Patent Application
20240366989
The disclosed subject matter relates generally to weightlifting equipment, and in some embodiments, for example, to adjustable dumbbell systems and methods.
The home exercise market is growing with people looking for convenient and effective ways to exercise in their own homes. One drawback is that in-home exercise equipment tends to be bulky and cumbersome, occupying a larger than desired amount of space in a person's home. Another drawback is that various users and exercises may require different equipment, which can add expense and take up more of the limited space available in the person's home.
Dumbbells are a popular and effective tool for strength training, and adjustable dumbbells have become increasingly popular due to their convenience and versatility. However, existing adjustable dumbbells typically require the user to manually add or remove weight plates, which can be time-consuming and disruptive to their workout. Additionally, traditional adjustable dumbbells can be bulky, expensive, and take up a lot of space in a home gym.
In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide new exercise systems and methods for adjustable dumbbells that address one or more of the drawbacks of conventional systems.
The present disclosure is directed to improved systems and methods for adjustable dumbbells. In various embodiments, a nested adjustable dumbbell includes nested weights on each side of the handle and an adjustment pin for selecting one or more of the available nested weight totals. The nested weights are designed to fit inside each other, providing an exercise experience similar to conventional dumbbells. The adjustment pin allows users to easily and quickly adjust the weight of the dumbbell, without having to stop their workout.
In various embodiments, an apparatus includes a handle having a center portion, a first end and a second end, and two bells attached on each of the first end and second end, respectively, each bell including a housing, and at least one nested weight adapted to fit in an interior of the housing. Each bell may further include an adjustment pin adapted to hold the at least one nested weight inside the housing. Each bell may further include an indentation formed on an exterior surface of the bell, and the adjustment pin includes a cap adapted to fit within the indentation resulting in a substantially seamless exterior surface of the bell including the cap.
In some embodiments, the cap is rotatable by a user within the indentation between a first position where the cap fits within the indentation and a second position where at least a portion of the cap extends beyond the indentation to facilitate removal of the adjustment pin by the user. The indentation or the cap may include at least one magnet and the other of the indentation or the cap may include a magnet and/or a ferromagnetic material, in an arrangement configured to maintain the adjustment pin in position.
In some embodiments, the outer surface of the housing includes at least four flat sides around a perimeter of the housing, providing stability for the apparatus. A portion of the outer surface of the housing between the flat sides and the handle may include one or more sloped exterior surfaces. The housing may further include flat interior surfaces opposite the flat sides of the outer surface, and sloped interior surfaces opposite the sloped exterior surfaces. The nested weight may have an exterior surface comprising flat sides and sloped exterior surfaces corresponding to the interior surfaces of the housing.
A first hole may be formed in the nested weight, the first hole adapted to receive an adjustment pin to hold the nested weight in the housing. The nested weight may include an interior surface corresponding to an exterior surface of a smaller weight, and a second hole may be formed in the smaller weight, the second hole adapted to aligned with the first hole and receive the adjustment pin to hold the smaller weight in the housing.
In some embodiments, an adjustable dumbbell includes a handle having a center portion, a first end and a second end, and two bells attached on each of the first end and second end, respectively, each bell including a housing comprising an interior surface, an intermediate weight having an exterior surface adapted to securely fit inside the interior surface of the housing, and an inner weight having an exterior surface adapted to securely fit inside an interior of the intermediate weight. A hole may be formed in each of the housing, the intermediate weight, and the inner weight, which are aligned during nesting. The adjustable dumbbell may further include an adjustment pin adapted to secure the intermediate weight and/or the intermediate weight and the inner weight when positioned inside the housing. The housing may include an exterior surface including an indentation, and the adjustment pin may include a cap adapted to fit within the indentation. In some embodiments, the cap is rotatable by a user within the indentation between a first position where the cap fits within the indentation and a second position where at least a portion of the cap extends beyond the indentation to facilitate removal of the adjustment pin by the user.
The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly.
Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered in connection with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements.
In various embodiments, a nested adjustable dumbbell systems includes a handle adapted to be grabbed by one hand, the handle having an outer weight on each end. The nested adjustable dumbbell system further includes a plurality of nested weights that fit into outer weight and an adjustment pin for selecting one or more of the nested weights. The nested weights one each end of the handle are designed to fit inside each other, allowing the user to adjust the weight of the dumbbell by selecting one or more of the nested weights to use.
The user can select one or more nested weights on each side of the handle, allowing for a wide range of weight options. To adjust the weight, the user removes the adjustment pin from the corresponding hole in the nested weight, adds or removes one or more of the nested weights to select a desired weight option, and inserts the adjustment pin back through the corresponding hole. After the adjustable pin is in place, the user can lift the dumbbell with the selected nested weights.
