Exercise dumbbell methods and apparatus

• US 7,621,855 B1
• Filed: 01/04/2005
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruno Intellectual Reserve, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mark Krull
• Inventors: Krull, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly; Jerome
• Application Number:
  US11/029,845
• Time in Patent Office: 1,785 Days
• Field of Search: 482104- 18, 482 92- 94
• US Class Current: 482/107
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0728 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 includes a handle member and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship at opposite ends thereof. Weight selectors are movable into and out of engagement with different combinations of the weight plates to secure a desired amount of mass to the handle. The weight selectors are routed through the hand grip portion of the handle member, and are accessible via upwardly opening slots in the weight plates. Different latching arrangements may be used to releasably latch the weight selectors in desired locations relative to the weight plates.

Claims

1. An exercise dumbbell, comprising:

a handle member having a handle that defines a longitudinal axis, a first weight supporting section disposed at a first end of the handle and including a first bar that extends axially through the first weight supporting section, and a second weight supporting section disposed at an opposite, second end of the handle and including a second bar that extends axially through the second weight supporting section;

first weights sized and configured to be supported by the first weight supporting section, and including respective outwardly opening slots to accommodate insertion of the first bar;

second weights sized and configured to be supported by the second weight supporting section, and including respective outwardly opening slots to accommodate insertion of the second bar;

a first weight selector configured and arranged to selectively engage the first weights, wherein the first weight selector extends axially through the handle and is accessible via the slots in the second weights; and

a second weight selector configured and arranged to selectively engage the second weights, wherein the second weight selector extends axially through the handle and is accessible via the slots in the first weights.

2. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, wherein each said weight selector is configured and arranged to span the handle when all of the weights are engaged.

3. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, wherein the first weights include a first weight plate and a second weight plate, and the second weights include another first weight plate and another second weight plate, and each said weight selector is movable to a respective latched position spanning each said first weight plate.

4. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, wherein a first operator member is connected to the first weight selector and extends upward through at least one of the slots in the second weights, and a second operator member is connected to the second weight selector and extends upward through at least one of the slots in the first weights.

5. The exercise dumbbell of claim 4, further comprising a means for biasing each said operator member to remain in a desired axial location along the handle member.

6. The exercise dumbbell of claim 5, wherein the means includes a first spring that biases the first operator member downward into one of several notches in the second weight supporting section, and a second spring that biases the second operator member downward into one of several notches in the first weight supporting section.

7. The exercise dumbbell of claim 1, further comprising a base sized and configured to support the weights in respective rest positions that align with the weight supporting sections.

8. A weight lifting apparatus, comprising:

a handle member having a handle that defines a longitudinal axis, a first weight supporting section disposed at a first end of the handle, and a second weight supporting section disposed at an opposite, second end of the handle;

first weights sized and configured to be supported by the first weight supporting section;

second weights sized and configured to be supported by the second weight supporting section;

a first weight selector configured and arranged to selectively engage the first weights, wherein the first weight selector extends axially through the handle and into the second weight supporting section, and is accessible via slots in the second weights; and

a second weight selector configured and arranged to selectively engage the second weights, wherein the second weight selector extends axially through the handle and into the first weight supporting section, and is accessible via slots in the first weights.

9. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 8, wherein each said weight selector is configured and arranged to span the handle when all of the weights are engaged.

10. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first weights include a first weight plate and a second weight plate, and the second weights include another first weight plate and another second weight plate, and each said weight selector is movable to a respective latched position spanning each said first weight plate.

11. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 8, wherein a first operator member is connected to the first weight selector and extends upward through at least one of the slots in the second weights, and a second operator member is connected to the second weight selector and extends upward through at least one of the slots in the first weights.

12. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a means for biasing each said operator member to remain in a desired axial location along the handle member.

13. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the means includes a first spring that biases the first operator member downward into one of several notches in the second weight supporting section, and a second spring that biases the second operator member downward into one of several notches in the first weight supporting section.

14. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a base sized and configured to support the weights in respective rest positions that align with the weight supporting sections.