U.S. patent application number 12/359181 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-23 for adjustable dumbbell with an orientation feature.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nautilus, Inc.. Invention is credited to Eric D. Golesh, Jeffrey A. Nitta.
Application Number | 20090186748 12/359181 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40876949 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090186748 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Golesh; Eric D. ; et
al. |
July 23, 2009 |
ADJUSTABLE DUMBBELL WITH AN ORIENTATION FEATURE
Abstract
A selectable weight dumbbell system may include a base and a
dumbbell. The base may include one or more weight receiving spaces
defined by the base's walls and floor. The dumbbell may include a
handle and one or more selectively removable weights. The weights
may be removably positionable in the weight receiving spaces. A
weight and the base may form an orientation feature or key between
the weight and the base that compels the weight to be positioned in
said one of the weight receiving spaces in an orientation for
selective engagement with the handle. The orientation feature or
key may include an orientation element, such as a protrusion or the
like, and an orientation receiving element, such as a groove or the
like. The orientation element may extend from the weight or the
base. The orientation receiving element may be defined in the
weight or the base.
Inventors: |
Golesh; Eric D.; (Arvada,
CO) ; Nitta; Jeffrey A.; (Broomfield, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Nautilus, Inc.;c/o Dorsey & Whitney LLP
370 17th Street, Suite 4700
Denver
CO
80202
US
|
Assignee: |
Nautilus, Inc.
Vancouver
WA
|
Family ID: |
40876949 |
Appl. No.: |
12/359181 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61023014 |
Jan 23, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0728 20130101;
A63B 21/00065 20130101; A63B 21/075 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/107 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/075 20060101
A63B021/075 |
Claims
1. A selectable weight dumbbell system comprising: a base including
a plurality of weight receiving spaces; a dumbbell including a
handle and a plurality of selectively removable weights; each of
said plurality of weights removably positionable in one of said
plurality of weight receiving spaces; and each of said plurality of
weights and said base forming an orientation key between said
weight and said base that compels said weight to be positioned in
said one of said plurality of weight receiving spaces in an
orientation for selective operative engagement with said
handle.
2. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 1, wherein said
orientation key includes an orientation element extending from a
wall of said weight and an orientation receiving element formed on
a wall defining said one of said plurality of weight receiving
spaces.
3. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 2, wherein said
orientation element comprises a protrusion and said orientation
receiving element comprises a groove.
4. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 1, wherein said
orientation key includes an orientation element positioned on a
floor of said base proximate said one of said plurality of weight
receiving spaces and a corresponding orientation element formed on
a periphery of said weight.
5. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 4, wherein said
orientation element comprises a protrusion and said orientation
receiving element comprises a recess.
6. A selectable weight dumbbell system comprising: a base including
a plurality of weight receiving spaces; a dumbbell including a
handle and a plurality of selectively removable weights; each of
said plurality of weights removably positionable in one of said
plurality of weight receiving spaces; and a means for orientating
said plurality of weights to compel each of said plurality of
weights to be positioned in said one of said plurality of weight
receiving spaces in an orientation for selective operative
engagement with the handle.
7. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 6, wherein said
means for orientating comprises protrusions extending from said
plurality of weights and grooves formed in walls of said base.
8. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 6, wherein said
means for orientating comprises recesses defined in said plurality
of weights and protrusions extending from said base.
9. A selectable weight dumbbell system comprising: a base including
a weight receiving space; a dumbbell including a handle and a
weight selectively operatively engageable with the handle; the
weight removably positionable in the weight receiving space; and an
orientation feature that compels the weight to be received in the
weight receiving space in an orientation for selective operative
engagement with the handle.
10. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 9, wherein the
orientation feature comprises an orientation element extending from
a wall of the weight and an orientation receiving element formed in
a wall of the base.
11. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 10, wherein the
wall defines a boundary of the weight receiving space.
12. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 10, wherein the
orientation element comprises a key and the orientation receiving
element comprises a groove.
13. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 12, wherein the
key comprises a protrusion.
14. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 10, wherein the
weight includes a weight engagement feature.
15. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 14, wherein the
weight engagement feature vertically aligns with the orientation
element.
16. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 14, wherein the
weight engagement features extends from the wall of the weight.
17. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 9, wherein the
orientation feature comprises an orientation receiving element
defined in the weight and an orientation element extending from the
base.
18. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 17, wherein the
orientation element extends from a floor of the base.
19. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 17, wherein the
orientation receiving element comprises a recess and the
orientation element comprises a key.
20. The selectable weight dumbbell system of claim 18, wherein said
key comprises a protrusion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/023,014, entitled
"Dumbbell With A Keyed Weight Plate" and filed on Jan. 23, 2008,
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/844,565, filed on Aug.
24, 2007, and entitled "Adjustable Dumbbell System"; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/437,795, filed on May 19, 2006, and
entitled "Adjustable Dumbbell System"; U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/456,977, filed on Jun. 5, 2003, and entitled "Adjustable
Dumbbell System", now U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,678; U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/387,298 filed on Jun. 7, 2002, and entitled
"Adjustable Dumbbell System"; U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/400,244, filed on Jul. 31, 2002, and entitled "Adjustable
Dumbbell System"; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/400,894,
filed on Aug. 1, 2002, and entitled "Adjustable Dumbbell System";
U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/211,519, filed on Aug. 16,
2004, and entitled "Adjustable Dumbbell Base", now U.S. Pat. No.
D528,173; U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/211,518, filed on
Aug. 16, 2004, and entitled "Adjustable Dumbbell", now U.S. Pat.
No. D528,611; U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/164,826, filed on
Jul. 31, 2002, and entitled "Adjustable Dumbbell", now U.S. Pat.
No. D540,405; U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/164,931, filed on
Jul. 31, 2002, and entitled "Adjustable Dumbbell Support Base", now
U.S. Pat. No. D508,628; U.S. Design application Ser. No.
29/164,972, filed on Aug. 1, 2002, and entitled "Adjustable
Dumbbell", now U.S. Pat. No. D540,894; U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/425,064, filed on Jun. 19, 2006, and entitled "Weight
Selection Methods and Apparatus"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/127,049, filed on Apr. 18, 2002, and entitled "Weight Selection
Methods and Apparatus", now U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,791; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 29/302,708, filed on Jan. 23, 2008, and
entitled "Dumbbell"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/302,698,
filed on Jan. 23, 2008, and entitled "Dumbbell Base", now U.S. Pat.
No. D584,086; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/302,699, filed on
Jan. 23, 2008, and entitled "Dumbbell Weight Plate"; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 29/302,700, filed on Jan. 23, 2008, and
entitled "Dumbbell Weight Plate"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
29/329,039, filed on Dec. 8, 2008, and entitled "Dumbbell Weight
Plate"; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/329,044, filed on
Dec. 8, 2008, and entitled "Dumbbell Support Structure", are each
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0003] Aspects of the present invention relate generally to an
adjustable dumbbell system, and more specifically to keyed weights
and bases for an adjustable dumbbell system.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Dumbbells are widely used exercise devices for providing
resistance training in a wide variety of exercises such as bicep
curls, bench presses, shoulder presses, triceps extensions, and the
like. Due to the number of exercises that may be performed with
dumbbells, users often need many different dumbbells, each with
different weights, to perform an exercise routine. Traditional
dumbbells are somewhat inconvenient to use because each time a user
desires to change the weight load of the dumbbell, the user either
has to select a heavier dumbbell or disassemble the dumbbell to add
or remove weights. A single adjustable dumbbell allows a user to
perform a varied exercise routine without requiring a large number
of dumbbells with different weights or disassembly of the
dumbbell.
[0005] In response to these issues, dumbbells have been designed
that allow the total weight load to be readily changed on a single
dumbbell without disassembling the dumbbell. These dumbbells
typically have more complicated structures that allow the weight
load to be selected. In operation, a user aligns a dumbbell support
structure with weights positioned in a dumbbell base. The user
selects the desired weight load using a selector, which selectively
joins weights stored in the base to the dumbbell support structure.
The user then removes the dumbbell support structure with the
selected weights from the base. The unselected weights, if any,
remain in the base. The user may then rejoin the dumbbell support
structure with the base to select a different weight load.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One embodiment of the present invention may take the form of
a selectable weight dumbbell system. The selectable weight dumbbell
system may include a base and a dumbbell. The base may include one
or more weight receiving spaces. The dumbbell may include a handle
and one or more selectively removable weights. Each of the weights
may be removably positionable in one of the weight receiving
spaces. Each of the weights and the base may form an orientation
key between the weight and the base that compels the weight to be
positioned in said one of the weight receiving spaces in an
orientation for selective operative engagement with the handle.
