Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing weight resistance
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-15
2001-11-13
Mulcahy, John (Department: 3739)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing weight resistance
C482S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315699
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a modified dumbbell system with a means for securing various weighted attachments, namely by incorporating an attachable insert assembly, thereby allowing a user to use a dumbbell having multiple degrees of weight.
2. Background of the Invention
No longer a male dominated sport, weightlifting has gained increased popularity among the general population. Specifically, society has recognized the dumbbells as being one of the most effective strength training devices available for sculpting one's physique. Dumbbells allow both the casual participant to the avid trainer to build both flexibility and balance, while also increasing muscle mass, if so desired. Further, physical therapists utilize weightlifting equipment and therapies to aid their patients heal injured muscles and joints.
Many forms of weight dumbbells are known in the art. One conventional form is the fixed weight dumbbell comprising a standard bar handle and two end weights fixedly attached to the bar. Another traditional form is the adjustable weight dumbbell where the handle is mounted with exchangeable end weights having various poundage. However, both forms exhibit numerous disadvantages.
The fixed dumbbell is extremely bulky mainly due to being sold in sets which makes storage difficult for the user. Further, a set of fixed-weight dumbbells requires a substantial amount of metal, namely steel, aluminum or iron, as opposed to the present invention. Alternatively, the adjustable dumbbell is time-consuming for the user with respect to changing, removing and adjusting end weights. Here, a safety hazard is presented when the end weights are not adequately secured to the extended handle. Further, some adjustable weight dumbbells employ a stacked configuration where the weights attach to each other as the mass builds away from the handle. Such a configuration is hazardous due to an increased moment of inertia and the number of weights in use.
An example of a conventional adjustable dumbbell is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,379 entitled Variable Weight Dumbbell to Zarecky issued Nov. 7, 1995. The '379 patent discloses a variable weight dumbbell system comprising a one-piece dumbbell and a plurality of removably attachable insert weights. This one-piece dumbbell comprises a handle bar with a pair of end-weights fixedly attached at opposing ends of the handle bar. Each insert weight has a protruding, threaded member and is capable of being removably attached to the end-weights. Further, each end- weight has an axially-centered, inwardly-opening socket on each end-weight with two plungers disposed therein.
However, the '379 patent requires that an insert weight be rotated about the x-axis to align plungers with the axial grooves to facilitate proper attachment. Here, the insert weight is locked into the end-weight by radially turning the insert weight such that the plungers engage a circumferential camming surface within a circumferential groove compressing the plungers. Further, the insert weight is locked into the end-weight by further rotating the insert weight so that the plungers engage the locking indentations decompressing the plungers. Thus, the above required multiple rotations cause the user to consume valuable time when removing, attaching or adjusting such end-weights.
Another example of an adjustable dumbbell is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,604 to Towley, III et al. issued Jul. 14, 1998. The '604 patent depicts an adjustable dumbbell having a central handle being connected to one or more outer weights by means of a selector pin. The outer weights are arranged in a nested symmetrical stack providing for a compact construction and for storing unused weights. However, the '604 patent employs the stacked configuration which allows weights to build upon each other which is hazardous to a user due to the increasing moment of inertia and the number of weights being utilized.
In view of the above described deficiencies associated with the use of conventional dumbbells, the present invention has been developed to alleviate these drawbacks and provide further benefits to the user. These enhancements and benefits are described in greater detail hereinbelow with respect to several alternative embodiments of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in its several disclosed embodiments alleviates the drawbacks described above with respect to conventionally designed dumbbells and incorporates several additional beneficial features.
As described above, conventionally designed dumbbells are currently being offered in two forms: the fixed weight dumbbell comprising a standard handle and two end weights attached to the bar; and the adjustable weight dumbbell where a standard handle is mounted with removable end weights. The present invention, however, incorporates a mechanism for securing weighted attachments, namely an attachable insert assembly, to a modified dumbbell system.
Specifically, the present invention is a modified dumbbell incorporating a mechanism for securing variable weighted attachments to allow the user to use a one-piece dumbbell for multiple degrees of weight. The modified dumbbell has an incorporated spring-loaded pin and a female connector capable of receiving an attachable insert assembly. The insert assembly includes a male connector capable of being joined with the female connector of the dumbbell and which is engageable with the spring-loaded pin for interlocking attachment.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide end-weights having a substantially cylindrical configuration where one side of each end-weight is leveled off having a flat surface in order for the end-weights to remain in a stationary position. This embodiment maintains an ergonomically correct design in order to reduce or prevent injury to the user. An alternative embodiment is to provide end-weights having a cylindrical shape allowing the dumbbell to remain mobile where the user can easily transport the present invention by utilizing a rolling method. Further, the insert assemblies may also be shaped in either a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical configuration in order to appropriately conform to the shape of its mating end-weight.
An advantage of the present invention is to decrease time consumption of weight removal and attachment by providing an attachable insert assembly having a male connector that is engageable with a female receiving connector incorporated within an end weight having a spring-loaded release pin for quickly securing the insert assembly in a fixed position. The attachable insert assembly not only allows the user to vary the size and total poundage necessary for his/her weightlifting exercise regime, but also provides an insert assembly to be incorporated into a dumbbell to increase safety by avoiding a stacked weight configuration and eliminate an increased moment of inertia and the number of weights in use. A further advantage is to provide a dumbbell having an ergonomically correct design, namely a substantially cylindrical configuration, in order to reduce injury.
Another goal of the present invention is to provide a modified dumbbell that increases a user's muscle and joint endurance while helping him/her maintain flexibility and balance. Further, the modified dumbbell with attachable insert assembly is capable of saving consumers hundreds of dollars while decreasing storage space and eliminating the need for extra sets of fixed dumbbells. This modified dumbbell with attachable insert assembly does not require special technology for its production and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1645457 (1927-10-01), Schall
patent: 5464379 (1995-11-01), Zarecky
Kilpatrick Stockton L.L.P.
Mulcahy John
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