Aspects of the present invention relate generally to an adjustable dumbbell system, and more specifically to keyed weights and bases for an adjustable dumbbell system.
Dumbbells are widely used exercise devices for providing resistance training in a wide variety of exercises such as bicep curls, bench presses, shoulder presses, triceps extensions, and the like. Due to the number of exercises that may be performed with dumbbells, users often need many different dumbbells, each with different weights, to perform an exercise routine. Traditional dumbbells are somewhat inconvenient to use because each time a user desires to change the weight load of the dumbbell, the user either has to select a heavier dumbbell or disassemble the dumbbell to add or remove weights. A single adjustable dumbbell allows a user to perform a varied exercise routine without requiring a large number of dumbbells with different weights or disassembly of the dumbbell.
In response to these issues, dumbbells have been designed that allow the total weight load to be readily changed on a single dumbbell without disassembling the dumbbell. These dumbbells typically have more complicated structures that allow the weight load to be selected. In operation, a user aligns a dumbbell support structure with weights positioned in a dumbbell base. The user selects the desired weight load using a selector, which selectively joins weights stored in the base to the dumbbell support structure. The user then removes the dumbbell support structure with the selected weights from the base. The unselected weights, if any, remain in the base. The user may then rejoin the dumbbell support structure with the base to select a different weight load.
One embodiment of the present invention may take the form of a selectable weight dumbbell system. The selectable weight dumbbell system may include a base and a dumbbell. The base may include one or more weight receiving spaces. The dumbbell may include a handle and one or more selectively removable weights. Each of the weights may be removably positionable in one of the weight receiving spaces. Each of the weights and the base may form an orientation key between the weight and the base that compels the weight to be positioned in said one of the weight receiving spaces in an orientation for selective operative engagement with the handle.
Another embodiment of the present invention may take the form of a selectable weight dumbbell system. The selectable weight dumbbell system may include a base and a dumbbell. The base may include one or more weight receiving spaces. The dumbbell may include a handle and one or more selectively removable weights. Each of the weights may be removably positionable in one of the weight receiving spaces. The selectable weight dumbbell system may further include a means for orientating the weights to compel each of the weights to be positioned in one of the weight receiving spaces in an orientation for selective operative engagement with the handle.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention may take the form of a selectable weight dumbbell system. The selectable weight dumbbell system may include a base, a dumbbell and an orientation feature. The base may include a weight receiving space. The dumbbell may include a handle and a weight selectively operatively engageable with the handle. The weight may be removably positionable in the weight receiving space. The orientation feature compels the weight to be received in the weight receiving space in an orientation for selective operative engagement with the handle.
Aspects of the present invention provide an orientation feature for use with various types of selectable weight dumbbell systems (which may also be called or referred to as adjustable dumbbell assemblies), such as, without limitation, those described and depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,791 (hereinafter “the '791 Patent”) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,678 (hereinafter “the '678 Patent”), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. As described in more detail in these patents, such selectable weight dumbbell systems allow a user to readily select the weight load of the dumbbell. These selectable weight dumbbell systems also allow the user to place the selectable weight dumbbell in a dumbbell base (which may also be called a support base), turn a selector knob or knobs to engage a desired combination of weights to obtain a desired weight load for the selectable weight dumbbell, and lift the selectable weight dumbbell system out of the support base to perform a desired exercise. The selectable weight dumbbell system will have the desired combination of weights to achieve the desired dumbbell weight load, and the unnecessary weights are left in the base support.
Should the user desire a different dumbbell weight load, the user places the selectable weight dumbbell back on the support base, turns the selector knob or knobs to engage another combination of weights to achieve the desired weight load, and lifts the selectable weight dumbbell off of the support base with the desired weight load. During exercise-type use (i.e., when the selectable weight dumbbell is not in the support base), the selectable weight dumbbell may be configured such that it is difficult or impossible to turn the selector knob to add or remove weights. The orientation feature facilities orienting the weights within the dumbbell base to assist in setting up the weights for selective engagement with a selective weight dumbbell support structure.
With continued reference to
The inner supports 135 and the bridges 125 facilitate aligning the weights 115 along the selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138 and work in conjunction with the selector mechanisms or assemblies 130 to keep selected weights 115 from disengaging from the selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138 during use. The selector mechanisms or assemblies 130 allow the user as described in more detail in the '791 and '678 Patents to selectively couple weights 115 to the selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138.
At each end portion, the selectable weight dumbbell 105 may include a selector knob 145, a selector dial or the like that forms a portion of a selector assembly or mechanism 130. As described in more detail in the '791 and '678 Patents, the selector knobs 145 or dials may be rotated by a user to selectively join weights 115 to the selectable weight dumbbell system support structure 138. As described in more detail in the '678 Patent, the inner supports 135 may work in conjunction with the selector mechanisms or assemblies 130 to restrict or prevent rotation of the selector knobs 145 or dials.