[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention may take the
form of a selectable weight dumbbell system. The selectable weight
dumbbell system may include a base and a dumbbell. The base may
include one or more weight receiving spaces. The dumbbell may
include a handle and one or more selectively removable weights.
Each of the weights may be removably positionable in one of the
weight receiving spaces. The selectable weight dumbbell system may
further include a means for orientating the weights to compel each
of the weights to be positioned in one of the weight receiving
spaces in an orientation for selective operative engagement with
the handle.
[0008] Yet another embodiment of the present invention may take the
form of a selectable weight dumbbell system. The selectable weight
dumbbell system may include a base, a dumbbell and an orientation
feature. The base may include a weight receiving space. The
dumbbell may include a handle and a weight selectively operatively
engageable with the handle. The weight may be removably
positionable in the weight receiving space. The orientation feature
compels the weight to be received in the weight receiving space in
an orientation for selective operative engagement with the
handle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
selectable weight dumbbell system, showing a selectable weight
dumbbell received in a dumbbell base.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the selectable weight
dumbbell system of FIG. 1, showing the selectable weight dumbbell
removed from the dumbbell base with a first combination of weights
joined to the selectable weight dumbbell.
[0011] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the selectable weight
dumbbell system of FIG. 1, showing the selectable weight dumbbell
removed from the dumbbell base with a second combination of weights
joined to the selectable weight dumbbell.
[0012] FIG. 4 is yet another perspective of the selectable weight
dumbbell system of FIG. 1, showing the selectable weight dumbbell
removed from the dumbbell base with no weights joined to the
selectable weight dumbbell.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
weight that may be used with the selectable weight dumbbell system
of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section view of the dumbbell and
dumbbell base for the selectable weight dumbbell system of FIG. 1,
viewed along line 6-6 in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
weight that may be used with the selectable weight dumbbell system
of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
selectable weight dumbbell system, showing a selectable weight
dumbbell received in a dumbbell base.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the selectable weight
dumbbell system of FIG. 8, showing the selectable weight dumbbell
removed from the dumbbell base with a first combination of weights
joined to the selectable weight dumbbell.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the selectable weight
dumbbell system of FIG. 8, viewed along line 10-10 in FIG. 8 and
showing a first embodiment of a weight for use with the selectable
weight dumbbell system.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross-section view similar to the view shown in
FIG. 10, showing a second embodiment of a weight for use with the
selectable weight dumbbell system of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Aspects of the present invention provide an orientation
feature for use with various types of selectable weight dumbbell
systems (which may also be called or referred to as adjustable
dumbbell assemblies), such as, without limitation, those described
and depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,791 (hereinafter "the '791
Patent") and U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,678 (hereinafter "the '678
Patent"), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties. As described in more detail in these patents,
such selectable weight dumbbell systems allow a user to readily
select the weight load of the dumbbell. These selectable weight
dumbbell systems also allow the user to place the selectable weight
dumbbell in a dumbbell base (which may also be called a support
base), turn a selector knob or knobs to engage a desired
combination of weights to obtain a desired weight load for the
selectable weight dumbbell, and lift the selectable weight dumbbell
system out of the support base to perform a desired exercise. The
selectable weight dumbbell system will have the desired combination
of weights to achieve the desired dumbbell weight load, and the
unnecessary weights are left in the base support.
[0021] Should the user desire a different dumbbell weight load, the
user places the selectable weight dumbbell back on the support
base, turns the selector knob or knobs to engage another
combination of weights to achieve the desired weight load, and
lifts the selectable weight dumbbell off of the support base with
the desired weight load. During exercise-type use (i.e., when the
selectable weight dumbbell is not in the support base), the
selectable weight dumbbell may be configured such that it is
difficult or impossible to turn the selector knob to add or remove
weights. The orientation feature facilities orienting the weights
within the dumbbell base to assist in setting up the weights for
selective engagement with a selective weight dumbbell support
structure.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a selectable weight dumbbell system 100 with a
selectable weight dumbbell 105 received in a dumbbell base 110. The
selectable weight dumbbell system 100 may include two sets of five
weights 115. The weights 115 may take the form of weight plates or
the like. Although each set of weights 115 is shown as having five
weights, in some versions of the selectable weight dumbbell system
100 the number of weights 115 per set may be more or less than five
weights.
