Selectable clamp for interchanging weightlifting handlebars in an adjustable weight set
A selectable clamp for interchanging weightlifting handlebars in an adjustable weight set includes a first clamp plate set, a second clamp plate set, and a latch. The first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate set are pivotally moveable relative to one another and define an expandable opening therebetween. The clamp plate sets engage the weightlifting handlebar in the expandable opening when the selectable clamp is in a closed position and disengage with the weightlifting handlebar when the selectable clamp is in an open position. The latch is releasably coupled to the first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate set and secures the weightlifting handlebar when the clamp is in a closed position and release the weightlifting handlebar when the clamp is in an open position.
1 . A weightlifting handlebar assembly comprising:
a kettlebell weightlifting handlebar comprising:
a loop handle, and
an end piece coupled to the loop handle;
a clamp comprising:
a first clamp plate set and a second clamp plate set pivotally movable relative to each other and defining an expandable opening therebetween configured to engage the end piece in a closed position and disengage the end piece in an open position; and
a latch releasably coupled to the first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate set to secure the kettlebell weightlifting handlebar in the closed position and to release the kettlebell weightlifting handlebar in the open position.
2 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first clamp plate set comprises a first front clamp plate and a first rear clamp plate, each of the first front clamp plate and the first rear clamp plate having:
a first pivot point,
a first slot, and
a first latch opening positioned above the first slot on an outer edge;
the first front clamp plate includes a first clamp jaw positioned on an inner edge between the first pivot point and the first slot; and
the first front clamp plate includes a first projection positioned below the first clamp jaw.
3 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 2 , wherein:
the second clamp plate set is positioned opposite the first clamp plate set, and comprises a second front clamp plate and a second rear clamp plate, each of the second front clamp plate and the second rear clamp plate having:
a second pivot point,
a second slot, and
a second latch opening positioned above the second slot;
the second rear clamp plate includes a second clamp jaw positioned on an inner edge between the second pivot point and the second slot; and
the second rear clamp plate includes a second projection positioned below the first clamp jaw.
4 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 3 , wherein the latch is configured to engage the first latch opening and the second latch opening and is operable between a latched state where the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw are drawn inward to a clamped position and a released state where the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw are extended outward to a released position.
5 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first clamp jaw is pivotable about the first pivot point and the second clamp jaw is pivotable about the second pivot point to define at least a portion of the expandable opening to clamp the kettlebell weightlifting handlebar in the latched state.
6 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first projection and the second projection pivotally extend at least partially into the expandable opening in the released state.
7 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 4 , wherein in the released state each of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw protrudes into the expandable opening.
8 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 7 , wherein a portion of a handlebar engages with each of the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw causing the first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate set to pivot inward towards a transverse axis of the clamp.
9 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 4 , wherein when the clamp is in the closed position and the latch is in the latched state, a first distance between the first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate set adjacent to the latch is less than a second distance between the first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate set adjacent to the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw.
10 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 9 , wherein:
when the clamp is in a released state where the first clamp jaw and second clamp jaw are extended outward to a released position, the first distance between the first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate set adjacent to the latch is greater than the second distance between the first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate set adjacent to the first clamp jaw and the second clamp jaw.
11 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 10 , wherein the first clamp plate set pivots counterclockwise to the released state and the second clamp plate set pivots clockwise to the released state.
12 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a back plate spaced behind the first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate set by a predetermined dimension to receive an end plate on the kettlebell weightlifting handlebar.
13 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a front plate having a U-shaped opening in registry with the expandable opening, disposed in front of the first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate.
14 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a first fastener and bushing assembly extending through the first pivot point, and a second fastener and bushing assembly extending through the first slot, and a third fastener and bushing assembly extending through the second pivot point, and a fourth fastener and bushing assembly extending through the second slot.
15 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first fastener and bushing assembly and the second fastener and bushing assembly are configured to secure the back plate, the first clamp plate set, the second clamp plate set, and the front plate set together in alignment with an axis of the expandable opening.
16 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 14 , wherein the end piece is further, comprising:
comprising a first tab and a second tab, the first tab and the second tab configured to engage with the first fastener and bushing assembly and the second fastener and bushing assembly.
17 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 16 , further comprising:
a weight housing, the weight housing coupled to each of the first clamp plate set and the second clamp plate set; and
a weight button positioned on the weight housing, the weight button configured to selectively couple one or more weight plates to the handlebar.
18 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 3 , wherein the latch is an over-center latch and at least one of the first latch opening or the second latch opening comprises a hook.
19 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 3 , wherein the latch comprises a first part comprising a first pin, the first part is configured to selectively engage the first latch opening and the second latch opening, the first part extending across the expandable opening.
20 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 19 , wherein the latch comprises:
a second part comprising:
a second pin coupling the second part to the second latch opening,
a third pin coupled to a release lever, the release lever positioned through the second part and configured to engage with the first clamp plate set and rotate about the third pin, and
a joint positioned between the second pin and the third pin coupling the first part to the second part.
21 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 20 , wherein the second part of the latch comprises a tapered end configured to move the first part a lateral distance to selectively couple and uncouple the first part from the first latch opening to release the clamp.
22 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 20 , wherein the release lever comprises a tab positioned above the second part, the tab configured to release the release lever from the second clamp plate set.
23 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 22 , wherein the release lever comprises a hook positioned below the second part and in contact with the second clamp plate set, the hook is configured to engage the second clamp plate set to bias the latch to a latched state.
24 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 3 , wherein each of the first projection and the second projection extends across a central axis of the clamp, and the second projection overlapping a portion of the first projection.
25 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 3 , wherein each of the first pivot point and the second pivot point are positioned on a lower half of the first front clamp plate and the second front clamp plate, respectively, when looking down a longitudinal axis of the clamp.
26 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 3 , wherein each of the first slot and the second slot are positioned on an upper half of the first front clamp plate and the second front clamp plate, respectively, when looking down a longitudinal axis of the clamp.
27 . The weightlifting handlebar assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a front clamp plate cover coupled to the first front clamp plate.