Methods and apparatus for supporting selectorized dumbbells

• US 7,156,782 B1
• Filed: 08/05/2002
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Krull
• Original Assignee: Mark Krull
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONNELLY, JEROME W
• Application Number:
  US10/212,833
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 482/104, 482/106, 482/140, 482/130, 482/84, 482/97, 482/100, 482/105
• US Class Current: 482/104
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/075 with variable weights , e.g. weight systems with weight selecting means for bar-bells or dumb-bells
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0036 Accessories for stowing, putting away or transporting exercise apparatus or sports equipment A63B47/00, A63B55/00, A63B60/56 take precedence

Abstract

Various exercise systems include a frame; first and second selectorized dumbbell assemblies; and first and second weight supports mounted on the frame and configured to support respective dumbbell assemblies. On certain embodiments, the weight supports are movably mounted on the frame to facilitate more than one type of activity and/or to accommodate more than mode of exercise. Also, some embodiments include a body support that is movable between a first position which is suitable for exercise and a second position which is suitable for transportation and/or storage. In several such instances, the body support is a bench that is movable relative to the weight supports, between a generally horizontal orientation and a generally vertical orientation.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating exercise involving adjustable dumbbells, comprising the steps of:

providing a frame adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis between at least two different operative orientations relative to an underlying floor surface;

providing a first dumbbell assembly and a second dumbbell assembly, wherein each said dumbbell assembly includes a handle that defines a longitudinal axis, and a set of weights configured for connection to the handle;

providing a first weight support and a second weight support, wherein each said weight support is configured to receive and support a respective set of weights in axial alignment with one another and separated into two groups with an axially extending gap defined therebetween to accommodate a respective handle;

rotating the frame into a first one of the operative orientations relative to the floor surface, and mounting each said weight support on a respective first portion of the frame at a common first height above the floor surface; and

alternatively rotating the frame into a second one of the operative orientations relative to the floor surface, and mounting each said weight support on a respective second portion of the frame at a common second height above the floor surface, wherein the first height is greater than the second height.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selectively lifting either said handle away from the frame when the frame occupies either said one of the operative orientations.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each said mounting step involves arranging a respective weight support to overlie and straddle a respective portion of the frame, and inserting a respective pin horizontally through overlapping portions of a respective weight support and a respective portion of the frame.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each said rotating step involves rotating the frame ninety degrees about the horizontal axis.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each said mounting step involves positioning each said weight support on a respective side of the frame in a manner that defines an unobstructed, radially extending gap of at least ten inches therebetween.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing a bench, and positioning the bench between the first weight support and the second weight support.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the bench is configured and arranged to rest on the floor surface independent of the frame, and each said rotating step is performed without moving the bench relative to the floor surface.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting which of said weights is secured to each said handle while each said set of weights and each said handle remain resting on a respective weight support.

9. A method of facilitating exercise involving adjustable dumbbells, comprising the steps of:

providing a frame adapted to rest in more than one orientation on a floor surface;

providing a first dumbbell assembly and a second dumbbell assembly, wherein each said dumbbell assembly includes a handle that defines a longitudinal axis, and a set of weights configured for connection to the handle;

providing a first weight support and a second weight support, wherein each said weight support is configured to receive and support a respective set of weights in axial alignment with one another and separated into two groups with an axially extending gap defined therebetween to accommodate a respective handle;

selectively rotating the frame about a horizontal axis relative to the floor surface to adjust the frame between a first, relatively high profile orientation and a second, relatively low profile orientation;

adjustably mounting each said weight support on the frame to maintain each said weight support in a particular orientation relative to the floor surface independent of the orientation of the frame; and

adjusting which of said weights is secured to each said handle while each said set of weights and each said handle remain resting on a respective weight support.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of selectively lifting either said handle away from the frame when the frame occupies either said orientation.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the mounting step involves arranging each said weight support to overlie and straddle a respective portion of the frame, and inserting a respective pin horizontally through overlapping portions of a respective weight support and a respective portion of the frame.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the rotating step involves rotating the frame ninety degrees about the horizontal axis.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the mounting step involves positioning each said weight support on a respective side of the frame in a manner that defines an unobstructed, radially extending gap of at least ten inches therebetween.

14. A method of facilitating exercise involving adjustable dumbbells, comprising the steps of:

providing a frame adapted to rest in more than on orientation on a floor surface;

providing a first dumbbell assembly and a second dumbbell assembly, wherein each said dumbbell assembly includes a handle that defines a longitudinal axis, and a set of weights configured for connection to the handle;

providing a first weight support and a second weight support, wherein each said weight support is configured to receive and support a respective set of weights in axial alignment with one another and separated into two groups with an axially extending gap defined therebetween to accommodate a respective handle;

selectively rotating the frame about a horizontal axis relative to the floor surface to adjust the frame between a first, relatively high profile orientation and a second, relatively low profile orientation;

adjustably mounting each said weight support on the frame to maintain each said weight support in a particular orientation relative to the floor surface independent of the orientation of the frame;

providing a bench; and

positioning the bench between the first weight support and the second weight support.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the bench is configured and arranged to rest on the floor surface independent of the frame, and the rotating step is performed without moving the bench relative to the floor surface.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of adjusting which of said weights is secured to each said handle while each said set of weights and each said handle remain resting on a respective weight support.

17. A method of facilitating exercise involving adjustable dumbbells, comprising the steps of:

providing a frame;

rotatably connecting wheels to the frame;

providing a first dumbbell assembly and a second dumbbell assembly, wherein each said dumbbell assembly includes a handle that defines a longitudinal axis, and a set of weights configured for connection to the handle;

providing a first weight support and a second weight support, wherein each said weight support is configured to receive and support a respective set of weights in axial alignment with one another and separated into two groups with an axially extending gap defined therebetween to accommodate a respective handle;

adjustably mounting each said weight support on the frame, wherein the frame, the wheels, and each said weight support cooperate to define a support assembly;

maneuvering the support assembly into a first free-standing orientation relative to the floor surface, wherein the wheels are in contact with the floor surface, and each said dumbbell assembly is supported at a first common height above the floor surface; and

alternatively maneuvering the support assembly into a second free-standing orientation relative to the floor surface, wherein the wheels are out of contact with the floor surface, and each said dumbbell assembly is supported at a second common height above the floor surface.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of selectively lifting either said handle away from the frame when the frame occupies either said one of the operative orientations.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the mounting step involves arranging each said weight support to overlie and straddle a respective portion of the frame, and inserting a respective pin horizontally through overlapping portions of a respective weight support and a respective portion of the frame.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the maneuvering step involves rotating the frame ninety degrees about the horizontal axis.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the mounting step involves positioning each said weight support on a respective side of the frame in a manner that defines an unobstructed, radially extending gap of at least ten inches therebetween.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of providing a bench, and positioning the bench between the first weight support and the second weight support.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the bench is configured and arranged to rest on the floor surface independent of the frame, and the rotating step is performed without moving the bench relative to the floor surface.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of adjusting which of said weights is secured to each said handle while each said set of weights and each said handle remain resting on a respective weight support.