Abstract:
The present invention relates to a new handle for adapting kettlebell weights and for new modes of lifting weights.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    U.S. provisional application No. 61/382,691 dated Sep. 14, 2010 the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     ABSTRACT 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a new handle for adapting kettlebell weights and for new modes of lifting weights. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to exercise devices and methods of use thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a handle for converting standard weights into kettlebell weights. 
         [0004]    Mixed martial arts has become very popular and with it has come a new wave of work out routines that come from years past. Today, martial artists old proven techniques to improve strength and performance based on current needs. A wide variety of weight training are known, including the fixed or variable weight type of exercise machines, cast dumbbells, and the free weight/bar combination. However, owning a useful set of weights with the weights available in various sizes is difficult due to high costs. 
         [0005]    There are a couple of basic forms of dumbbells and most have a fixed weight. Fixed weight dumbbells are ubiquitous in today&#39;s gyms. However, kettlebells have a generally asymmetric weight that challenges muscles uniquely and therefore generally are only available in limited or specialized training facilities. Various adjustable dumbbells have been developed. A representative example includes, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,948,123; 4,556,690; 4,913,422; 4,900,016; 4,880,229; 4,743,017; and 4,529,198. Each of these references, however, addresses only certain aspects of an adjustable dumbbell, such as releaseability, interlocking of the weights, etc. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention provides a releasable handle that adapts any commercially available dumbbell into a kettlebell. 
         [0007]    Additionally, the handle can be adapted to rotate about an axis that allows the user to shift the center of mass to create unique weight lifting pathways to target muscles in unique ways. 
         [0008]    Additionally, the invention provides a method of exercise comprising the use of the kettlebell invention. 
         [0009]    In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, it is the object of this invention to provide a quickly releasable handle that can mount and detach from commercially available dumbbells. It is also desirable to have the handle adjust to various orientations about the dumbbell to create different centers of mass to challenge the weight lifter and accommodate different ranges of motion than would otherwise be possible with a fixed dumbbell. 
         [0010]    Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and consideration of the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded line view of a preferred embodiment with the handle and locking mechanism separated. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective line view of a preferred embodiment with the handle and locking mechanism in the locked position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded surface view of a preferred embodiment with the handle and locking mechanism separated. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a solid work preferred embodiment in the locked position without a dumbbell. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a solid work preferred embodiment in the locked position with a dumbbell. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a solid work preferred embodiment in the locked position without a dumbbell. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective front side view of a solid work preferred embodiment in the locked position without a dumbbell. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective side view of a solid work preferred embodiment in the locked position without a dumbbell. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective oblique view of a solid work preferred embodiment in the locked position without a dumbbell. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a solid work preferred embodiment in the locked position without a dumbbell. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIG. 1  shows an exploded line drawing of a preferred embodiment. There are four main components comprising a handle  10 , an upper body  20 , a lower body  30 , and a bottom cap  40  that are releasably linked together. The handle  10  has a handle portion  11  comprising a loop structure that attaches to the handle body  12  in two locations (though different designs could comprise more or fewer attachment points). The handle body  12  further comprises a handle body receiver  13  which is designed to mate with a threaded top cap  51  at a threaded top cap projection  52 . The threaded top cap projection  52  is cylindrical and projects down into the handle body receiver  13  which has a slightly larger diameter so that the threaded top cap  51  can freely turn. The handle body  12  further comprises handle body grooves  14  that radiate from the center axis of the handle  10 . The handle body grooves  14  interdigitate with upper body ridges  24  to lock the orientation of the handle  10  relative to the dumbbell (not shown). In the preferred embodiment the handle  10  has eight handle body grooves  14  that allow the handle  10  to rotate at forty-five degree increments relative to the dumbbell  80 . Alternative embodiments could utilize a greater number of handle body grooves  14  to increase the number of potential configurations. In a further embodiment the handle body bottom surface  15  could have various concave shaped modifications that could receive complementary convex shaped modifications on the upper body top surface  25 . For example, a golf ball like handle body bottom surface  15  could match contact with the upper body top surface  25  in almost any orientation along the handle  10  axis. The handle  10  is fixed in orientation relative to the upper body  20  via the upper body threaded connector  21  which passes through the handle body central axis  16  and washer  17  (optional) and into the threaded top cap receiver  56 . The threaded top cap  51  additionally comprises the threaded top cap projection  52  that aids alignment and stability of the attachment of the handle  10  to the upper body  20 . The surface of the threaded top cap  51  serves as a gripping point for the user&#39;s hand to tighten and fix the position of the handle  10  or loosen the handle  10  and allow free rotation to the desired orientation. The upper body  20  and lower body  30  mate together at the frontside upper body surface  22  and frontside lower body surface  32  and the backside upper body surface  23  and the backside lower body surface  33  mate, respectively, in the closed position. The frontside and backside define a passage  81  to receive a dumbell  80  (not shown). The upper body  20  and lower body  30  are connected at the front by a quick release  60  that comprises a quick release body  61  and a quick release head  62 . The upper body  20  and lower body  30  are connected at the back by a sliding plate  65 . The sliding plate  65  has a top mount hole  66  and a lower mount hole  67  that accommodate an upper pin  68  and a lower pin  69 . The upper pin  68  flexibly mounts the sliding plate  65  to the upper body  20  at upper body mounts  28  and the lower pin  69  flexibly mounts sliding plate  65  to the lower body  30  at the lower body mounts  38 . When the quick release  60  is in the unlocked and open position, the upper body  20  and lower body  30  may pivot relative to one another to form a c-shape and expose the dumbbell mounting surface  37 . In an alternative embodiment, either the upper body  20  could have modified upper body mounts  28  that are shaped like parallel tracks instead of simple circles adapted for receiving the upper pin  68  that would allow the upper pin  68  to keep the sliding plate  65  attached to the upper body  20  but allow freedom of movement along the vertical axis. This could make opening and accessing the dumbbell mounting surface easier than a simple pivot. Additionally, the sliding plate  65  could accommodate larger dumbbell handles in the dumbbell mounting surface  37  if it could move along the vertical axis. The alternative embodiment should not be construed to limit the modification of the upper body mounts  28  as the sole method of achieving a variable sized dumbbell mounting surface  37 . It would be similarly possible to modify the lower body mounts  38  to allow freedom of movement or to modify both the upper and lower body mounts  28 , 38 . The quick release  60  is comprised of a quick release body  61 , a head  62 , a threaded end  63 , a head mount hole  64 , and a head mount pin  74  that is attached to the upper body  20  at the upper body head mounts  29 . The head mount pin  74  passes through one side of the upper body head mount  29  then through the head  62  and in to the other side of the upper body head mount  29 . The quick release body  61  can pivot away from the lower body  30  in the unlocked and open position while remaining attached to the upper body  20  via the head  62 . The quick release body  61  can remain flush against the upper body  20  and lower body  30 , but in the preferred embodiment, the upper body  20  has a quick release head receiver  72  with upper body mounts  29  on either side adapted to receive the head  62  and head mount pin  74 . The upper body  20  may be further adapted to have a grove to adjust the angle of the quick release body  61  relative to the lower body  20  in the closed position. The quick release body  61  is parallel to the vertical axis when the quick release body  61  is in the closed position. To lock the quick release body  61  in the closed position, the threaded end  63  is inserted into a bottom cap  40  at the bottom cap quick release hole  41 . The threaded end  63  of the quick release body  61  is further locked in place with a wingnut  42 . The bottom cap  40  can be adapted to have a flat bottom surface  43  to set on the floor. In a preferred embodiment the bottom cap  40  can have a low profile so that a dumbbell will set on the floor and the bottom cap  40  will be suspended over the floor. The bottom cap frontside surface can be sloped in a preferred embodiment to accept the quick release body  61  with a sliding plate  65  mounted at upper body mounts  28  and lower body mounts  38  wherein the upper body  20  and lower body  30  pivot at fixed a fixed distance. The lower body bottom surface  39  could be tapered to have a complementary surface to the bottom cap top surface  45 . The bottom cap  40  may have a recess in the bottom surface  43  to recess the wingnut  42  so that the wingnut  42  cannot catch on clothing or other materials during use. 
         [0022]    When the quick release body  61  is in the open position the upper body  20  and lower body  30  are free to open and receive a dumbbell  80 . The dumbbell mounting surface  37  is disclosed as a smooth surface, but alternative embodiments could be designed to accommodate commercially available dumbbells. Additional features could include surface modification to increase texture to improve grip so that the dumbbell  80  will not slip or move once the quick release body  61  is in the closed and locked position. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a preferred embodiment in the closed and locked position.  FIG. 3  illustrates a preferred embodiment in an exploded solid state. The handle  10 , upper body  20 , the lower body  30  and bottom cap  40  are constructed of machined metal. However, it may be possible to produce handle  10 , upper body  20 , the lower body  30  or bottom cap  40  with die cast metal. Alternatively, parts may be made of high strength polymers to reduce weight and cost.  FIG. 4  shows a preferred embodiment in a closed and locked position. Additionally, the quick release body  61  is recessed into both the upper body  20  and lower body  30 , with only the threaded end  63  visible and protruding through the bottom cap  40 . The threaded end  63  is locked in place by a wingnut  42 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a preferred embodiment in a closed and locked position with a dumbbell  80 . The quick release body  61  is recessed in the upper body  20  and lower body  30 .  FIG. 6  shows a preferred embodiment with the quick release body  61  locked in place with wingnut  42  and a dumbbell  80  locked in place. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 7-10  show drawings of an alternative embodiment that does not require an end cap  40  to lock the dumbbell  80  into place. There are three main components comprising a handle  110 , an upper body  120 , and a lower body  130  that are releasably linked together. The handle  110  has a handle portion  111  comprising a loop structure that attaches to the handle body  112  in two locations, though different designs could comprise more or fewer attachment points. The handle body  112  further comprises a handle body receiver  113  which is designed to mate with a threaded top cap  151  at a threaded top cap projection  152 . The threaded top cap projection  152  is cylindrical and projects down into the handle body receiver  113  which has a slightly larger diameter so that the threaded top cap  151  can freely turn. The handle body  112  further comprises handle body grooves  114  that radiate from the center axis of the handle body  112 . The handle body grooves  114  interdigitate with upper body ridges  124  to lock the orientation of the handle  110  relative to the dumbbell (not shown). In the preferred embodiment the handle  110  has eight handle body grooves  114  that allow the handle  110  to rotate at forty-five degree increments relative to the dumbbell  80 . Alternative embodiments could utilize a greater number of handle body grooves  114  to increase the number of potential configurations. In a further embodiment the handle body bottom surface could have various concave shaped modifications that could receive complementary convex shaped modifications on the upper body top surface. For example, a golf ball like handle body bottom surface could match contact with the upper body top surface in almost any orientation along the handle  110  axis. The handle  110  is fixed in orientation relative to the upper body  120  via a stud  121  that is permanently fixed in the upper body  120 . The stud  121  passes through a spring  191  and the handle body  112  and into the threaded top cap receiver. When the threaded top cap  151  is tightened down it compresses the spring  191  and forces the handle  110  to lock into place. When the threaded top cap  151  is loosened up it releases the frictional grip between the handle body grooves  114  and the upper body ridges  124  allowing freedom of rotation between the handle  110  and upper body  120 . The upper body  120  and lower body  130  are connected at the front by a quick release mechanism that comprises a quick release body  192 , a proximal mounting pin  196  disposed in the upper body  120 , a spacer washer  193 , and a release knob  194 . The quick release mechanism determines whether the upper body  120  and lower body  130  are in a locked closed position or in an unlocked open position. The upper body  120  and lower body  130  are permanently connected at a distal mount comprising a distal mounting pin  195  that passes through two upper body mounting holes  199  disposed in a distal portion of the upper body  120  and lower body mounting hole  198  disposed in the distal portion of the lower body  130 . The distal mount allows the upper body  120  and lower body  130  to open and receive a dumbbell  80  when the quick release mechanism is in an unlocked position. The upper body  120  is permanently connected to the quick release body  192 . The upper body  120  has a proximal mounting pin hole  200  that receives a proximal mounting pin  196 . The mounting pin  196  further passes through a proximal mount pin hole  197  disposed in a top portion of the quick release body  192 . 
         [0026]    The upper body  120  and lower body  130  are releaseably connected at a proximal portion of the upper body  120  and proximal portion of the lower body  130 . The quick release body  192  can pivot away from the upper body  120  in to an open position to receive a dumbbell  80 . If the quick release body  192  is pivoted towards the upper body  120  it will contact a proximal groove in the lower body  130 , the closed position with a dumbbell attached. The quick release body  192  has a lower portion that is threaded and passes through the spacer washer  193  into the release knob  194 . The release knob  194  is threaded and when twisted pushed the spacer washer  193  against the locking seat  183  disposed in the proximal groove of the lower body  130 . The quick release body  192  is completely tightened when spacer washer  193  is pressed tightly against the locking seat  183 , the locked position. 
         [0027]    When the quick release body  192  is in the open position the upper body  120  and lower body  130  are free to open and receive a dumbbell  80 . The dumbbell mounting surface is disclosed as a smooth surface, but alternative embodiments could be designed to accommodate commercially available dumbbells. Additional features could include surface modification to increase texture to improve grip so that the dumbbell  80  will not slip or move once the quick release body  192  is in the closed and locked position. 
         [0028]    Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein are intended to represent only one embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention.