US20220040520A1 - Adjustable Weight Training Apparatus - Google Patents

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Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/072—Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like, e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
  • A63B21/0728—Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like, e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle with means for fixing weights on bars, i.e. fixing olympic discs or bumper plates on bar-bells or dumb-bells
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/00058—Mechanical means for varying the resistance
  • A63B21/00065—Mechanical means for varying the resistance by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/072—Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like, e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
  • A63B21/0726—Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/072—Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like, e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
  • A63B21/075—Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like, e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle with variable weights, e.g. weight systems with weight selecting means for bar-bells or dumb-bells

Definitions

• This application relates to exercise equipment.
• this application relates to adjustable weight exercise equipment.
• weights In weight or strength training it is common to use exercise equipment such as dumbbells, stack weights, or other forces in order to oppose the force generated by muscle contraction. Often the weights have circular or hexagonal cross-sections. Some exercise equipment has fixed weight, while other exercise equipment has means of adjusting the total weight.
• the current application relates to another approach.
• the present disclosure provides an adjustable weight training apparatus.
• the adjustable weight training apparatus has a vessel with a plurality of compartments, the plurality of compartments having a compartment size and a compartment shape.
• a plurality of weights has a weight shape the same as the compartment shape and a weight size slightly smaller than the compartment shape such that any individual weight of the plurality of weights fits within any individual compartments within the plurality of compartments.
• the adjustable weight training apparatus further has a retaining lid, wherein the retaining lid is manually attachable and removable from the vessel, the retaining lid securing any of the plurality of weights loaded within the vessel. Adjustment of an overall weight of the adjustable weight training apparatus requires manual loading and there are no adjustment mechanisms, no weight selectors, no weight switches, and no other means of automatically adjusting the overall weight of the adjustable weight training apparatus.
• FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an adjustable weight training apparatus.
• FIG. 1B is another perspective view of the adjustable weight training apparatus seen in FIG. 1A
• FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view a weight vessel with a weight.
• FIG. 3A is a partial exploded perspective view of a weight vessel and a retaining lid.
• FIG. 3B is a partial perspective view of the weight vessel and retaining lid shown in FIG. 3A .
• FIG. 4A is plan view of that shown in FIG. 1A with the weight vessel suppressed.
• FIG. 4B is a plan view that provides that shown in FIG. 4A , further including a sleeve.
• FIG. 5A is a partial perspective view that provides another embodiment of the weight training apparatus.
• FIG. 5B is a partial perspective view of the shown in FIG. 5B , without a retaining lid.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a 3 ⁇ 3 weight vessel.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a 7 ⁇ 7 weight vessel.
• FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a weight training apparatus with a cylindrical shape and cylindrical weight.
• FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a weight training apparatus with a hexagonal shape and hexagonal weight shape.
• a perspective view provides an adjustable weight training apparatus 10 .
• the adjustable weight training apparatus is a dumbbell.
• the adjustable weight training apparatus 10 comprises a weight vessel 12 A with a plurality of compartments 14 A, the plurality of compartments 14 A having a compartment size and a compartment shape.
• the compartment shape is a cuboid with a rectangular length and a square cross-section.
• the adjustable weight training apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality of weights, shown further hereinbelow, the plurality of weights with a weight shape the same as the compartment shape and a weight size slightly smaller than the compartment shape such that any individual weight of the plurality of weights fits within any individual compartments within the plurality of compartments 14 .
• a retaining lid 16 A shown in FIG. 1A is manually attachable and removable from the weight vessel 12 A.
• the retaining lid 16 A securing any of the plurality of weights loaded within the weight vessel.
• the adjustable weight training apparatus 10 has another weight vessel 12 B, the weight vessels 12 A and 12 B connected with a bar 18 and a hand grip 20 forming a barbell. Both the weight vessels have through-holes in the middle of their bodies to accommodate the bar.
• the weight vessel has a 5 ⁇ 5 grid, except for the thru hole that accommodate the bar, that provides 24 compartments for the plurality of weights.
• the retaining lid is removed, and the weights are added or removed as needed to achieve a desired overall weight.
• the overall weight of the adjustable weight training apparatus requires manual loading and there are no adjustment mechanisms, no weight selectors, no weight switches, and no other means of automatically adjusting the overall weight of the adjustable weight training apparatus.
• FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a detailed view of a weight 22 .
• the weight shape is cuboid and matches the compartment shape.
• the weight can be made from any material including polymers, metals, and composites of a plurality of materials. In one preferred embodiment the weight is made from a metal alloy.
• the weight can be raw material or finished with a coating.
• the weight 22 size is slightly smaller than the compartment size to allow manual installation and removal.
• the physical weight of the weight depends on the material, shape, and size of the weight.
• the weight is preferably a common integer or a simple fraction of commonly used physical weight standards such as pounds (lbs.) and/or grams/kilograms (g/kg).
• One preferred physical weight size for the U.S. market is approximately 1 lb.
