Weight selection methods and apparatus

• US 6,749,547 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mark Krull
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mathew, Fenn C
• Application Number:
  US09/796,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20020022559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 482/106, 482/107, 482/108, 482/109, 482/93, 482/94, 482/98
• US Class Current: 482/106
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0728 with means for fixing weights on bars, i.e. fixing olympic discs or bumper plates on bar-bells or dumb-bells
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/075 with variable weights , e.g. weight systems with weight selecting means for bar-bells or dumb-bells

Abstract

Discrete weight selecting members are movably mounted on a handle assembly and selectively rotatable into engagement with respective weight plates to provide adjustable resistance to exercise movement.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a bar having a longitudinal axis;

weight selectors rotatably mounted on opposite ends of said bar at discrete axial locations, wherein each of said selectors includes a weight engaging portion;

a base; and

a plurality of weights maintained in alignment on said base, wherein said weights are provided with slots sized and configured to accommodate insertion and removal of said bar, and said weights cooperate to define gaps to accommodate insertion and removal of respective selectors in axial alignment with said weights, and each of said weights is configured for engagement by a respective weight engaging portion when a respective weight selector occupies a first orientation relative to said bar, and for disengagement by a respective weight engaging portion when a respective weight selector occupies a second orientation relative to said bar; and

biasing means, including a leaf spring on each of said weight selectors, for biasing said weight selectors to remain in desired orientations relative to said bar.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one said weight engaging portion is an axially extending lip that is selectively rotatable beneath an axially extending nub on a respective one of said weights.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one said weight engaging portion is an axially extending peg that is selectively rotatable into a transversely opening notch in a respective one of said weights.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising first and second covers mounted on respective said ends of said bar to overlie respective said weights, wherein each said leaf spring protrudes through a respective slot in a respective one of said covers.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each said leaf spring occupies a first notch associated with a respective said slot when a respective one of said weight selectors occupies the first orientation, and each said leaf spring occupies a second notch associated with a respective said slot when a respective one of said weight selectors occupies the second orientation.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein indicia is provided on said covers to indicate how much force is required to lift said bar and any said weights are connected thereto.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising first and second covers mounted on respective said ends of said bar to overlie respective said weights.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an intermediate portion of said bar is axially aligned with the opposite ends, and is sized and configured for grasping.

9. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a bar having a longitudinal axis;

weight selectors rotatably mounted on opposite ends of said bar at discrete axial locations, wherein each of said selectors includes a weight engaging portion;

a base; and

a plurality of weights maintained in alignment on said base, wherein said weights are provided with slots sized and configured to accommodate insertion and removal of said bar, and said weights cooperate to define gaps to accommodate insertion and removal of respective selectors in axial alignment with said weights, and each of said weights is configured for engagement by a respective weight engaging portion when a respective weight selector occupies a first orientation relative to said bar, and for disengagement by a respective weight engaging portion when a respective weight selector occupies a second orientation relative to said bar; and

spacers mounted on said bar between respective said weight selectors and at axially spaced positions that align with respective said weights, wherein said spacers are sized and configured for insertion into respective said slots.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said spacers are configured and arranged to resist rotation relative to said bar.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said spacers are configured and arranged to prevent rotation of respective weights relative to said bar.

12. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a bar that defines a longitudinal axis;

discrete weight engagement members rotatably mounted on opposite ends of said bar at discrete axial locations for rotation about the bar, wherein said members include respective radially extending portions and respective axially extending portions;

a base; and

a plurality of weights maintained in alignment on said base, wherein said weights define respective slots to accommodate insertion of said bar, and gaps between adjacent said weights to accommodate insertion of respective said radially extending portions, and said axially extending portions are independently rotatable about the bar between respective weight engaging positions beneath respective said weights and respective disengaged positions out from under respective said weights.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein an intermediate portion of said bar is axially aligned with the opposite ends, and is sized and configured for grasping.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of said weight engaging portions has an axially extending lip that is selectively rotatable about the bar into and out of a position beneath an axially extending nub on a respective one of said weights.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of said weight engaging portions is an axially extending peg that is selectively rotatable about the bar into and out of a position inside a transversely opening notch in a respective one of said weights.

14. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a first set of weights;

a second set of weights;

a base sized and configured to support each said set of weights at a respective end of said bass;

a handle member having an intermediate portion that is sized and configured for grasping, a first end portion that is sized and configured to support said first set of weights, and an opposite, second end portion that is sized and configured to support said second set of weights; and

weight selectors rotatably mounted on each said end portion, wherein each of said weight selectors is configured and arranged to selectively engage and disengage a respective one of said weights as a function of orientation relative to said handle member, wherein each of said weight selectors is independently rotatable between a weight engaging orientation and a weight disengaging orientation.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a latching means for latching each of said weight selectors in either said orientation.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the latching means includes involves leaf springs on respective said weight selectors, wherein said leaf springs are movable into respective notches defined at a respective end of said handle member.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each end portion is configured as a weight housing having a top cover, and said leaf springs are configured and arranged to extend through respective slots in the top cover, and said notches are formed in the top cover at respective ends of respective said slots, and the leaf springs are biased to remain in respective said slots.

18. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a first set of weights;

a second set of weights;

a base sized and configured to support each said set of weights at a respective end of said base;

a handle member having an intermediate portion that is sized and configured for grasping, a first weight housing disposed at a first end of said handle member and sized and configured to support said first set of weights, and a second weight housing disposed at an opposite, second end of said handle member and sized and configured to support said second set of weights; and

weight selectors associated with each said weight housing, wherein said weight selectors include first portions that protrude through respective slots in a respective weight housing, and terminate in respective distal ends that are sized and configured for manual engagement by a person, and second portions that are selectively movable into engagement and disengagement relative to respective said weights.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one of said weight selectors has a lip that is selectively movable into and out of a position beneath a nub on a respective one of said weights.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one of said weight selectors has a peg that is selectively movable into and out of a position inside a notch in a respective one of said weights.