by distance sufficient to permit a user to grasp
the
handle of the free weight between the hooks, and
d. the attachment member configured to couple to the pull up cable of the
weight
machine.
2. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the attachment member comprises a flat
member
with an aperture passing there through, the aperture dimensioned to receive a
carabineer coupled to the pull up cable.
3. The attachment of claim 1 wherein each of the hooks is formed as a
perpendicular
extension from the elongated member, the hook having a curved terminal end
dimensioned to receive the handle portion of the free weight, the curved
terminal end
separated from the elongated member by a length sufficient to permit the
user's hand
to pass between the handle portion of the free weight and the elongated
portion.
4. The attachment of claim 3 wherein the distance separating the hooks is
at least 5
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inches and wherein the length is at least 4 inches.
5. The attachment of claim 2 wherein the elongated member has opposite
sides and
wherein the attachment member is positioned on the opposite side of the
elongated
member relative to the hooks.
6. An attachment for a pull up cable of a weight training machine for use
with a
dumbbell having a pair of weights on either end of a handle, the attachment
comprising:
a. An elongated member having opposite ends, a hook formed on each of the
opposite ends of the elongated member, an attachment member formed on the
elongated member midway between the opposite ends;
b. each of the hooks dimensioned to hook onto the handle portion of the
free weight;
c. the hooks being separated by distance sufficient to position the hooks
adjacent to
and between the weights, and
d. the attachment member configured to couple to the pull up cable of the
weight
machine.
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Description

CA 02860364 2014-08-21
TITLE: Hybrid Hook for Weight Training
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to weight training machines which use
primarily gravity
as a source of resistance and an combination of cables and pulleys to convey
that resistance to
the person using the machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Weight training involves the repetitive use of certain resistance exercises to
train various muscle
groups in the body. Weight training can be achieved using a variety of
different techniques
aided by a variety of different devices. Free weights, such as dumbbells and
bar bells are
tradition weight training equipment, which are very effective for the purpose
of weight training
when used appropriately. Weight training machines are another form of weight
training
equipment which uses a series of simple machines, such as levers and pulleys,
to deliver a source
of resistance to a user. Weight training machines usually use a series of
heavy weights which are
coupled to the simple machines as a source of resistance; however, weight
training machines
which use elastic deformation of bands or elongated members are also known.
Weight training
machines have the advantage of being easy to set up and use and can provide a
user with a work
out targeting specific muscle groups. Free weights are also very effective,
and have added
benefits such as versatility and the ability to work out several muscle groups
simultaneously.
Each type of equipment has its advantages and disadvantages; however, nearly
all serious weight
trainers will use free weights. Unfortunately, free weights do require some
skill to use properly,
particularly if the trainer wishes to target specific muscle groups while
avoiding injury or strain.
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CA 02860364 2014-08-21
A system which combines the advantages of both types of training equipment
would be
beneficial.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
attachment
for a pull up cable of a weight training machine. The attachment is for use
with a free weight
having a pair of weights on either end of a handle. The attachment includes an
elongated
member having opposite ends with a hook formed on each of the opposite ends of
the elongated
member. An attachment member is formed on the elongated member midway between
the
opposite ends. Each of the hooks are dimensioned to hook onto the handle
portion of the free
weight. The hooks are separated from each other by a distance sufficient to
permit a user to
grasp the handle of the free weight between the hooks. Finally, the attachment
member is
configured to couple to the pull up cable of the weight machine.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided
an
attachment for a pull up cable of a weight training machine. The attachment is
for use with a
dumbbell having a pair of weights on either end of a handle. The attachment
includes an
elongated member having opposite ends with a hook formed on each of the
opposite ends of the
elongated member. An attachment member is formed on the elongated member
midway
between the opposite ends. Each of the hooks are dimensioned to hook onto the
handle portion
of the free weight. The hooks are separated from each other by a distance
sufficient to position
the hooks adjacent to and between the weights. Finally, the attachment member
is configured to
couple to the pull up cable of the weight machine.
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With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to
those
skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification
proceeds, the invention is
herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part
hereof, which
includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles
of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure1 is a side view, partly in perspective, showing a weight machine
attachment made in
accordance with the present invention coupled to a dumbbell.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the weight machine attachment shown in
figure 1.
Figure 3 is an expanded view of the attachment portion of the weight machine
attachment of
figure 2.
Figure 4 is an expanded view of the hook portion of the present invention
being coupled to the
handle of a dumbbell.
Figure 5 is a side view of the present invention being used by a person for
weight training.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the weight machine attachment made in
accordance with the
present invention.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
the different
figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to figures 6, a weight attachment made in accordance with the
present
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CA 02860364 2014-08-21
invention is shown generally as item 12 and consists of an elongated member 16
having opposite
ends 18 and 20. Hooks 22 and 24 are formed on opposite ends 18 and 20,
respectively.
Preferably, elongated member 16 and hooks 22 and 24 are formed from a
continuous steel rod
with hooks 22 and 24 formed as perpendicular extensions from the elongated
member. Hooks 20
and 24 are curved with ends 26 and 28, respectively, oriented backward towards
elongated
member 16. An attachment member 30 is formed on elongated member 16 midway
between
hooks 22 and 24 opposite the hooks. An aperture 32 is formed in attachment 30.
Preferably
attachment 30 consists of a flat steel member welded to the steel rod forming
elongated member
16. The distance separating hooks 22 and 24 from each other is preferably at
least about 5 inches
to permit the user to fit his hand between the hooks. Hooks 22 and 24 have
terminal curved ends
34 and 36 respectively, representing the further most extension of the hooks
away from
elongated member 16. The distance between terminal curved ends 34 and 36 and
elongated
member 16 is preferably at least 4 inches to enable the user to position his
or her hand between
the terminal curved ends and the elongated portion.
Referring now to figure 1, attachment 12 is suited for coupling free weight 38
with
weight training machine 46. Weight training machine 46 has a plurality of
weights 54 which are
coupled to cable 48 and end 50 by a series of pulleys such that pulling on end
50 causes the
weights 54 to lift with weights 54 providing resistance. Normally a T shaped
handle (not shown)
is attached to end 50 to permit the user to grasp the end of the cable and
pull up the cable in order
to train the user's arms depending on the exercise being performed (for
example an biceps curl).
With the present invention, attachment 12 is coupled to end 50 by carabineer
52.
Referring now to figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, attachment 12 can then be coupled to
free weight
38 (in this case a dumbbell) by hooking the hooks onto handle 40 of the free
weight. Hooks 22
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CA 02860364 2014-08-21
and 24 are hooked onto handle such that hooks 22 and 24 are between and
immediately adjacent
to weights 32 and 44, respectively. As mentioned above, attachment 12 is
dimensioned such that
the user can easily grasp handle 40 between the hooks without contacting the
attachment and in
particular without contacting elongated member 16. Carabineer 52 provides a
positive locking
attachment to attachment member 30 via aperture 32 to prevent the attachment
from accidentally
coming loose from cable end 50.
As can be seen in figure 5, when the attachment is coupled to cable 48 of
weight training
machine 46, the user can train using both free weight 38 and weight training
machine 46. As the
user does a biceps curl, for example, he/she will pull up on cable 48 causing
weights 54 to
elevate in response. In addition to the resistance provided by weights 54,
free weight 38 also
provides training resistance. The combination of free weight 38 and weight
machine 46 compels
the user to train using free weight 38 while maintaining proper form. Also,
since a free weight is
being added to weight training machine 46, the additional benefits of free
weights, such as
building core strength, are effectively added to the work out.
A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however,
several
variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope
of this invention.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments described
above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the
following claims
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Representative Drawing