The present disclosure provides numerous advantages over conventional adjustable dumbbells. The nested weights take up less space than traditional weight plates, making the dumbbell more compact and portable. The adjustable pin allows for quick and easy weight adjustments, without interrupting the user's workout. Additionally, the nested weights are more secure than traditional weight plates, since they securely fit inside each other and are held in place by the adjustment pin. Further, the compact design has a size, look, and feel during exercise of a traditional dumbbell.
Example embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to
In some embodiments, an adjustable dumbbell includes a handle having a center portion, a first end and a second end, and two bells attached on each of the first end and second end, respectively, each bell including a housing comprising an interior surface, an intermediate weight having an exterior surface adapted to securely fit inside the interior surface of the housing, and an inner weight having an exterior surface adapted to securely fit inside an interior of the intermediate weight. A hole may be formed in each of the housing, the intermediate weight, and the inner weight, which are aligned during nesting. The adjustable dumbbell may further include an adjustment pin adapted to secure the intermediate weight and/or the intermediate weight and the inner weight when positioned inside the housing. The housing may include an exterior surface including an indentation, and the adjustment pin may include a cap adapted to fit within the indentation. In some embodiments, the cap is rotatable by a user within the indentation between a first position where the cap fits within the indentation and a second position where at least a portion of the cap extends beyond the indentation to facilitate removal of the adjustment pin by the user.
The nested adjustable dumbbell 100 includes a handle 110 having a center grip portion 112 and two ends, a first end 114A and a second end 114B. A bell 120 is attached at each end 114A-B of the handle 110. Each bell 120 includes a housing 122 (which also may be referred to as an outer weight), at least one nested weight (e.g., intermediate nested weight 160 or inner nested weight 170), and an adjustment pin 126. As illustrated, each bell 120 includes four flat sides for stability on the ground and a sloped exterior surface 128 for ergonomics and comfort during exercises like goblet squats.
The empty dumbbell with just the housing 122 is the “lightest” adjustable weight for the dumbbell 100. The housing 122 includes an interior portion 124 having an inner surface that securely fits the exterior of the largest intermediate nested weight 160. Each intermediate nested weight 160 includes an inner portion 162 having an inner surface that securely fits the exterior surface of a smaller nested weight (e.g., a smaller intermediate nested weight 160 or the inner nested weight 170). The inner nested weight 170 may include an interior surface consistent with the shape of the intermediate nested weight 160, have a flat exterior surface 172, or have another shape.
The housing 122 functions fits the nested weights therein, providing an aesthetic and flat end portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the single intermediate weight 160 installed on each side provides a dumbbell having a “medium” weight, and the dumbbell with both nested weights (i.e., 160 and 170) installed on each side is the “heavy” weight.
In the illustrated embodiment, the nested weights 160 and 170 include pin holes 164 and 174, respectively, in each flat side. In this arrangement, the nested weights 160 and 170 can be inserted in any rotational direction, which will align one of the pin holes with the hole 142 of the housing 122.
The nested weights are held in place with the adjustment pin 126 that fits seamlessly into the overall shape of the dumbbell 100. The adjustment pin 126 includes cap that fits flush with the exterior surfaces of the bell, giving a continuous look and feel. When the adjustment pin is rotated (e.g., 90 degrees), the ends hang over the bell for easy removal. The pin cap and bell may include magnets that keep the pin cap aligned correctly during use and prevent it from accidentally backing out.
Different combinations of materials can be used to create different weight sets. The modeled version uses the overall size and shape of a 30-pound adjustable dumbbell as a starting point, meant to weigh 10 lbs without the removable weights. Each removable weight is meant to be 5 lbs, so this dumbbell has weight options of 10, 20, and 30 lbs. However, if different materials were used for the removable weights, they could be made to be 2.5 lbs each, allowing for 10, 15, and 20 lb dumbbell weight options.
Other base size and shapes could be used, with a smaller exterior form resulting in different weight options. For example, a dumbbell using the smaller exterior form of a Peloton 20 lb dumbbell could have weight options of Oct. 15, 2020, or Jun. 13, 2020. Alternatively, a smaller dumbbell could have two weight options instead of three, with a single removable weight.
In various embodiments, an apparatus includes a handle having a center portion, a first end and a second end, and two bells attached on each of the first end and second end, respectively, each bell including a housing, and at least one nested weight adapted to fit in an interior of the housing. Each bell may further include an adjustment pin adapted to hold the at least one nested weight inside the housing. Each bell may further include an indentation formed on an exterior surface of the bell, and the adjustment pin includes a cap adapted to fit within the indentation resulting in a substantially seamless exterior surface of the bell including the cap.
In some embodiments, the cap is rotatable by a user within the indentation between a first position where the cap fits within the indentation and a second position where at least a portion of the cap extends beyond the indentation to facilitate removal of the adjustment pin by the user. The indentation or the cap may include at least one magnet and the other of the indentation or the cap may include a magnet and/or a ferromagnetic material, in an arrangement configured to maintain the adjustment pin in position.
In some embodiments, the outer surface of the housing includes at least four flat sides around a perimeter of the housing, providing stability for the apparatus. A portion of the outer surface of the housing between the flat sides and the handle may include one or more sloped exterior surfaces. The housing may further include flat interior surfaces opposite the flat sides of the outer surface, and sloped interior surfaces opposite the sloped exterior surfaces. The nested weight may have an exterior surface comprising flat sides and sloped exterior surfaces corresponding to the interior surfaces of the housing.
A first hole may be formed in the nested weight, the first hole adapted to receive an adjustment pin to hold the nested weight in the housing. The nested weight may include an interior surface corresponding to an exterior surface of a smaller weight, and a second hole may be formed in the smaller weight, the second hole adapted to aligned with the first hole and receive the adjustment pin to hold the smaller weight in the housing.
Referring to
In block 404, the user positions a first nestable adjustable weight having an exterior surface adapted to securely fit inside the interior surface of the housing, inside the housing.
In block 406, the user places an adjustment pin through a portion of the housing and the first nestable adjustable weight to secure the first nestable adjustable weight.
In block 408, the user performs an exercise activity at a first weight of the adjustable dumbbell.
In block 410, the user removes the adjustment pin, and in block 412, the user removes the nestable adjustable weight from the housing. In some embodiments, the pin includes a cap that is rotatable by a user between a first position where the cap fits within an indentation formed in the bell, and a second position where at least a portion of the cap extends beyond the indentation to facilitate removal of the adjustment pin by the user. In block 414, the user performs exercise activity at second weight of the adjustable dumbbell, which is lighter than the first weight.
With different materials and base size/shapes, a variety of weight options are possible. The chart below shows some possible weight options:
In various embodiments, the adjustable dumbbell of the present disclosure may be used with other exercise equipment, sensors, and processing systems. For example, a system and method may be performed by a processing system and camera that includes receiving a sequence of camera images of a user performing an exercise using the adjustable dumbbell, identifying a plurality of anatomical points of the user from the sequence of camera images, and determining user performance information for the exercise based on an analysis of the plurality of anatomical points. The method may further comprise applying exercise performance rules including criteria for satisfactory performance of the exercise and providing corrective feedback to the user for exercise performance rules that are not met by the user performance information.
In some embodiments, exercises performed with an adjustable dumbbell may include a plurality of movement stages to be performed in sequence and determining the user performance information for the exercise may further include analyzing the plurality of anatomical points to determine whether the user has performed the movement associated with each of the movement stages of the exercise. The method may further include displaying exercise content associated with the exercise on a display device while the sequence of camera images is captured.
In some embodiments, a display device may be configured to display exercise content to guide the user of the adjustable dumbbell through an exercise session.
In some embodiments, dumbbell exercises to be performed by a user of the adjustable dumbbell may have associated ground truth values represented as a sequence of anatomical angles and/or positions, and the user performance information may include comparison results between the ground truth values for the exercise and the identified plurality of anatomical points of the user. In some embodiments, a score may be calculated for the user's performance of the exercise based on comparison results between the ground truth values for the exercise and the identified plurality of anatomical points of the user. A user interface may be presented on the display device that includes a summary of the exercise including feedback associated with the user's performance of the exercise
In some embodiments, various sensor configurations may be implemented in or with the adjustable dumbbell. The dumbbell may be part of an exercise system that includes various sensors configured to detect one or more characteristics of the system, such as weight, reps, etc. For example, the exercise system may include one or more imaging sensors, inertial measurement units (IMUs), load cells, or force sensors. The sensors may be used to track and monitor use of the adjustable dumbbell and/or the user. For instance, the sensors may be used to track user movement, identify errors, and monitor loads, among others. Such sensor information may be used to calibrate the system, perform one or more system checks, and/or provide feedback to a user of the exercise system, such as feedback regarding exercise performance and other metrics.
Although the various embodiments have been described and illustrated in the foregoing disclosure, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.
The present disclosure claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/500,256, filed May 4, 2023 and titled “Adjustable Dumbbell with Nested Weights,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63500256 | May 2023 | US |
