# US 10,369,401 B2 · Apparatus and methods of using a flexible barbell for enhancing the benefits of weightlifting > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,401 B2 - Document ID: US10369401B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/683,068 - Filed: 2017-08-22 - Published: 2018-01-04 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-13 - Assignees: Gordon L. Brown, Jr. - Applicants: Gordon L. Brown, Jr. - Inventors: Gordon L. Brown, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369401B2 ## CPC - A63B 21/0724: {Bar-bells; Hand bars} - A63B 21/026: {Bars; Tubes; Leaf springs (A63B21/023 takes precedence)} - A63B 21/027: {Apparatus forced to oscillate at its resonant frequency} - A63B 21/0728: {with means for fixing weights on bars, i.e. fixing olympic discs or bumper plates on bar-bells or dumb-bells} - A63B 21/0603: {Fluid-like particles, e.g. gun shot or sand} - A63B 21/0604: {Solid masses, e.g. concrete (A63B21/0603 takes precedence)} - A63B 2022/0092: {for training agility or co-ordination of movements} - A63B 2023/0411: {Squatting exercises} - A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia} - A63B 2209/02: with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres - A63B 2209/10: with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener - A63B 2220/62: Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract A system, and method, for training athletes to increase power is provided in a flexible barbell for enhancing weight lifting exercises. The flexible barbell has an elongated shape comprising ends. At least one flexible bar may be included when an elongated shape with a center is used. Weights are attached to the shape near the ends. The shape bends relative to a tangent to the center in response to the center of the flexible barbell being moved. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flexible barbell for enhancing weight lifting exercises comprising: an elongated shape comprising a center and ends; at least one flexible bar in said elongated shape wherein said flexible bar has a minor axis and a major axis and is capable of rotating in said elongated shape; and weights attached to said elongated shape near said ends; wherein said elongated shape bends relative to a tangent to said center in response to said center of said elongated shape being moved; and a hitch pin received in a void of said elongated shape. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said weights are symmetrically distributed relative to said center. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein a right half and a left half of said elongated shape have consistent characteristics from said ends to said center. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said elongated shape bends in a static mode no more than an end tangent being 45° relative to said tangent to said center. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said elongated shape bends in a dynamic mode no more than an end tangent being 90° relative to said tangent to said center. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 having a length of at least 10 inches up to 8 feet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The flexible barbell of claim 6 wherein said length is at least 5 feet up to 8 feet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said elongated shape has a longest cross-section outer length of at least ¾″ to no more than 3 inches. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The flexible barbell of claim 8 wherein said elongated shape has a longest cross-sectional outer length of at least 1″ to no more than 2.5 inches. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The flexible barbell of claim 8 wherein said elongated shape is round. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The flexible barbell of claim 8 wherein said elongated shape has an oval exterior. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The flexible barbell of claim 8 wherein said elongated shape has a patterned surface resulting from a molding process or contact impression during extrusion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The flexible barbell of claim 8 wherein said elongated shape is formed from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic and thermoset resin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The flexible barbell of claim 8 wherein said elongated shape is extruded using either a reinforced or unreinforced thermoplastic resin material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 having a stiffness of at least 1,000 lbs-in2 to no more than 500,000 lbs-in2. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The flexible barbell of claim 15 having a stiffness of at least 30,000 lbs-in2 to no more than 350,000 lbs-in2. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said weights are at least 5 lbs to no more than 500 lbs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The flexible barbell of claim 17 wherein said elongated shape bends in a static mode when supported in the center of the elongated shape to the extent that said ends deflect at least 2.5 inches to no more than a 45 degree acute angle relative from said tangent to said center. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The flexible barbell of claim 18 wherein said elongated shape bends to the extent that said ends are at least 3 inches from said tangent to said center. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The flexible barbell of claim 19 wherein said elongated shape bends to the extent that said ends are at least 5 inches from said tangent to said center. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said elongated shape comprises a fiber reinforced resin. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The flexible barbell of claim 21 wherein said resin is selected from the group consisting of vinyl ester thermoset, isophthalic polyester thermoset, epoxy thermoset, polyurethane thermoset, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, thermoplastic rubber, and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 further comprising a collar. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 further comprising a surface treatment on at least a portion of said elongated shape. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The flexible barbell of claim 24 wherein said surface treatment is selected from an applied coating and a wrap. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The flexible barbell of claim 25 wherein said wrap comprises a tape. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The flexible barbell of claim 25 wherein said applied coating comprises a polymeric material. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The flexible barbell of claim 27 wherein said applied coating has a flexural modulus of at least 15,000 psi. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The flexible barbell of claim 27 wherein said polymeric material has a thickness of at least 15 mils to no more than 250 mils. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The flexible barbell of claim 29 wherein said polymeric material has a thickness no more than 90 mils. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said weights are selected from the group consisting of: disc weights, weighted bags, kettlebells and chains. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said flexible bar is rectangular. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 further comprising at least one flexible rod. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The flexible barbell of claim 33 wherein said flexible rod is round. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said elongated shape has a hollow cavity which extends the entire length of said flexible bar. ### Claim 36 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said flexible bar comprise a fiber reinforced resin. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The flexible barbell of claim 36 wherein said flexible bar comprises fiberglass. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The flexible barbell of claim 36 wherein said flexible bar comprises carbon. ### Claim 39 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 comprising multiple flexible bars. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The flexible barbell of claim 39 comprising at least 2 to no more than 3 flexible bars. ### Claim 41 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said flexible bar has a flexural modulus of at least 4,000,000 to no more than 31,000,000 psi. ### Claim 42 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 further comprising indicia. ### Claim 43 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 further comprising an end closure. ### Claim 44 (depends on 1) A weight lifting system comprising said flexible barbell of claim 1. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The weight lifting system of claim 44 further comprising a timing device. ### Claim 46 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said minor axis and said major axis are not of the same dimension. ### Claim 47 (depends on 1) The flexible barbell of claim 1 wherein said hitch pin is received by said void at a distance of at least ½″ to no more than 2″ from an end of said ends. ### Claim 48 A flexible barbell for enhancing weight lifting exercises comprising: an elongated shape comprising a center and ends; at least one flexible bar in said elongated shape wherein said flexible bar has a minor axis and a major axis and is capable of rotating in said elongated shape; and weights attached to said elongated shape near said ends; wherein said elongated shape bends relative to a tangent to said center in response to said center of said elongated shape being moved; further comprising a hitch pin wherein said hitch pin is inserted through said elongated shape at a distance of at least ½″ to no more than 2″ from an end of said ends. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The flexible barbell of claim 48 further comprising a collar. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The flexible barbell of claim 48 wherein said minor axis and said major axis are not of the same dimension. ### Claim 51 (depends on 48) The flexible barbell of claim 48 wherein said flexible bar is rectangular. ### Claim 52 (depends on 48) The flexible barbell of claim 48 further comprising at least one flexible rod. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The flexible barbell of claim 52 wherein said flexible rod is round.