U.S. patent application number 13/205224 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-14 for soft-sided kettlebells.
The applicant listed for this patent is George M. Kessler. Invention is credited to George M. Kessler.
Application Number | 20130040789 13/205224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47677892 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130040789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kessler; George M. |
February 14, 2013 |
SOFT-SIDED KETTLEBELLS
Abstract
Detailed are exercise devices including soft-sided kettlebells.
The devices may be weighted variably yet retain all functionality
of existing rigid-sided kettlebells. Nesting of internal components
may reduce, if not prevent, relative movement of the components
when a kettlebell is in use.
Inventors: |
Kessler; George M.;
(Taftville, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kessler; George M. |
Taftville |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47677892 |
Appl. No.: |
13/205224 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0603 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 21/0602 20130101; A63B 21/072 20130101;
A63B 21/0605 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/108 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/072 20060101
A63B021/072 |
Claims
1. A kettlebell comprising: a. a soft-sided body having a hollow
interior region and defining a recess; b. a handle assembly
configured for connection to the body in use; c. weighting material
positioned in the hollow interior region; and d. a variable
weighting assembly configured for placement within the recess so as
not to shift position relative to the body in use.
2. A kettlebell according to claim 1 in which the handle assembly
comprises a handle and a base.
3. A kettlebell according to claim 2 in which the base defines
first and second openings.
4. A kettlebell according to claim 3 further comprising a first
strap having first and second ends, the first end connected to the
body and the second end configured for connection to the first end
after being threaded through the first opening.
5. A kettlebell according to claim 4 further comprising a second
strap threaded through the second opening and having at least one
end permanently connected to the body.
6. A kettlebell according to claim 5 in which the variable
weighting assembly comprises an inner compartment having rigid or
semi-rigid walls.
7. A kettlebell according to claim 6 in which the variable
weighting assembly further comprises at least one weight
vessel.
8. A kettlebell according to claim 7 in which the body and the at
least one weight vessel comprise fabric.
9. A kettlebell according to claim 8 in which the handle assembly
is permanently connected to the body yet moveable relative
thereto.
10. A kettlebell according to claim 9 in which the handle assembly
is moveable between a first position in which the base covers the
recess and a second position allowing access to the recess.
11. A kettlebell according to claim 10 in which the weighting
material comprises a mixture of sand and iron chips.
12. A kettlebell according to claim 11 in which the at least one
weight vessel is frictionally fitted into the inner
compartment.
13. A kettlebell comprising: a. a body having a hollow interior
region and defining a recess; b. a handle assembly configured for
connection to the body in use; c. first weighting material
positioned in the hollow interior region; and d. a variable
weighting assembly configured for placement within the recess, the
variable weighting assembly comprising a first component nested
within a second component.
14. A kettlebell according to claim 13 in which the second
component has rigid or semi-rigid walls.
15. A kettlebell according to claim 14 in which the first component
is soft-sided.
16. A kettlebell according to claim 15 in which the variable
weighting assembly further comprises a third component nested
within the first component.
17. A kettlebell according to claim 16 in which the third component
is soft-sided.
18. A kettlebell according to claim 17 further comprising second
weighting material positioned within the first and third
components.
19. A kettlebell according to claim 18 in which the first and
second weighting materials have the same composition.
20. A exercise device in the form of a kettlebell comprising: a. a
soft-sided body having a hollow interior region and defining a
recess; b. a handle assembly permanently connected to the body and
comprising: i. a handle; and ii. a base defining first and second
openings and being moveable between a first position in which it
covers the recess and a second position allowing access to the
recess; c. a first strap having first and second ends, the first
end connected to the body and the second end configured for
connection to the first end after being threaded through the first
opening; d. a second strap threaded through the second opening and
having at least one end permanently connected to the body; e. a
variable weighting assembly configured for placement within the
recess so as not to shift position relative to the body in use and
comprising: i. an inner compartment having rigid or semi-rigid
walls; ii. a soft-sided outer weight vessel configured for nesting
within the inner compartment; and iii. a soft-sided inner weight
vessel configured for nesting within the outer weight vessel; and
f. weighting material positioned within the hollow interior region
of the body and within the inner and outer weight vessels.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to exercise equipment and more
particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to
variable-weight kettlebells with soft sides.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Commonly-owned U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2010/0255960 of Kessler discloses exercise devices in the form of
kettlebells. As noted in the Kessler application, versions of the
kettlebells may comprise "a substantially hollow body and curved
handle extending" therefrom. See Kessler, p. 1, 0007. A preferred
embodiment of the kettlebell is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or
other polymers and may include a removable plug allowing "flowable
material" to be introduced into the body. By "varying the substance
and/or volume of material used to fill the kettlebell," the weight
of the kettlebell can be adjusted. See id., p. 3, 0039-0040.
[0003] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0248910 of
DiLuglio describes other variable-weight kettlebells. Bodies of
these kettlebells "may be made of a generally hard and durable
material, such as plastic or steel," with their lower portions
possibly "comprised of a semi-rigid or elastic material." See
DiLuglio, p. 2, 0023. A hollow interior portion of the body is
lined with a water-impervious coating or has a bladder disposed
therein so as to receive "a liquid weight substance, such as
water." A plug may be employed to retain the water within the body.
See id, p. 1, 0020.
[0004] Disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2010/0048362 of Liford, et al., are yet other variable-weight
kettlebells. At least some of the kettlebells may include a core
section made from metal, ceramics, wood, or certain other rigid
materials to which differing numbers of facet plates may be
connected. By varying the number of connected facet plates (which
are made of material similar to that of the core section), the
weight of the kettlebell may be changed. See Liford, p. 3,
0035-0037; p. 4, 0046.
[0005] Absent from these applications is any explicit contemplation
of soft-sided variable-weight kettlebells. This omission presumably
is because rigidity is important conventionally to contain the
liquid or other material used to fill hollow bodies of the
kettlebells and to maintain the shape of the bodies. However, as
rigid materials are heavier than many non-rigid materials,
utilizing rigid materials for the body of a kettlebell increases
its unfilled (default) weight and volume, which may be undesirable
in many circumstances. Rigid-bodied kettlebells also are incapable
of cushioning any impact with human flesh.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides exercise devices including
soft-sided kettlebells. When not in use, the kettlebells may
collapse in at least one dimension into a smaller volume.
Notwithstanding their soft, flexible sides, however, the
kettlebells may be weighted variably, thus retaining the
functionality of existing variable-weight equipment.
[0007] At least some versions of the invention may comprise a
hollow main body formed of fabric and to which a handle assembly
may attach. The handle assembly preferably is made of molded
plastic including a handle and a base. The handle itself may be
solid or hollow--or in some cases solid in places and hollow in
others.
[0008] Incorporated into the base of the handle assembly may, if
desired, be one or more slots or other openings each designed to
receive a strap or other fastener. Advantageously, one strap
received by an opening of the base may have both of its ends
permanently attached to the body, thus permanently connecting the
handle assembly to the body. Likewise advantageously, another strap
received by another opening of the base may have only one end
permanently affixed to the body, with its other end removably
attached thereto. Displacing the removable end of the strap from
the body allows movement of the handle assembly relative to the
body as, for example, when weights are to be placed in or removed
from the body.
[0009] Optionally additionally included in kettlebells of the
present invention may be any or all of an inner compartment and
inner and outer weight vessels. The inner compartment, when
present, may be a rigid-walled structure designed to be fitted into
the soft-sided body. It thus may prevent collapse of the body when
the kettlebell is in use. The inner compartment also may be hollow
so as to receive the inner and outer weight vessels. Nesting these
components (when present) may beneficially inhibit their relative
movements--both from side to side and from top to bottom--when the
kettlebell is in use.
[0010] Each of the inner and outer weight vessels may be a hollow
structure made of soft, flexible fabric. Each likewise may be
filled (or partially filled) with material intended to increase its
weight, as may be the body. Such weighting material may be any
suitable fluid or solid, with preferred materials including (but
not limited to) mixtures of sand and iron chips. The outer weight
vessel also may be configured so as to receive inner weight vessel
when use of both vessels is desired.
[0011] It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present
invention to provide exercise equipment at least in the form of
kettlebells.
[0012] It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present
invention to provide kettlebells having non-rigid, or soft,
sides.
[0013] It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present
invention to provide kettlebells that may accept weights of
differing amounts notwithstanding their soft sides.
[0014] It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the
present invention to provide kettlebells whose bodies are made of
fabric to which a handle assembly may be attached.
[0015] It is, moreover, an optional, non-exclusive object of the
present invention to provide kettlebells in which a handle assembly
is permanently attached to a body yet moveable relative
thereto.
[0016] It is an additional optional, non-exclusive object of the
present invention to provide kettlebells having internal weighting
components that may be nested.
[0017] It is yet another optional, non-exclusive object of the
present invention to provide kettlebells whose nested components do
not move relative to each other.
[0018] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the appropriate art
with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this
application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary kettlebell
consistent with the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a first elevational view of the kettlebell of FIG.
1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the kettlebell of
FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a second elevational view of the kettlebell of
FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the kettlebell of FIG. 1
taken along lines A-A of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Depicted in FIGS. 1-5 is exemplary exercise equipment in the
form of kettlebell 10. Kettlebell 10 may be an upstanding object
comprising body 14 and handle assembly 18. Body 14 may be a
double-walled structure thus forming hollow interior 22 (see FIG.
5) in which any appropriate solid or fluid material (or both) may
be placed. Such material, an example of which may be a mixture of
sand and iron chips, adds weight to body 14 for purposes of
resistive exercise. Body 14 additionally may include central recess
26 extending from its nominally top surface 30 to an area proximate
its nominally bottom surface 34.
[0025] In presently-preferred versions of kettlebell 10, body 14 is
made of fabric and hence is soft sided. It nevertheless may be
shaped or configured so that, when kettlebell 10 is placed upright
on a flat surface, material within interior 22 will cause bottom
surface 34 to be generally flat as well. Kettlebell 10 thus may
remain stable when placed on a flat surface notwithstanding its
soft-sided nature.
[0026] Handle assembly 18, by contrast, advantageously is formed of
more rigid material such as molded plastic and includes handle 38
and base 42. Handle 38 itself may be solid or hollow, or in some
cases solid in places and hollow in others, although beneficially
being lightweight. Handle 38 also may be ribbed or ridged for both
added strength and to facilitate its being gripped by a person
using kettlebell 10 while exercising.
[0027] Ends 46 and 50 of handle 38 may be integrally formed with or
appropriately connected (or adhered) to base 42. Base 42 may be
generally planar and of size and shape approximating those of top
surface 30; it is shown in FIGS. 1-5 as being generally hexagonal.
Base 42 need not necessarily be generally planar or sized or shaped
in this manner, however.
[0028] At least one, and preferably two, openings 54 exist through
base 42. As illustrated, openings 54 may be in the form of slots;
if two such slots are present, they may be positioned near opposite
edges 58A and 58B of base 42. Openings 54 are configured to receive
straps 62, two of which (62A and 62B) are depicted in FIG. 3. In
some versions of kettlebell 10, strap 62A has a first end 66
permanently attached to body 14 and a second end 70 that is free.
First end 66 may be threaded through an opening 54 (e.g. the one
near edge 58B) and temporarily attached to second end 70, as by
hook-and-loop fasteners, to secure base 42 temporarily to body 14.
Disconnecting the hooks and loops and freeing first end 66 allows
it to be unthreaded through opening 54, thus permitting access to
recess 26.
[0029] By contrast, both corresponding ends of strap 62B may be
permanently attached to body 14. If strap 62B also is threaded
through an opening 54 (e.g. the one near edge 58A), base 42 will be
permanently connected (via strap 62B) to body 14. It nevertheless
may pivot about an axis approximately coincident with edge 58A when
strap 62A is unthreaded (see FIG. 3), hence rendering recess 26
accessible. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that
strap 62B need not necessarily have both ends permanently attached
to body 14; like strap 62A, for example, strap 62B may have only
end (or perhaps no end) permanently attached to the body 14.
[0030] Illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 are optional inner compartment
74, outer weight vessel 78, and inner weight vessel 82, any or all
of which may comprise a variable weighting assembly for kettlebell
10. When present these components may nest within recess 26,
inhibiting their moving (either from side to side or from top to
bottom) relative to one another or to body 14. Inner compartment 74
is sized and shaped to fit frictionally (or at least reasonably
snugly) within recess 26; because it preferably has semi-rigid or
rigid walls 86, it may support body 14 and thus prevent the soft
body 14 from collapsing when not desired. Inner compartment 74
additionally may have its own central recess 90 into which outer
weight vessel 78 may be frictionally fitted at least somewhat, if
not completely, snugly.
[0031] Outer weight vessel 78 preferably is a fabric vessel whose
hollow interior may be filled (completely or partially) with
weighting material. For nesting purposes, it too may define a
central recess 94 into which inner weight vessel 82 may be
frictionally fitted at least somewhat snugly. Inner weight vessel
82 may also be a hollow fabric vessel filled (again completely or
partially) with weight-increasing solids or fluids.
[0032] Whenever recess 26 is accessible (as shown in FIG. 3), these
nested components may be removed from or inserted into the recess
26. FIG. 5 illustrates in cross-section the nested components after
having been inserted into recess 26 and base 42 having been closed
by threading of strap 62A through an opening 54 and attachment of
its ends 66 and 70. Clear from the figure is that little or no
space then exists in any of recesses 26, 90, or 94, precluding
movement of each of inner compartment 74, outer weight vessel 78,
and inner weight vessel either laterally (i.e. from side to side
when kettlebell 10 is upright) or from top to bottom within
kettlebell 10.
[0033] The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating,
explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention.
Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from
the scope or spirit of the invention. The contents of the Kessler,
DiLuglio, and Liford applications are incorporated herein in their
entireties by this reference.
* * * * *