Portable Exercise Device

Abstract

A weighted dumbbell having a housing 4, 34 with a substantially cylindrical envelope in a first configuration, and convertible into an abdominal roller in a second configuration, the dumbbell including two elongate handles 8 located along an axis of said housing, said handles being lodged within the housing 34 in the first configuration and being slidable in mutually opposite directions along the axis, such that in the second configuration the handles 8 extend outwardly from said housing and the housing 4, 34 is rotatable about the axis with respect to the handles.

Description

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a multifunctional exercise device. For convenience, the device is called a dumbbell herein, as that is one of its functions.

A known dumbbell consists of a short bar serving as a handle, with weights at the ends of the bar. A wide variety of exercises involving raising dumbbells can be used to strengthen the arms and upper body.

A known abdominal roller comprises a wheel having two handles extending axially from the hub. A user kneels or stands and, supported by holding the handles, rolls the roller back and forth to strengthen the abdominal muscles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a dumbbell with increased functionality.

The invention provides a weighted dumbbell having a housing with a substantially cylindrical envelope in a first configuration, and convertible into an abdominal roller in a second configuration, the dumbbell including two elongate handles located along an axis of said housing, said handles being lodged within the housing in the first configuration and being slidable in mutually opposite directions along the axis, such that in the second configuration the handles extend outwardly from said housing and the housing is rotatable about the axis with respect to the handles.

Outward sliding of the elongate handles may be facilitated by springs, e.g. a compression spring mounted within each handle.

In one embodiment, the elongate handles are lockable in the first configuration and releasable therefrom by rotating the elongate handles about the axis, such that at least one element on the handle is engaged with and disengaged from an element that cannot rotate relative to the housing. The at least one handle element may be constrained to slide within a channel in the housing at a first angular position, when the elongate handle is being slid into the handle, the handle element being rotatable for engagement once the elongate handle is substantially within the housing.

Alternative embodiments employ a pushbutton mechanism, such that pushing each elongate handle into the housing causes a handle element to latch the elongate handle in the first configuration, and subsequent pushing of the elongate handles releases the respective handle elements for deployment of the elongate handles to the second configuration.

Bearings may be provided for rotation of the housing about the axis in the second configuration. For example, one bearing may be provided adjacent each end of the housing. The bearings may have frustoconical surfaces engageable by correspondingly shaped surfaces on the elongate handles.

In one embodiment, the dumbbell is provided with a dumbbell handle, within the cylindrical envelope, for example formed by a bridge element supported radially outwardly from a central core of the dumbbell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a dumbbell according to the invention, in the first configuration;

FIG. 2 shows the dumbbell of FIG. 1, in the second configuration;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of the dumbbell of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cut-away view showing the interior of the dumbbell of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 shows a central cap member of the dumbbell;

FIG. 6 shows an alternative dumbbell according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view of a further alternative dumbbell;

FIG. 8 shows a detail of components of the dumbbell of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C show different weights that can be used in the dumbbell of FIG. 7; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an end cap of the dumbbell of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a dumbbell which may, for example, have a length of about 350 mm. The dumbbell is generally cylindrical and is structured around a hollow metallic cylinder 2. Dumbbell handles 4 are provided, spaced away from the cylinder 2 and extending parallel to its axis. The dumbbell includes two cylindrical weights 6, shown in FIG. 4, one bonded to each end of the cylinder 2. These weights may be of metallic material, the exact nature of which is chosen to set the total weight of the dumbbell, which may for example be 5 kg or 10 kg.

Two hollow, generally cylindrical extensible handles 8 are provided. FIG. 4 shows the left-hand handle 8 in its extended configuration and the right-hand handle 8 in its retracted configuration. The outer end 10 of each handle 8 is knurled. At the inner end of each handle 8, two re-entrant wings 12 extend at diametrically opposite locations.

Two channel members 14 and a central cap member 16 are fixed within the cylinder 2 to control the movement of the extensible handles 8. The channel members 14 are provided with diametrically opposite wing channels 18 having an internal cross-section corresponding to the external cross-section of the wings 12. The channel members are also each provided with two fins 20, located between the wing channels 18 on each side.

One side of the generally cylindrical cap member 16 is shown in FIG. 5. Four arcuate tabs 22 are provided for engagement between the wing channels 18 and the fins 20 of the channel member 14. Inside the cap member 16 are two abutments 24.

Compression springs 25 are lodged within the extensible handles 8, bearing against the inside of the cap member 16. The springs 25 have an unstressed length of at least twice the length of the handles 8.

End caps 26 are provided at each end of the cylinder 2. Each end cap houses an angled bearing 28 for the respective extensible handle 8.

Externally, as shown in FIG. 3, the dumbbell handles 4 are provided by two handle casings 30 which are bonded and bolted together. These can be finished by foam or rubber treads 32. Outer casings 34 of foamed material are provided around the ends of the cylinder 2.

It will be noted that the components at each end of the dumbbell are identical, and can therefore be manufactured using the same tools.

With the handles 8 retracted, the dumbbell can be grasped using the dumbbell handles 4 and used for all dumbbell exercises. In this configuration, the wings 12 are lodged behind the fins 20.

In order to extend the handles 8, the user rotates them anti-clockwise using the ends 10, until the wings 12 are aligned with the wing channels 18. The springs 25 then force the handles outwards to the position shown in FIG. 2. In this configuration, the wings 12 are lodged rotatably between the end caps 26 and the bearings 28.

With the handles 8 extended, the dumbbell can be used as an abdominal roller. The user holds the handles 8 and rolls the casings 34 on a floor.

In addition, for example with only one of the handles 8 extended, the device can be used as a massage roller. The user, or a masseur, holds the extended handle and rolls the body of the device over the user's body.

The handles 8 can be pushed back into the body of the dumbbell against the action of the springs 25. When the wings 12 reach the cap member 16, the handles 8 are rotated until the wings 12 are stopped by the abutments 24, at which position the wings are lodged behind the fins 20.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative dumbbell, for example having a length of 700 mm. In this embodiment, the dumbbell handles 104 are oriented transversely for a more secure hold. Internally, the dumbbell of FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 4. However, there are two central caps instead of the single central cap member 16, one cap facing in each outward direction. Between the two central caps is a cylindrical cavity which can optionally be used to house an additional weight.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a further alternative dumbbell in which the weight of the dumbbell is adjustable.

The dumbbell of FIG. 7 is generally similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 4. However, its casings 234 are formed with a complex knurled pattern for an enhanced result when using the device as a massage roller. Also, the dumbbell of FIG. 7 has cylindrical bearings 228. In addition, this dumbbell has no central cap. Instead, a channel member 214 extends almost the entire length of the dumbbell. At its midpoint, the channel member 214 has two slots 236 in its cylindrical surface and in one of the re-entrant parts of each of its wing channels 218. As shown in more detail in FIG. 8, when the handles 208 are fully inserted and rotated, their wings 212 emerge from, and are retained by, the slots 236.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C show interchangeable weights, 238, 240 and 242 respectively, pairs of which can be inserted into the dumbbell of FIG. 7, one weight at each end. As shown, the amount of material in each annular weight can be varied by forming cavities of different sizes within the weights, without changing the outer shape of the weights. In this manner, the weights can be made of the same metallic material. For example, weights 238 can be set of the weight of the dumbbell at 5 kg, weights 240 at 3 kg and weights 242 at 4 kg. In one example, the different weights are coloured differently in order to distinguish them from each other.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show how the interchangeable weight, e.g. 238, is retained within the casings 234. The weights 238 is placed around a bearing cap 244, which has angularly spaced catches 246. An end cap 248 has abutments (not shown) at the same angular spacing as the catches 246. The end cap 248 is placed over the bearing cap 244 and rotated clockwise, engaging the abutments with the catches 246 to retain the end cap 248 on the dumbbell and retain the weight 238 in place.

Additionally or alternatively, the weights and the metallic cylinder could include respective interengageable formations for retaining the weights on the cylinder.

Optionally, a transparent window can be formed in the handle, or the end cap can be made transparent, so that the colour of the weight inside the casing of the dumbbell can be seen without removing the end cap.

The device of the invention has at least six functions. As described above, it can be used as a dumbbell, an abdominal roller and a massage roller. With the handles extended, it can also be used as a barbell. With the handles retracted, it can be used as a kettlebell. It can also be used as a stability device when performing exercises such as the “plank”.

Claims

1. A weighted dumbbell having a housing with a substantially cylindrical envelope in a first configuration, and convertible into an abdominal roller in a second configuration, the dumbbell including two elongate handles located along an axis of said housing, said handles being lodged within the housing in the first configuration and being slidable in mutually opposite directions along the axis, such that in the second configuration the handles extend outwardly from said housing and the housing is rotatable about the axis with respect to the handles.

2. A dumbbell according to claim 1, wherein outward sliding of the elongate handles is facilitated by springs.

3. A dumbbell according to claim 2, wherein a compression spring is mounted within each elongate handle.

4. A dumbbell according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the elongate handles are lockable in the first configuration and releasable therefrom by rotating the elongate handles about the axis, such that at least one element on the handle is engaged with and disengaged from an element that cannot rotate relative to the housing.

5. A dumbbell according to claim 4, wherein the at least one handle element is constrained to slide within a channel in the housing at a first angular position, when the elongate handle is being slid into the handle, the handle element being rotatable for engagement once the elongate handle is substantially within the housing.

6. A dumbbell according to claim 1, 2 or 3, comprising a pushbutton mechanism, such that pushing each elongate handle into the housing causes a handle element to latch the elongate handle in the first configuration, and subsequent pushing of the elongate handles releases the respective handle elements for deployment of the elongate handles to the second configuration.

7. A dumbbell according to claim 1, including bearings for rotation of the housing about the axis in the second configuration.

8. A dumbbell according to claim 7, wherein one bearing is provided adjacent each end of the housing.

9. A dumbbell according to claim 8, wherein the bearings have frustoconical surfaces engageable by correspondingly shaped surfaces on the elongate handles.

10. A dumbbell according to claim 1, including at least one dumbbell handle, within the cylindrical envelope.

11. A dumbbell according to claim 10, wherein the at least one dumbbell handle is formed by a bridge element supported radially outwardly from a central core of the dumbbell.

12. A dumbbell according to claim 1, wherein the weight of the dumbbell is adjustable.

13. A dumbbell according to claim 12, including first and second pairs of annular weights that can be inserted into and removed from positions surrounding the handles, the weights all having equal external diameters.

14. A dumbbell according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the weights can be viewed from the outside of the dumbbell when the weight is in place in the dumbbell.

15. A dumbbell according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the weights can be viewed from the outside of the dumbbell when the weight is in place in the dumbbell.

16. A dumbbell according to claim 7, wherein the bearings have frustoconical surfaces engageable by correspondingly shaped surfaces on the elongate handles.

17. A dumbbell according to claim 1, wherein the elongate handles are lockable in the first configuration and releasable therefrom by rotating the elongate handles about the axis, such that at least one element on the handle is engaged with and disengaged from an element that cannot rotate relative to the housing.

18. A dumbbell according to claim 17, wherein the at least one handle element is constrained to slide within a channel in the housing at a first angular position, when the elongate handle is being slid into the handle, the handle element being rotatable for engagement once the elongate handle is substantially within the housing.

19. A dumbbell according to claim 1, comprising a pushbutton mechanism, such that pushing each elongate handle into the housing causes a handle element to latch the elongate handle in the first configuration, and subsequent pushing of the elongate handles releases the respective handle elements for deployment of the elongate handles to the second configuration.