Balanced stackable dumbbell system

• US 7,491,155 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2002
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Balanced Bells, LLC, Fene Fenelon, Margaret
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Morgan, Michael P. Sohr, Paul J. Fenelon
• Inventors: Sohr, Michael P., Morgan, Lawrence, Fenelon, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONNELLY, JEROME W
• Application Number:
  US10/267,911
• Publication Number:
  US 20030096683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,323 Days
• Field of Search: 482104-108, 482/92, 482/93, 482/109, 482/909
• US Class Current: 482/107
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0601 Special physical structures of used masses
• 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

A dumbbell system is provided including a base weight member and a handle rotatably attached to the base weight member. A plurality of added weights are adapted to be removably mounted to the base weight member in order to provide a compact dumbbell system which has the capability of providing several weight increments in a compact assembly. The dumbbell system is ideal for use in areas where space is limited.

Claims

1. A weight system, comprising:

a handle having first and second ends and extending along a longitudinal axis, said handle having a longitudinally extending aperture;

at least one base weight member mounted on said handle near said first end, said handle being rotatably supported to said at least one base weight member;

a lock mechanism engageable with said handle to prevent rotation of said handle, said lock mechanism including a pin extending downward within a hole in said at least one base weight member, a release mechanism engageable with said pin for releasing said lock mechanism and a spring for biasing said pin toward an engaged position with said handle;

at least one second weight member adapted to be removably mounted to said handle; and

a locking member longitudinally received within said longitudinally extending aperture and operably engaged with said handle, said locking member configured to move longitudinally relative to said handle as said handle is rotated, thereby extending outward from said at least one base weight member and said handle first end for removably attaching said at least one second weight member to said handle.

2. The weight system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one base weight member includes a pair of base weight members mounted to opposite ends of said handle and said at least one second weight member includes a pair of second weight members which are removably engaged with said pair of base weight members.

3. The weight system according to claim 1, further comprising a second locking member received within said longitudinally extending aperture and operably engaged with said handle and movable longitudinally relative to said handle for extending outward from said handle.

4. The weight system according to claim 1, further comprising a display mechanism on said handle for displaying an engagement status of said locking member.

5. The weight system according to claim 4, wherein said display mechanism includes a window in said handle and a reference indicator viewable through said window to indicate when said at least one second weight member is engaged with said at least one base weight member.

6. A weight system, comprising:

a handle having first and second ends and extending along a longitudinal axis, said handle having a longitudinally extending aperture;

at least one base weight member mounted on said handle near said first end, said handle being rotatably supported to said at least one base weight member;

a lock mechanism engageable with said handle to prevent rotation of said handle;

at least one second weight member adapted to be removably mounted to said handle;

a locking member longitudinally received within said longitudinally extending aperture and operably engaged with said handle, said locking member configured to move longitudinally relative to said handle as said handle is rotated, thereby extending outward from said at least one base weight member and said handle first end for removably attaching said at least one second weight member to said handle;

wherein one of said at least one base weight member and said at least one second weight member includes a recessed channel on a surface thereof for receiving a projecting portion provided on a surface of the other of said at least one base weight member and said at least one second weight member, said recessed channel and said projecting portion each include interlocking edge portions such that said interlocking edge portions engage said base weight member with said at least one second weight member to inhibit movement of said at least one second weight member relative to said at least one base weight member along said longitudinal axis.

7. The weight system according to claim 6, wherein said locking member includes a threaded portion and is received in a longitudinally extending aperture in said handle.

8. The weight system according to claim 7, wherein said aperture in said handle includes at least one radially inwardly extending thread engaging projection for drivingly engaging said threaded portion of said locking member.

9. The weight system according to claim 7, wherein said locking member includes a longitudinally extending keyway slot on one side thereof and said at least one base weight member includes a key member for engaging said keyway slot to prevent relative rotation of said locking member relative to said at least one base weight member.

10. The weight system according to claim 6, further comprising a support structure for supporting said at least one second weight member in an upright position for engagement with said handle and said at least one base weight member.

11. A weight system, comprising:

a handle having an axial aperture;

at least one base weight member mounted on said handle, said handle being rotatably supported to said at least one base weight member;

at least one second weight member adapted to be removably mounted to said handle;

a locking member received within said axial aperture and operably engaged with said handle and movable axially relative to said handle for extending outward from said at least one base weight member for removably attaching said at least one second weight member to said handle; and

wherein said handle includes a display mechanism thereon for displaying an engagement status of said locking member, said display mechanism including a window in said handle and a reference indicator viewable through said window to indicate when said at least one second weight member is engaged with said at least one base weight member.