Weight adjustable auxiliary base unit for a weight lifting device

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to exercising devices and, more particularly, to an auxiliary weight adjustable base unit for a weight lifting device.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the auxiliary base unit in place on a stack of weight plates, the base unit shown in partial cut-away and one auxiliary weight bar shown partially in phantom.

#FIG. 2 is a front view of two auxiliary base units in position on the weight plates of a weight lifting device, one unit on each side of the cable of the weight lifting device.

#FIG. 3 is a cross section taken on lines 3--3 of FIG. 2, including a partial cutaway and illustrating the self-fastening ends of the strap.

#Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, auxiliary base unit 10 is shown. Unit 10 is intended for use with a weight lifting device which has a plurality of weight plates (such as plates 12 and 13) connected to one end of a cable. Usually, each weight plate is attached to the cable through its center and the stacked plates are held to the cable with a pin. Weight plates may be single, spanning both sides of the cable, or they may be provided in pairs, one on each side of the cable. The cable is trained over a plurality of pulleys on a frame and has a handgrip at its other end.

#Most conventional weight lifting devices of this type use rectangularly shaped weight plates, each weighing either ten or eleven pounds. As the user increases his capabilities, he can increase the weight he is lifting only in increments of ten or eleven pounds, by adding a plate to the stack. Some models use paired five pound weights (one on each cable side)., but the increment is still ten pounds because the weights must be added in pairs to maintain the balance of the device. Auxiliary base unit 10 provides for adding weights in increments of as little as one-half pound up to eleven pounds.

#Auxiliary base unit 10 is seen with compartmentalized box 11 held to plate 13a by strap 14. Box 11 has sides 17, 18, 25 and 26 and raised corners 40, 41, 42, 43. Bottom plate 28 has a length (from side 17 to side 25) to generally span the width of weight plates 12 and 13a, and a width (from side 18 to side 26) to generally span the length of a paired weight plate or generally half the width of a single plate, from one edge of the single plate to the cable.