U.S. patent application number 10/022750 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-19 for weightlifting apparatus.
Invention is credited to Schiff, Jon D..
Application Number | 20030114276 10/022750 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21811238 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030114276 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schiff, Jon D. |
June 19, 2003 |
Weightlifting apparatus
Abstract
A weightlifting apparatus includes a ring-shaped support frame
adapted to rest on a base that holds a plurality of weights, with
side edges of the weights adjacent side sections of the support
frame. An interlock mechanism includes slide members on the support
frame that are movable along the side sections, and interlock tabs
on the weights that slide across grooves in the weights. The slide
members are configured to cammingly engage one end of the
interlocking tabs, such that as the slide members engage the tabs
on one side of the weights, the interlocking tabs move into
engagement with an opposite side of the weights. The slide members
are interconnected by a flexible ring, and are configured to move
in opposite directions to selectively engage pairs of the weights
so that pairs of the weights are selectively secured to the support
frame by the interlock mechanism.
Inventors: |
Schiff, Jon D.; (St. Joseph,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PRICE HENEVELD COOPER DEWITT & LITTON
695 KENMOOR, S.E.
P O BOX 2567
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49501
US
|
Family ID: |
21811238 |
Appl. No.: |
10/022750 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/93 ;
482/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/075 20130101;
A63B 21/00065 20130101; A63B 21/0728 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/93 ;
482/105 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/06; A63B
021/065 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A weightlifting apparatus comprising: a support frame having
side sections defmiing a first direction and a handle adapted for
grasping and lifting in a second direction different than the first
direction; a plurality of weights positioned between the side
sections and having edges adjacent the side sections; and an
interlock mechanism including slide members slidably engaging and
movable along the side sections, the slide members being configured
to selectively engage and disengage the edges of the weights so
that, when the handle is lifted, selected ones of the weights are
secured to the support frame and lifted with the support frame.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including interlock members
that operably engage the slide members to move between a recessed
disengaged position for releasing the weights, and a protruding
engaged position for securing the weights to the support frame.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein the slide members
include camming surfaces that engage ends of the interlock
members.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein at least one of the
interlock members are slidably attached to each of the plurality of
weights.
5. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein the camming surfaces
engage the interlock members as the slide members are moved along
the side sections that as the camming surface engages one end of
the interlock tab, an opposite end of the interlock tab engages the
support frame on an opposite side.
6. The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein the slide members
include front and rear slide members, and including a band attached
between the front and rear slide members so that when one of the
front and rear slide members is moved, the other of the front and
rear slide members is moved in an opposite direction by the
band.
7. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the side sections
define a plane with the first direction being in the plane, with
the second direction being perpendicular to the plane.
8. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including fixed weight plates
attached between the side sections, and including a handle
extending between the fixed weight plates in a balanced
position.
9. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including an interlock tab
movably supported on each of the weights, the slide members each
being shaped to engage an angled end of the interlock tabs.
10. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including two of the slide
members operably connected together for simultaneous opposite
movement.
11. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including notches in side
edges of each of the weights, and wherein the slide members are
configured to releasably engage the notches to lock the weights to
the support frame.
12. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the support frame
includes end sections connecting the side sections to form a
rectangular ring.
13. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including a base shaped to
support the plurality of weights and shaped to abuttingly engage
the support frame in a rest position where the plurality of weights
can be selectively engaged by moving the slide members.
14. A weightlifting apparatus comprising: a support frame having
side sections defining a first direction and a handle adapted for
grasping and lifting in a second direction different than the first
direction; a plurality of weights positioned between the side
sections and having edges adjacent the side sections, each weight
including an interlock tab member that is slidable toward the side
sections and slidable away from the side sections; and an interlock
mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the
interlock tab members with the side sections so that, when the
handle is lifted, selected ones of the weights are secured to the
support frame and lifted with the support frame and selected other
ones of the weights are released from the support frame.
15. The apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein the side sections
define a plane, and the first direction is located in the
plane.
16. The apparatus defined in claim 15, wherein the tab members are
each slidably supported for movement parallel the plane.
17. The apparatus defined in claim 16, including slide members
operably supported on the support frame for movement into and out
of engagement with the interlock tab members.
18. The apparatus defined in claim 17, wherein the slide members
include camming surfaces for engaging and moving interlock tab
members,
19. The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein the slide members
include a front and a rear slide member.
20. The apparatus defined in claim 19, including a flexible band
operably supported on the support frame and interconnecting the
slide members for simultaneous movement.
21. The apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein the interlock tab
members include an enlarged end having the camming surfaces
thereon.
22. The apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein the support frame
includes end sections forming a rectangular ring with the side
sections.
23. The apparatus defined in claim 14, including a base configured
to receive and support the plurality of weights and the support
frame.
24. A weightlifting apparatus comprising: a weight plate including
a mid-section defining a lateral direction, opposing edges and an
interlock member slidably engaging the mid-section for movement
parallel the lateral direction, the interlock member having a
locking end and being moveable between a centered position where
the locking end is located in an associated edge of the weight
plate and an extended position where the locking end protrudes from
the associated edge.
25. The apparatus defined in claim 24, including at least one face
surface on the weight plate having a guide formed therein.
26. The apparatus defined in claim 24, including notches in edges
of the weights, and wherein the interlock member has an enlarged
section that fits into one of the notches.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to weightlifting apparatus
that can be used for health and fitness, and more particularly
relates to a weightlifting apparatus having a weight selection
system that permits easy and convenient addition (or subtraction)
of weights to a dumbbell-type weight device.
[0002] An important feature of weightlifting equipment is the
ability to add or remove weights easily, without considerable loss
of time and without experiencing the frustration of trying to deal
with small connectors when tired and sweaty. Further, people in the
middle of exercising want to control the amount of time between
exercises, and do not want to spend considerable down time trying
to adjust weight levels. At the same time, the weights must be
securely held, so that they do not fall and create a safety hazard.
Also, aesthetics and simplicity are important.
[0003] Accordingly, an apparatus is desired having the
aforementioned advantages and solving the aforementioned
problems.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect of the present invention, a weightlifting
apparatus includes a support frame having side sections defining a
first direction and a handle adapted for grasping and lifting in a
second direction different than the first direction. A plurality of
weights are positioned between the side sections and have edges
adjacent the side sections. An interlock mechanism includes slide
members slidably engaging and movable along the side sections. The
slide members are configured to selectively engage and disengage
the edges of the weights so that, when the handle is lifted,
selected ones of the weights are secured to the support frame and
lifted with the support frame.
[0005] In another aspect of the present invention, a weightlifting
apparatus includes a support frame having side sections defining a
first direction and a handle adapted for grasping and lifting in a
second direction different than the first direction. A plurality of
weights are positioned between the side sections and have edges
adjacent the side sections, each weight including an interlock tab
member that is slidable toward the side sections and slidable away
from the side sections. An interlock mechanism is configured to
selectively engage and disengage the interlock tab members with the
side sections so that, when the handle is lifted, selected ones of
the weights are secured to the support frame and lifted with the
support frame and selected other ones of the weights are released
from the support frame.
[0006] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a
weightlifting apparatus includes a weight plate including a
mid-section defining a first direction, opposing edges and an
interlock member slidably engaging the mid-section for movement
parallel the first direction. The interlock member has a locking
end and is movable between a centered position where the locking
end is located in an associated edge of the weight plate and an
extended position where the locking end protrudes from the
associated edge.
