Stands for supporting exercise dumbbells

• US 7,112,163 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2003
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruno Intellectual Reserve, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mark Krull
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/345,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20040138031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 482104-108, D21/675, D21/680, D21/681
• US Class Current: 482/104
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0726 Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means

Abstract

An exercise system includes a unique dumbbell stand configured to support first and second dumbbells in more than one configuration. The dumbbells are preferably mounted on respective floor engaging frame members that are movable relative to one another. The stand is preferably provided with rollers to facilitate rolling across a floor surface, and an accessory tray with compartments to hold personal items for a user.

Claims

1. A dumbbell stand for supporting a pair of exercise dumbbells above a floor surface, comprising:

a first dumbbell support and a second dumbbell support, wherein each said dumbbell support has a leg portion configured and arranged to engage the floor surface, and a beam portion configured and arranged to support a respective dumbbell; and

arranging means, interconnected between the first dumbbell support and the second dumbbell support, for arranging the first dumbbell support and the second dumbbell support in more than one configuration, including a first configuration, wherein a first horizontally measured distance is defined between each said leg portion, and a first angle is defined between each said beam portion, and a second configuration, wherein a second, relatively greater horizontally measured distance is defined between each said leg portion, and a second angle is defined between each said beam portion.

2. The dumbbell stand of claim 1, wherein a respective floor engaging roller is rotatably mounted on a lower end of each said leg portion.

3. The dumbbell stand of claim 1, wherein the means includes a U-shaped support frame, and each said beam portion is pivotally connected to a respective leg of the U-shaped support frame.

4. The dumbbell stand of claim 1, wherein the first dumbbell support and the second dumbbell support have opposing counterparts that extend parallel to one another when viewed from above in the first configuration, and that extend perpendicular to one another when viewed from above in the second configuration.

5. The dumbbell stand of claim 1, wherein each said beam portion defines a V-shaped configuration when viewed from above.

6. The dumbbell stand of claim 1, wherein the second distance is sufficient to accommodates a person standing on the floor surface between the beam portion of the first dumbbell support and the beam portion of the second dumbbell support.

7. The dumbbell stand of claim 1, wherein each said dumbbell support includes a respective weight cradle having a plurality of individual, upwardly opening weight compartments, and further comprising a respective selectorized dumbbell disposed on each said cradle.

8. The dumbbell stand of claim 1, wherein the arranging means includes at least one intermediate frame member interconnected between the first dumbbell support and the second dumbbell support, and further comprising an accessory tray mounted on the at least one intermediate frame member.

9. The dumbbell stand of claim 1, further comprising an accessory tray operatively connected to at least one of the first dumbbell support and the second dumbbell support, wherein the accessory tray provides a first upwardly opening compartment of a first size and shape, and a second upwardly opening compartment of a discrete, second size and shape.

10. The dumbbell stand of claim 1, further comprising latching means for latching each said dumbbell support in a desired said configuration.

11. A dumbbell stand for supporting a pair of exercise dumbbells above a floor surface, comprising:

a first dumbbell support configured and arranged to support a first dumbbell;

a second dumbbell support configured and arranged to support a second dumbbell;

a base configured and arranged to engage the floor surface;

an accessory tray mounted on the base, wherein the tray defines at least two upwardly opening compartments having discrete sizes and shapes; and

connecting means for connecting each said dumbbell support to the base.

12. The dumbbell stand of claim 11, wherein the stand is supported exclusively on rollers configured and arranged to engage an underlying floor surface.

13. The dumbbell stand of claim 11, wherein at least one roller is rotatably mounted on a lower end of the first dumbbell support, and at least one roller is rotatably mounted on a lower end of the second dumbbell support.

14. The dumbbell stand of claim 11, wherein one of the upwardly opening compartments is sized and configured to support a cylindrical beverage container.

15. The dumbbell stand of claim 11, wherein each said dumbbell support defines a V-shaped configuration when viewed from above.

16. The dumbbell stand of claim 11, wherein the connecting means includes a sleeve rigidly connected to the first dumbbell support and pivotally connected to a first shaft on the base, and another sleeve rigidly connected to the second dumbbell support and pivotally connected to a second shaft on the base.

17. The dumbbell stand of claim 16, wherein a first roller is mounted on a lower end of the first dumbbell support for movement across the floor surface in an arcuate path about the first shaft, and a second roller is mounted on a lower end of the second dumbbell support for movement across the floor surface in an arcuate path about the second shaft.

18. The dumbbell stand of claim 11, wherein each said dumbbell support includes a respective weight cradle.

19. The dumbbell stand of claim 18, further comprising a respective selectorized dumbbell stored on each said weight cradle.

20. The dumbbell stand of claim 11, further comprising latching means for latching each said dumbbell support in place relative to the base to maintain a fixed distance between the opposing counterparts.

21. A dumbbell stand for supporting a pair of exercise dumbbells above a floor surface, comprising:

a first dumbbell support having a leg portion configured and arranged to engage the floor surface, and a beam portion configured and arranged to support a first dumbbell;

a second dumbbell support having a leg portion configured and arranged to engage the floor surface, and a beam portion configured and arranged to support a second dumbbell;

a base configured and arranged to engage the floor surface;

a first sleeve rigidly connected to the first dumbbell support and pivotally connected to a first vertical shaft on the base; and

a second sleeve rigidly connected to the second dumbbell support and pivotally connected to a second vertical shaft on the base.

22. The dumbbell stand of claim 21, wherein the stand is supported exclusively on rollers that are configured and arranged to engage the floor surface.

23. The dumbbell stand of claim 21, wherein a respective roller is rotatably mounted on a lower end of each said leg portion.

24. The dumbbell stand of claim 21, wherein the first dumbbell support and the second dumbbell support pivot relative to the base to alternatively define a first operative configuration wherein opposing counterparts on each said dumbbell support extend parallel to one another when viewed from above and define a first distance therebetween, and a second configuration wherein the opposing counterparts extend perpendicular to one another when viewed from above and define a relatively greater, second distance therebetween.

25. The dumbbell stand of claim 21, wherein each said dumbbell support defines a V-shaped configuration when viewed from above.

26. The dumbbell stand of claim 21, wherein a first roller is mounted on a lower end of the first dumbbell support for movement across the floor surface in an arcuate path about the first shaft, and a second roller is mounted on a lower end of the second dumbbell support for movement across the floor surface in an arcuate path about the second shaft.

27. The dumbbell stand of claim 21, wherein each said dumbbell support includes a respective weight cradle.

28. The dumbbell stand of claim 27, further comprising a respective selectorized dumbbell stored on each said weight cradle.

29. The dumbbell stand of claim 21, further comprising means for latching each said dumbbell support in place relative to the base.

30. A dumbbell stand for supporting a pair of exercise dumbbells above a floor surface, comprising:

a base having opposite end portions configured and arranged to engage the floor surface;

a first dumbbell support having a leg portion configured and arranged to engage the floor surface, and a beam portion movably connected to the base and configured and arranged to support a first dumbbell; and

a second dumbbell support having a leg portion configured and arranged to engage the floor surface, and a beam portion movably connected to the base and configured and arranged to support a second dumbbell.

31. The dumbbell stand of claim 30, wherein a respective, floor engaging roller is mounted on a lower end of each said leg portion.

32. The dumbbell stand of claim 31, wherein a respective, floor engaging roller is mounted on each of said end portions.

33. The dumbbell stand of claim 30, further comprising an accessory tray mounted on the base in horizontal alignment with each said beam portion.

34. The dumbbell stand of claim 33, wherein each said beam portion is pivotally connected to a respective vertical shaft on the base, thereby defining a variable width space therebetween.

35. The dumbbell stand of claim 34, wherein each said beam portion is configured and arranged to be directly in front of the tray when the space is minimal.

36. The dumbbell of claim 33, wherein the tray defines at least one upwardly opening compartment that is sized and configured to support a cylindrical beverage container, and at least one upwardly opening compartment that is a different size and shape.

37. The dumbbell stand of claim 30, wherein each said dumbbell support is configured and arranged to pivot about a respective vertical shaft on the base.

38. The dumbbell stand of claim 30, wherein each said beam portion cooperates with a respective said leg portion to defines an inverted L-shaped dumbbell support.

39. The dumbbell stand of claim 30, wherein each said beam portion defines a V-shaped configuration when viewed from above.