• the plurality of compartments is 24, allowing at total of 48 of the plurality of weights to be loaded into weight vessel 12 A and 12 B.
• FIGS. 3A and 3B provides perspective views of the weight training apparatus 10 with detail on the weight vessel 12 A and retaining lid 16 A.
• Vessel 12 A has a first plurality of overhang latch members 30 A and a second plurality of overhang latch members 30 B.
• Overhang latch members 30 A have an overhang in a first direction.
• Overhang latch members 30 B have an overhang in a second direction.
• the first direction and second direction are orthogonal to one another.
• the retaining lid 16 A has a plurality of underhung latch members 32 A in the first direction and a plurality of underhung latch members 32 B in the second direction.
• retaining lid 16 A has a buckle system with a first pin 34 A and a second pin 34 B. The pins 34 A and 34 B act similar to a buckle and are deformable.
• the pins 34 A and 34 B push the retaining lid onto the weight vessel. While aligning the underhung latch members slightly below the overhang latch members, one then slides the retaining lid such that the underhung latch members and the overhung latch members overlap, then release the first pin and second pin.
• the first and second pin have an interference fit, such as shown in FIG. 3B , that prevents the retaining lid from detaching from the weight vessel unless the first and second pin are depressed.
• Another feature of the retaining lid is a plurality of holes 38 .
• the plurality of holes are aligned upon each of the plurality of weight compartments when the retaining lid is installed and secured.
• the plurality of holes provides a visual into the plurality of weight compartments to determine how many weights are installed. Further, the plurality of holes allows air movement and prevents suction of the retaining lid onto the weight vessel.
• FIG. 4A provides a view of weight training apparatus 10 with weight vessel 12 A and 12 B suppressed.
• the bar 18 is a bolt with a bolt head 18 A and a bolt nut 18 B.
• the bolt acts as the bar and runs through the middle of weight vessel 12 A and 12 B with the hand grip 20 between.
• An appropriate torque is applied to secure the assembly. Thread lock, lock washers, and other such devices may be used to ensure the nut is secured on the bolt's threads.
• a simple stock metal bar can be used in place of the bolt. Retaining clips can be placed at either end of the bar to secure the weight vessels.
• the hand grip 20 is textured to prevent slippage when used.
• the grip can made from a polymer or any other suitable substance for manual handling.
• the hand grip can be created to provide a friction fit, adhered to the bar, or otherwise remain loose.
• a sleeve 50 can be position over the bar 18 to increase the width of the bar or provide a different bar cross-section shape.
• the grips have circular cross-sections.
• an adjustable weight training apparatus 100 has a weight vessel 112 with a plurality of compartments 114 and retaining lid 116 .
• the weight vessel is substantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , except here, an alternate method of securing the retaining lid 116 is provided.
• the weight vessel 112 has a plurality of overhang latch members 30 and the retaining lid has a plurality of underhung latch members that allow the retaining lid to slide in one direction.
• the latches are offset and have clearance sufficient to only slightly displace the retaining lid relative to the weight vessel as opposed to having a slot or groove that would require full displacement of the retaining lid.
• An interference fit can add friction to the overhang and underhung latches.
• a magnet 121 can be installed in the middle of the retaining lid to prevent the retaining lid from sliding. When using magnets to help secure the retaining lid, the bar must be a ferromagnetic material and magnet embed or otherwise adhered to the retaining lid.
• the retaining lid further has a finger indentation 123 that provides a gripping area to slide the lid.
• a bar 118 is a stock bar and a retaining clip 119 keeps the weight vessel 112 secured to the bar 118 .
• adhesives such as epoxy, can be used to attach the weight vessels.
• the bar When using a stock bar, the bar must be made from a material suitable for the intended overall weight of the weight training apparatus. For light weight to medium weight, a polymer bar can be used. For heavier weights, a metal bar or alloy can be used. A finish can be added to the bar to prevent corrosion. In a barbell embodiment, the bar is completely or nearly completely covered by the weight vessel and hand grip, a rough, stock polymer, or metal bar can be used. A longer bar can be implemented. A magnet at each end of the bar can reside within the retaining lid or the bar to help secure the lid.
• FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 various other embodiments of the weight vessel are provided.
• a weight vessel 612 and a weight 712 are provided.
• Weight vessels 612 and 712 are substantially similar to the shown in FIG. 1-5 , except for the number of the plurality of compartments.
• Weight vessel 612 has a plurality of compartments in a 3 ⁇ 3 grid, allowing for 8 weights.
• Weight vessel 712 has a 7 ⁇ 7 grid allowing for 48 weights.
• FIG. 8 provides a weight vessel 812 wherein a plurality of compartments 814 are cylindrically shaped.
• the retaining lid 818 is circular has an external threading to screw onto an internal threading of the weight vessel 812 to secure the plurality of weights 822 .
• FIG. 9 provides a weight vessel 912 , wherein the weight vessel is hexagonal, and a plurality of compartments 914 and plurality of weights 922 have an elongated hexagonal shape.
• the retaining lid, weight vessel, and hand grip can be machined, printed with additive manufacturing equipment, or molded.
• the bolt, nut, stock bar, retaining clip or adhesives can be purchased off-the-shelf.
• the bar can also be purchased in predetermined lengths or cut to a predetermined length. Assembly of the weight training apparatus can be automated or performed manually.
• the handgrip is positioned on the middle of the barbell and optionally secured with adhesive or mechanically.
• the weight vessels are added to either end of the end and secured with adhesive or mechanically secured.
• the weight vessels are permanently attached.
• the retaining lid and plurality of weights are removably attachable.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Instructional Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Description

Claims (18)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=80115491

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (1)

Cited By (3)

Citations (14)

• 2021
  • 2021-08-09 US US17/397,910 patent/US20220040520A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (14)

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