Adjustable mass exercise apparatus and methods

• US 7,128,696 B1
• Filed: 04/30/2003
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruno Intellectual Reserve, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mark Krull
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAM M
• Application Number:
  US10/428,178
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 482/93, 482/104, 482106-108
• US Class Current: 482/107
• 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

An exercise dumbbell includes a handle member and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship relative thereto. The handle member has a dedicated weight selector for each of the weight plates. Each weight selector is movable into and out of engagement with a respective weight plate. As a result, different combinations of the weight plates may be secured to the handle.

Claims

1. An exercise dumbbell, comprising:

a handle member having an intermediate hand grip that defines a longitudinal axis, and opposite ends that are configured to accommodate respective weight plates;

a plurality of weight plates, including a first weight plate having a boss that defines an axially projecting lip; and

a second weight plate having a boss that defines an axially projecting lip; and

a plurality of weight selectors movably mounted on the handle member, including a first weight selector that is configured and arranged to slide beneath the lip on the first weight, and a second weight selector that is configured and arranged to slide beneath the lip on the second weight.

2. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, further comprising a base configured to support the weight plates in a rest position.

3. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, wherein each said weight selector includes a first bar segment and a second bar segment that extend perpendicular to one another.

4. The exercise dumbbell of claim 3, wherein each said weight selector further comprises a latch mounted on a respective first bar segment in a manner that defines a generally U-shaped configuration.

5. The exercise dumbbell of claim 4, wherein each said latch cooperates with the handle member to limit movement of a respective weight selector relatively to a respective weight plate.

6. The exercise dumbbell of claim 5, wherein each said latch is configured as a leaf spring, and is arranged to snap into engagement with a respective nub on the handle member as a respective second bar segment is moved to a position beneath the lip on a respective weight plate.

7. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, wherein each said weight selector includes a bar segment that extends through a respective opening in the handle member.

8. The exercise dumbbell of claim 7, wherein at least one said opening is axially aligned with a flange on the handle member that extends between adjacent weight plates.

9. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, wherein each said weight plate has an upwardly opening slot configured to receive a respective end of the handle member.

10. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, wherein each said weight plate includes a plate portion, and a boss portion that projects axially outward from the plate portion and defines both the lip and a space to accommodate a respective weight selector.

11. An exercise dumbbell, comprising:

weight plates;

a handle member having an intermediate hand grip that defines a longitudinal axis, wherein axially spaced openings extend through the handle member in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

weight selectors configured for insertion into respective openings in the handle member in said first direction and into engagement with respective weight plates in a second direction that is both perpendicular to the first direction and the longitudinal axis; and

a base configured to maintain the weight plates in position to receive respective weight selectors when the handle member rests on at least one of the base and the weight plates.

12. The exercise dumbbell of claim 11, further comprising latching means for latching the weight selectors in engaged positions relative to respective weight plates.

13. The exercise dumbbell of claim 12, wherein the handle member is selectively movable in a first direction relative to the weight plates, and the weight selectors are selectively movable in a second direction relative to the handle member, and the latching means acts in a third direction, and each said direction is perpendicular to every other said direction.

14. The exercise dumbbell of claim 11, wherein each of the weight plates has an axially extending lip, and each of the weight selectors is selectively movable beneath a respective lip.

15. The exercise dumbbell of claim 11, wherein axially spaced flanges extend radially outward from the handle member and align with respective openings.

16. An exercise dumbbell, comprising:

a handle member having a hand grip that defines a longitudinal axis, a first end that is configured to accommodate a plurality of weights, and an opposite, second end that is configured to accommodate a plurality of weights;

a plurality of first end weights configured to be supported in respective, axially spaced positions at the first end of the handle member;

a plurality of second end weights configured to be supported in respective, axially spaced positions at the second end of the handle member; and

for each one of said weights, a dedicated weight selector movably mounted on the handle member and movable linearly between a first position, underlying a portion of a respective said one of said weights, and a second position, free to move linearly upward relative to a respective said one of said weights.

17. The exercise dumbbell of claim 16, further comprising a base configured to support the weights in a rest position.

18. The exercise dumbbell of claim 16, wherein each said weight selector extends through a respective opening in the handle member.

19. The exercise dumbbell of claim 16, further comprising latching means for latching each said weight selector in its first position.

20. The exercise dumbbell of claim 16, wherein each said portion is an axially extending lip.