US20140073493A1

US20140073493A1 - Free weight support apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: US20140073493A1
Application number: US14/024,954
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold Chase Parish; Tyler Steven Butel
Original assignee: Beams Industries Inc
Current assignee: Beams Industries Inc
Priority date: 2012-09-13
Filing date: 2013-09-12
Publication date: 2014-03-13

Abstract

A weight lifting free-weight support method and apparatus comprising a support frame connected to at least one retractor assembly comprising a first and second reel having a locked and unlocked condition and an elongated strap with a first end and second end, the second end attached to a weight lifting free-weight, the first end having first and second spooling portions diverging from each other, the first spooling portion connected to the first reel and the second spooling portion connected to the second reel such that when the reels are in the unlocked condition the elongated strap is allowed to travel freely along a user-defined path relative to the support frame, and when at least one of the reels is in the locked condition, the spooling portions are prevented from unspooling from the reels, the locked condition triggered by unspooling the spooling portions at a rate greater than a predetermined rate.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present patent application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application U.S. Ser. No. 61/700,552 titled SAFETY APPARATUS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME, filed on Sep. 13, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Inventive Concepts
The inventive concepts disclosed herein relate generally to the weight lifting and fitness industry. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the inventive concepts relate to a support apparatus that allows for the staging or positioning of weightlifting equipment. In use, the weights are substantially prevented from being dropped either intentionally or unintentionally, thereby precluding damage to physical structures and/or physiologic injury.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Numerous mechanisms have been suggested in the weight lifting industry that are intended to allow a user to perform an exercise while also reducing the likelihood of injury by controlling the path and/or drop or fall rate of the weight. One example of this is what is commonly referred to as a “Smith Machine” or “Smith Press.” This equipment allows a user to install or remove weights onto a fully supported bar that can then be lifted through a predetermined range of motion using linear bearings and a counterbalance system to help control the weight and reduce the potential for injury. In recent years, there has been a movement by weight lifters to target smaller stabilizer muscles by implementing more free-weight exercises that do not force the body part being targeted to move in a restricted or guided path. At the same time, weight lifting equipment manufacturers have moved toward designing equipment with reduced restrictions but still providing a relatively safe exercise platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a free-weight support apparatus in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a retractor assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the retractor assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is another enlarged perspective view of a portion of the retractor assembly of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concept. This description should be read to include one or more and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
Further, use of the term “plurality” is meant to convey “more than one” unless expressly stated to the contrary.
Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a weight lifting free-weight support apparatus 50 in use in accordance with the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown, the weight lifting free-weight support apparatus 50 comprises at least one weight lifting free-weight 52, a support frame 54, and at least one retractor assembly 56 connected to the support frame 54 and the weight lifting free-weight 52.
Weight lifting free-weights 52 are well known in the art. In general, weight lifting free-weights 52 are weights that do not constrain users to specific, fixed movements. Non-exclusive examples of weight lifting free-weights 52 include dumbbells, barbells, medicine balls, sandbells, and kettlebells. For purposes of illustration, a single barbell with disc weights is shown as the weight lifting free-weight 52 in use in FIG. 1. It should be understood that any other weight lifting free-weight 52 may be used and that a plurality of weight lifting free-weights 52 may be used, for example, a plurality of dumbbells.
