FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a selectable free weight assembly having an improved weight set selector and locking mechanism.
BACKGROUND
An adjustable weight dumbbell apparatus enables a user to have access to a plurality of differing weight sets in a single handset by facilitating the addition or subtraction of weight (i.e., weight plates) from the apparatus. In the past, the use of free weight dumbbells generally offered the user one of two options. The first option was a plurality of free weight dumbbells of solid mass in a sufficient number to fulfill the entire desired free weight requirement (i.e., multiple pairs of dumbbells). The second option was an adjustable dumbbell that required physically clamping or securing the weights to a handset using a hand wrench manual locking apparatus. More recently, adjustable dumbbells have incorporated different mechanisms for securing the weight plates to each other and to the handset.
During use, free weight assemblies are often dropped from elevated positions. And even though conventional adjustable weight assemblies employ various selector and locking mechanisms, the weight plates can still become disengaged when the assemblies are dropped. This can cause the weight plates to become detached from the handset and can result in permanent damage to the assemblies. Therefore, there exists a need for an adjustable weight assembly with an improved weight set selector and locking mechanism.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, a selectable weight set apparatus generally comprises a handle assembly comprising a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A first weight set is adapted to be supported on the first end portion of the handle and a second weight set adapted to be supported on the second end portion of the handle. Each of the first and second weight sets comprises a plurality of weight plates. An adjustment assembly selects a number of weight plates to be retained to the handle assembly. The adjustment assembly comprises at least one selector for movement relative to at least one of the first and second weight sets to engage and select the weight plates in said at least one of the first and second weight sets. A locking assembly fixes the selector relative to said at least one of the first and second weight sets. The locking assembly comprises a first locking element and a plurality of second locking elements. The first locking element is configured for releasable engagement with the selector and one of the plurality of second locking elements on the selector after the selector is moved to engage and select the weight plates in said at least one of the first and second weight sets.
In another aspect, a handle assembly for a selectable weight set apparatus generally comprises a handle for supporting a plurality of weight plates. An adjustment assembly is associated with the handle for selecting a number of weight plates to be retained to the handle. The adjustment assembly comprises at least one selector for movement relative to the handle to engage and select the weight plates to be retained to the handle. A locking assembly fixes the selector relative to the handle. The locking assembly comprises a first locking element and a plurality of second locking elements. The first locking element is configured for releasable engagement with the selector and one of the plurality of second locking elements on the selector to place the locking assembly in locked and unlocked configurations.
Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the following description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective of a free weight dumbbell apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus;
FIG. 4 is an end view of the apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a perspective of a weight plate of the apparatus;
FIG. 5A is a side view of the weight plate;
FIG. 5B is a perspective of a collar plate of the apparatus;
FIG. 6 is a cross section of the apparatus taken through line 6-6 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a perspective of a right side collar of the apparatus from a right side vantage;
FIG. 7A is a perspective of a left side collar of the apparatus from a left side vantage;
FIG. 8 is a perspective of the right side collar including an adjustment assembly and locking assembly of the apparatus with the locking assembly in a locked configuration;
FIG. 8A is the perspective in FIG. 8 with portions of the adjustment assembly and locking assembly broken away to show detail;
FIG. 8B is a perspective like FIG. 8, but showing a different embodiment in which a knob of the adjustment assembly is recessed into the collar in a locked configuration;
FIG. 9 is a perspective of the left side collar, but with the locking assembly in an unlocked configuration;
FIG. 9A is the perspective of FIG. 9 with portions of the adjustment assembly and locking assembly broken away to show detail;
FIG. 10 is a front side perspective of a selector shaft of the apparatus;
FIG. 10A is a rear side perspective of the selector shaft of the apparatus;
FIG. 11 is a perspective of a portion of the adjustment assembly and locking assembly of the apparatus;
FIG. 12 is a perspective of a retaining member of the locking assembly;
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to FIGS. 1-4, a freestanding selectable free weight dumbbell apparatus 10 generally comprises a dumbbell handle assembly 12 including a tubular handle 14 and a pair of collars 18, 20 mounted on respective ends of the handle. A pair of weight plate sets 16 is supported by the handle assembly 12. Each weight plate set 16 comprises a plurality of weight plates 24 arranged in mating sequence between respective collars 18, 20 and outermost weight plates 24. A knob 26 (broadly, “a selector element”) is mounted on each collar 18, 20 to adjust the number of weight plates 24 in each respective set 16 supported by the handle assembly 12 for varying the total weight of the apparatus 10. A portion of the handle 14 extends between the collars 18, 20 for allowing a user to grasp and manipulate the apparatus 10.
