Adjustable weight

Abstract

An exercising apparatus which comprises first and second sets of weights, each of which has an opening extending inwardly from a periphery thereof defined by opposed surfaces. An elongated tubular assembly is provided which has a longitudinal axis and includes exterior surfaces constructed and arranged to provide a central surface area configured to be manually engaged by a user and first and second surface areas on opposite sides of the central surface area configured to enter the openings of the first and second sets of weights into operative positions therein. The tubular assembly includes first and second sets of locking elements mounted within the first and second surface areas thereof for movement between weight releasing positions disposed within their respective first and second surface areas and weight locking positions extending partially outwardly of the respective first and second surface areas. The opposed surfaces of the weights have lock element receiving recesses therein. The tubular assembly also includes a weight selector member extending within the surface areas and mounted for movement about the longitudinal axis between a number of successive angular operative positions equal to the number of weights in each set. The weight selector member is interrelated to the locking elements such that when moved through the successive angular operative positions, the locking elements associated with successive weights of the first and second sets are moved into and retained in locking positions disposed within the lock receiving recesses. The arrangement is such that a selected number of weights of each set can be locked to the tubular assembly depending upon the operative position within the successive number of operative positions that the selector member is moved into.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a perspective view of a exercising apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention showing the position of the parts in one operative position of the weight selector member thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a composite perspective view of the annular ratcheting components of the apparatus; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the position of the parts when the weight selector member is between indexed operative positions thereof.

Claims

1. An exercising apparatus comprising: first and second sets of weights,each weight of each set having an opening extending inwardly from a periphery thereof defined by opposed surfaces,an elongated tubular assembly having a longitudinal axis and including exterior surfaces therearound constructed and arranged to provide a central surface area configured to be manually engaged by a user and first and second surface areas on opposite sides of said central surface area configured to enter the openings of said first and second sets of weights into operative positions therein,said tubular assembly including first and second sets of locking elements mounted within the first and second surface areas thereof for movement between weight releasing positions disposed within the respective first and second surface areas and a weight locking position extending partially outwardly of the respective first and second surface areas,the opposed surfaces of said weights having lock element receiving recesses therein,said tubular assembly also including a weight selector member extending within said surface areas and mounted for movement about the longitudinal axis thereof between a number of successive angular operative positions equal to the number of weights in each set,said weight selector member being interrelated to said locking elements such that when moved through said successive operative positions the locking elements associated with successive weights of said first and second sets are moved into and retained in locking positions disposed within the lock receiving recesses thereof so that a selected number of weights of each set can be locked to said tubular assembly depending upon the operative position said selector member is moved into.

2. An exercising apparatus wherein locking elements are balls made of a hard material.

3. An exercising apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said hard material is steel.

4. An exercising apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said locking elements move in a radial direction with respect to said longitudinal axis when moved between the locking and releasing positions thereof.

5. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the lock receiving recesses are formed in the opposed surfaces of each weight and opposed locking elements are provided for movement into and out of said opposed lock receiving recesses of each weight.

6. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each weight is generally disk-shaped with the opening thereof being in the form of a slot extending radially between a periphery and a center thereof.

7. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said selector member is retained in each of said operative positions in indexed fashion.

8. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said exercising apparatus also includes a base having surfaces for receiving and releasably retaining individual weights of said first and second sets in predetermined positions allowing first and second surface areas of said tubular assembly to enter the openings of the weights of the first and second set into the operative positions thereof.

9. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said selector member includes first and second sets of peripheral cams surfaces, each set of cam surfaces includes releasing portions configured to allow corresponding locking elements to move radially inwardly and locking portions configured to move corresponding locking elements radially outwardly into the locking positions thereof.

10. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular assembly includes an outer tubular structure within which said selector member is mounted for movement about said longitudinal axis into said number of operative positions.

11. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said outer tubular structure defines first and second sets of passages configured to retain said first and second sets of locking elements for radially inward movement into engagement with said first and second set of cam surfaces and for radially outward movement by said first and second set of cam surfaces into the locking positions thereof.

12. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said outer tubular structure includes an outer tubular member having surfaces defining a radially inward portion of each passage and detachably fixed flat plate portions having surfaces defining a remaining radially outward portion of each passage.

13. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said selector member is retained in said operative positions in indexed fashion by a spring-biased annular ratcheting assembly operable to impart a spring-biased longitudinal indexing movement to said selector member during each successive movement thereof into an operative position thereof.

14. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said spring pressed annular ratcheting assembly includes a mating pair of annular ratchet members fixed to said selector member and said outer tubular structure, respectively, having axially inter-engaging ratcheting surfaces and a spring acting axially between said selector member and said outer tubular structure in a direction to axially engage said annular ratcheting surfaces.