The support frame 54 is structured to support the weight of the weight lifting free-weight(s) 52, either in a static state or from an accelerated state, such as acceleration by gravity as when a weight is dropped. The support frame 54 may be an integral frame, a frame that is provided as part of a kit, or a pre-existing frame or rack that may be found in the location of use, for example, in a gym setting, and so on. In one embodiment, a free-standing mobile support frame 54 may be utilized, as shown in FIG. 1. The exemplary support frame 54 has a top portion 60, a first leg portion 62 and a second leg portion 64 supporting the top portion 60, a bottom portion 66 extending from the first leg portion 62 to the second leg portion 64, and a first base 68 connected to the first leg portion 62 and a second base 70 connected to the second leg portion 64 providing stability to the support frame 54. The support frame 54 may have one or more wheels 72 that can be used to move the support frame 54 into a desired position. The wheels 72 may be locked in place once positioned. The support frame 54 may be made of steel or any material suitable for supporting the force of the free-weight(s) statically and dynamically. The top portion 60, first and second leg portions 62, 64, bottom portion 66, and first and second base 68, 70 may be constructed with tubular or angular bar, for example. Welds, bolts, screws, or other suitable fastening mechanisms may be used to connect the components of the support frame 54.
In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2, the retractor assembly 56 comprises a first reel 80, a second reel 82, and an elongated strap 84. The first reel 80 and the second reel 82 have a locked condition and an unlocked condition. The elongated strap 84 has a main portion 86 with a first end 88 and a second end 90. The first end 88 has a first spooling portion 92 and a second spooling portion 94 diverging from each other. The first spooling portion 92 is connected to the first reel 80 and the second spooling portion 94 is connected to the second reel 82 in a way that when the first and second reels 80, 82 are in the unlocked condition the elongated strap 84 is allowed to travel freely along a user-defined path relative to the support frame 54. When at least one of the first and second reels 80, 82 are in the locked condition, the first spooling portion 92 and the second spooling portion 94 are prevented from unspooling from the first reel 80 and the second reel 82. The locked condition is triggered by unspooling the first and second spooling portions 92, 94 at a rate greater than a predetermined rate.
The second end of the main portion 90 of the elongated strap can be attached to the weight lifting free-weight 52. Therefore, when the first and second reels 80, 82 are in the unlocked condition, the user can move the weight lifting free-weight 52 and exercise without constraint as to the path taken with the free-weight 52. In one embodiment, in the unlocked condition, the first and second reels 80, 82 may freely release the first and second spooling portions 92, 94 when tension is exerted on the elongated strap 84 away from the first and second reels 80, 82, and then automatically re-spool or retract the first and second spooling portions 92, 94, when the tension is released. In one embodiment, each of the first and second reels 80, 82 is capable of supporting a minimum of about 2,000 pounds.
In one embodiment, the predetermined rate that triggers the locked condition of the first and second reels 80, 82 is about 0.7 g, where g is acceleration due to gravity at the Earth's surface. In such a case, a dropped weight lifting free-weight 52 would cause the first and second reels 80, 82 to lock, preventing the first and second spooling portions 92, 94 from unspooling.
In one embodiment, the unlocked condition of the first and second reels 80, 82 may be reinstated from the locked condition upon spooling the first and second spooling portions 92, 94 of the main portion 86 of the elongated strap 84 onto the first and second reels 80, 82.
Non-exclusive examples of reels which are constructed with a locked and unlocked condition can be found in U.S. Publication No. 2003/0059269, entitled “Cargo Restraint Apparatus”, filed Sep. 24, 2002; U.S. Publication No. 2006/0188354, entitled “Cargo Restraint Apparatus”, filed Feb. 24, 2006; and U.S. Publication No. 2009/0053684, entitled “Seatbelt Demonstration Kit and Method for Teaching Proper Seatbelt Usage”, filed Aug. 23, 2007, all of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entirety.