In some versions of the selectable weight dumbbell system 100, the two selector knobs 145 or dials may be independently rotatable relative to each other. In such versions, different combinations of weights 115 may be selected at each end portion of the selectable weight dumbbell 105. Such selectable weight dumbbell systems 100 are described, for example, in the '791 and '678 Patents. In other versions of the selectable weight dumbbell system 100, there may be a single selector knob 145 or dial rather than two selector knobs 145 or dials as shown in
With reference to
With continued reference to
To help prevent the incorrect placement of the weight 115 in the dumbbell base 110, the orientation element 175 may function as a key of an orientation feature. The orientation element 175 (e.g., a tab or protrusion) may also be considered as a portion of an orientation key. The orientation element 175 is adapted to engage an orientation receiving element of the orientation feature. With reference to
In operation, once the weight 115 is properly oriented by aligning the orientation element 175 on the weight 115 with the corresponding orientation receiving element 185 on the positioning wall 155, the weight 115 may be slid or moved into a weight receiving space 190 defined by adjacent positioning walls 155 and a floor of the dumbbell base 110. As the weight 115 is moved into the weight receiving space 190 in the proper orientation, the orientation element 175 (e.g., a protrusion or tab) is received in the orientation receiving element 185 (e.g., a groove or slot), thus allowing the weight 115 to be fully received within the weight receiving space 190 as shown, for example, in
The weight engagement feature 170 and the orientation element 175 may be differ as shown in
As another example and with reference to
With continued reference to
Although the weight engagement feature 170 and the orientation element 175 are shown as extending from the same sidewall 180 or surface of the weight 115, the orientation element 175 could extend from a different sidewall 180 or surface than the weight engagement feature 170. For example, the weight engagement feature 170 could extend from a first sidewall of the weight, such as the front sidewall shown in
With reference to
Like the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100, the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 includes a selectable weight dumbbell 105 and a dumbbell base 110 and operates in a similar manner to the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100. Also like the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100, the selectable weight dumbbell 105 of the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 includes one or more sets of weights 115 and a selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138. The dumbbell base 110 and the selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138 for the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 may be similar to the like components for the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100. For example, the selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138 of the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 may include a handle 120, two bridges 125, one or more selector assemblies or mechanisms 130, two inner supports 135, and a bar 140, and the dumbbell base for the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 may include positioning walls 155 and one or more engagement members 165.
The weight 115 for the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 is similar to the weight 115 for the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100 (e.g., the weight 115 of the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 includes a weight engagement feature that is similar to the weight engagement feature 175 for the weight 115 of the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100) except the orientation element of the weight 115 for the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 may be omitted and replaced with an orientation receiving element as described in more detail below.
Like the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100, the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 includes an orientation feature or key. However, the orientation feature or key for the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 differs from the orientation feature of key for the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100 as described below. With reference to
The protrusion and groove orientation feature or orientation key, as well as the protrusion and indentation orientation feature or orientation key, are both means for orienting weights in the receiving area of the base. Any, all or only one of the weights may have such orientation features or keys.
The orientation feature or key for the selectable weight dumbbell system is not limited to the quantity, shape, and/or orientation elements and receiving elements described and depicted herein. For example, other embodiments of the selectable weight dumbbell system can include for the orientation feature or key more than orientation element (e.g., a tab or protrusion) on the weight adapted to correspondingly engage more than one orientation receiving elements (e.g., slots or grooves) formed in the support base. For example, embodiments of the selectable weight dumbbell system can include two or more orientation elements on one side of the weight that each are received within respective orientation receiving elements formed in a positioning wall. In another scenario, a weight can include two or more orientation elements with orientation elements positioned on opposing sides of the weight.
All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.
In some instances, components are described with reference to “ends” having a particular characteristic and/or being connected with another part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to components which terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term “end” should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particular element, link, component, part, member or the like.
In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/023,014, entitled “Dumbbell With A Keyed Weight Plate” and filed on Jan. 23, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/844,565, filed on Aug. 24, 2007, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell System”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/437,795, filed on May 19, 2006, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell System”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/456,977, filed on Jun. 5, 2003, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell System”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,678; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/387,298 filed on Jun. 7, 2002, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell System”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/400,244, filed on Jul. 31, 2002, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell System”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/400,894, filed on Aug. 1, 2002, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell System”; U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/211,519, filed on Aug. 16, 2004, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell Base”, now U.S. Pat. No. D528,173; U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/211,518, filed on Aug. 16, 2004, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell”, now U.S. Pat. No. D528,611; U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/164,826, filed on Jul. 31, 2002, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell”, now U.S. Pat. No. D540,405; U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/164,931, filed on Jul. 31, 2002, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell Support Base”, now U.S. Pat. No. D508,628; U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/164,972, filed on Aug. 1, 2002, and entitled “Adjustable Dumbbell”, now U.S. Pat. No. D540,894; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/425,064, filed on Jun. 19, 2006, and entitled “Weight Selection Methods and Apparatus”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,049, filed on Apr. 18, 2002, and entitled “Weight Selection Methods and Apparatus”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,791; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/302,708, filed on Jan. 23, 2008, and entitled “Dumbbell”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/302,698, filed on Jan. 23, 2008, and entitled “Dumbbell Base”, now U.S. Pat. No. D584,086; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/302,699, filed on Jan. 23, 2008, and entitled “Dumbbell Weight Plate”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/302,700, filed on Jan. 23, 2008, and entitled “Dumbbell Weight Plate”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/329,039, filed on Dec. 8, 2008, and entitled “Dumbbell Weight Plate”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/329,044, filed on Dec. 8, 2008, and entitled “Dumbbell Support Structure”, are each hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61023014 | Jan 2008 | US |