U.S. patent application number 15/078397 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-28 for easy to assemble/disassemble adjustable monetary coin-weighted dumbbell.
This patent application is currently assigned to T Pong Company. The applicant listed for this patent is Alex Pong, Viriginia Pong. Invention is credited to Alex Pong, Viriginia Pong.
Application Number | 20170274240 15/078397 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59896864 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170274240 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pong; Alex ; et al. |
September 28, 2017 |
Easy to assemble/disassemble adjustable monetary coin-weighted
dumbbell
Abstract
This invention is an easily assembled and disassembled exercise
dumbbell that derives the majority of its adjustable weight from
the addition of monetary coins. The number of coins used determines
the weight of the dumbbell, thereby making possible very small
incremental increases in the dumbbell's effective total weight. The
weight of the dumbbell's handle assembly can be multiplied up to
nine times in its heaviest dumbbell configuration. Additional
weight may be achieved with the use of small metal slugs. Due to
the use of a specialized screw head, the dumbbell can be assembled
and disassembled with only the use of a coin (no standard
screwdriver is necessary). With all coins removed, this dumbbell
makes an excellent lightweight travelling companion.
Inventors: |
Pong; Alex; (Raymond,
WA) ; Pong; Viriginia; (Raymond, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pong; Alex
Pong; Viriginia |
Raymond
Raymond |
WA
WA |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
T Pong Company
Raymond
WA
|
Family ID: |
59896864 |
Appl. No.: |
15/078397 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/00065 20130101;
A63B 21/0601 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/0604
20130101; A63B 21/0726 20130101; A63B 23/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06; A63B 23/12 20060101 A63B023/12; A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00 |
Claims
1. An easily assembled and disassembled exercise dumbbell that
derives the majority of its adjustable weight from the addition of
monetary coins, the number of coins used determining the weight of
the dumbbell.
2. According to claim 1, a dumbbell handle consisting of a column
of monetary coins stabilized by longitudinal tie rods, tie rod
nuts, and end flanges.
3. According to claim 1, a coin holder(s) that contains a number of
pockets in which monetary coins are placed to provide weight for
the dumbbell end or "bell," and that is attached securely to the
handle flange by appropriate screws.
4. According to claim 1, a coin holder in which, in addition to the
coins, removable metal slugs can be inserted into smaller pockets
to provide additional weight.
5. According to claim 1, an inner cover that attaches to the inner
side of the coin holder to retain, as needed, the coins and slugs
in the coin holder.
6. According to claim 1, an outer cover (to retain, as needed, the
coins and slugs in the coin holder) that is clamped against the
outer side of the coin holder by appropriate screws which pass
through both the outer cover and the coin holder to fasten securely
in the handle flange.
7. According to claim 1, a medallion/coin (to retain, as needed,
the coins in the coin holder) held in place in the outer cover by
the head of appropriate screws which pass through both the outer
cover and the coin holder to fasten securely in the handle
flange.
8. According to claim 1, a screw with a head slotted to accommodate
the use of a coin to satisfactorily drive the screws; the slot
being of appropriate width and lower surface configuration so as to
conform to the thickness and circumferential curve of the selected
coin.
9. According to claim 1, any variation of design that still
maintains the integrity of this invention.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Exercise dumbbells have traditionally been a one-piece iron
casting with heavier dumbbells strengthened by an internal steel
core. More recently, newer adjustable dumbbells have been developed
to permit changing the total weight of the dumbbell. Many of these
adjustable dumbbells are a smaller version of a standard
weightlifting bar in which weight plates slide on to a bar and use
a retaining collar or clamp, available in a variety of designs, at
each end of the bar to keep the weight plates in place. Other
adjustable dumbbells use a single bolt in each end but require a
wrench and take more time to change. Another style uses a type of
slide-on "U" shaped weight plate.
[0002] Precast dumbbells are typically made in 5 pound increments
with 3, 8, and 12 pound dumbbells sometimes available. Cast iron
dumbbell sets are available in 1 pound increments from 1 to 10
pounds which means 10 sets of dumbbells. Weight plates for
adjustable dumbbells are available in 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 pound
weights which allow the total dumbbell weight to be adjusted in 2.5
pound increments. In children, in the elderly, in the very weak, in
balancing out unevenly or poorly developed muscles, and in
post-injury/post-illness rehabilitation therapy, smaller increases
are more helpful and less likely to become a possible cause of
injury from making too great a weight increase at one time.
[0003] As a person gains strength, the lighter weight dumbbells are
often no longer needed and are left unused and taking up space.
Standard dumbbell configurations are heavy, cumbersome, and time
consuming to take along when a person relocates his residence.
Therefore, dumbbells and weights are often sold at a fraction of
original cost or just given away in the stress of moving. Later,
when reestablished in a new location, the person finds himself
purchasing new dumbbells in order to have the privacy of working
out in his own residence.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This exercise dumbbell derives the majority of its weight
from monetary coins that are inserted or removed from the coin
holding pockets in its core frame. The total weight of the dumbbell
is determined by the selection of how many coin holding pockets are
filled with coins--from no pockets filled which yields a total
weight of only the assembled dumbbell frame, to all coin pockets
filled which yields a weight five times greater than the weight of
the dumbbell handle assembly by itself and a weight nine times
greater if a second pair of coin holders is added to the dumbbell.