[0023] With continued reference to FIG. 1, each set of weights 115
may be positioned towards the end portions of the selectable weight
dumbbell 105. Between the end portions, the selectable weight
dumbbell 105 may include a handle 120 for the user to grasp when
using the selectable weight dumbbell 105. Additionally, the
selectable weight dumbbell 105 may include a pair of bridges 125,
one or more selector assemblies or mechanisms 130, and a pair of
inner supports 135. The handle 120, the bridges 125, the selector
assemblies or mechanisms 130, and the inner supports 135 may form a
portion of a selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138. A
bar 140 (see FIG. 6), may also form a portion of the selectable
weight dumbbell support structure 138.
[0024] The inner supports 135 and the bridges 125 facilitate
aligning the weights 115 along the selectable weight dumbbell
support structure 138 and work in conjunction with the selector
mechanisms or assemblies 130 to keep selected weights 115 from
disengaging from the selectable weight dumbbell support structure
138 during use. The selector mechanisms or assemblies 130 allow the
user as described in more detail in the '791 and '678 Patents to
selectively couple weights 115 to the selectable weight dumbbell
support structure 138.
[0025] At each end portion, the selectable weight dumbbell 105 may
include a selector knob 145, a selector dial or the like that forms
a portion of a selector assembly or mechanism 130. As described in
more detail in the '791 and '678 Patents, the selector knobs 145 or
dials may be rotated by a user to selectively join weights 115 to
the selectable weight dumbbell system support structure 138. As
described in more detail in the '678 Patent, the inner supports 135
may work in conjunction with the selector mechanisms or assemblies
130 to restrict or prevent rotation of the selector knobs 145 or
dials.
[0026] In some versions of the selectable weight dumbbell system
100, the two selector knobs 145 or dials may be independently
rotatable relative to each other. In such versions, different
combinations of weights 115 may be selected at each end portion of
the selectable weight dumbbell 105. Such selectable weight dumbbell
systems 100 are described, for example, in the '791 and '678
Patents. In other versions of the selectable weight dumbbell system
100, there may be a single selector knob 145 or dial rather than
two selector knobs 145 or dials as shown in FIG. 1. In these
versions, the single selector knob 145 or dial selects the same
combination of weights 115 at both end portions of the selectable
weight dumbbell 105 (i.e., the weight load at each end portion will
be the same). Such selectable weight dumbbell systems 100 are
described, for example, in the '791 Patent. In yet other versions
of the selectable weight dumbbell system 100, the two selector
knobs 145 or dials may be configured such that they cannot rotate
independently of each other. In such versions, rotation of one
selector knob 145 or dial will cause the other selector knob 145 or
dial to rotate, thus resulting in the same combination of weights
115 being selected at the end portions of the selectable weight
dumbbell 105.
[0027] FIGS. 2-4 show various views of the selectable weight
dumbbell 105 removed from the dumbbell base 110. FIG. 2 shows an
example of all weights 115 joined to the selectable weight dumbbell
support structure 138. When all weights 115 are joined to the
selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138, the selectable
weight dumbbell 105 is at its maximum load. FIG. 3 shows an example
of some of the weights 115 joined to the selectable weight dumbbell
support structure 138. FIG. 4 shows an example of none of the
weights 115 joined to the selectable weight dumbbell support
structure 138. When no weights 115 are joined to the selectable
weight dumbbell support structure 138, the selectable weight
dumbbell 105 is at its minimum load. This minimum load is
determined by the weight of the components forming the selectable
weight dumbbell support structure 138. This minimum weight may be
some desired amount, such as, for example, five or ten pounds. In
such a situation, the components forming the selectable weight
dumbbell support structure 138 are selected to result in this
desired amount.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 2, the dumbbell base 110 may include
recessed areas 150 formed at the end portions of the dumbbell base
110 for receiving the weights 115. One or more positioning walls
155 may extend from, or be positioned adjacent, these recessed
portions 150. These positioning walls 155 may be used to position
the weights 115 at desired locations in the recessed areas 150.
These walls 155 may also be used to support the weights 115 in a
generally upright position, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and
4. As discussed in more detail below, each positioning wall 155 may
include a orientation receiving element 185 that forms a portion of
an orientation feature or orientation key system. Such an
orientation feature or key system may be used to ensure a weight
115 is placed into a desired orientation relative to the dumbbell
base 105.
[0029] With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the dumbbell base
110 may include one or more engagement members 165, such as an
engagement shoulder, for selective engagement with the selectable
weight dumbbell support structure 138. As described in more detail
in the '678 Patent, these engagement members 165 may be used to
unlock the selector assembly 130 and/or to selectively secure or
couple the selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138 to the
dumbbell base 110. As described in more detail in the '678 Patent,
such features may enhance the safety of the selectable weight
dumbbell system 100 by preventing a selector knob 145 from being
inadvertently rotated when the selectable weight dumbbell support
structure 138 is removed from the dumbbell base 110 and/or by
preventing removal of the selectable weight dumbbell support
structure 138 from the dumbbell base 110 unless the selected
weights 115 are properly engaged with the selectable weight
dumbbell support structure 138.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows a weight 115 according to aspects of the
present invention. The weight 115 shown in FIG. 5 includes a weight
engagement feature 170 and an orientation element 175 or key. The
weight engagement feature 170 and the orientation element 175 may
take the form of protrusions, tabs or the like extending outward
from a sidewall 180 of the weight 115. The weight engagement
feature 170 may be positioned above the orientation element 175. As
described in the '678 Patent, when a weight 115 is positioned in
the dumbbell base 110, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the weight
engagement feature 170 can be used to selectively connect the
weight 115 with the selectable weight dumbbell support structure
138 using the selector knob 145 or dial. However, if the weight 115
is placed in the support base 110 with the weight engagement
feature 170 facing in the wrong direction, it may not be possible
to engage the weight 115 with the selectable weight dumbbell
support structure 138 by turning the selector knob 145.
[0031] To help prevent the incorrect placement of the weight 115 in
the dumbbell base 110, the orientation element 175 may function as
a key of an orientation feature. The orientation element 175 (e.g.,
a tab or protrusion) may also be considered as a portion of an
orientation key. The orientation element 175 is adapted to engage
an orientation receiving element of the orientation feature. With
reference to FIGS. 2-4, the orientation receiving element 185 may
be a groove, a slot or the like defined in a positioning wall 155
of the dumbbell base 110. The orientation receiving element 185
(e.g., a groove, a slot or the like) may also be considered as a
portion of the orientation key. Interaction between the orientation
element 175 on the weight (e.g., a protrusion or tab) and the
orientation receiving element 185 in the positioning wall 155
(e.g., a groove or slot) requires placement of the weight 115 in
the dumbbell base 110 in a specific orientation, such as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0032] In operation, once the weight 115 is properly oriented by
aligning the orientation element 175 on the weight 115 with the
corresponding orientation receiving element 185 on the positioning
wall 155, the weight 115 may be slid or moved into a weight
receiving space 190 defined by adjacent positioning walls 155 and a
floor of the dumbbell base 110. As the weight 115 is moved into the
weight receiving space 190 in the proper orientation, the
orientation element 175 (e.g., a protrusion or tab) is received in
the orientation receiving element 185 (e.g., a groove or slot),
thus allowing the weight 115 to be fully received within the weight
receiving space 190 as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. If the weight
115 is inserted into the weight receiving space 190 in an improper
orientation (i.e., the orientation element 175 and the orientation
receiving element 185 do not align), the orientation element 175
will not be received within the orientation receiving element 185,
thus inhibiting or otherwise preventing the weight 115 from being
fully received in the weight receiving space 190. Therefore, the
orientation feature or key helps prevent or stop the user from
placing the weight 115 in the dumbbell base 110 in an orientation
with the weight engagement feature 170 facing in a direction where
the selector assembly 130 cannot be used to select the weight 115
through engagement of the weight engagement feature 170 with a
corresponding engagement feature (e.g., a tab or nub) of the
selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138. In other words,
the orientation feature or key compels or forces placement of a
weight 115 in the dumbbell base 110 in an orientation with the
weight engagement feature 170 positioned relative to the base 110
such that the selector assembly 130 can be used to select the
weight 115 for attachment to the selectable weight dumbbell support
structure 138.
