Patent Application
20170056703
This applications claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(b) of United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB 1515258.0 filed on Aug. 27, 2015 entitled “Exercise Weight System” and having Simon Phelps as inventor.
The present invention relates to an exercise weight system, particularly, but not exclusively, to a home exercise weight system that can be simply stored and easily varied to produce different exercise weights.
More people are turning to home exercise equipment as a cheaper and easier means of keeping fit than purchasing a gym membership. For example, retail outlets sell home equipment such as bars, weight disks, benches and multifunctional weight stations to cater to the consumer that desires to improve their fitness without leaving their home. However, such systems and equipment are usually difficult to store and, even when in a minimal volume configuration can sometimes take up valuable space in the home.
Often, a weight system comprises individual weights, such as disks, that can be loaded onto a load carrying bar that can be used as a substitute dumbbell or barbell. Such systems are easier to store than purchasing individual dumbbells or barbells of particular weights, since they can be disassembled and stored as separate components, although room is still required to store the amount of weights that the user has when disassembled in addition to the bar itself.
Some systems have a centralised handle portion and individual weights can be purchased and secured to the handle. In this way, the weight of the load bearing portion can be adjusted by varying the type and amount of weight attached to the handle. Typically, a first weight can be attached to the handle with subsequent weight being attached around previously attached weights. The result is a nested sequence of weights totalling a desired weight to be lifted by the user. The weights can be attached to the handle in different ways. One known system uses a metal slot or key that can slide through the additional weights and into the handle, thus preventing the weights from slipping from the handle. Another known method is to slide additional weights onto the handle of the load bearing portion and subsequently lock them onto the handle and into place.
Such systems however need very reliable means of securing the weights to the load bearing portion since, should the securing mechanism damage or break then the weights are prone to becoming detached from the handle portion. This can be very dangerous as falling weights present an obvious hazard, and it can strain the user's body, particularly their back, if the load that they are lifting suddenly becomes lighter due to detaching weights.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise weight system that addresses at least some of the problems with the prior art.
According to the present invention there is provided an exercise weight system comprising a first exercise weight having a handle and a second exercise weight having a handle, wherein the first exercise weight has a cavity for receiving the second exercise weight such that, when the second exercise weight is received in the first exercise weight to form a composite exercise weight, the handle of the first exercise weight can overly the handle of the second exercise weight to form a common handle for the composite exercise weight.
By the term exercise weight it is meant a piece of equipment for use in weight training, similar, but not limited to, a free weight found in most gyms. An exercise weight having a handle can be grasped by the handle and lifted to be used in a variety of exercises as is well known in the art. The exercise weight system comprises first and second exercise weights which can each be used individually for performing such exercises, but can also be used together to provide a heavier composite exercise weight by arranging the second weight within the first.
The exercise weight may comprise a shell defined, at least in part, between an inner wall (or walls) and an outer wall (or walls) of the exercise weight. The cavity may be defined by the inner walls of the exercise weight and may extend along the length of the weight. The inner walls, together with the exterior walls define a shell thickness therebetween that may be substantially uniform along the entire length of the walls defining it. The cavity may have a uniform in cross section, allowing for a more even weight distribution and the possibility to readily create a more central centre of gravity for the exercise weight.
As the first weight has a cavity for receiving a second weight, the weight system can be stored in a space-efficient way since the space required for storing both weights is substantially identical to that required only to store the largest weight, in this case the first weight. Moreover, the creation of the common handle for the composite exercise weight means that a user can secure both the first and second weight together with their hand during use, so their grip acts as their own failsafe and any risk of falling weights due to a damaged part is reduced. The common handle allows the composite exercise weight created by the system to be picked up at the same time with a single hand, as if picking up a single weight.
The exercise weights may be of any suitable size, shape, dimensions etc. according to the needs of the user.
The handles of the first and second exercise weights may be substantially the same length. The common length means that when the handles overly to form a common handle, the common handle is no shorter than each individual handle. This means that the experience is more consistent for the user since the dimensions of the handle are familiar to him/her, regardless of whether the user is picking up the first, second or composite weight. The handles may be any size, length or shape suitable for use. The handles may extend along a handle axis which extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the exercise weights so that when the user grips the weights, they do so along the weights' longitudinal axis. When the user grasps the handle, the user's fingers typically wrap around the handle axis.
The first and second exercise weights may be open at both ends and the cavity of the first exercise weight may extend the length of the exercise weight connecting the open ends. The second weight may be slidably received within the first. This means that the second weight can be slid into either side of the first weight, and so there is greater flexibility for use. Moreover, the second weight may also include a cavity which is able to accept an exercise weight. The cavity of the second weight may extend the length of the longest dimension of the second exercise weight, for example the cavity may extend from one open end to the other. It will be readily understood how an exercise system as described above can be applied to a system comprising more than two exercise weights, as will be explained in further detail below. This leads to further flexibility as any weight may be slid into either end of any other weight, depending on the dimensions of each weight. In particular, exercise weight systems as described could be combined together. For example the cavity of the first exercise weight could be used to receive a composite exercise weight formed from a second and a third exercise weight. In fact the first exercise weight of the example could itself be a composite exercise weight.
For example, it will be apparent how, if a third weight is receivable inside a second weight of larger dimensions; and the second weight is received inside a first of even larger dimensions then the third weight is receivable inside the first weight. Therefore, any number of weight combinations and total masses are possible, depending on how many exercise weights may be provided in the system.
In a system with a larger number of weights, each weight may be received within the cavity of the next-largest weight (it will be apparent that it is not necessary for the smallest weight in such a system to have a cavity). As such, the entire system forms a composite weight, with each handle overlying to form a single handle for the composite weight. This makes the weight system portable and easy to transport as the user only needs one hand to lift the entire system, by virtue of the common handle. This will assist anyone wishing to work outside where there is a need to carry exercise weights in an open space (for example, personal trainers training clients in a park will easily be able to store and transport this system—to-and-from their car, for example, using the minimum number of trips). This allows a varied exercise program to be created (performing a variety of exercises, each using an exercise weight of different mass, for example) using a reduced amount of equipment that needs a reduced amount of space to store.
The first and second exercise weights may be substantially the same length. This means that when the weights are received within one another the length of the overall composite weight is substantially identical to the length of each, individual weight and so the space required to store both is substantially the space required to store the largest weight.
The first and second exercise weights may be substantially square or rectangular in cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first and second weights. This gives the weights 90-degree rotational symmetry about a longitudinal axis. This means that, depending on the difference in relative sizes between the first and second exercise weights, the smaller exercise weight may have reduced scope for movement inside the larger weight and therefore the risk of injury to the user's fingers is also reduced when grasping the composite weight. It will be understood that rotation of the second exercise weight about the longitudinal axis when located within the first exercise weight may be prevented, or at least hindered, by having a non-circular cavity or exterior cross section for one, or both, exercise weights.
The weights may form a hollow box, or box-section. The cross-section of the weights may be a perfect square, a square rounded or cut-off at the edges, rectangular, circular, cylindrical etc. in keeping with the principles of the present disclosure. The cross-section taken along a line parallel to the weights' longitudinal axis may be rectangular, circular, square, cut-off at the edges etc.
The handles may be formed by removing a part of a top surface and/or side walls of the first and second exercise weight. In this way, the handle is not a separately attached portion (although it could be, depending on the needs of the user) but an integral part of the weight itself. The top surface can be substantially planar which also facilitates ease of storage, and planar top surfaces mean that any obstructions when one weight is received in another are reduced. The top surface may be substantially flat such that, when the handle is firmed from removing part of the exercise weight, the handle may be substantially contained in the same plane as the handle. This means that a handle may be formed while maintaining a smooth, flat top surface. The portions of the exercise weights that are removed to form the handles may be substantially the same area and may be substantially symmetrical. Additionally, only two portions or pans of each weight may be removed to form each handle. This configuration maximises the wall/surface area remaining for increased stability—and more area will be available to contribute to the mass of the exercise weight—whilst still leaving a suitable handle in the weight.
The handle may be substantially symmetrical about two substantially perpendicular axes, including one axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the exercise weight, and may be located centrally along the longitudinal axis of the exercise weight. In this way, the handles of the first and second exercise weights may be provided in the centre of a top surface of each weight. However, any number of portions may be removed to form the handle and they may be any size, shape etc.
The cavity of the first and second exercise weights may extend substantially parallel to the handle axis of the first exercise weight, and the handles axes of the first and second exercise weights may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the weights. This means that the weights may be received within each other along the length of each weight, and the composite weight may, when the common handle is gripped, by readily used as, for example, a dumbbell.
The exercise weights may comprise steel or rubber; and substantially all of the weights may be formed of steel or rubber. Any suitable material may be used depending on the user's requirements.
The handles of the first and exercise weights may comprise a coating compressible wider pressure and/or a resiliently deformable material and/or a friction enhancing material. Although any suitable coating material may be used (or none at all), these types of materials reduce the risk of pain or discomfort when the user is lifting heavy weights. Particularly, a resiliently deformable material can also provide friction between the handles of each weight when one weight is received within another.
A third exercise weight may also be provided, and the second exercise weight may have a cavity for receiving the third exercise weight, such that, when the third exercise weight is received in the second exercise weight, the handles of the second and third exercise weights can overly to form a common handle. The handles of the first, second and third exercise weights may overly to form a common handle. In this way it will be apparent that any number of weights can be used in keeping with the principles of the present disclosure. When one weight is received inside another, the combined composite weight will have a mass greater than the masses of each individual weight. It will thus be readily appreciate that by slidably receiving any given weight inside another; any mass may be achieved depending on the masses of the individual weights. In this way an adjustable weight system is provided that is comparatively easy to store.
Each exercise weight extends along its own longitudinal axis and it is preferred that, when a composite weight is formed using adjacent exercise weights in an exercise weight system, for example first and second weights or second and third weights, the exercise weights in the composite weight are substantially coaxial. It is further preferred that the second exercise weight is slideable into the first exercise weight substantially along the longitudinal axis of the first exercise weight and is located substantially entirely within the cavity of the first exercise weight. The exercise weight system may include 2, 3, 4, 5 or more exercise weights.
The invention extends to a single exercise weight suitable for use in the exercise weight system described.
The first, second and third exercise weights 10, 20, 30 have handles 12, 22 and 32, respectively, which extend parallel with the longitudinal axis X such that, each handle may be gripped by the user along the longitudinal axis X. The handles 12, 22, 32 are substantially the same length and are formed by removing two off-centre portions of substantially equal volume from the top surface 14, 24, 34 and side walls 15, 25, 35 to leave a central handle 12, 22, 32 in the same plane as the top surface 14, 24, 34.
Each weight 10, 20, 30 is substantially the shape of a hollow box such that each weight has a substantially square cross section, when taken along a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The cross section of the weights in the Figures taken along such a line is the shape of a square with rounded edges. In this way, each weight has 90-degree rotational symmetry about the longitudinal axis X. Each weight 10, 20, 30 has a substantially rectangular cross section when taken along the longitudinal axis X in a direction parallel to or 90 degrees to the bottom of the weights 10, 20, 30.
As can be seen from
For example, the exterior dimensions of the cross section of each weight may be less than 5% smaller, less than 2% smaller or even less than 1% smaller than the interior dimensions of the cross section of the weight it is to be received in. The exterior dimensions of each weight may be less than 10 mm smaller, less than 5 mm smaller or less than around 2 mm smaller than the interior dimensions of the weight it is to be received in, but it is to be understood that this need not necessarily be the case. For example, the weight third 30 may be received within the first weight 10 and shifted upwardly in the cavity 31 so that the user may grip both handles 12, 32 at the same time. When the weights are received one another the difference between the interior dimensions of the larger and the exterior dimensions of the smaller provide is a gap between the interior and exterior surfaces. In this way the three weights may still be slidably received within one another at minimal difficulty but the possibility of one weight moving around inside another is reduced if the size of the gap is reduced.