Referring to FIG. 5, each weight plate 24 comprises a main body portion 29 and a top bent portion 31 extending from the main body portion at a skewed angle. The weight plate 24 is made of a suitable material such as steel and may be overmolded with another, safer material such as plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the top bent portion 31 is skewed from the main body portion 29 by an angle α of about 12 degrees (FIG. 5A). This configuration of the weight plates 24 reduces the overall length of the apparatus 10 as compared to weight plates without a bend. As a result, the shape of the weight plates 24 creates a more compact apparatus 10 which makes it easier to manipulate. The weight plates 24 may have other shapes and configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the weight plates could be substantially round or substantially rectangular. Moreover, the plates could have a different bend or be flat.
Each collar 18, 20 may have a collar plate 32 fixed to the respective collar for engaging the first weight plate 24 of the weight set 16 (FIGS. 1-3 and 5B). The collar plates 32 can be made of a suitable material such as steel and have the same overall shape as the weight plates. However, it is to be understood that the collar plates may have a shape different from the shape of the weight plates. In the illustrated embodiment, a gear slot 33 is formed in the collar plate 32 to provide clearance for gears of the apparatus 10 as will be explained in greater detail below. Also, a collar plate (not shown) may be slightly smaller than the weight plates 24 shown in the drawings so as to accommodate weight plates of different shapes (e.g., circular weight plates, not shown) without projecting out from any peripheral edge of either shape of weight plate. The weight plates 24 are designed to lock together in sequence from the collar 18, 20 toward the outermost weight plate 24. Thus, the weight plates 24 can be designed to lock to the collar plates 32.
Referring to FIGS. 4-5A, the weight plates 24 and collar plates 32 each have plate locking mechanisms 30 for attaching to adjacent plates. Specifically, the locking mechanisms 30 function to lock two adjoining weight plates 24 together, or a weight plate to either one of the collar plates 32. The locking mechanisms 30 include a central locking tang 34 formed by making a three-sided cut (two lateral side cuts and a transverse top cut) in each of the plates 24, 32. The area inside the cut is bent outward along a tang bend at an angle, forming the locking tang 34. The void left by the tang 34 forms a central locking slot 36. Additionally, the two lateral side cuts taper toward the top cut such that a bottom edge of the tang 34 is longer than a top edge of the tang. In the illustrated embodiment, the tang 34 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape. However, the tang 34 could have other shapes such as non-isosceles trapezoidal, rectangular or semi-circular without departing from the scope of the present invention. As such, any number of straight or curved cuts could be used to form the tang.
The central locking tangs 34 are designed to facilitate locking and unlocking of the weight plates 24 and collar plates 32 during use of the apparatus 10. The top edge of each tang 34 has a locking surface 38. The locking surface 38 is designed to engage and lock into an upper portion of a central locking slot 36 of an adjacent weight plate 24 or collar plate 32. This method of construction allows for the necessary positioning of the central locking tangs 34 with respect to adjoining central locking slots 36 while providing a mechanism that allows for the placement of a plurality of weight plates 24 flush up against one another.