[0007] These and other features, objects, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to a person of ordinary
skill upon reading the following description and claims together
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a weightlifting
apparatus including a base and a support frame, with some weights
on the base and some weights on the support frame;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the support frame shown in
FIG. 1;
[0010] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of top and bottom
subassemblies of the support frame of FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flexible band and
associated slide members from FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a weight assembly shown in
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an interlock tab
shown in FIG. 6;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base shown in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of FIG. 1, with the support
frame being shown resting in the base;
[0016] FIGS. 10 and 11 are side views of a weight in the disengaged
and engaged positions, respectively; and
[0017] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of the circled area VII in
FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] A dumbbell-type weightlifting apparatus 20 (FIG. 1) includes
a rectangular ring-shaped support frame 21 adapted to rest on a
base 22, with weight plate assemblies 23 (hereafter called
"weights") positioned within the support frame 21 and with side
edges 24 and 25 of the weights 23 adjacent side sections 26 and 27
of the support frame 21. (See also FIG. 9.) An interlock mechanism
28 includes slide members 29 and 30 on the side sections 26 and 27,
respectively. The slide members 29 and 30 are interconnected by a
flexible band 31 that extends around the support frame 21, such
that the slide members 29 and 30 always move simultaneously but in
opposite directions along the side sections 26 and 27. The weights
23 include interlock tabs 32 (FIG. 7) that are adapted to slide
across guiding grooves 33 in center sections of the weights 23. The
slide members 29 and 30 include ends with angled camming surfaces
29A and 30A that are configured to cammingly engage one end of the
interlock tabs 32 to shift the interlock tabs 32 laterally from a
naturally-centered disengaged position on the weights 23 (i.e.
where ends of the interlock tabs 32 are located within the edges 24
and 25) (see top weights 23 in FIG. 1 and see FIG. 10), and to move
the tabs 32 laterally along the grooves 33 to a
laterally-protruding engaged position (i.e. where one of the ends
of the tabs 32 is engaged with the side section 26 or the side
section 27) (see bottom weights 23 in FIG. 1 and see FIG. 11).
[0019] More specifically, as the slide member 29 operably engages
and cams one end of a particular tab 32, the slide member 29 moves
laterally along direction A (FIG. 11) to a position where it
engages and secures the weight 23 to the support frame 21 on one
side edge, and simultaneously, the other end of the particular tab
32 moves into engagement with a corresponding area on the side
section on the other end of the support frame 21. Also, as one
slide member 29 is moved, the flexible band 31 simultaneously moves
the other slide member 30, such that a second weight 23 on an
opposite end of frame 21 is also engaged to the support frame 21
(see FIG. 1), the second weight 23 being in a balanced position to
the first weight 23 relative to a handle bar 34 on the support
frame 21. The result is that a simple linear stepped movement of
the slide members 29 and 30 causes a balanced pair of the weights
23 to be engaged (or disengaged).
[0020] More specifically, the base 22 includes a body 40 (FIG. 8)
with a series of upwardly-open U-shaped vertical grooves 41. The
grooves 41 are optimally formed to vertically receive edges of the
weights 23, and to hold non-selected weights 23 in a vertical
position until additional weights 23 are desired. The body 40
includes a top rim 42 that is basically flat and configured to abut
the support frame 21 when the support frame 21 (and selected
weights 23 attached to it) are set onto and within the base 22. The
recess 40' in a center of the body 40 is closed on its bottom by a
flat plate, but it can have angled sides to better mate with a
bottom of the hex-shaped weights 23, if desired.
[0021] The weight plate assemblies 23 (FIG. 7) each includes a
weight plate 45. The weight plate 45 can be any shape desired. The
illustrated weight plate 45 is hexagonally shaped, which
facilitates guiding a combination of the support frame 21 and
selected weights 23 into the base 22. The weight plate 45 includes
a notch 46 in each side edge 24 (and 25), and guiding grooves 33 on
front and rear sides of the weight plate 45 that interconnect the
notches 46.
[0022] The interlock tabs 32 (FIG. 7) includes two J-shaped members
48, and two springs 49. Each J-shaped member 48 includes a long
section 50 shaped to slide along one of the grooves 33, and an
enlarged head 51 positioned within one of the notches 46. The
enlarged head 51 includes an angled surface 52 for matingly
engaging the angled camming surface 29A or 30A (FIG. 5). The long
section 50 (FIG. 7) is long and strong enough and the heads 51
large and strong enough such that when the interlock tabs 32 are
laterally shifted by engagement with the slide members 29 (or 30),
it has enough strength to engage the side sections 26 or 27 to
retain the weight 23 to the support frame 21. Lubricant can be
added in the grooves 33 or the long section 50 can be made of a
lubricious material to allow free movement of the interlock tabs
32.
