Exercise weight selection methods and apparatus

• US 7,128,697 B1
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bruno Intellectual Reserve, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mark Krull
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mathew, Fenn C.
• Application Number:
  US10/863,050
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 482/93, 482 97- 98, 482106-108, D21680-683
• 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

Exercise dumbbells have pairs of weights disposed at opposite ends of a handle. Selector rods are selectively movable into engagement with various combinations of the weights.

Claims

1. An exercise dumbbell, comprising:

a handle;

a first weight holder connected to a first end of the handle;

a second weight holder connected to an opposite, second end of the handle;

a first set of weight plates configured and arranged to occupy the first weight holder;

a second set of weight plates configured and arranged to occupy the second weight holder; and

a selector rod slidably mounted relative to each said weight holder and selectively slidable beneath at least one weight plate in each said set of weight plates.

2. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, wherein the selector rod is configured to underlie only a fraction of the weight plates in each said set.

3. The exercise dumbbell of claim 2, further comprising a second selector rod slidably mounted relative to each said weight holder and selectively slidable beneath a complementary fraction of the weight plates in each said set.

4. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, further comprising means for latching the selector rod in a desired position relative to each said weight holder.

5. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, wherein the selector rod is a bar with notches formed therein, and sliding of the bar to a first position places portions of the bar beneath the at least one weight plate in each said set, and sliding of the bar to a second position places the notches beneath the at least one weight plate in each said set.

6. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, wherein the selector rod is a rod with an intermediate portion that defines a longitudinal axis, and opposite first and second end portions that extend parallel to the axis at a radial distance apart from the axis, and sliding of the bar to a first position places the end portions beneath the at least one weight plate in each said set, and sliding of the bar to a second portion removes the end portions from beneath the at least one weight plate in each said set.