The locking mechanism 30 may further comprise secondary tangs (not shown) on the plates. It will be understood that any suitable plate interlock may be used within the scope of the present invention. One example of secondary tangs is shown in my International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/062289, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5B, each of the weight plates 24 and collar plates 32 also include selector shaft holes 42 positioned at a center of the plates for allowing the passage of selector shafts 50 (see, FIG. 6) in and out of the weight plates for engaging and selecting the desired amount of weight. Each collar 18, 20, although only collar 20 is illustrated, includes a shaft ring 44 that projects from an inner surface of the collar and surrounds the selector shaft hole 42 in the collar (FIGS. 7 and 7A). An insert 98 is received inside an interior space of the collar 18, 20. The insert helps locate various components of the apparatus 10 as will be explained in greater detail below. The skewed orientation of the collar plates 32 with respect to a longitudinal axis LA of the handle 14, in combination with the locking mechanisms 30, cause a portion of the weight plates 24 to be held at a skewed angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 14 when the weight plates 24 are retained on the handle assembly 12.
Selection of the desired weight is achieved through manipulation of the knobs 26 which in turn actuate components of the handle assembly 12. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8-10A, the handle assembly comprises the handle 14, selector shafts 50, a gear assembly 52 and a locking assembly 54. The knobs 26 and gear assembly 52 are broadly an adjustment assembly. The gear assembly 52 comprises a first spur gear 56, a second spur gear 58 mating with the first spur gear, a connecting axle 60 extending from the second spur gear, and a third spur gear 62 mounted on a bottom end of the connecting axle for engaging teeth 64 (see, FIGS. 9-10) on the selector shafts 50. A cutout 63 (FIGS. 7 and 7A) in the shaft ring 44 and a cutout 65 in the insert 98 receive at least a portion of the third spur gear 62 allowing the third spur gear to engage the selector shaft 50 without interfering with the collar 18, 20. The gear slot 33 in the collar plate 32 also receives a portion of the third spur gear 62 providing clearance for the gear. A cutout 67 in the insert 98 in the collar 18, 20 receives portions of the first and second spur gears 56, 58 providing clearance for the first and second gears. Each knob 26 is mounted on an actuator shaft 66 (broadly, “a first locking element”), and the first spur gear 56 is press fit onto the actuator shaft such that rotation of a knob also rotates a respective first spur gear on the actuator shaft. A hole 68 (FIG. 7) in the shaft ring 44 receives the actuator shaft 66 so that a bottom end of the actuator shaft is positionable adjacent a side of the selector rod 50. The knobs 26 are rotatable about the axis of the actuator shaft 60 which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA of the handle 14. However, other configurations are contemplated.
It is also contemplated that a structure other than a knob can be used. For instance, a dial (not shown) could be used to adjust the number of weight plates 24 in each set 16 supported by the handle assembly 12. Also, in the illustrated embodiment each weight set 16 has a dedicated knob 26 for selecting the weight plates 24 of the weight plate sets 16. However, a single knob or dial could be used to adjust both weight sets 16. It will be understood that the gear assembly 52 and locking assembly 54 would be modified to accommodate the single selector element configuration.
Referring to FIGS. 8-9A, the first spur gear 56 engages the second spur gear 58 such that teeth on the first spur gear mesh with teeth on the second spur gear. Thus, rotation of a knob 26 rotates the first spur gear 56 in a first direction which in turn rotates the second spur gear 58 in a second direction, opposite the first direction. Because connecting axle 60 connects the second spur gear 58 to the third spur gear 62, rotation of the second spur gear also causes rotation of the third spur gear in the second direction. As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 9A, because teeth of the third spur gear 62 mesh with the teeth 64 on the selector shaft 50, rotation of the third spur gear causes the selector shaft to translate longitudinally in the handle 14. The collars 18, 20 enclose portions of respective gear assemblies 52. Each collar 18, 20 has an opening 70 (FIGS. 7 and 7A) that passes the actuating rod 66 so that the knobs 26 are accessible to a user to allow the user to rotate the knobs during use. As will be explained in greater detail below, the knobs 26 are vertically movable to lock and unlock the selector shafts 50 in place within the handle 14. The vertical movement of the knob allows the locking assembly 54 to be easily locked and unlocked by a user.
