Weight selection methods and apparatus

• US 7,077,791 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2002
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mathew, Fenn C.
• Application Number:
  US10/127,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20030199368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 482106-108, 482/93, 482/94, 482/98
• US Class Current: 482/108
• 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 has at least one weight selector that is rotatable into engagement with various combination of weights at opposite ends of the handle. On a first embodiment, first and second weight selectors are rotatably mounted on opposite ends of a bar for independent rotation relative to the handle. On a second embodiment, first and second weight selectors are keyed to a common bar and rotated together therewith relative to the handle.

Claims

1. An adjustable mass free weight system, comprising:

a handle assembly including a hand grip, a first weight selector disposed at a first end of said hand grip, and a second weight selector disposed at an opposite, second end of said hand grip, wherein each said weight selector is rotatably connected to said hand grip, and each said weight selector includes (a) a base portion that defines a longitudinal axis, (b) radial portions that are affixed to said base portion at axially spaced locations and extend radially away from said base portion, and (c) axial portions that are affixed to radially outward ends of respective radial portions and extend axially away from respective radial portions;

a plurality of aligned weights, wherein slots in the weights are configured to receive said base portion, and gaps are defined between adjacent weights to receive respective radial portions and axial portions therebetween, and each of said weights has a nub that projects axially toward a respective one of said radial portions and is selectively engaged when a respective one of said axial portions is rotated beneath said nub; and

a base configured to support said weights in a rest position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said weights has an axially extending shoulder that spans a respective one of said gaps.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first weight selector is rotatable relative to said second weight selector.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein opposite end portions of a bar project outward from respective ends of said hand grip, and each said base portion forms a tube about a respective one of said end portions.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each said base portion is keyed to a common bar that extends through said hand grip.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each said weight selector is rotatable to a first orientation relative to said weights, wherein only first said weights at respective ends of said hand grip are engaged by respective axial portions, and each said weight selector is rotatable to a second orientation relative to said weights, wherein only second said weights at respective ends of said hand grip are engaged by respective axial portions.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein each said weight selector is rotatable to a third orientation relative to said weights, wherein both said first weights and said second weights are engaged by respective axial portions.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said radial portions supports at least two said axial portions that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said radial portions supports at least three said axial portions that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said weights have lower ends that are configured to fit into respective slots in said base, and transversely extending shoulders that are configured to rest on opposite sidewalls on said base.

11. An adjustable mass free weight system, comprising:

a hand grip;

at least one weight selector that defines a longitudinal axis and is rotatably connected to said hand grip, wherein a plurality of discrete engagement members are affixed to each said weight selector at discrete axially spaced locations, and each of said members includes a radially extending segment and at least one axially extending segment affixed to a radially outward portion of said radially extending segment;

a plurality of weights, wherein each of said weights has a slot that is configured to receive a respective said weight selector, and adjacent said weights define gaps therebetween to accommodate respective members, and each of said weights has an axially extending nub that is disposed radially inside a rotational path defined by each said axially extending segment on a respective one of said members, and said at least one weight selector rotates relative to said weights to move each said axially extending segment into and out of underlying engagement with a respective nub; and

a base configured to support said weights in a rest position.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least one weight selector is rotatable to a first orientation relative to said weights, wherein only a first one of said weights is engaged, and said at least one weight selector is rotatable to a second orientation relative to said weights, wherein a second one of said weights is engaged.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said at least one weight selector is rotatable to a third orientation relative to said weights, wherein both said first one of said weights is engaged by a respective axially extending segment, and said second one of said weights is engaged by a respective axially extending segment.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein opposite end portions of a bar project outward from respective ends of said hand grip, and said at least one weight selector includes first and second weight selectors rotatably mounted on respective end portions of said bar and rotatable independent of one another.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said weights have lower ends that are configured to fit into respective slots in said base, and transversely extending shoulders that are configured to rest on opposite sidewalls on said base.

16. An adjustable mass free weight system, comprising:

a bar having an intermediate handle portion, a first end portion, and an opposite, second end portion, wherein said bar defines a longitudinal axis;

a first weight plate and a second weight plate maintained in axial alignment along said first end portion of said bar;

a third weight plate and a fourth weight plate maintained in axial alignment along said second portion of said bar, wherein each said weight plate includes an axially extending nub;

a first weight selector and a second weight selector, wherein each said weight selector is rotatably mounted on a respective end portion of said bar, and said first weight selector includes at least one dedicated hook for each of said first weight plate and said second weight plate, and said second weight selector includes at least one dedicated hook for each of said third weight plate and said fourth weight plate, and each said hook is configured to engage and disengage a respective said nub as a function of its orientation relative to said bar, and each said hook on said first weight selector is constrained to rotate together, and each said hook on said second weight selector is constrained to rotate together; and

a base configured to support said weights in a rest position.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein a first bracket is secured to said first end portion of said bar, and a second bracket is secured to said second end portion of said bar, and each said bracket bounds a distal end of a respective weight selector.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein a first bracket is secured to said first end portion of said bar, and a second bracket is secured to said second end portion of said bar, and each said bracket has a U-shaped configuration with opposite distal ends connected to said bar and an intermediate portion spanning a respective weight selector.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein a first bracket is secured to said first end portion of said bar, and a second bracket is secured to said second end portion of said bar, and each said bracket has a U-shaped configuration with opposite distal ends connected to said bar, and a respective weight selector disposed therebetween.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein each said weight plate has a lower end that is configured to fit into a respective slot in said base, and transversely extending shoulders that are configured to rest on opposite sidewalls on said base.

21. An adjustable mass free weight system, comprising:

a handle having a first end and a second end;

a plurality of first weights maintained in axial alignment at said first end of said handle;

a plurality of second weights maintained in axial alignment at said second end of said handle;

a base configured to support said first weights and said second weights in a rest position; and

a first means, rotatably connected to said first end of said handle, for selectively securing said first weights to said handle and for maintaining spacing between adjacent said first weights, wherein said first means is rotatable from a first orientation, wherein only one of said first weights is secured to said handle, to a second orientation, wherein another of said first weights is secured to said handle; and

a second means, rotatably connected to said second end of said handle, for selectively securing said second weights to said handle and for maintaining spacing between adjacent said second weights, wherein said second means is rotatable from a first orientation, wherein only one of said second weights is secured to said handle, to a second orientation, wherein another of said second weights is secured to said handle.