[0023] A biasing element, such as centering springs 49, is
positioned in each of the notches 46 under each enlarged head 51,
such that an individual J-shaped member 48 is biased outwardly
toward one of the side sections 26 or 27. However, the two
oppositely positioned J-shaped members 48 are secured together,
such that they move as a unit. Thus, the two springs 49 provide
forces that counteract against and offset each other, resulting in
the interlock tabs 32 naturally moving to a centered position. It
is noted that the biasing element could be any of a variety of
different things, such as a bent leaf spring, a coil spring, an
elastomer, or a resilient rubber member.
[0024] The support frame 21 (FIG. 2) includes a top subassembly
(FIG. 3) and a bottom assembly (FIG. 4) attached together as
follows. The illustrated top subassembly (FIG. 3) includes an
injection molded or stamped rectangularly-shaped top ring 55 having
an L-shaped cross section along its sides. Two fixed top half
plates 56 are attached between the sides, such as by welding,
adhesive, or the like. The bottom subassembly (FIG. 4) similarly
includes a rectangularly-shaped bottom ring 57 having an
inversely-formed L-shaped cross section along its sides. Two fixed
bottom half plates 58 are attached between the sides. The bottom
half plates 58 (and top half plates 56) mate against the handle bar
34 and combine with the top fixed half plates 56 to form a combined
plate that is similar to the shape of an individual weight plate
45, with notches 59 being formed on each side large enough to
receive the slide members 29 and 30. A distance between the right
and left plates 56/58 is about equal to or a little greater than a
length of the slide member 29, and of the slide member 30. Strips
59A extend between the notches 59, and connect the half plates 56
and 58 and also stabilize the slide members 29 and 30 against the
side sections 26 and 27. Thus, when the slide members 29 and 30 are
centered, they are contained between the right and left plates
56/58, such that none of the weights 23 are engaged and retained to
the support frame 21. Pins 61 at each corner connect the rings 55
and 57 together, and the band 31 extends around the pins 61. Top
and bottom flanges 55A and 57A help protect the band 31. Band 31
can be rubber, cord, cable, cloth, or a steel strip. As the slide
members 29 and 30 are moved along the side sections 26 and 27 away
from the centered position, additional weights 23 are selectively
secured to the support frame 21 and thus, when the support frame 21
is lifted, move with the support frame 21. FIG. 1 shows five
weights 23 attached at each end to the support frame 21, and four
of the weights 23 left in each end of the base 22. It is
contemplated that any number of weights 23 can be used, and further
that different materials can be used to make any of the above
components.
[0025] When the top and bottom rings 55 and 57 are assembled
together, they form an inwardly-facing rectangularly-shaped
racetrack or groove 60 (FIG. 10) around an inner side of the
support frame 21. The slide members 29 and 30 slide along this
groove 60, and are held in the groove 60 in part by the notches in
the fixed weight plates 56/58. Pins 61 are extended vertically
through corners of the top and bottom rings 55 and 57 and are
spaced into the groove 60 at the corners, and the band 31 extends
along the groove 60 around the pins 61 at each corner. By this
arrangement, the band 31 is slidable around the rectangular groove
60, carrying the slide members 29 and 30 along the side sections 26
and 27 in opposite directions as the band 31 is moved.
[0026] The slide members 29 and 30 are shaped to be fully located
within and between the fixed weight plates 56/58 when in a centered
position on the side sections 26 and 27 (FIG. 2), and shaped to
slide along the side sections 26 (or 27) to sequentially engage
weights 23 as the slide members 29 and 30 are extended from between
the fixed weight plates 56/58. The one slide member 29 includes a
protrusion 64 that can be easily grasped to move the slide member
29, and which, due to the band 31, moves both slide members 29 and
30 simultaneously.
[0027] In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated
by persons skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the
invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein.
Such modifications are to be considered as included in the
following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly
state otherwise.
* * * * *