Patent Application
20080023355
a depicts an exemplary portable weight set kit.
b depicts an exemplary weight set storage system in an open configuration.
a depicts a side view of the lid of a weight set storage system in a closed configuration.
b depicts a side view of the bottom of a weight set storage system in a closed configuration.
a and 1b illustrate a weight set kit and a portable weight set storage system respectively. As seen in
b illustrates one or more weight discs 15 held in vertical slots in the inner surface of the lid 130 or in vertical slots in the inner surface of the bottom 180 of the case 100. The term “vertical” is used with the slots to describe the orientation of the slots when the case is in a plane that is horizon to its resting surface, as seen in Fig. b. The term “vertical” is not limited to whether the case 100 is in an upright position or lying in a plane that is horizontal to its resting surface. In either position, when the case 100 is closed, and in a horizontal position, the lid vertical slots 140 overlap with the bottom vertical slots 190 to form a close-fitted enclosure that can securely hold the discs 15 in place. The case 100 may also be used as a display rack for the weight sets. When used as a display rack, in the open configuration, the case 100 can hold complete weight sets in both the lid inner surface 130 and the bottom inner surface 180.
The weight discs 15 may be positioned, within either the lid vertical slots 140 or the bottom vertical slots 190, such that the discs 15 are either perpendicular to the surface on which the case 100 is placed or the discs 15 may be slanted to face one of the two length sides or one of the two width sides. The case 100 comprises an elastomeric material. The dimensions of the case can be adapted to meet the size and shape of weight sets to be stored. The dimensions and shape of the lid 125 and bottom 175 are identical to each other and each lid vertical slot 140 is symmetrical and identical to a bottom vertical slot 190. The dimension or shape, of each lid vertical slot 140 and each bottom vertical slot 190, is adapted to confine or hold in place one or more discs 15. Thus, when the case 100 is in an open configuration, a duality of weight sets may be securely stored in the case 100, that is one set of weights may be held in the lid 125 section and another set of weights may be held in the bottom 175 section of the case 100.
The weight set storage system 10 further comprises one or more indentations 126 in the lid inner surface 130 and one or more indentations 126 in the bottom inner surface180. The dimension of the indentation 126 is slightly smaller than a dumbbell bar or a barbell bar 20, such that the dumbbell bar or the barbell bar 20 will have to be forced into position within the indentation. Advantageously, because the case 100 comprises an elastomeric material, the dumbbell bar or the barbell bar 20 is snap-locked in position within the indentation 126 so that the dumbbell bar or the barbell bar 20 will not slip out of or shift within the case 100 when the case 100 is in either the open position or in the closed position. The snap-locking indentations 126 combined with the vertical slots enable the weight set kit 50 to be either displayed in an upright and open position or transported in a closed position without the discs 15 and the bars 20 falling out and without any excessive shifting or rubbing together against each within the closed case 100.
The bottom 175 and the lid 125 each comprise identical protrusions 152a and 152b in corresponding positions. These protrusions 152a and 152b are designed to overlap with each other to form a handle 154 when the case 100 is in a closed position. The system 10 is compact and the handle 154 facilitates the portability of the system 10.
The inner surface 130 of the lid 125 and the inner surface 180 of the bottom 175 further comprise one or more grooves 166. The grooves 166 are configured to receive one or more collars 25 for locking the adjustable weight discs 15 to a dumbbell bar or a barbell bar 20. The locking collars 25 may be placed either horizontally or vertically within the grooves 166.
The case 100 is configured to hold from a 10 lb dumbbell weight set to a 100 lb or greater barbell weight set. As shown in
The case 100 comprises two length sides 127 and two width 128 sides. Either or both of the two length sides 127 of the case can comprises one or more balancing projections 140 for allowing the case 100 to stand upright on the balancing projections 140. Either or both of the two width sides 128 of the case can comprise one or more stabilizing projections 142 for allowing the case 100 to stand upright on the stabilizing projections 142. The case 100 is portable and can be carried using the handle 154.
The portable weight set kit 50 of
The user can set up the kit 50 at any convenient location. Once the user is ready to start weight training, he or she can open the case 100 and since the discs 15 are stacked vertically, the user can easily select a suitable combination of weight discs 15 and bars 20. Since the discs 15 are stacked vertically in the lid vertical slot 140 or the bottom vertical slot 190, the discs 15 are easier to lift and remove from the case 100. The user can then attach the discs 15 to the dumbbell bar or the barbell bar 20 and secure the discs 15 to the bar 20 using the locking collars 25. Once the user is done with the weight training, the weight sets can be easily restored back in the kit 50. In another embodiment, the kit may be configured to hold fixed weight dumbbells and barbells. The user can remove the dumbbell or the barbell from the case 100 and start training without modifying the weight configurations.
The foregoing description is illustrative and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and variations in the system and other details will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all such variations and modifications, which fall within the scope or spirit of the appended claims, be embraced thereby.