The selector shafts 50 (broadly, “selectors”) are at least partially received in the handle 14 and selector shaft holes 42 by a close tolerance such that movement of the selector shafts and weight plates 24 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle is restricted (FIG. 6).
Referring to FIGS. 8-12, each locking assembly 54 comprises a retaining member 82 slidably mounted in a respective collar 18, 20, a conical member 84 on the actuator shaft 66, and a series of longitudinally spaced recesses 86 (broadly, “second locking elements”) in the selector shaft 50. The retaining member 82 comprises a locking portion 88 and a tab portion 90 extending from the locking portion. The locking portion 88 has an elongate plate opening 92 and an elongate rod opening 94. The rod opening receives the actuator shaft 66 so that at least a portion of the bottom end of the actuator shaft may be received in a recess 86 in the selector shaft 50. The tab portion 90 of the retaining member 82 extends at least partially though a hole 95 in a side wall of the collar 18, 20 and the locking portion 88 is at least partially captured in channel 96 (FIGS. 7 and 7A) in insert in the collar 18, 20 to constrain movement of the retaining member to substantially sliding translational movement with respect to the collar.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 8A, when the locking assembly 54 is in a locked configuration, the knob 26 is in a depressed position wherein a free end 100 of the locking portion 88 of the retaining member 82 is disposed between a shoulder 102 of the conical member 84 and a bottom surface of the first spur gear 56. The free end 100 of the retaining member 82 around the opening 94 engages the shoulder 102 of the conical member 84 and holds the dial 26 in the depressed position so that the bottom end of the actuator shaft 66 is secured in a recess 86 in the selector shaft 50. Thus, the selector shaft 50 is held from longitudinal movement by the engagement between the bottom end of the actuator shaft 66 and the recess 86. In particular, the outer longitudinally extending surface of the actuator shaft 66 engages the surface of the recess 86 and the opposing nature of the two surfaces restricts longitudinal movement of the selector shaft 50. The selector shaft 50 is also held from transverse movement by the positioning of the bottom of the actuator shaft 66 and the third spur gear 62 being in opposed relation on opposite sides of the selector shaft. Specifically, the bottom end of the actuator shaft 66 and the third spur gear 62 are disposed on opposing lateral sides of the selector shaft 50 to restrict transverse movement of the selector shaft. Therefore, in the locked configuration, the selector shaft is fixed against both longitudinal and transverse movement. So the movement of the weight plates 24 is restricted, helping to eliminate looseness or “slop” and the points of weakness that can exist in prior art designs having side gaps. When the locking assembly 54 is in an unlocked configuration (FIGS. 9 and 9A), the knob 26 is in a raised position freeing the bottom end of the actuator shaft 66 from the recess 86 in the selector shaft 50 permitting the selector shaft to be adjusted by the knob.
Referring to FIG. 8B, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the same parts will be designated with the same reference numeral as in the prior embodiment, but with the addition of a prime after the numeral. Accordingly, not all parts will be described again for this embodiment. The collar 20′ now includes an opening 132 that is large enough to receive the knob 26′ into the interior of the collar so that the knob is generally flush with a top surface of the collar. A collar 20′ now includes a cup 134 that has a bottom wall (not shown) with an opening for receiving the actuator shaft 66′ through the cup. The bottom wall provides a reaction surface for the spring (not shown, but like spring 120 that may be seen in FIG. 9A). When the actuator shaft 66′ is released by the retaining member 82′, the knob 26′ pops up through the opening 132 under the influence of the spring, where the knob can be easily grasped for changing the weight selection. It will be understood that the opposite collar (not shown) may have the same construction including a recessed knob.
