WEIGHT PLATE

Abstract

A weight plate has an integrally molded center plate including a centrally located bore disposed in the center with an elongated first hand grip and an elongated second hand grip diametrically opposed to each other toward the opposite sides of the center plate. The first hand and second hand grips may have circular cross-sections. The first hand and second hand grip may include an interior perimeter and an exterior perimeter in spaced relation to each other, through which an opening is formed between the interior and exterior perimeter of the center plate so that the fingers and thumb of a user’s hand can be disposed through the opening for sufficient gripping of the weight plate. A mounting member can be passed through the bore for some particular exercises. With many different ways of using, the weight plate is compatible with a number of varied exercises and movements for an individual.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to exercise devices, and more particularly to a weight plate compatible with and enabling a number of varied exercises and movements by an individual.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many instances, exercise-based activities require some sort of weight. Past efforts have led to various exercise devices such as barbells, dumbbells and weighted plates to exercise with to increase muscle mass and strength. Despite advances, due to the configuration of the barbells, dumbbells, or plates, the individual is not able to perform a particular exercise. The present invention is designed to obviate and overcome many of the disadvantages and shortcomings experienced with weight plate devices. Moreover, the present invention is related to a weight plate for physical fitness routines in which an individual may perform numerous exercises.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, a weight plate is disclosed that is useful in certain physical fitness weight lifting equipment during a body building exercise. The weight plate includes a center plate having a bore disposed in the center. The centrally located bore defines the rotational axis of the weight plate and is sized to receive a mounting member, such as a barbell or weight bar. The diameter of the bore may vary to accommodate the diameter of a weight bar or dumbbell bar to be received through the bore.

The center plate is rectangular-shaped and further integrally molded with an elongated first hand grip and an elongated second hand grip diametrically opposed to each other toward the opposite sides of the center plate, wherein the first hand grip and the second hand grip may have a circular cross-section to make it easier for a user to hold.

The first hand and second hand grip further may include an interior perimeter and an exterior perimeter in spaced relation to each other and is defined by the first hand and second hand grip, through which a first as well as second opening is formed between the interior perimeter and the exterior perimeter of the center plate so that the fingers and thumb of a human hand can be disposed through the opening for sufficient gripping of the weight plate.

According to this invention, the first hand grip may be disposed diametrically opposed to the second hand grip toward the opposite sides of the center plate. The first opening may be disposed in opposition to the second opening relative to the first hand grip and second hand grip.

The user may perform various exercises and/or movements when a mounting member, such as a barbell or weight bar can be passed through the bore or when one or both of the user’s hands are placed on the first hand grip and the second hand grip or by placing the weight plate in a backpack during exercises or any other way where the weight of the weight plate can be used.

In embodiments, the first grip and the second grip may be formed symmetrically about the central axis of the center plate, then exercises can be performed when one or both of the user’s hands are placed on the shown sections of the first hand grip may also be performed when one or both of the user’s hands are placed on the respectively sections of the second hand grip.

These and other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as additional novel features, will be apparent from the description provided herein. The intent of this summary is not to be a comprehensive description of the subject matter, but rather to provide a short overview of some of the subject matter’s functionality. Other systems, methods, features and advantages here provided will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages that are included within this description, be within the scope of any claims filed later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the weight plate according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the weight plate being used with a weight bar in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the weight plate according to the present invention with a user’s hands on sections of first hand grip and second hand grip in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the weight plate according to the present invention with a user’s hand on the sections of first hand grip in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components. It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present invention, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the weight plate according to the present invention. In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the weight plate may include a center plate 3 having a bore 4 disposed in the center. The centrally located bore 4 defines the rotational axis of the weight plate and is adapted to receive a mounting member, such as a barbell or weight bar. It is understood that the diameter of the bore 4 may vary to accommodate the diameter of a weight bar or dumbbell bar to be received through the bore 4. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the bore 4 is approximately 2.05 inches, however the diameter of the bore 4 may generally vary between 1 to 2.5 inches to accommodate most standard weight bars.

As seen in FIG. 1, the center plate 3 is rectangular-shaped and further integrally molded with an elongated first hand grip 1 and an elongated second hand grip 2 diametrically opposed to each other toward the opposite sides of the center plate 3. In embodiments, the first hand grip 1 and the second hand grip 2 may have a circular cross-section to make it easier for a user to hold.

The first hand grip 1 further may include a first interior perimeter and a first exterior perimeter in spaced relation to each other and is defined by the first hand grip 1, through which a first opening 6 is formed between the first interior perimeter and the exterior perimeter of the center plate 3 so that the fingers and thumb of a human hand (shown in FIG. 4) can be disposed through the opening 6 for sufficient gripping of the weight plate.

The second hand grip 2 further may include a second interior perimeter and a second exterior perimeter in spaced relation to each other and is defined by the second hand grip 2, through which a second opening 7 is formed between the second interior perimeter and the exterior perimeter of the center plate 3 so that the fingers and thumb of a human hand can be disposed through the opening 7 for sufficient gripping of the weight plate.

In the present invention, the first hand grip 1 may be disposed diametrically opposed to the second hand grip 2 toward the opposite sides of the center plate 3. The first opening 5 may be disposed in opposition to the second opening 6 relative to the first hand grip 1 and second hand grip 2.

The weight plate could be made of a suitable metal wood, plastic, or rubber, and covered with a soft neoprene type material vinyl, rubber or chrome plating, making it comfortable to hold and handle-and less likely to do damage if dropped. It could also be made of a plastic shell and filled with a suitable substance to give it greater mass.

The thickness of the weight plate would vary depending on its mass and the preferences of the user, but should be approximately 1 to 1.5 inches with the cross-sectional diameter of the first hand grip 1 and the second hand grip 2 which varies approximately between 1 to 1.26 inches. In embodiments, the weight plate may be designated as having a weight between 10 and 35 pounds. Different exercises and movements by an individual may call for the use of different weights in order to benefit from the exercise or movement. Different weighted apparatuses may allow a user to perform specific exercises at a proper weight in relation to the user.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the weight plate being used with a weight bar 5 in accordance with one embodiment. In embodiments as shown in FIG. 2, the user may perform various exercises and/or movements when the weight bar 5 is passed through the bore 4.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the weight plate according to the present invention with a user’s hands on the first hand grip 1 and the second hand grip 2 in accordance with one embodiment. In embodiments as shown in FIG. 3, the user may perform various exercises and/or movements when both of the user’s hands are placed on the shown sections of the first hand grip 1 and the second hand grip 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the weight plate according to the present invention with a user’s hand on the sections of the first hand grip 1 in accordance with one embodiment. In embodiments as shown in FIG. 4, the user may perform various exercises and/or movements when one or both of the user’s hands are placed on the shown sections of the first hand grip 1. In embodiments, the first grip 1 and the second grip 2 may be formed symmetrically about the central axis of the center plate 3, then exercises can be performed when one or both of the user’s hands are placed on the shown sections of the first hand grip 1 and may also be performed when one or both of the user’s hands are placed on the respectively sections of the second hand grip 2.

In embodiments, there are a number of exercises and/or movements that a user may perform by gripping the weight plate with one or both of the user’s hands, or by using the weight plate in conjunction with a weight bar, or by placing the weight plate in a backpack during exercises or any other way where the weight of the weight plate can be used.

Embodiments of the weight plate may provide the benefit of stackability or storability. More than one of the weight plates may be placed front to back when the weight plates are stacked or stored in a configuration other than being stacked. When stacked or stored, the weight plates may be compact in the amount of space that is taken up. Embodiments of the weight plate may provide the benefit of being used without the task of changing or assembling weights or a weighted apparatus. The single piece molded monolithic design saves a user time and effort when the user works out with the weight plate.

Claims

1. A weight plate comprising: a center plate (3) having a centrally located bore (4) disposed in the center;the center plate (3) is integrally molded with an elongated first hand grip and an elongated second hand grip diametrically opposed to each other toward the opposite sides of the center plate;the first hand grip having a first interior perimeter and a first exterior perimeter in spaced relation to each other and is defined by the first hand grip, through which a first opening (6) is formed between the first interior perimeter and the exterior perimeter of the center plate (3) to facilitate the disposal of fingers and thumb of a human hand through the first opening for sufficient gripping of the weight plate;the second hand grip having a second interior perimeter and a second exterior perimeter in spaced relation to each other and is defined by the second hand grip, through which a second opening (7) is formed between the second interior perimeter and the exterior perimeter of the center plate (3) to facilitate the disposal of fingers and thumb of a human hand through the second opening for sufficient gripping of the weight plate;said first hand grip and said second hand grip have circular cross-sections; andthe first opening is disposed in opposition to the second opening relative to said first hand grip and second hand grip.

2. The weight plate as claimed in claim 1 comprising: defining the rotational axis of the weight plate through centrally located bore (4) which is adapted to receive a mounting member, such as a barbell or weight bar.

3. The weight plate as claimed in claim 1 comprising: accommodating the diameter of a weight bar or dumbbell bar to be received through varying diameter size of the centrally located bore (4).

4. The diameter of the centrally located bore (4) as claimed in claim 3 comprising: the diameter of the bore (4) is approximately 2 to 2.1 inches, wherein the general dimension of the diameter of the bore varies between 1 to 2.5 inches to accommodate most standard weight bars.

5. The weight plate as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the shape of the center plate (3) is rectangular.

6. The weight plate as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the weight plate (3) could be made of a suitable metal wood, plastic, or rubber, and covered with a soft neoprene type material vinyl, rubber or chrome plating.

7. The weight plate as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the thickness of the weight plate (3) is approximately between 1 to 1.5 inches with the cross-sectional diameter of the first hand grip and between 1 to 1.3 inches with the cross-sectional diameter of the second hand grip.

8. The weight plate as claimed in claim 1 comprising: performing various exercises and/or movements through passing the barbell or weight bar through centrally located bore (4).

9. The weight plate as claimed in claim 1 comprising: forming the first grip and the second grip symmetrically about the central axis of the center plate (3).

10. A method of using a weight plate comprising an integrally molded center plate (3) having a centrally located bore (4) disposed in the center with an elongated first hand grip and an elongated second hand grip diametrically opposed to each other toward the opposite sides of the center plate, the method comprising: placing one or both of user’s hands on the first hand grip and the second hand grip, the user performs various exercises and/or movements;performing various exercises and/or movements using the weight plate in conjunction with a mounting member, such as a barbell or weight bar; andplacing the weight plate in a backpack during exercises or any other way where the weight of the weight plate can be used, the user performs various exercises and/or movements.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein exercises performed when placing one or both of the user’s hands on identified sections of the first hand grip is also performed by placing one or both of the user’s hands on the respective sections of the second hand grip as the first grip and the second grip are formed symmetrically about the central axis of the center plate.