U.S. patent application number 13/111661 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-22 for vibrating weight bar.
This patent application is currently assigned to ICON IP, INC.. Invention is credited to Jaremy Butler, William Dalebout.
Application Number | 20120295774 13/111661 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47175354 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120295774 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dalebout; William ; et
al. |
November 22, 2012 |
VIBRATING WEIGHT BAR
Abstract
Weight bars are disclosed that provide an enhanced workout.
Specifically, weight bars of the present invention include a
vibration mechanism that creates a vibration in the weight bar.
Weight bars of the present invention can be configured to be held
in one hand or in both hands. Additionally, the weight bars of the
present invention can include a rechargeable power source for the
vibration mechanism. While not in use, the weight bars of the
present invention can rest on a base member. The base member may
include a charging plug that mates with the charging port such that
the power source for the vibration mechanism can recharge while
resting on the base member.
Inventors: |
Dalebout; William; (North
Logan, UT) ; Butler; Jaremy; (Logan, UT) |
Assignee: |
ICON IP, INC.
Logan
UT
|
Family ID: |
47175354 |
Appl. No.: |
13/111661 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/106 ;
482/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0726 20130101;
A63B 21/00058 20130101; A63B 21/00196 20130101; A63B 21/075
20130101; A63B 21/0728 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/106 ;
482/110 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/072 20060101
A63B021/072; A63B 21/22 20060101 A63B021/22 |
Claims
1. An exercise weight bar comprising: a handle having a first
cavity that at least partially defines a first interior space, a
second cavity that at least partially defines a second interior
space, and a longitudinal axis; battery contacts at least partially
enclosed within the first cavity; a motor at least partially
enclosed within the second cavity, the motor being in electrical
communication with the battery contacts; an eccentric weight at
least partially enclosed within the second cavity, the eccentric
weight being rotatably linked to the motor; wherein the first
cavity is shaped to at least partially enclose a battery; wherein
the eccentric weight is rotatable by the motor about the
longitudinal axis; and wherein the eccentric weight has a center of
mass that is radially offset from the axis of the handle.
2. The exercise weight bar of claim 1 wherein the handle further
comprises a first weight plate mount and a second weight plate
mount.
3. The exercise weight bar of claim 2, wherein the first and second
weight plate mounts can receive and secure one or more weight
plates.
4. The exercise weight bar of claim 1 further comprising a battery
at least partially enclosed within the first cavity.
5. The exercise weight bar of claim 4, wherein the battery is
rechargeable.
6. The exercise weight bar of claim 5 further comprising a charging
port that is in electric communication with the battery.
7. The exercise weight bar of claim 6, wherein the charging port
mates with a charging plug that is positioned on a base member.
8. The exercise weight bar of claim 1, wherein at least a portion
of the surface of the handle comprises a slip resistant grip.
9. The exercise weight bar of claim 1, wherein the handle is
designed to be gripped in one hand of a user during an
exercise.
10. A weight bar comprising: a handle having a first cavity at
least partially defining a first interior space, and a second
cavity at least partially defining a second interior space; and a
vibration assembly comprising: battery contacts at least partially
enclosed within the first cavity; a motor at least partially
enclosed within the second cavity, the motor being in electric
communication with the battery contacts; a first gear at least
partially enclosed within the second cavity, the first gear being
in mechanical communication with the motor and further being
rotatable by the motor about a first axis; a second gear at least
partially enclosed within the second cavity, the second gear being
in mechanical communication with the first gear and further being
rotatable by the first gear about a second axis, wherein the second
axis is generally parallel to and offset from the first axis; and
an eccentric weight at least partially enclosed within the second
cavity, the eccentric weight being linked to the second gear,
wherein the eccentric weight rotates about the second axis when the
second gear is rotated, and wherein the eccentric weight has a
center of mass that is radially offset from the second axis.
11. The exercise weight bar of claim 10 wherein the handle further
comprises a first weight plate mount and a second weight plate
mount.
12. The exercise weight bar of claim 11, wherein the first and
second weight plate mounts can receive and secure one or more
weight plates.
13. The exercise weight bar of claim 10 further comprising a
battery at least partially enclosed within the first cavity.
14. The exercise weight bar of claim 13, wherein the battery is
rechargeable.
15. The exercise weight bar of claim 14 further comprising a
charging port that is in electric communication with the
battery.
16. The exercise weight bar of claim 15, wherein the charging port
mates with a charging plug that is positioned on a base member.
17. A selectively rechargeable vibrating weight bar system
comprising: a weight bar having: a handle including a first cavity
that at least partially defines a first interior space, a second
cavity that at least partially defines a second interior space, and
a longitudinal axis; a vibration assembly comprising: a battery at
least partially enclosed within the first cavity; a charging port
in electric communication with the battery such that the battery
can be recharged without being removed from the first cavity; a
motor at least partially enclosed within the second cavity, the
motor being in electric communication with the battery; and an
eccentric weight at least partially enclosed within the second
cavity, the eccentric weight being rotatable by the motor about the
longitudinal axis, wherein the eccentric weight has a center of
mass that is radially offset from the axis of the handle; a base
member configured to support the weight bar while the weight bar is
not being used in a strength training exercise, the base member
having a charging plug that is configured to mate with the charging
port when the weight bar is resting on the base member such that
the battery can be recharged while the weight bar rests on the base
member.
18. The exercise weight bar of claim 17 wherein the handle further
comprising a first weight plate mount and a second weight plate
mount.
19. The exercise weight bar of claim 18, wherein the first and
second weight plate mounts can receive one or more weight
plates.
20. The exercise weight bar of claim 17, wherein at least a portion
of the surface of the handle comprises a slip resistant grip.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] N/A.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. The Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure generally concerns weightlifting
exercise equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure
concerns exercise weight bars that vibrate.
[0004] 2. The Relevant Technology
[0005] Exercise weight bars including dumbbells and barbells are
well known in the art and are widely used as part of weight-based
exercise training. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/847,813 titled "Weightlifting Device with Mechanism for
Disengaging Weight Plates," which is incorporated herein by this
reference, discloses an exercise weight bar. Recent research
indicates that creating a vibration in a weight bar while a person
is using the weight bar in a training exercise (commonly referred
to as "vibration training") can greatly increase the quality of the
exercise. Among other benefits, vibration training may increase
blood flow, which can speed up recovery from a workout or
rehabilitation from an injury. An increase in blood flow may also
help to bring restorative nutrients to muscle cells and aid in the
removal of metabolic waste from muscle cells.
[0006] Creating a weight bar having a vibration that is
sufficiently strong to achieve these benefits can be difficult. For
example, the mechanism that creates the desired vibration may be
large and interfere with a use of the weight bar. In addition, the
weight of the vibration mechanism may create an imbalance in the
weight bar. Thus, an improved vibrating weight bar is needed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Weight bars of the present invention vibrate in order to
provide an enhanced workout. Weight bars of the present invention
can be configured to be held by a user in one hand or in both
hands. Additionally, the weight bars of the present invention can
include a rechargeable power source for the vibration
mechanism.
[0008] In one exemplary embodiment, an exercise weight bar can
include a handle having a first end, a second end, and a central
axis that extends between the first and second ends. A first cavity
that is linked to a first end of the handle can at least partially
define a first interior space. The first cavity can at least
partially enclose battery contacts or a battery. A second cavity
that is linked to a second end of the handle can at least partially
define a second interior space. The second cavity can be linked to
the second end of the handle and at least partially enclosing a
motor and an eccentric weight. The motor can be powered by the
battery and the eccentric weight can be rotatable by the motor
about the axis of the handle and can have a center of mass that is
radially offset from the axis of the handle.
[0009] In another embodiment, an exercise weight bar can include a
handle having a central axis, a first end and a second end. A first
cavity that is linked to the first end of the handle can at least
partially define a first interior space. A second cavity that is
linked to the second end of the handle can at least partially
define a second interior space. The weight bar can further comprise
a vibration assembly, which includes battery contacts that is at
least partially enclosed within the first cavity, a battery that is
at least partially enclosed within the first cavity, a motor that
is at least partially enclosed within the second cavity, a first
gear that is at least partially enclosed within the second cavity,
a second gear that is at least partially enclosed within the second
cavity, and an eccentric weight that is at least partially enclosed
within the second cavity. To create a vibration, the eccentric
weight can have a center of mass that is radially offset from the
axis about which it rotates.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, a weight bar system can include a
weight bar and a base member. The weight bar can include a handle
having a first end, a second end, and an axis extending
therebetween. A first cavity can be linked to the first end of the
handle and at least partially define a first interior space. A
second cavity can be linked to the second end of the handle and at
least partially define a second interior space. The weight bar can
also include a vibration assembly, which can include a rechargeable
battery at least partially enclosed within the first cavity, a
charging port that is in electric communication with the battery
allowing the battery to be recharged without being removed from the
first cavity, a motor at least partially enclosed within the second
cavity, and an eccentric weight at least partially enclosed within
the second cavity. The eccentric weight can have a center of mass
that is radially offset from the axis about which it rotates. The
base member can support the weight bar while the weight bar is not
being used. The base member can also have a charging plug that is
configured to mate with the charging port on the weight bar so that
the battery can be charged while the weight bar is resting on the
base member.
[0011] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of
the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other
features of the present invention will become more fully apparent
from the following description and appended claims or may be
learned by the practice of the invention as set forth
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] To further clarify the above and other advantages and
features of the present invention, a more particular description of
the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments
thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is
appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of
the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope. The invention will be described and explained with
additional specificity and detail through the use of the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vibrating weight
bar system, including a weight bar and a base member, according to
one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the weight bar
of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a motor, gears, and
an eccentric weight for use within a weight bar; and
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the base member of
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Weight bars of the present invention vibrate in order to
provide an enhanced workout. Weight bars of the present invention
can be configured to be held by a user in one hand or in both
hands. Additionally, the weight bars of the present invention can
include a rechargeable power source for the vibration
mechanism.
[0018] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an
exercise weight bar can be configured to be held by a user in one
hand. One or more cavities can be linked to the handle. The one or
more cavities can at least partially enclose a vibration assembly
that is configured to create a vibration in the weight bar. A
vibration assembly may include a battery, a motor, one or more
gears, and an eccentric weight. The battery may be rechargeable and
be in electric communication with a charging port. The weight bar
can be configured to rest on a base member, which is shaped to
receive the weight bar when not in use. The base member can further
include a charging plug that mates with the charging port to
recharge the battery in the vibration assembly.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a vibrating weight bar system
100. Vibrating weight bar system 100 can include a weight bar 110
and a base member 180, on which the weight bar can rest while it is
not in use. Weight bar 110 includes a handle 114 and a vibration
assembly (described in more detail hereafter). and one or more
weight plates 140. Handle 114 includes a first cavity 112a, a
second cavity 112b, a first weight plate mount 116a and second
weight plate mount 116b. These handle portions may be integrally
formed as a single unit, or they may be separate components. Handle
114 also includes a longitudinal axis that extends through the
handle. The longitudinal axis may be through the center of handle
114 or offset from the center of handle 114. One or more weight
plates 140 can be selectively secured to first and second weight
plate mounts 116a, 116b.
[0020] One will appreciate that a handle (e.g., 114) can vary in
size and shape. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, handle 114
includes a portion sized to be gripped in one hand of a user. That
is, exercise weight bar 110 is configured as a dumbbell with a
portion of handle 114 being generally sized in length and
circumference to be held by one hand. In other embodiments of the
present invention, a handle may be sized to be held by two hands,
such as a barbell for use in performing two-handed exercises, such
as bench press, curls, etc. Further, an exercise weight bar
according to the present invention may be configured as a barbell
with a handle that is sized to be held by two hands. One will also
appreciate that handle 114 may be bent or curved to accommodate
various weight training exercises.
[0021] Handle 114 can also include an outer grip portion 118. Grip
118 can assist in providing a slip-resistant grip for a user during
an exercise. For example, grip 118 can include a textured surface
or it can be made from a non-slip material, such as rubber or
foam.
[0022] A handle can also include one or more cavities. For example,
handle 114 includes a first cavity 112a and a second cavity 112b.
First and second cavities 112a and 112b can be an integral part of
handle 114 or they can be formed separately from, and securely
affixed to handle 114. One will appreciate that when first and
second cavities 112a and 112b are formed separately from handle
114, first and second cavities 112a and 112b can be mounted,
attached, coupled, or otherwise joined together.
[0023] First and second cavities 112a, 112b can have a variety of
different shapes and sizes. For example, first and second cavities
112a, 112b can be cylindrical and have rounded outer surfaces. In
other embodiments, first and second cavities 112a, 112b can have
flat outer surfaces. For example, cavities 112a and 112b may be
cube shaped. In addition to shape, first and second cavities 112a
and 112b can have a variety of different sizes. The size of first
and second cavities 112a and 112b may be determined, in part, by
the size of a vibration assembly (discussed in more detail
hereafter) that the cavities accommodate.
[0024] In addition, first and second cavities 112a, 112b can, at
least partially, define interior spaces (e.g., 120a and 120b). FIG.
2 provides a cross-sectional view of weight bar 110 in which first
and second interior spaces 120a and 120b can be seen. In the
illustrated embodiment, first cavity 112a defines first interior
space 120a and second cavity 112b defines second interior space
120b. First and second interior spaces 120a and 120b can be used to
enclose in whole or in part a vibration assembly.
[0025] The vibration assembly illustrated in FIG. 2 includes
battery contacts 121, a battery 122, a motor 124, two gears 126 and
128, and an eccentric weight 130. It will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that a vibration assembly may include
additional or different components from those illustrated in FIG. 2
to create a desired vibration.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates that battery 122 is enclosed within first
interior space 120a. Battery 122 can be any number of different
batteries. For example, battery 122 can be a lithium-ion battery,
an alkaline battery, or another type of battery. Battery contacts
121 can be any contacts that are configured to connect to any type
of battery. Battery 122 can also be rechargeable. In order to
recharge battery 122, the battery can be removed from first cavity
112a and connected to an external recharging device. Alternatively,
battery 122 can be configured to be recharged while remaining
within first cavity 112a. For example, battery 122 can be in
electric communication with a charging port 123. As will be
discussed in greater detail below in connection with FIG. 4,
charging port 123 can be compatible with any number of different
charging plugs.
[0027] In other embodiments, battery 122 may not be rechargeable.
In embodiments where the battery is not rechargeable, the cavity
that contains the battery can include a door that provides access
to the battery so that a user can disconnect the battery from the
battery contacts and replace the depleted battery with a new
one.
[0028] Second interior space 120b includes a motor 124, a first
gear 126, a second gear 128, and an eccentric weight 130. Battery
122 is in electric communication with motor 124 through a wire 132.
Wire 132 can pass through a hollow chamber within handle 114 that
connects first interior space 120a with second interior space 120b.
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, wire 132 can
connect battery 122 with motor 124 without passing through handle
114.
[0029] In alternative embodiments of the present invention,
different components of a vibration assembly may be contained
within different cavities. For example, in one embodiment, battery
contacts 121, battery 122 and motor 124 can be contained within a
first cavity with gears and an eccentric weight contained within a
second cavity, and a shaft extending through the interior of handle
144 to couple motor 124 to the gears and eccentric weight. In
another embodiment, each of the components in a vibration assembly
may be contained within the same cavity. In such an embodiment, an
exercise weight bar may only include a single cavity. In yet
another embodiment, weight bar 110 can include two complete
vibration assembles (i.e., battery contacts, battery, motor, gears
and eccentric weight), with one complete vibration assembly located
in the first cavity 112a, a second complete vibration assembly
located in the second cavity 112b, and one or more switches
electrically coupled to the motors, such that a user can
selectively activate only one of the vibration assemblies at a time
or selectively activate both vibration assemblies simultaneously.
One of the vibration assemblies may also include a control for
selectively reversing the direction of rotation of the motor so
that the two vibration assemblies can be selectively set to rotate
in the same rotational direction or can be selectively set to
counter-rotate in opposite rotational directions relative to one
another, thereby selectively varying the amplitude of vibration
produced.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates in greater detail motor 124, first gear
126, second gear 128, and eccentric weight 130. As can be seen in
FIG. 3, motor 124 rotates first gear 126 about a first axis 134.
First gear 126 engages second gear 128 such that rotation of first
gear 126 causes rotation of second gear 128. Second gear 128
rotates about a second axis 136. Second axis of rotation 136 can
extend through the middle of handle 114 or it can be offset from
the middle of handle 114. Eccentric weight 130 is linked to second
gear 128 such that rotation of second gear 128 about second axis
136 causes eccentric weight 130 to also rotate about second axis
136. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates in dashed lines a second
position 138 of eccentric weight 130 after a 180 degree rotation
from its position in solid lines.
[0031] In order to create a vibration, the eccentric weight can
have a center of mass that is offset from the axis about which the
eccentric weight rotates. For example, eccentric weight 130 can
have a center of mass 140. As eccentric weight 130 rotates, it
creates a vibration. The strength and frequency of the vibration
can be determined by a number of different variables, including the
speed at which the eccentric weight rotates, the distance that the
eccentric weight's center of mass is from its axis of rotation, and
the size of the eccentric weight.
[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, an eccentric
weight 130 may be linked to and rotated directly by a motor 124
such that first gear 126 and second gear 128 are unnecessary. In
this embodiment, eccentric weight 130 would rotate about a first
axis 134.
[0033] Weight bar 110 can further include a mechanism to
selectively activate the vibration assembly. The mechanism can be a
button, switch, or lever. In one embodiment, the vibration assembly
may be automatically activated when the weight bar 110 is removed
from the base member. In another embodiment, the handle 114 of the
weight bar 110 may have contacts that activate the vibration
assembly when a user's hand grasps the handle 114.
[0034] Referring back to FIG. 1, handle 114 also includes a first
weight plate mount 116a and a second weight plate mount 116b that
are configured to receive weight plates 140. First and second
weight plate mounts 116a and 116b can be formed as an integral
pieces with handle 112 or they can be formed as a separate pieces
and later coupled to handle 112 and/or first and second cavities
112a, 112b.
[0035] Weight plates 140 can be removably secured to first and
second weight plate mounts 120a and 120b, such that a user can
select the amount of weight to place on weight plate mounts 120a
and 120b. Weight plates 140 may also be permanently linked to first
and second weight plate mounts 120a and 120b. In alternative
embodiments, an exercise weight bar 110 may not include weight
plate mounts 120a, 120b, or weight plates 140. In these
embodiments, no additional weight may be included in the weight bar
110, or additional weight may be included within handle 112,
cavities 112a, 112b, or in another part of weight bar 110.
[0036] FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of base member 180. Base
member 180 can be shaped such that a weight bar 110 can rest on top
of base member 180. For example, base member 180 has a first recess
182a that is shaped to accommodate the shape of a first cavity
112a. Base member 180 also has a second recess 182b that is shaped
to accommodate the shape of a second cavity 112b.
[0037] Base member 180 also includes a charging plug 184. Charging
plug 184 can be configured to mate with a charging port (e.g., 123)
in order to charge a battery (e.g., 122) within a weight bar while
the weight bar is resting on the base member 180. The base member
180 can further include a cord (not shown) that plugs into an
outlet to provide power to the charging plug 184. In alternative
configurations, the charging plug may be separate from the base
member such that the weight bar is not required to be resting on
the base member in order to recharge the battery.
[0038] It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art
that the components of the vibrating weight bar system 100 may be
formed from any suitable materials. For instance, the weight bar
110 and a base member 180 may be formed of metal, plastic, ceramic,
rubber, foams, composite materials, or combinations thereof.
Likewise, the components may be formed by any suitable
manufacturing processes. Such manufacturing processes may include,
but are not limited to, casting, forging, extruding, molding,
including blow molding and injection molding, or combinations
thereof.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0039] The exercise weight bars of the present invention are
intended to provide an enhanced workout by creating a vibration
within the weight bar. In particular, the weight bar of the present
invention includes one or more cavities that contain a vibration
assembly. The vibration assembly can include battery contacts, a
battery, a motor, one or more gears, and an eccentric weight. The
weight bar of the present invention can further include weight
plate mounts that are configured to receive weight plates. A user
can select and secure to the weight bar the amount of weight that
he or she desires.
[0040] The weight bar system of the present invention can also
include a base member. The base member can be shaped to receive the
weight bar when it is not in use. The base member can further be
configured to charge the battery of the vibration assembly while
the weight bar rests on the base member. The weight bar can further
include a button or switch for a user to selectively activate or
deactivate the vibration assembly.
* * * * *