Patent US4256301A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4256301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Solo-operable bench press device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-08-27
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Granted: 1981-03-17
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Expires: 1999-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An exercise device of the bench press type which may be operated without the assistance of so-called "spotters". In its simplest form, the device includes a bench for supporting the weight lifting exerciser in a generally prone, face-up position. A tower for supporting the weighted bar is provided at the head end of the bench and a movable, i.e. slidable foot member, provided at the foot end of the bench. A strand normally under tension interconnects the weighted bar at its balance point to the foot member such that when the exerciser is supporting the weighted bar by his arms and shoulders, a portion of that weight may be relieved by pushing on the foot member. The device thus enables a weight lifting exerciser to perform bench press exercises safely and without the need of spotters. In addition, safety clamps are provided on the tower such that the weighted bar will not pivot about one of its support points when in an unbalanced state as when changing weights from opposite ends of the weighted bar.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard G. Goyette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:11
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B21/00; A63B21/00181; A63B21/06; A63B21/078; A63B21/40; A63B21/4027; A63B21/4029; A63B23/00; A63B23/035; A63B23/03575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An exercise device of the bench press type wherein a person assumes a generally prone, face-up, back supported position while lifting a weighted bar to an elevated position comprising, a generally longitudinally oriented bench support for said person, an elevated tower positioned at one end of said bench, said tower positioned at said one end and adapted to support a weighted bar in a non-use position, a foot member engageable by the person's feet positioned proximate the other end of said bench and supported for at least limited back and forth longitudinal movement with respect to said bench, and means interconnecting said member and said weighted bar such that force exerted on said member by said person's feet so as to force said member towards said other end independently tends to lift said weighted bar so as to relieve a portion of the weight of said weighted bar from the arms and shoulders of said person when in a use position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An exercise device of the bench press type wherein a person assumes a generally prone, face-up, back supported position while lifting a weighted bar to an elevated position comprising, a generally longitudinally oriented bench support for said person, an elevated tower positioned at one end of said bench, said tower positioned at said one end and adapted to support a weighted bar in a non-use position, a foot member engageable by the person's feet positioned proximate the other end of said bench and supported for at least limited back and forth longitudinal movement with respect to said bench, and means interconnecting said member and said weighted bar such that force exerted on said member by said person's feet so as to force said member towards said other end independently tends to lift said weighted bar so as to relieve a portion of the weight of said weighted bar from the arms and shoulders of said person when in a use position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 1, said interconnecting means being a strand connected at one end thereof to said weighted bar generally at the central balance point thereof and to said foot member at the other end thereof, an intermediate portion of said strand passing over a direction changing element in turn mounted in said tower above said weighted bar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 2, including means for limiting the forward movement of said foot member towards said one end of said bench, said strand being of a finite length such that the weighted bar may be supported in a use position spaced above said bench when said foot member is stopped in its most forward position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 2, said foot member being a bar mounted for slidable movement along a pair of laterally spaced parallel rods disposed on opposite sides of said bench at said other end.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
27 words
The device of claims 2 or 4, including means for urging said foot member towards said bench other end so as to maintain tension on said strand.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
125 words
The device of claim 1, said weighted bar adapted to receive replaceable weights at opposite ends thereof so that the total weight of said weighted bar may be varied, said tower including a pair of upright posts disposed on opposite sides of said bench, each of said posts having a rack element for receiving a portion of said weighted bar, each post further including means movable to a position such that said weighted bar is engaged therebetween to prevent the tilting or pivot of said weighted bar about one of said rack elements when the replaceable weights thereon present an unbalanced bar and to a position removed from said weighted bar such that the bar may be supported by the person in its use position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 6, said bench one end being connected to said tower and means for fixing said tower to a floor so as to prevent rocking of said posts when shifting weights on said weighted bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 6, said means for preventing the pivot of said bar being a clamp slidably supported above said bar on each said post.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-16 | 1984-09-15 | 1985-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-16 | 1988-09-15 | 1989-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-16 | 1992-09-15 | 1993-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |