U.S. patent application number 12/298526 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for dumbbell.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tomas Svenberg. Invention is credited to Per Hoglund.
Application Number | 20090305852 12/298526 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38625272 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090305852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoglund; Per |
December 10, 2009 |
DUMBBELL
Abstract
An apparatus for applying an optional number of weight disks on
a dumbbell includes a base unit, a first and second set of separate
weight disks and a handle. The base unit has a first and second
group of retainers which support the first and second set of weight
disks. On the handle, a selectable number of weight disks are
disposed from the first and second set of weight disks. The weight
disks have openings which are closed towards the peripheries of the
weight disks. The handle has pin devices which are axially
projectable in opposing directions for insertion in the openings of
the weight disks. The projection of the pin devices out of the
handle is selectable for adaptation of the length of the pin device
to the number of weight disks that are to be secured on the handle.
The pin devices are further lockable with locks, in selected
projectional positions in relation to the handle, and have, on
their free ends, locks for fixedly retaining the selected number of
weight disks.
Inventors: |
Hoglund; Per; (Jonkoping,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WRB-IP LLP
1217 KING STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Tomas Svenberg
Huskvama
SE
|
Family ID: |
38625272 |
Appl. No.: |
12/298526 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
April 19, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE07/00370 |
371 Date: |
April 3, 2009 |
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 21/072 20060101
A63B021/072 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2006 |
SE |
0600925-2 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for applying an optional number of weight disks on
a dumbbell, and comprising: a base unit with a first and second
group of retainer means which are designed for cooperation with a
first and a second set, respectively, of separate upright weight
disks, a first and second set of separate weight disks, the weight
disks having openings that are closed towards the periphery of the
weight disks and that are disposed substantially along a straight
line on the cooperation of the weight disks with the retainer
means, a handle with pin devices axially projectable in opposing
directions for insertion in the openings of the weight disks, the
projection of the pin devices out of the handle being selectable in
order thereby to permit the choice of the number of weight disks
accommodated on the handle, and locking means by which the pin
devices are lockable in selected projectional positions in relation
to the handle, wherein the locking means further include disk
locking devices by means of which the number of weight disks
defined by the projectional position are lockable on each
respective pin device, the disk locking devices being disposed at
the free ends of the pin devices, and have locking positions where
they are located axially outside surface areas on the outermost
weight disks, these surface areas surrounding the openings of the
weight disks.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disk locking
devices are movable to their locking positions by a substantially
radial displacement.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disk locking
devices are movable to their locking positions by rotation of the
pin devices or the disk locking devices about the longitudinal axes
of the pin devices.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disk locking
devices are spring biased towards their radially outer positions
and that the weight disks have bevels about their openings.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the handle at
opposing ends has housing means with engagement means for
non-rotational cooperation with the base unit, that the handle has
a radially outer portion which is rotatably journalled in the
housing means, that the pin devices are disposed interiorly in the
outer portion and axially displaceable but non-rotatably guided in
each respective housing means, and that there is disposed, in the
handle, a screw or worm mechanism for realising axial movements of
the pin devices when the outer portion is rotated and the housing
means non-rotatably rest in the base unit.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer portion,
in at least one of the housing means, is connected to an indexing
device by means of which the outer portion is stepwise rotatable so
that one rotational step corresponds to a change in the
projectional position of the pin devices which substantially
corresponds to the thickness in the axial direction of one weight
disk.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of the
housing members has a display device which displays how many
indexing steps through which the outer portion has been
rotated.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the indexing device
fulfils the function of a locking device for locking the pin
devices in their selected projectional positions.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the disk locking
devices are spring biased towards their radially outer positions
and that the weight disks have bevels about their openings.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the handle at
opposing ends has housing means with engagement means for
non-rotational cooperation with the base unit, that the handle has
a radially outer portion which is rotatably journalled in the
housing means, that the pin devices are disposed interiorly in the
outer portion and axially displaceable but non-rotatably guided in
each respective housing means, and that there is disposed, in the
handle, a screw or worm mechanism for realising axial movements of
the pin devices when the outer portion is rotated and the housing
means non-rotatably rest in the base unit.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer portion,
in at least one of the housing means, is connected to an indexing
device by means of which the outer portion is stepwise rotatable so
that one rotational step corresponds to a change in the
projectional position of the pin devices which substantially
corresponds to the thickness in the axial direction of one weight
disk.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of
the housing members has a display device which displays how many
indexing steps through which the outer portion has been
rotated.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the indexing
device fulfils the function of a locking device for locking the pin
devices in their selected projectional positions.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle at
opposing ends has housing means with engagement means for
non-rotational cooperation with the base unit, that the handle has
a radially outer portion which is rotatably journalled in the
housing means, that the pin devices are disposed interiorly in the
outer portion and axially displaceable but non-rotatably guided in
each respective housing means, and that there is disposed, in the
handle, a screw or worm mechanism for realising axial movements of
the pin devices when the outer portion is rotated and the housing
means non-rotatably rest in the base unit.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the outer
portion, in at least one of the housing means, is connected to an
indexing device by means of which the outer portion is stepwise
rotatable so that one rotational step corresponds to a change in
the projectional position of the pin devices which substantially
corresponds to the thickness in the axial direction of one weight
disk.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one of
the housing members has a display device which displays how many
indexing steps through which the outer portion has been
rotated.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the indexing
device fulfils the function of a locking device for locking the pin
devices in their selected projectional positions.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the handle at
opposing ends has housing means with engagement means for
non-rotational cooperation with the base unit, that the handle has
a radially outer portion which is rotatably journalled in the
housing means, that the pin devices are disposed interiorly in the
outer portion and axially displaceable but non-rotatably guided in
each respective housing means, and that there is disposed, in the
handle, a screw or worm mechanism for realising axial movements of
the pin devices when the outer portion is rotated and the housing
means non-rotatably rest in the base unit.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the outer
portion, in at least one of the housing means, is connected to an
indexing device by means of which the outer portion is stepwise
rotatable so that one rotational step corresponds to a change in
the projectional position of the pin devices which substantially
corresponds to the thickness in the axial direction of one weight
disk.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein at least one of
the housing members has a display device which displays how many
indexing steps through which the outer portion has been rotated.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying
an optional number of weight disks on a dumbbell, and comprising a
base unit with a first and second group of retainer means which are
designed for cooperation with a first and a second set,
respectively, of upright weight disks, a first and second set of
separate weight disks, the weight disks having openings that are
closed towards the periphery of the weight disks and that are
disposed substantially along a straight line on the cooperation of
the weight disks with the retainer means, a handle with pin devices
axially projectable in opposing directions for insertion in the
openings of the weight disks, the projection of the pin devices out
of the handle being selectable in order thereby to permit the
choice of the number of weight disks accommodated on the handle,
and locking means by which the pin devices are lockable in selected
projectional positions in relation to the handle.
[0002] A dumbbell in its simplest form is of one piece manufacture
and has a handle with a weight at each end. For example, the
material of the dumbbell may be cast iron.
[0003] A dumbbell of this simple type functions quite excellently
as an exercise implement as long as the weight of the dumbbell does
not need to be changed. If there were to be needs to this end,
dumbbells of different weights are required, perhaps a relatively
large number of different dumbbells. Naturally, this implies a
considerable drawback.
[0004] Dumbbells are also previously known in the art which include
loose weight disks that may be placed in an optional number and in
optional sizes on one and the same handle. For securing such loose
weight disks, use may be made of different fixing means which are
typically placed outside the weight disks and are locked in
position there, A dumbbell of this type is perceived as
impractical, since many different working phases and manual
operations are required on mounting or dismounting of the weight
disks and securing of the fixing means.
[0005] Dumbbells are also previously known in the art where a
number of weight disks standing on edge are placed in a specific
holder or cassette. The weight disks have central openings but also
grooves extending out from the openings to their periphery. The
handle has an inner rotary shaft on whose outside a tube is
disposed. Within both of the regions where the weight disks are
located in the cassette, a part of the periphery of the tube has
been removed so that the outer transverse dimensions of the tube at
the removed peripheral area are less than the width of the grooves
in the weight disks so that, as a result, the handle may be moved
down through the grooves in to the central openings in the weight
disks. This opening has a diameter which largely corresponds to the
outer diameter of the tube.
[0006] The shaft disposed interiorly in the tube has, in the
regions of the weight disks, a number of bevels which, in the axial
direction, are of different lengths and which are distributed along
the circumferential direction. By rotating the shaft interiorly in
the tube, the non-bevelled portions on the shaft may be rotated up
to the position where the periphery of the tube has been removed in
order thereby to extend radially outwards and constitute a locking
device for the weight disks. As a result of the different axial
length of the bevels of the shaft, it is possible, by a selection
of the angle of rotation of the shaft, to select the number of
weight disks on the dumbbell. A construction of this type is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,997.
[0007] Naturally, the construction according to this US patent
Specification facilitates mounting of an optional number of weight
disks on a dumbbell. However, there are considerable drawbacks. One
such drawback is the complicated mechanical construction, another
is the fact that the weight disks, because of the presence of the
radial recesses or grooves, will not have their mass distributed
rotationally symmetrically around the handle. The radial recesses
or grooves may possibly also entail a problem in mechanical
strength if a heavy dumbbell is dropped on, for example, a concrete
floor.
[0008] It is desirable to design the apparatus intimated by way of
introduction so that the drawbacks in the prior art technology are
obviated. In particular, it is desirable to design the apparatus so
that an optional number of weight disks, in a simple and
convenient--but above all safe--manner can be applied on a
dumbbell. It is further desirable to design the apparatus intimated
by way of introduction so that it displays high mechanical strength
and can be manufactured at low cost.
[0009] In an apparatus according to an aspect of the present
invention, locking means further include disk locking devices by
means of which the number of weight disks defined by the
projectional position are lockable on each respective pin device,
the disk locking devices being disposed at the free ends of the pin
devices, and have locking positions where they are located axially
outside surface areas on the outermost weight disks, these surface
areas surrounding the openings of the weight disks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will now be described in greater
detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In
the accompanying Drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows in perspective an apparatus according to the
present invention, certain parts and details having been cut-away
for purposes of clarity;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a part of a base unit included in the present
invention and a handle lying thereon in the partly cut-away
state;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows in perspective the part of the handle in the
cut-away state shown in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a component included in the handle in the
longitudinally retracted state;
[0015] FIG. 5 shows the component illustrated in FIG. 4 in the
longitudinally projected state;
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a pin device disposed interiorly in the
component according to FIG. 4; and
[0017] FIG. 7 shows the pin device according to FIG. 6 in the
cut-away state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] As will apparent from FIG. 1, the apparatus according to the
present invention includes a base unit or cassette 1 which has a
number of retainer means 2 in the form of preferably circular
grooves in which the weight disks 3 may be lodged standing on edge.
The weight disks are separate and are not permanently
interconnected to one another. In addition, the apparatus according
to the present invention includes a handle 4 which is to form part
of a dumbbell with an optional number of the weight disks 3
standing in the base unit 1 and which is of a construction which
will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. It will also be
apparent from FIG. 1 that the handle 4 has, at its opposing ends or
in conjunction with the weight disks 3, housing means 5 which will
also be described in greater detail hereinbelow.
[0019] The circular grooves 2 have a somewhat non-circular section,
for example a planar section. If the weight disks have a
corresponding non-circular section, it is possible that all weight
disks can be given the same position in the rotational direction,
i.e. about their centre axis.
[0020] In FIG. 1, all weight disks 3 have been shown as of equal
size, but the weight disks may naturally be of differing size and
weight, where the weight may be varied by choices of different
materials in the weight disks.
[0021] It will be apparent from FIG. 1 that the weight disks have
through-going openings 6 which, if the disks are circular, are
preferably placed in the centre of the disks. The openings 6 are
closed and have no communication with the peripheral areas of the
weight disks. In one practical embodiment, the openings 6 may be
circular. In an alternative embodiment, they may be of a different
shape.
[0022] It will further be apparent from FIG. 1 that pin devices 7
extend from the handle 4 and also out from both of the housing
means 5, the pin devices being accommodated in the openings 6 of
the weight disks 3. In order for the pin devices 7 to be insertable
in the openings 6 of the weight disks 3, it is important that the
openings 6, when the weight disks 3 cooperate with the retainer
means 2 in the base unit, be located along a common, straight line
so that they together form a channel for accommodating the pin
devices.
[0023] The pin devices 7 are disposed in the handle 4 in such a
manner that, from opposing end regions of the handle and out from
both of the housing means 5 of the handle, they are axially
projectable to optional projection lengths on the outside of the
two housing means 5. By a variation of the axial projection of the
pin devices 7, they can extend out through an optional number of
weight disks 3. In FIG. 1, the pin devices 7 are shown in their
maximum projectional position so that they extend through all of
the weight disks 3. On the other hand, in FIG. 2 the pin devices
are shown in but partly projecting positions and it will be readily
perceived that, with the projection length displayed by the pin
devices in FIG. 1, only two or possibly three weight disks will
have room on the pin device. The same projectional length is shown
for the pin device in FIG. 3.
[0024] It will further be apparent from FIG. 1 that, with the pin
devices 7 projecting into an optional number of weight disks, it is
possible by lifting of the handle in an upward direction, to lift
out the selected number of weight disks on the dumbbell out of the
base unit or cassette 1, since the retainer means 2 are designed as
at least partly circular, upwardly open grooves.
[0025] In order to prevent the weight disks accommodated on the
handle 4 or more particularly the weight disks accommodated on the
pin devices from falling off, the handle 4 is provided with locking
means by means of which the pin devices 7 are lockable in selected
projectional positions and, in addition, the number of weight disks
defined by the projectional position is fixedly lockable on each
respective pin device 7. From this it follows that the locking
means must have component which, on the one hand, lock the pin
devices in selected projectional positions and, on the other hand,
are placed at the outer, opposing ends of the pin devices in order
to lock at least the outermost weight disk 3 on the handle. To this
end, the locking means include disk locking devices 8 which are
transferable to locking positions when they are located axially
outside surface portions on the outermost weight disks 3, these
surface portions wholly or partly surrounding the openings 6 of the
weight disks. The disk locking devices also have inactive positions
where they do not prevent axial movements of the pin devices 7
through the openings 6 of the weight disks.
[0026] Principally from FIGS. 2 and 3, but also to some extent from
FIG. 1, it will be apparent, as intimated above, that the pin
devices 7 have, at their outer ends, a number, preferably four, of
disk locking devices 8 which are spring biased in a radial outward
direction so that, without being acted on, they extend radially
outside the circumferential surfaces of the pin devices 7. These
disk locking devices 8 are also lockable in their radially outer
positions so that, in the locked position, they cannot be pressed
radially inwards.
[0027] As was mentioned above, the weight disks 3 have openings 6
for the pin devices 7. For cooperation with the disk locking
devices 8, the weight disks have, on both their insides and their
outsides, bevels which form conical or correspondingly shaped entry
surfaces for impression of the disk locking devices 8. In FIG. 1,
these bevels located on the outside of the weight disks 3 have been
given reference numeral 9.
[0028] The above disclosures imply that if a handle 4 is placed in
the base unit 1, which is provided with two sets of weight disks,
one on each side of the handle 4, and thereafter the pin devices 7
are projected out axially in opposite directions, the disk locking
devices 8 will strike the bevels on the insides of both of the
innermost weight disks 3. When the axial projection of the pin
devices 7 continues, the disk locking devices 8 are urged radially
inwards in order once again to move outwards when they have passed
the narrowest dimension of the openings. This cycle will be
repeated if the projection movement of the pin devices
continues.
[0029] It will be apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5 that both of the pin
devices 7 are telescopically accommodated in an outer sleeve 10
which is disposed interiorly in the handle 4. Between the two pin
devices 7 and the outer sleeve 10, there is disposed a screw or
worm mechanism, which is disposed, when the outer sleeve 10 is
rotated in relation to the two pin devices 7, to ensure that the
pin devices 7 are projected into or drawn in opposing axial
directions depending on the direction of rotation of the outer
sleeve. In this context, it should be observed that both of the pin
devices 7 are rotationally locked in both of the housing means 5 of
the handle, which in turn are rotationally locked in the base unit
1. Outside the outer sleeve 10, there is provided a suitable
surface cladding, for example a hose-shaped gripping section (not
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the screw or worm mechanism
includes two helically disposed grooves 11 which are through-going
accommodated in the outer sleeve 10. In these grooves, there are
pins or bearing rollers 12 which are secured in the pin devices 7.
It will be readily perceived that if the pin devices are kept
rotationally locked while, on the other hand the outer sleeve 10 is
rotated, an axial displacement of the pin devices 7 will take
place. The pitches of the helical or spiral grooves 11 are opposed
so that thereby the direction of movement of the two pin devices 7
will also be opposed.
[0031] In order to obtain defined projectional positions for the
two pin devices 7, there is an indexing device provided in the
housing means 5 which only permits certain angles of rotation of
the handle 4, in particular its outer sleeve 10, in relation to the
housing means 5 and thereby also in relation to the base unit 1 and
the pin devices. This indexing device includes a star pinion 13
(see FIG. 3) which is non-rotationally united with the outer sleeve
10 and against which abuts a spring-biased ball 14 which is
disposed in a corresponding bore in each housing means 5. In such
instance, the star pinion 13 is formed in such a manner that one
rotational step corresponds to a change of the projection of the
pin devices 7 which is equal in size to the thickness of the weight
disks 3. This implies that, starting from wholly retracted pin
devices, after one rotational step, one weight disk will be
disposed on each of the projecting pin devices 7 while, after two
rotational steps, two weight disks will be accommodated on the pin
devices 7, and so on.
[0032] In order to show how far the handle 4, in particular the
outer sleeve 10, has been rotated, the outer sleeve has an
indicator with a number of FIG. 15 along its periphery, these
figures being readable through a window 16 in the housing means 5.
It is thus very simple to twist the handle 4 as many rotational
steps as the desired number of weight disks on the pin devices.
[0033] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a pin device 7 with the pins 12 disposed
thereon. The above-considered disk locking devices 8 will also be
apparent. It will be apparent from the Drawing Figures taken as a
whole that each pin device has a sleeve 17 with a longitudinal,
axial groove 18. Interiorly in the sleeve 17, there is disposed a
shaft 19 which is displaceable in the axial direction and which has
a number of circumferential grooves 20 which are exposed through
the longitudinal groove 18 in the sleeve 17 of the pin devices. The
shaft 19 is urged by means of a spring 21 in a direction towards
the disk locking devices 8.
[0034] It will be apparent from FIG. 3 that there is disposed
interiorly in each housing means 5 a pin lock 22 which is included
in the locking means mentioned by way of introduction. Both of the
pin locks 22 each have a projection 23 which may extend down
through the longitudinal groove 18 of the pin devices 7 in order to
snap down into one of the circumferential grooves 20 in the shafts
19. In such instance, the distance between neighbouring
circumferential grooves 20 in the shafts is equal to the thickness
of the weight disks 3.
[0035] By a selection of the rotational position of the outer
sleeve 10 of the handle 4, the pin devices 7 can be slid out
stepwise so far that the projection 23 can come into engagement in
any optional circumferential groove 20.
[0036] In that the pin locks 22 are non-rotational in relation to
the housing means 5 and the projection 23 of the pin lock 22
extends down through the longitudinal groove 18 of the pin devices,
the pin devices will also be rotationally locked in relation to the
housing means. It should further be mentioned that the pin lock 22
is, by means of spring 24, biased in that direction which is
required for the projection 23 to snap down into a suitable
circumferential groove 20 in the shaft 19.
[0037] In the foregoing, it was considered how the disk locking
devices 8 are spring-biased radially outwards, i.e. towards their
locking positions. This is realised in that the shaft 19 is
spring-biased in an outward direction, i.e. towards the disk
locking devices 8 and in that the shaft 19 has, at its outer end, a
conical end portion 25 against which radially inner ends of the
disk locking devices 8 abut.
[0038] It will further be apparent from FIG. 3 that the pin lock 22
has a lower operating portion 26 which, on placing of the dumbbell
in the base unit 1, lifts the pin lock 22 against the action of the
spring 24 to an open position where the projection 23, granted,
prevents rotation of the pin devices 7 by engagement with the edges
of the groove 18, but nevertheless permits axial movements of the
shaft 19. Only when the dumbbell is lifted out of the base unit
will the pin lock 22 move downwards and fall down, or snap down, in
the circumferential groove 20 which corresponds to the selected
projectional position of the pin devices 7.
[0039] In one alternative embodiment, the disk locking devices 8
are disposed fixed in the radial direction and the openings 6 are
formed so that the disk locking devices, in a rotational position
about the longitudinal axis of the pin devices 7, are freely
movable in the axial direction through the openings 6, while, in
another rotational position, they come into engagement with axially
outwardly directed surface portions on the weight disks in order
thereby to prevent these from falling away from the pin devices
7.
[0040] It will be apparent from the foregoing that if, for example,
a base unit 1 is provided with two sets of weight disks and a
handle 4, with both of the pin devices 7 wholly retracted, is
placed in the base unit, an optional number of weight disks 3 can
be secured on the handle quite simply in that this is rotated a
corresponding number of steps. When, thereafter, the dumbbell is
lifted out of the base unit 1, the selected number of weight disks
is automatically locked on the dumbbell so that no weight disks can
drop off. In the alternative embodiment, the weight disks are
moreover rotationally fixed so that a relative rotation is
prevented between the weight disks and the disk locking
devices.
[0041] If the number of weight disks on the dumbbell is to be
changed, it is simply placed in the base unit, whereafter the
handle is twisted through as many rotational steps as correspond to
the desired change in the number of weight disks on the
dumbbell.
[0042] Above, it was described how the locking devices for locking
the projectional positions of the pin devices and for locking the
weight disks on the pin devices have an "automatic" function.
However, it is possible to design the locking devices for manual
operation either jointly or separately.
* * * * *