The cavity 31 is defined by the inner wall 39, and both extend the length of the weight 30. The cavity is uniform in cross section. A circumferential inner wall 39 of the third weight 30 forms a shell 38 with the top surface and side walls 34, 35. The shell 38 is of substantially uniform width, preferably between about 4 mm to 12 mm, further preferably between about 6 mm to 10 mm and most preferably about 8 mm. The shell thickness may be the same for each weight 10, 20, 30, although it is to be appreciated that this need not be the case. It is also to be appreciated that any shell thickness may be used depending on the needs of the user.
Each weight is of a different mass, although they need not be in keeping with the principles of the present disclosure. In use, the user may slide a smaller weight inside a larger weight, and pick up the combined weights using the common handle and use the combined weight in an exercise program. For example, it will be readily apparent with reference to
In addition to combining the weights at the users' choice however, each weight in the system may, on its own, be used as an exercise weight, since each exercise weight has its own handle. In this way, in the above example, seven different weight combinations are possible—namely 3 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg, 7 kg, 8 kg, 9 kg and 12 kg.
For example, if the masses of the weights are as above, the user may form an 8 kg weight by sliding the 3 kg third weight into the 5 kg first weight. The user may then grip the composite weight (formed of the first and third weight) using the common handle (formed by the handles of the first and third weight). It will be apparent that there will be a greater gap between adjacent weights (the first and the third in this case) but that the dimensions and design of the weights may be such that any movement of the smaller weight inside the larger weight is reduced. For example, the box-type design shown in
It will, however, be readily apparent that any different masses are possible in keeping with the principles of the present disclosure. Additionally, the present exercise weight system is not limited to three weights and it will be readily apparent that, with each additional weight in the system, more weight combinations are possible. For example, four weights of different masses give rise to fourteen weight combinations. It will also be readily apparent that additional weights will also comprise cavities to receive further weights, giving rise to a single, composite, weight with a single, composite, handle.
The dimensions of each exercise weight may be such that each resembles a common dumbbell, typical of that found in most gyms. For example, the length (i.e. length along the longitudinal axis X) of each weight may be between approximately 10 cm and approximately 40 cm, between approximately 15 cm and approximately 30 cm and most preferably approximately 23 cm, although it is understood that alternative dimensions may be used. The depth and width of each weight will be substantially identical to produce a square-shaped cross section, such that the each weight resembles a square prism. The square prism may have rounded edges. However, other cross-sections could be used, if desired. For example, the cross-section may be rectangular in which case each weight would resemble a rectangular prism. The cross-section may also be circular in which case the weight would resemble a cylinder. Alternative suitable cross sections will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art.
In one exemplary embodiment the width and depth of each exercise weight is substantially the same—such that each weight has a substantially square cross section and forms a square prism. The depth and width of the third weight 30 may be between approximately 20 mm and approximately 140 mm, more preferably between approximately 40 mm and approximately 120 mm and most preferably approximately 80 mm, in the latter case the smallest weight may be a hollow box-section (as shown in the Figures) with rounded edges of dimensions 80 mm×80 mm×8 mm—the 8 mm being the thickness of the hollow box-section. The depth and width of the second weight 20 may be between approximately 40 mm and approximately 160 mm, more preferably between approximately 60 mm and approximately 140 mm, and most preferably approximately 100 mm. In the latter case the smallest weight may be a hollow box-section (as shown in the Figures) with rounded edges of dimensions 100 mm×100 mm×8 mm—the 8 mm being the thickness of the hollow box-section. The depth and width of the first weight 10 may be between approximately 60 mm and approximately 180 mm, more preferably between approximately 80 mm and approximately 160 mm, and most preferably approximately 120 mm. In the latter case the smallest weight may be a hollow box-section (as shown in the Figures) with rounded edges of dimensions 120 mm×120 mm×8 mm the 8 mm being the thickness of the hollow box-section.
The length of each handle 12, 22, 32 may be between approximately 100 mm and approximately 160 mm, and most preferably approximately 130 mm. The width of each handle 12, 22, 32 may be between approximately 10 mm and approximately 40 mm, and most preferably approximately 25 mm. The handles may each be formed of cutting away pieces from the top surface 14, 24, 34 that is approximately 130 mm in length (i.e. corresponding to the length of the handle).
The exercise weights 10, 20, 30 may be all or partly composed of a resilient or resiliently deformable material. Any suitable material may be used, for example steel or rubber. Additionally, the exercise weights 10, 20, 30 may be of different colours to denote the different weights (the 5 kg weight may be green. etc.).
The exercise weights may be formed from a sheet of material folded about a longitudinal axis to form the required cross section shape and having edges of the sheet welded together to provide a substantially continuous shell. If manufactured in this way an internal weld or bead may be present on an interior surface of the weight. Preferably, the interior weld is on the side walls 15, 25, 35 of the weights, and not on the top or bottom surfaces.
With reference to
The first, second and third exercise weights each have two handles, respectively, which each extend parallel with the longitudinal axis such that, each handle may be gripped by the user along the longitudinal axis. The handles are both substantially the same length and are formed by removing portions of substantially equal volume from the top, bottom and side walls to leave two central handles, substantially in the same planes as the top and bottom surfaces, respectively.
Each weight is substantially the shape of a hollow box such that each weight has a substantially square cross section, when taken along a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cross section of the weights in the Figures taken along such a line is the shape of a square with rounded edges. In this way, each weight has 90-degree rotational symmetry about the longitudinal axis. Each weight has a substantially rectangular cross section when taken along the longitudinal axis in a direction parallel to or 90 degrees to the bottom of the weights.
As can be seen from
The handle may additionally include a coating that is compressible under pressure so that when it is gripped by a user it does not pose significant discomfort, and can deform into and around the user's hand to facilitate ease of use with a heavier weight. A compressible coating provides extra grip and comfort for the user. When the weights are contained within one another and the common handle is gripped by the user such a coating will reduce the pressure applied to the user's fingers on the lower portion of the handle when it is being lifted. Any or all of the weights may be provided with such a coating, or no coating at all (leaving the handle as exposed metal). The handles may instead, or in addition to, comprise a resiliently deformable material (for example, rubber, sponge etc.) to further facilitate comfort when being gripped.
The cavity is defined by the inner wall, and both extend the length of the weight. The cavity is uniform in cross section. A circumferential inner wall of the third weight forms a shell with the top surface and side walls. It is appreciated that in the embodiments depicted in
The invention is not considered to be limited to the configurations and materials described in the preferred above. For example, alternative materials (wood, for example) could be utilised as necessary. The length of each exercise weight may be long to resemble a common barbell, or shorter to resemble a dumbbell. The cross-section of each exercise weight may be circular to resemble a dumbbell or a weight disc. The cavity may not extend the length of the exercise weight but may instead be an open-type cavity in this way when the second exercise weight is received within the first it cannot fall or slide out unless the weight is orientated such that the single cavity is facing the floor.
It will thus be appreciated that the present invention allows for a weight system in which the individual weights may be used either individually or in combination as an exercise weight. When used in combination, a first weight may either receive or be received in a second weight to form a composite weight, having mass equal to the sum of the masses of the first and second weights. The shape and design of each weight may be such that the possibility of a smaller weight ‘rattling’ inside a larger weight is reduced, although this is not necessary in keeping with the principles of the present disclosure. For example, a weight system according to the present invention with a larger number of weights may be such that, when the smallest weight is received within the largest, the smallest weight is fully rotatable within, the cavity of the largest weight. The handle of any smaller weight may overly the handle of any larger weight such that the two handles may be combined to form a common handle to be gripped by the user. Using the common handle the user may lift the composite weight, as they would have done any individual weight. Once the user has finished his or her exercises, the weights may be telescopically stored within one another (in much the same manner as one is received in another to form the composite weight) and the system may be easily be stored or transported. It will also be readily apparent that, when stored telescopically as described above, the entire system may be lifted using the common handle formed of the individual handles of each individual weight; allowing the user to easily lift the entire system using only one hand. This, in turn, allows for a portable, easily transported weight system.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB 1515258.0 | Aug 2015 | GB | national |