[0033] The weight engagement feature 170 and the orientation
element 175 may be differ as shown in FIG. 5, or may be similar as
shown in FIG. 7. For example and with reference to FIG. 7, the
weight engagement feature 170 and the orientation element 175 may
be generally similar trapezoidal shaped projections or protrusions
that extend from a sidewall 180 or other surface of the weight 115.
These projections or protrusions may be formed as described in more
detail in the '678 Patent. As also described in the '678 Patent, a
lower portion of the weight engagement feature 170 may include a
generally flat surface for selective engagement with corresponding
engagement features formed on the selector assembly 130 of the
selectable weight dumbbell 100.
[0034] As another example and with reference to FIG. 5, the weight
engagement feature may be a generally U-shaped protrusion or
projection extending from a sidewall 180 or other surface of the
weight. A lower portion of the protrusion or projection may have a
generally flat lower surface for engagement with corresponding
engagement features formed on the selector assembly 130 of the
selectable weight dumbbell 105. The orientation element 175 may
include a generally oval shaped projection or protrusion that
extends from the sidewall 180 or other surface of the weight 115.
Although shown as oval shaped in FIG. 5, the orientation element
175 may be any shape that can be received within a groove, slot, or
other suitable orientation receiving element 185 formed in the
positioning wall 155 or another component of the base 110 to
interact with the orientation receiving element 185 to properly
orient the weight 115 within the dumbbell base 110. The weight
engagement feature 170 and the orientation element 175 may be
integrally formed or joined to the weight 115 by any suitable
casting, molding, forming or joining method.
[0035] With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the weight
engagement feature 170 and the orientation element 175 may be
generally aligned vertically. Although shown as vertically aligned,
the weight engagement feature 170 and the orientation element 175
could be offset vertically, if desired. Further, some of the
weights 115 in a set of weights could have vertically aligned
weight engagement features 170 and orientation elements 175 and
other weights 115 in the set could have vertically offset weight
engagement features 170 and orientation elements 175. Yet further,
some of the weights 115 in a set of weights could have similar
shaped weight engagement features 170 and orientation elements 175
as shown, for example, in FIG. 7, and other weights 115 in the set
could have differently shaped weight engagement features 170 and
orientation elements 175 as shown, for example, in FIG. 5.
[0036] Although the weight engagement feature 170 and the
orientation element 175 are shown as extending from the same
sidewall 180 or surface of the weight 115, the orientation element
175 could extend from a different sidewall 180 or surface than the
weight engagement feature 170. For example, the weight engagement
feature 170 could extend from a first sidewall of the weight, such
as the front sidewall shown in FIG. 5, and the orientation element
could extend from a second sidewall of the weight, such as the rear
sidewall of the weight (rear sidewall not visible in FIG. 5).
[0037] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the positioning walls 155
extend generally vertically within the base 110. The orientation
receiving element 185 formed in each positioning wall 155
associated with a weight 115 also extends generally vertically. The
extension direction of the orientation receiving element 185
depends on the direction the weight 115 is moved relative to the
base 110 when the weight 115 is placed in or removed from the base
110. The orientation receiving element 185 could extend at any
direction other than vertical to allow the weight to be placed in
or removed from the base 110. While the orientation element 175
(e.g., tab or protrusion) has been shown and described as extending
from the weight 115 and the orientation receiving element 185
(e.g., groove or slot) as formed in the positioning wall 155, the
orientation receiving element 185 could be formed in a surface or
sidewall 180 of the weight 115 and the orientation element 175
could extend from the positioning wall 155 or another component or
portion of the base 110.
[0038] FIGS. 8-11 show various views of a second example of a
selectable weight dumbbell system 200 that employs an alternative
orientation feature or orientation key, where like numbers are used
for similar elements or components. FIG. 8 shows a selectable
weight dumbbell 105 received within a dumbbell base 110, and FIG. 9
shows the selectable weight dumbbell 105 removed from the base
110.
[0039] Like the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell
system 100, the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell
system 200 includes a selectable weight dumbbell 105 and a dumbbell
base 110 and operates in a similar manner to the first example of a
selectable weight dumbbell system 100. Also like the first example
of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100, the selectable weight
dumbbell 105 of the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell
system 200 includes one or more sets of weights 115 and a
selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138. The dumbbell base
110 and the selectable weight dumbbell support structure 138 for
the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 may
be similar to the like components for the first example of a
selectable weight dumbbell system 100. For example, the selectable
weight dumbbell support structure 138 of the second example of a
selectable weight dumbbell system 200 may include a handle 120, two
bridges 125, one or more selector assemblies or mechanisms 130, two
inner supports 135, and a bar 140, and the dumbbell base for the
second example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 200 may
include positioning walls 155 and one or more engagement members
165.
[0040] The weight 115 for the second example of a selectable weight
dumbbell system 200 is similar to the weight 115 for the first
example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100 (e.g., the
weight 115 of the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell
system 200 includes a weight engagement feature that is similar to
the weight engagement feature 175 for the weight 115 of the first
example of a selectable weight dumbbell system 100) except the
orientation element of the weight 115 for the second example of a
selectable weight dumbbell system 200 may be omitted and replaced
with an orientation receiving element as described in more detail
below.
[0041] Like the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell
system 100, the second example of a selectable weight dumbbell
system 200 includes an orientation feature or key. However, the
orientation feature or key for the second example of a selectable
weight dumbbell system 200 differs from the orientation feature of
key for the first example of a selectable weight dumbbell system
100 as described below. With reference to FIG. 10, the orientation
feature or key may include an orientation element 175, such as a
protruding shape, extending from the dumbbell base 110 where the
perimeter of a lower surface of the weight 115 at least partially
engages the dumbbell base 110. For example, orientation elements
175 may be positioned on portions of the floor of the dumbbell base
110 located between adjacent positioning walls 155. A lower
periphery of the weight 115 may include a similarly-shaped
orientation receiving element 185 (e.g., an indentation, recess,
groove or slot) to receive the orientation element 175 extending
from the base 110 when the weight 115 is properly oriented. The
shapes for the orientation element 175 and the orientation
receiving element 185 may be one of many shapes, such as a
symmetrical shapes offset from the centerline of the weight 115 and
dumbbell base 110 as shown, for example, in FIG. 10,
non-symmetrical shapes as shown, for example, in FIG. 11, or any
suitable shapes appropriately positioned on the weight 115 and the
base 110 such that the weight 115 can only be received within the
weight receiving space 190 at a desired orientation. In some
embodiments, the orientation element 175 (e.g., the protruding
shape) may be positioned on the perimeter of the weight 115 to
extend from the periphery of the weight 115 and the orientation
receiving element 185 (e.g., the recessed or indented corresponding
shape) may be positioned within the floor of the dumbbell base
110.
[0042] The protrusion and groove orientation feature or orientation
key, as well as the protrusion and indentation orientation feature
or orientation key, are both means for orienting weights in the
receiving area of the base. Any, all or only one of the weights may
have such orientation features or keys.
[0043] The orientation feature or key for the selectable weight
dumbbell system is not limited to the quantity, shape, and/or
orientation elements and receiving elements described and depicted
herein. For example, other embodiments of the selectable weight
dumbbell system can include for the orientation feature or key more
than orientation element (e.g., a tab or protrusion) on the weight
adapted to correspondingly engage more than one orientation
receiving elements (e.g., slots or grooves) formed in the support
base. For example, embodiments of the selectable weight dumbbell
system can include two or more orientation elements on one side of
the weight that each are received within respective orientation
receiving elements formed in a positioning wall. In another
scenario, a weight can include two or more orientation elements
with orientation elements positioned on opposing sides of the
weight.
[0044] All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward,
downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above,
below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are
only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's
understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do
not create limitations, particularly as to the position,
orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth
in the claims. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled,
connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and
may include intermediate members between a connection of elements
and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references
do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected
and in fixed relation to each other.
[0045] In some instances, components are described with reference
to "ends" having a particular characteristic and/or being connected
with another part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize
that the present invention is not limited to components which
terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other
parts. Thus, the term "end" should be interpreted broadly, in a
manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or
otherwise near the terminus of a particular element, link,
component, part, member or the like.
[0046] In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein,
various steps and operations are described in one possible order of
operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps
and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without
necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in
detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit
of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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