Weight indicia 110 can be provided on each knob 26. The indicia 110 may comprise notches spaced around a top surface of the knob 26. An indicator mark 112 on the collar 18, 20 can indicate that a weight plate 24, 32 is engaged when a notch on the knob 26 is aligned with the indicator mark. The notches may be spaced approximately 36 degrees from each other to define about 10 different weight increments of the apparatus 10. Thus, each notch may correspond to a plate 24, 32 so that a single rotation of the knob 26 will retain every plate of the apparatus 10. As will be explained in greater detail below, the gear assembly 52 allows for this feature of the apparatus 10. The recesses 86 on each selector shaft 50 are preferably positioned so that each recess corresponds to a plate 24, 32 of the apparatus 10. Thus, rotation of the knob 26 to a selected weight plate 24, 32 may align the actuator shaft 66 with a corresponding recess 86.
It may be seen that all or at least all major components of the apparatus 10 can be made of steel. However, use of other materials does not depart from the scope of the present invention.
During use, a user may place the apparatus 10 in the unlocked configuration from a locked configuration by pressing the tab portion 90 of the retaining member 82 causing the retaining member to slide further into the collar 18, 20. The sliding movement of the retaining member 82 disengages the free end 100 of the locking member from between the shoulder 102 of the conical member 84 and the bottom surface of the first spur gear 56 allowing the knob 26 to be lifted into the raised position. It will be understood, that the knob 26 can be biased, such as by a spring 120 mounted on the collar 18, 20, to the raised position so that the knob automatically lifts to the raised position when the tab portion 90 of the retaining member 82 is pressed. In the raised position, the user may select the desired amount of weight by rotating the knob 26 either clockwise or counterclockwise. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 120 is mounted on top of the collar 18, 20. However, the spring 120 could be mounted in an interior of the collar so as not to be visible to the user.
In the illustrated embodiment, rotation of the right knob, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 6, in a clockwise direction and rotation of the left knob in a counterclockwise direction causes the teeth of the third spur gear 62 to ride along the teeth 64 of the selector shaft 50 moving the selector shafts outward away from a center of the handle 14. As the selector shafts 50 are moved outward they will extend further into the weight sets 16 through the selector shaft holes 42 in the weight plates 24, engaging more weight plates. Therefore, if the user lifts the handle 14 upward the locking mechanisms 30 will cause more weight plates 24 to be retained on the handle assembly 12. The apparatus 10, and particularly the gear assembly 52, is configured such that one complete rotation of each knob 26 will retain every plate 24, 32 on the handle assembly 12. The transfer of rotational movement by the gears 56, 58, 62 of gear assembly 52 to translational movement of the selector shaft 50 is such that rotation of the knob 26 and thus the first spur gear 56 an incremental degree (e.g., 36 degrees) causes translational movement of a distance sufficient to advance the selector shaft a single weight plate.
Conversely, if the right knob 26 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction and the left knob is rotated in the clockwise direction, the teeth of the third spur gear 62 will ride along the teeth 64 of the selector shaft 50 moving the selector shafts inward toward the center of the handle 14. This will reduce the number of weight plates 24 engaged by the selector shafts 50, resulting in an apparatus of lesser weight. The apparatus 10 is configured such that the selector shafts 50 will not extend past the outermost plate when at least one weight plate 24 or collar plate 32 on each side of the handle 14 is retained by the handle assembly 12.
To lock the weight plates 24, 32 in position, the user may depress the knob 26 causing the actuator shaft 66 to move downward and the outer surface of the conical member 84 to engage a rim 122 of the actuator opening 94. The rim 122 of the actuator opening 94 will ride along the outer surface of the conical member 84 until the rim clears the shoulder 102 causing the free end 100 of the retaining member 82 to again be disposed between the shoulder 102 and the bottom surface of the first spur gear 56. In this position, the selector shaft 50 will again be locked in place. It will be understood that the retaining member 82 may be biased outward, such as by a spring (130) in the collar 18, 22, so that the locking member automatically moves into the locked configuration when the knob 26 is fully depressed (FIGS. 9 and 9A). It is also understood that the retaining member 82 itself may be a flex spring that biases the retaining member outward. In the event that the apparatus 10 is dropped during use, the locking mechanism 30 and the locking assembly 54 secure the plates 24, 32 together keeping the plates in place on the apparatus.
Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Patent Grant
10166427
