Individuals involved in certain professions such as, for example, the military, law enforcement, and extreme sports, may travel to locations where traditional weight training equipment is unavailable. Yet, these professions demand that their members maintain peak fitness. Moreover, traditional weight systems are heavy and unwieldy, hence limiting the type of workout equipment or amount of weights that can be transported to such locations.
This specification relates to a mobile weight training system. More specifically, a mobile weight training system can include a mobile barbell, several weight holders, and a system of filler bags. The filler bags can be filled with various readily available materials (e.g., sand, dirt, water, gravel, etc.) and inserted into the weight holders to create weights for use with the barbell. The system of filler bags can include several filler bags of different sizes, each size designed to hold an approximate weight of a material. For example, such a mobile weight training system can include enough weight holders and filler bags to produce 270 pounds of weight when filled, but with a travel weight (e.g., weight of the system with empty filler bags) not much greater that the weight of the barbell alone. Consequently, the weight training system may be adaptable to a user's needs while minimizing the storage weight and size of the system.
A first general aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a barbell including a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion, where the middle portion is couplable to the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion includes a male coupling extending from a first end of the middle portion, the male coupling providing a first coupling mechanism that engages with a corresponding female coupling of the first end portion, and a female coupling providing a second coupling mechanism that engages with a corresponding male coupling of the second end portion.
This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features. The first and second coupling mechanisms can be threading. The threading can extend from the first end of the middle portion along only a portion of a length of the male coupling. The threading can extend from an end of the second end portion along only a portion of a length of the corresponding male coupling. The first and second coupling mechanisms can include plunger buttons and corresponding holes. The first and second coupling mechanisms can include pins. The first and second coupling mechanisms can include locking sleeves. The female coupling of the first end portion and the male coupling of the second end portion can be corresponding couplings so as to couple the first end portion with the second end portion without the middle portion.
The first end portion can be configured to hold a weight at an end of the first end portion opposite the female coupling on the first end portion, and the second end portion can be configured to hold a weight at an end of the second end portion opposite the male coupling on the second end portion. The barbell can include a first cylindrical collar coaxially attached to the first end portion, the first collar having a channel formed around an outer circumference of the collar, and a second a second cylindrical collar coaxially attached to the second end portion, the second collar having a channel formed around an outer circumference of the collar.
A weight sensing device can be mounted on one of the first end portion or the second end portion. The weight sensing device can be a mechanical scale. The weight sensing device can be integrated into a collar attached to the first end portion or the second end portion. The weight sensing device can be a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to an electronic display.
A second general aspect, combinable with the first general aspect, can be embodied in an exercise weight including a flexible weight holder having a plurality of sealable chambers, the chambers arranged along a length of the weight holder and oriented transverse to the length of the weight holder, and each chamber having a closure device for securing one or more weights within each chamber. One or more straps attached to a first end of the weight holder, the first end being transverse to the length of the weight holder. And, one or more strap fastening devices attached at a second end of the weight holder, the second end being transverse to the length of the weight holder, where the weight holder is rolled into a cylinder shape when each of the straps are fastened to corresponding ones of the strap fastening devices.
This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features. The strap fastening devices can be hook and loop fasteners, where the straps include one of the hooks or the loops of the hook and loop fasteners and the other of the hooks of the loops of the hook and loop fasteners are attached to a surface of the weight holder at the second end.
The strap fastening devices can include one of double D-rings, buckles, clips, or snaps. At least one handle can be attached to a surface of the weight holder. The weight holder, when rolled into the cylinder shape, can define an passage running transverse to the length of the weight holder, such that the weight holder can be wrapped around an end of a barbell.
A third general aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, can be embodied in a weight training system including a barbell and two or more exercise weights. The barbell including a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion couplable to the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion having a male coupling extending from a first end of the middle portion, the male coupling providing a first coupling mechanism that engages with a corresponding female coupling of the first end portion, and a female coupling providing a second coupling mechanism that engages with a corresponding male coupling of the second end portion. Each of the two or more exercise weights including a flexible weight holder having a plurality of chambers, the chambers arranged along a length of the weight holder and oriented transverse to the length of the weight holder, and each chamber having a closure device for securing one or more weights within each chamber, one or more straps attached to a first end of the weight holder, the first end being transverse to the length of the weight holder, and one or more strap fastening devices attached at a second end of the weight holder, the second end being transverse to the length of the weight holder, wherein the weight holder is rolled into a cylinder shape when each of the straps are fastened to corresponding ones of the strap fastening devices.
This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features. A plurality of filler bags, each filler bag being sized to accommodate an amount of a material that approximates a weight of each filler bag, and each filler bag fitting within the chambers of the weight holders. The material can be one of water, sand, dirt, or gravel.
A fourth general aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, can be embodied in a method of assembling a weight training system including the steps of assembling a barbell by: coupling a male coupling of a first end portion to a female coupling of a middle portion, and coupling a male coupling of the middle portion to a female coupling of a second end portion. Assembling a first weight for the barbell by: adding a material to a filler bag and sealing the filler bag, inserting the filler bag in a chamber of a first weight holder, and sealing the chamber of the weight holder. And, attaching the first weight to the barbell by wrapping the first weight holder around the first end portion or the second end portion, and securing straps on the first weight holder to corresponding strap fasteners on the first weight holder.
This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features. Assembling a second weight for the barbell by: adding a material to a second filler bag and sealing the second filler bag, inserting the second filler bag in a chamber of a second weight holder, and sealing the chamber of the second weight holder. Attaching the second weight to the barbell by placing a handle of a second weight holder into a channel of a collar on the first end portion or the second end portion of the barbell. Attaching the second weight to the barbell by wrapping the second weight holder around the first weight, and securing straps on the second weight holder to corresponding strap fasteners on the second weight holder.
Particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following advantages. Implementations may provide a compact and light-weight weight training system. Implementations may be adaptable to different training styles. Further, implementations may permit use with both conventional plate weights and non-conventional weights with a barbell.
The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.
The system of filler bags 106 can include several filler bags 106 of different sizes, each size designed to hold an approximate weight of material (e.g., 5, 10, and 15 pounds). For example, such a mobile weight training system 100 can include enough weight holders 104 and filler bags 106 to produce 270 pounds of weight when filled (e.g., 6 weight holders, 12—15 lb bags, 6—10 lb bags, and 6—5 lb bags), but with a travel weight (e.g., weight of the system with empty filler bags) not much greater that the weight of the barbell 102 alone.
In some examples, a seal 218 (e.g., a gasket or V-seal) can be placed between the female end portion 202 and the collar 212, and/or between the female end portion 202 and the sleeve 214 to prevent debris from fouling the bearings and impeding the rotation of the collar 212 and/or the sleeve 214. In some examples, the V-seal is mounted axially on the bar, with a lip in contact with the bushing inside the collar/sleeve assembly to prevent debris from fouling the bushing from the interior side of the collar/sleeve assembly.
In some examples, a seal 218 (e.g., a gasket or v-seal) can be placed between the male end portion 204 and the collar 212, and/or between male end portion 204 and the sleeve 214 to prevent debris from fouling the bearings and impeding the rotation of the collar 212 and/or the sleeve 214. In some examples, the V-seal is mounted axially on the bar, with a lip in contact with the bushing inside the collar/sleeve assembly to prevent debris from fouling the bushing from the interior side of the collar/sleeve assembly.
As shown in
In some implementations, as shown in
Although a barbell 102 made up of three separate portions (202, 204, 206) is shown, in some examples, the barbell 102 can be made of more than three portions to, for example, make the barbell 102 even more compact for travel and storage. For example, as shown in
Threading configuration 506 shows an example threading configuration in which the threads extend along the entire length of the male coupling 210a. Further, threading configuration 506 represents a full-bodied threading configuration (e.g., a configuration in which the shank of the male coupling has a diameter equal to the major diameter of the threads). Although not shown, the female couplings 210b are tapped with corresponding thread grooves.
In some implementations, the holes 604 in the male coupling 210a can be tapped to accept a spring and plunger assembly 650. The assembly 650 includes a threaded body 652 and a movable plunger 654 held under spring pressure by a spring (not shown) within the body 652. The plunger 654 can be moved into the body 652 against the spring pressure. When the assembly 650 is installed in the male coupling 210a, the plunger extends past the outer circumference of the male coupling 210a and can lock into a corresponding hole 606 in the female coupling 210b. In some examples, the assembly 650 can include a thread locking element 656 (e.g., nylon, thread locking tape, or thread locking liquid).
The weight holder 104 has one or more straps 708 and corresponding strap fastening devices 710. The straps 708 are attached to an end of the weight holder 104 that is transverse to the orientation of the chambers 702, and the strap fastening devices 710 are attached at an opposite end of the weight holder 104, also transvers to the orientation of the chambers 702. The straps 708 and strap fastening devices 710 are positioned on the weight holder 104 such that, when the straps 708 are secured to corresponding strap fastening devices 710, the weight holder is wrapped into a hollow cylindrical shape (e.g., see
In some implementations, the weight holder 104 has three chambers 702, and the chambers are oriented on the weight holder such that, when the weight holder 104 is rolled up and the straps 708 secured, the weight holder 104 has a triangular cross-section (e.g., as shown in
In some examples, the weight holder 104 includes one or more handles 712, 714. The handles can be, for example, fabric handles 712 (e.g., nylon webbing) or molded plastic handles 714.
The filler bags 106 are made of a high strength flexible material such as, for example, 1000 Denier Mil-Spec Cordura Nylon. The filler bags 106 also have a closure mechanism 802, for example, similar to the closure mechanism 706 of the weight holder 104. The closure mechanism 802 can be, for example, a zipper or a flap with a fastening device such as, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, metal or plastic clips. In some examples, the filler bags 106 can have a double closure mechanism 802. For example, the filler bags can have two overlapping closure mechanisms 802 of the same (e.g., overlapping flaps with hook and loop fasteners) or different type (e.g., a zipper and a flap with hook and loop fasteners). In some examples, the filler bags 106 may have a water tight liner and water tight closure 802 such that the filler bags 106 can be filled with water. In some examples, the filler bags 106 can have a handle attached to an outer surface of the bag.
In some implementations, the scale 1000 in pressure sensing device includes an electronic pressure sensor 1002 in electronic communication with an electronic display device 1006, for example, through a detachable wire 1004. The electronic display device 1006 includes one or more processors and a data store storing instructions for processing electrical signals from the electronic pressure sensing device 1002 and displaying a weight. In some examples, the display device can be a mobile computing device such as, for example, a tablet computer or a smartphone. In such implementations, an application executed by the mobile computing device can process the signals from the electronic pressure sensor and display a weight. In some examples, the electronic pressure sensor 1102 can be integrated with a mechanical scale, such as shown in
While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims.
This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/700,694, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/572,421, filed Nov. 7, 2017, which is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 and claims the benefit of priority to International Application Serial No. PCT/US2016/030962, filed May 5, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/158,498, filed May 7, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220401788 A1 | Dec 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62158498 | May 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15572421 | US | |
Child | 16700694 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16700694 | Dec 2019 | US |
Child | 17850460 | US |