The shaft, or handle, of the dumbbell frame is formed by a column
of similar coins secured by longitudinal tie rods inserted into a
pair of end flanges. Each "bell" of the dumbbell is a coin
holder(s) in which a number of pockets are filled with coins.
[0005] When preparing to travel or to relocate one's residence, one
can simply remove all the coins, cash them in at a bank for paper
money, and then pack the small and lightweight pieces of the
dumbbell frame for moving. Once established in a new location, one
only has to obtain new coins and fill the dumbbell to be ready to
work out in the privacy of one's own room. The unassembled frame
can readily be carried in a woman's large purse, tote bag, or
briefcase, or packed in carryon luggage for extended business
travel or vacation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the assembled dumbbell frame
with two outer coin pockets filled.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the dumbbell
handle.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an end view of the assembled dumbbell handle.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the attachment of
the handle flange to the inner cover and coin holder.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the attachment of
the medallion/coin and outer cover to the coin holder.
[0011] FIG. 6 is top plan view of an assembled dumbbell.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a cross section view of FIG. 6.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a top view of the coin-operated screw.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a cross section view of FIG. 8.
[0015] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the dumbbell with a second
coin holder at each end.
[0016] FIG. 11 is an end view of the coin holder identifying coin
pockets and metal slug pockets.
[0017] FIG. 12 is an end view of the coin holder showing an example
of symmetrically balanced filled coin pockets.
[0018] FIG. 13 is an end view of the coin holder showing a second
example of symmetrically balanced filled coin pockets.
[0019] FIG. 14 is an end view of the coin holder showing a third
example of symmetrically balanced filled coin pockets.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The bar or handle of this dumbbell is constructed of a
column of monetary coins (in this example, United States), all of
the same denomination (11A), placed in between two handle flanges
(3), one at each end. A series of tie rods (1) secured in the end
flanges (3) by tie rod nuts (2) run the length of the coins and
hold the coins in place (FIG. 2). As the tie rod nuts (2) are
tightened, the flanges (3) are compressed against the coins (11A);
the tie rods (1) are placed in tension and the coins (11A) are
placed in compression, both forces working together to form the
rigidity and strength of the dumbbell handle. The tie rods (1) also
form ridges on the hand grip surface that prevent the dumbbell from
rotating in the user's hand. This handle assembly (FIGS. 2, 3) is
the lightest form in which the dumbbell may be used.
[0021] The "bell" of the dumbbell is formed by adding the coin
holder (5) and inner and outer covers (4, 6) to each end of the
handle. The inner cover (4) is attached to the coin holder (5) with
a series of ordinary screws (10) (FIG. 4). The inner cover (4) and
the coin holder (5) do not need to be disassembled for travel or
storage. The coin holder (5) to which the inner cover (4) is
already joined is attached to the handle flange (3) by screws (9).
In FIG. 5 the medallion/coin (7) is clamped under the head of the
screws (8) against the outer cover (6) which is clamped against the
outer side of the coin holder (5) as the screws (8) pass adjacent
to the medallion/coin (7), through the outer cover (6) and coin
holder (5) to thread securely into the handle flange (3). This
double attachment (screws 8 and 9) of the bell to the handle
provides the strength needed to support the weight of the bell as
coins are added. The inner and outer covers (4, 6) serve to keep
the coins contained in the coin holder (5). In this example, the
utilization of attachment screws (8, 9) which have a special screw
head (FIGS. 8, 9) with a curved slot (9A) designed to match one of
the coins removes any need for a screw driver to
assemble/disassemble the dumbbell as the recommended coin works
very well. The medallion/coin (7) is so named because it can be
either a coin or a logo customized medallion. This completes the
framework of the dumbbell. With no coins inserted in the coin
holder, this configuration is the next lightest form of dumbbell
use.
[0022] To add weight to the dumbbell framework, remove the outer
cover (6), fill the coin pockets of choice (5A, 5B) with coins and
replace the outer cover and medallion/coin (6, 7). FIGS. 1, 6, 7
show an assembled dumbbell with some of the coin holder pockets
filled. The coin holder (5) has additional slug pockets (5C),
located in spaces too small for coins, into which removable solid
metal cylindrical slugs (11C) may be inserted to increase the
weight of the dumbbell (FIG. 11); however, if the purpose is to
have the lightest possible form of the dumbbell for travelling or
relocating, then the slugs should be omitted as they would need to
accompany the dumbbell thereby increasing the travel weight. The
coin and slug pockets (5A, 5B, 5C) are arranged in circular
patterns around the center of the coin holder (5) so that, when
filling the pockets, a balanced pattern of weight and ease of use
can be maintained. With all pockets filled, the weight of the
dumbbell is five times greater than the handle assembly alone (FIG.
2).
[0023] However, to further increase the weight of the dumbbell, a
second coin holder (5) may be added (with longer screws) to each
end making a total of two coin holders per end (FIG. 10). When all
coin and slug pockets in this configuration are filled, the
dumbbell weighs more than nine times the weight of the handle
assembly (FIG. 2).
[0024] A wide variety of dumbbell weight increments is achieved by
simply varying which pockets are filled. This particular version
uses two sizes (denominations) of coins and one slug size; however,
a number of variations of size and arrangement of coins is possible
without affecting the integrity of the design. The effective
polygonal shape of the coin holder, with either empty or filled
coin pockets, makes the dumbbell less likely to roll when set down
on a surface.
* * * * *