Non-limiting examples of reels that may be utilized in the construction of the retractor assembly 56 are produced by the following manufacturers: Hornling Industrial Inc., Red Wood Enterprise Co., Klippan Safety, or APV Safety Products. However, the use of these reels is not to be considered limiting; any other product known in the art or otherwise capable of functioning in accordance with the present inventive concept(s) may be used in the construction of the retractor assembly 56.
In one embodiment, the first reel 80 and the second reel 82 are arranged in a back-to-back relationship as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In one embodiment, also shown in FIG. 3, the first reel 80 has a spooling strap receiving slot 96 for receiving the first spooling portion 94 of the main portion 86 of the elongated strap 84. The second reel 82 has a spooling strap receiving slot 98 for receiving the second spooling portion 94 of the main portion 86 of the elongated strap 84. The first reel 80 and the second reel 82 are arranged so that the spooling strap receiving slots 96, 98 of the first reel 80 and the second reel 82 are in a spaced apart, parallel relationship relative to one another.
In one embodiment, the first spooling portion 92 and the second spooling portion 94 converge with each other to form the second end 90 of the main portion 86 of the elongated strap 84. The second end 90 of the main portion 86 may be formed by the attachment of substantially equal lengths of the first and second spooling portions 92, 94 to one another. The second end 90 of the main portion 86 may be formed by the attachment of a shorter first spooling portion 92 to a longer second spooling portion 94.
The elongated strap 84 may be made of a webbed material. The webbed material may be sewn together in one or more locations to provide connections and/or mounting areas for attachment hardware. By way of example, the elongated strap 84 may be made of a two-inch wide webbing that is rated to withstand a minimum of about 3,000 pounds. It will be understood that any width of webbing, any other material, and/or any minimum weight rating requirement may be used as long as the elongated strap 84 can function in accordance with the presently disclosed inventive concepts. Non-exclusive examples of alternative materials for the elongated strap 84 include rope, wire, thread, and chain.
Returning to FIG. 2, the elongated strap 84 may include a rigid support member 100 connected to the second end 90 of the main portion 86 of the elongated strap 84, a first weight-connecting strap 102 having a proximal end 104 and a distal end 106, and a second weight-connecting strap 108 having a proximal end 110 and a distal end 112. The proximal ends 104, 110 of the first and second weight-connecting straps 102, 108 are connected to the rigid support member 100 in a way that the distal ends 106, 112 of the first weight-connecting strap 102 and the second weight-connecting strap 108 are connected to the weight lifting free-weight 52 in a spaced apart relationship. In one embodiment, the spaced apart relationship may be such that the free-weight 52 is substantially balanced when supported by the first and second weight-connecting straps 102, 108. The spaced apart relationship may be sufficient to allow a user to grasp the free-weight 52 with one hand between the first and second weight-connecting straps 102, 108. In another embodiment, the spaced apart relationship is sufficient to allow a user to grasp the free-weight 52 with two hands between the first and second weight-connecting straps 102, 108.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the rigid support member 100 is substantially U shaped with a first leg portion 116 and a second leg portion 118 extending from an intermedial portion 120. The second end 90 of the main portion 86 is connected to the intermedial portion 120. The proximal end 104 of the first weight-connecting strap 102 is connected to the first leg portion 116. The proximal end 110 of the second weight-connecting strap 108 is connected to the second leg portion 118. In one embodiment, the second end 90 of the main portion 86 and the first and second weight-connecting straps 102,108 may be connected to the rigid support member 100 by looping the second end 90 of the main portion 86 and the weight-connecting straps 102, 108 through one or more slots 122 a, 122 b, 122 c in the rigid support member 100. It will be understood that the size and shape of the rigid support member 100 may be varied.
The first weight-connecting strap 102 may have a receiving fitting 130 positioned between the proximal end 104 and the distal end 106 and a connector 132 positioned at the distal end 106 such that when the connector 132 is connected to the receiving fitting 130, a first free-weight receiving loop 134 is formed by the first weight-connecting strap 102 about a first portion of the free-weight 52, as shown in FIG. 1. Likewise, the second weight-connecting strap 108 may have a receiving fitting 136 positioned between the proximal end 110 and the distal end 112 and a connector 138 positioned at the distal end 112 such that when the connector 138 is connected to the receiving fitting 136, a second free-weight receiving loop 140 is formed by the second weight-connecting strap 108 about a second portion of the free-weight 52, as shown in FIG. 1. In a non-limiting example, the connectors 132, 138 may be a spring clip rated to withstand a minimum of about 1,500 pounds. The receiving fittings 130, 136 may be a steel ring or an end fitting rated to withstand a minimum of about 2,000 pounds. The connectors 132, 138 and the receiving fittings 130, 136 may be attached to the weight-connecting straps 102, 108 by forming one or more loops in the weight-connecting straps 102, 108 and attaching the connectors 132, 138 or fittings 130, 136 within the loop to the weight-connecting straps 102, 108. It should be understood that other connectors and fittings and other attachment mechanisms of suitable strength to withstand repeated use under high load conditions may be used. Additionally, the positions of the receiving fittings 130, 136 and the connectors 132, 138 may be reversed such that the connectors 132, 138 are positioned between the proximal ends 104, 110 and distal ends 106, 112 of the weight-connecting straps 102, 108 and the receiving fittings 130, 136 are positioned at the distal ends 106, 112 of the weight-connecting straps 102, 108.
FIG. 3 illustrates a detail portion of one embodiment of the retractor assembly 56 in which the retractor assembly 56 has an end fitting 150 having a first end 152 and a second end 154. The first end 152 of the end fitting 150 has a connector 156 connecting the first reel 80 and the second reel 82. The connector 156 may be a bolt and nut or any suitable connecting device. In one embodiment, the first reel 80 and the second reel 82 each have a frame 158, 160 and the connector 156 connects the first reel 80 and the second reel 82 through the frames 158, 160.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the retractor assembly 56 has a support strap 170 having a first end 172 and a second end 174. The first end 172 of the support strap 170 may be directly connected to the first and/or second reel 80, 82 or may be connected to the second end 152 of the end fitting 150. The second end 174 of the support strap 170 may be connected to the support frame 54, as shown in FIG. 1.
The support strap 170 may be made of a webbed material. The webbed material may be sewn together in one or more locations to provide connections and/or mounting areas for attachment hardware. By way of example, the support strap 170 may be made of a two-inch wide webbing that is rated to withstand a minimum of about 3,000 pounds. It will be understood that any width of webbing, any other material, and/or any minimum weight rating requirement may be used as long as the support strap 170 can function in accordance with the presently disclosed inventive concepts. Non-exclusive examples of alternative materials for the support strap 170 include rope, wire, thread, and chain.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the support strap 170 may have a receiving fitting 176 positioned between the first end 172 and the second end 174, and a connector 178 positioned at the second end 174, such that when the connector 178 is connected to the receiving fitting 176 a support frame receiving loop 180 is formed by the support strap 170 about a portion of the support frame 54, as shown in FIG. 1. In a non-limiting example, the connector 178 may be a spring clip rated to withstand a minimum of about 1,500 pounds. In a non-limiting example, the receiving fitting 176 may be a steel ring or end fitting rated to withstand a minimum of about 2,000 pounds. The connector 178 and the receiving fitting 176 may be attached to the support strap 170 with one or more loop in the support strap 170. It should be understood that other connectors and fittings and other attachment mechanisms of suitable strength to withstand repeated use under high load conditions may be used. Additionally, the positions of the receiving fitting 176 and the connector 178 may be reversed such that the connector 178 is positioned between the first end 172 and the second end 174 of the support strap 170 and the receiving fitting 176 is positioned at the second end 174 of the support strap 170.
It will be understood that although one retractor assembly 56 has been described for purposes of brevity, a plurality of retractor assemblies 56 may be used with the support frame 54. For example, two retractor assemblies 56 may be used on a long barbell. In another example, two retractor assemblies 56 may be used, one on each of two dumbbells, allowing the user to exercise with the two dumbbells simultaneously. In such an example, the two retractor assemblies 56 may be in a spaced apart relationship on the support frame 54.
Returning now to FIG. 1, an example of one embodiment of the free-weight support apparatus 50 in use in accordance with the present disclosure will be described. Initially, a user may attach the retractor assembly 56 to the support frame 54 by looping the support strap 170 around a portion of the support frame 54 and connecting the connector 178 of the support strap 170 to the receiving fitting 176 of the support strap 170.
The user may attach the first and second weight-connecting straps 102, 108 of the elongated strap 84 to the weight lifting free-weight 52 (shown in FIG. 1 as a barbell) in a spaced apart relationship. The user may loop the first weight-connecting strap 102 around a first portion of the weight lifting free-weight 52 and connect the connector 132 of the first weight-connecting strap 102 to the receiving fitting 130 of the first weight-connecting strap 102. Then, the user may loop the second weight-connecting strap 108 around a second portion of the weight lifting free-weight 52 and connect the connector 138 of the second weight-connecting strap 108 to the receiving fitting 136 of the second weight-connecting strap 108. In this example, the spaced apart relationship of the first and second weight-connecting straps 102, 108 as connected to the rigid support member 100 allows the user to grasp the barbell between the first and second weight-connecting straps 102, 108.
The user may attach the first and second weight-connecting straps 102, 108 of the main portion 86 of the elongated strap 84 to the weight lifting free-weight 52 while the free-weight 52 is on the ground or in a free-weight support stand (not shown), for example. After attachment, the user may position the free-weight 52 at a desirable raised location and then allow the first and second spooling portions 92, 94 of the first end 88 of the main portion 86 of the elongated strap 84 to unspool at a rate greater than the predetermined rate, thus triggering the locked condition of the first and second reels 80, 82. In this way, the user can suspend the free-weight 52 at a desired location, for example, above the user.
By way of example, the user may wish to perform flat bench press exercises by suspending the free-weight 52 above the user when the user is below the support frame 54. When the user is ready to perform the exercise, the user may unlock the first and second reels 80, 82 by spooling the first and second spooling portions 92, 94 of the first end 88 of the main portion 86 of the elongated strap 84 onto the first and second reels 80, 82. In one embodiment, the spooling is automated when a user removes tension from the elongated strap 84, the first and second reels 80, 82 then spool the first and second spooling portions 92, 94.
The user may then perform the desired exercise, moving the free-weight 52 along the user-defined path with the elongated strap 84 traveling freely with the free-weight 52. When the user has completed the desired exercise, the user may again suspend the free-weight 52 by returning at least one of the first and second reels 80, 82 to the locked condition by allowing at least one of the first and second spooling portions 92, 94 to unspool at a rate faster than the predetermined rate. For example, if the predetermined rate is set at about 0.7 g's, the user may pull faster than that rate on the free-weight 52 in a direction away from the first and second reels 80, 82, or simply drop the free-weight 52, to trigger the locked condition. Alternatively, the free-weight 52 may be lowered to the floor.
Non-exclusive examples of weight lifting exercises with which the support apparatus may be used include flat bench press, inclined bench press, declined bench press, shoulder press, skull crusher/triceps extension (dumbbells or E-Z Curl bar), shrugs, stationary lunges, dumbbell squats, standing rows, and so on. In use, the free-weights 52 are substantially prevented from being dropped either intentionally or unintentionally, thereby precluding damage to physical structures and/or physiologic injury. Free-weights 52 may also be staged or positioned with the apparatus.
While several embodiments of the inventive concepts have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the inventive concepts disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of supporting a weight lifting free-weight, comprising:

connecting at least one retractor assembly to a support frame, the retractor assembly comprising:

a first reel having a locked condition and an unlocked condition;

a second reel having a locked condition and an unlocked condition;

an elongated strap having a main portion with a first end and a second end, the first end having a first spooling portion and a second spooling portion diverging from each other, the first spooling portion connected to the first reel and the second spooling portion connected to the second reel in a way that when the first and second reels are in the unlocked condition the elongated strap is allowed to travel freely along a user-defined path relative to the support frame, and when at least one of the first and second reels are in the locked condition the first spooling portion and the second spooling portion are prevented from unspooling from the first reel and the second reel, the locked condition being triggered by unspooling the first and second spooling portions at a rate greater than a predetermined rate; and

attaching the second end of the main portion of the elongated strap to a weight lifting free-weight.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reel and the second reel are in a back-to-back relationship.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reel has a spooling strap receiving slot, wherein the second reel has a spooling strap receiving slot, and wherein the first reel and the second reel are arranged so that the spooling strap receiving slots of the first reel and the second reel are in a spaced apart, parallel relationship relative to one another.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the retractor assembly further comprises:

an end fitting having a first end and a second end, the first end having a connector connecting the first reel and the second reel; and

a support strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support strap connected to the second end of the end fitting;

wherein the step of connecting the retractor assembly to the support frame further comprises connecting the second end of the support strap to the support frame.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the support strap has a receiving fitting positioned between the first end and the second end, and a connector positioned at the second end such that when the connector is connected to the receiving fitting a support frame receiving loop is formed by the support strap about a portion of the support frame.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongated strap further comprises:

a rigid support member connected to the second end of the main portion of the elongated strap;

a first weight-connecting strap having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end connected to the rigid support member; and

a second weight-connecting strap having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected to the rigid support member in a way that the distal ends of the first weight-connecting strap and the second weight-connecting strap are connected to the weight lifting free-weight in a spaced apart relationship.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the rigid support member has a U shape with a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending from an intermedial portion, and wherein the second end of the main portion is connected to the intermedial portion, the proximal end of the first weight-connecting strap is connected to the first leg portion, and the proximal end of the second weight-connecting strap is connected to the second leg portion.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first weight-connecting strap has a receiving fitting positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and a connector positioned at the distal end such that when the connector is connected to the receiving fitting a first free-weight receiving loop is formed by the first weight-connecting strap about a first portion of the free-weight, and wherein the second weight-connecting strap has a receiving fitting positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and a connector positioned at the distal end such that when the connector is connected to the receiving fitting a second free-weight receiving loop is formed by the second weight-connecting strap about a second portion of the free-weight.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the elongated strap is made of a webbed material.

10. A weight lifting free-weight support apparatus comprising:

a weight lifting free-weight;

a support frame; and

at least one retractor assembly connected to the support frame, the retractor assembly comprising:

a first reel having a locked condition and an unlocked condition;

a second reel having a locked condition and an unlocked condition; and

an elongated strap having a main portion with a first end and a second end, the second end attached to the weight lifting free-weight, the first end having a first spooling portion and a second spooling portion diverging from each other, the first spooling portion connected to the first reel and the second spooling portion connected to the second reel in a way that when the first and second reels are in the unlocked condition the elongated strap is allowed to travel freely along a user-defined path relative to the support frame, and when at least one of the first and second reels are in the locked condition, the first spooling portion and the second spooling portion are prevented from unspooling from the first reel and the second reel, the locked condition being triggered by unspooling the first and second spooling portions at a rate greater than a predetermined rate.

11. The weight lifting free-weight support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first reel and the second reel are in a back-to-back relationship.

12. The weight lifting free-weight support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first reel has a spooling strap receiving slot, wherein the second reel has a spooling strap receiving slot, and wherein the first reel and the second reel are arranged so that the spooling strap receiving slots of the first reel and the second reel are in a spaced apart, parallel relationship relative to one another.

13. The weight lifting free-weight support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the retractor assembly further comprises:

a support strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support strap connected to the second end of the end fitting and the second end of the support strap connected to the support frame.

14. The weight lifting free-weight support apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support strap has a receiving fitting positioned between the first end and the second end, and a connector positioned at the second end such that when the connector is connected to the receiving fitting a support frame receiving loop is formed by the support strap about a portion of the support frame.

15. The weight lifting free-weight support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongated strap further comprises:

16. The weight lifting free-weight support apparatus of claim 15, wherein the rigid support member is substantially U shaped with a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending from an intermedial portion, and wherein the second end of the main portion is connected to the intermedial portion, the proximal end of the first weight-connecting strap is connected to the first leg portion, and the proximal end of the second weight-connecting strap is connected to the second leg portion.

17. The weight lifting free-weight support apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first weight-connecting strap has a receiving fitting positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and a connector positioned at the distal end such that when the connector is connected to the receiving fitting a first free-weight receiving loop is formed by the first weight-connecting strap about a first portion of the free-weight, and wherein the second weight-connecting strap has a receiving fitting positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and a connector positioned at the distal end such that when the connector is connected to the receiving fitting a second free-weight receiving loop is formed by the second weight-connecting strap about a second portion of the free-weight.

18. The weight lifting free-weight support apparatus of claim 15, wherein the elongated strap is made of a webbed material.