Abstract:
An application for a dual use weight lifting apparatus includes a first independent weighted portion and a second independent weighted portion. Each of the independent weighted portions has handles suitable for grasping by a user and each of the independent weighted portions has a mating surface opposing the handles. The apparatus includes a way to removably hold the independent weighted portions together at the mating surfaces, thereby forming a joined weight lifting apparatus. The independent weighted portions are used as kettle weights when disconnected and as medicine balls when connected.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of exercise/body building and more particularly to a system of weights for individual arm exercise as well as both arm exercising. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Kettle bells have become a very important exercise tool. Kettle bells are generally bowling ball-sized cast iron weights with a single looped handle, ranging in weight starting from two pounds. Some kettle bells weigh more than 100 pounds. 
         [0003]    The use of kettle bells started in Eastern Europe, moving to the United States thanks to fitness programs like CrossFit. Kettle bells are now found in cross-training or personal-training gyms. Kettle bell workouts are intended to increase strength, endurance, agility and balance. Workouts using kettle bells challenge both the muscular and cardiovascular system with dynamic, entire-body movements. Kettle bells are reported to help athletes get their “core” into top shape. 
         [0004]    Lifting and controlling a kettle bell forces the entire body, and specifically the core, to contract muscles as a group, building strength and stability at the same time. Multiple muscle groups are engaged at once, providing a whole-body workout in a short workout. 
         [0005]    Kettle bells are often used in home exercise equipment, along with some other basic training items like weighted medicine balls, pull-up bars, jump ropes and lots of free weights. 
         [0006]    Weighted medicine balls provide different forms of exercise. The medicine ball is usually between two and 25 pounds in weight and is roughly the diameter of the shoulders (e.g. approximately 14 inches). Medicine balls and are used effectively in plyometric weight training to increase explosive power in athletes in all sports. Medicine balls are often used to increase their core strength by kneeling and pushing the ball out from one&#39;s chest or lifting the ball or performing different exercises (such as sit-ups and leg raises) while holding the ball in order to increase the stress on a particular muscle or groups of muscles such as arm, chest, and leg muscles. 
         [0007]    There are good reasons for using both kettle bells and medicine balls to exercise different groups of muscles, but there is no existing device that will perform both functions. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a device that will provide exercise as kettle bells and as a muscle ball. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In one embodiment, a dual use weight lifting apparatus is disclosed including a first independent weighted portion and a second independent weighted portion. Each of the independent weighted portions has handles suitable for grasping by a user and each of the independent weighted portions has a mating surface opposing the handles. The apparatus includes a way to removably hold the independent weighted portions together at the mating surfaces, thereby forming a joined weight lifting apparatus. The independent weighted portions are used as kettle weights when disconnected and as medicine balls when connected. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a method of exercising is disclosed including providing a first independent weighted portion and a second independent weighted portion. Each of the independent weighted portions has handles suitable for grasping by a user and each of the independent weighted portions has a mating surface opposing the handles. Each of the independent weighted portions also has magnets interfaced with each mating surface. The method of exercising continues with separating the independent weighted portions by applying an external force to overcome attraction forces between the magnets and using the independent weighted portions as kettle weights then, later, joining the independent weighted portions by force of the magnets and using the joined independent weighted portions as a medicine ball. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, a dual use weight lifting apparatus is disclosed including a first weighted portion that has a first handle suitable for grasping by a user and has a first mating surface. The first mating surface opposes the first handle. A similar second weighted portion has a second handle also suitable for grasping by the user and has a second mating surface. The second mating surface opposes the second handle. There is at least one magnet interfaced with the first mating surface and at least one magnet interfaced with the second mating surface. The magnets attract each other when the first mating surface is engaged with the second mating surface, thereby removably holding the first mating surface to the second mating surface until an external force separates the first mating surface from the second mating surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of kettle weights of the prior art. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view of a medicine ball of the prior art. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates plan view of a dual-use weight, separated for use as kettle weights. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates plan view of a dual-use weight, joined for use as kettle weights. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of one part of a pair of dual-use weights with a magnetic strip. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of one part of a pair of dual-use weights. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates plan view of the dual-use weights, joined for use as kettle weights with an optional latch. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates plan view of the dual-use weights, joined for use as kettle weights with hook and loop material. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pair of dual-use weights showing an optional keying mechanism for holding the dual-use weights together. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an optional weight extension for use with the dual-use weights. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another optional weight extension for use with the dual-use weights. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , plan views of kettle weights and a medicine ball of the prior art are shown. The kettle bells  10  of  FIG. 1  are generally bowling ball-sized cast iron weights with a single looped handle, ranging in weight starting from two pounds. Some kettle bells weigh more than 100 pounds. Kettle bell workouts are intended to increase strength, endurance, agility and balance. Workouts using kettle bells  10  challenge both the muscular and cardiovascular system with dynamic, entire-body movements. 
         [0026]    Lifting and controlling a kettle bell  10  forces the entire body, and specifically the core, to contract muscles as a group, building strength and stability at the same time. Multiple muscle groups are engaged at once, providing a whole-body workout in a short workout. 
         [0027]    Weighted medicine balls  20  as in  FIG. 2  provide different forms of exercise. The medicine ball  20  is usually between two and 25 pounds in weight and is roughly the diameter of the shoulders (e.g. approximately 14 inches). Medicine balls  20  optionally have handles  22  for grasping. Medicine balls  20  are often used to increase their core strength by kneeling and pushing the medicine ball  20  out from one&#39;s chest or lifting the medicine ball  20  or performing different exercises (such as sit-ups and leg raises) while holding the medicine ball  20  in order to increase the stress on a particular muscle or groups of muscles such as arm, chest, and leg muscles. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , plan view of a dual-use weight, separated for use as kettle weights ( FIG. 3 ) and joined for use as kettle weights ( FIG. 4 ) are shown. The dual-use weights  30  include two, preferably symmetrical, halves or weighted portions  32 , each having a hand grip  34 . Each weighted portion  32  has a mass or weight determined by the material from which it is made plus an optional mass  40 . It is preferred that the mass  40  is symmetrical and situated centrally to an axis of the handle  32  of the weighted portion  32 , thereby providing uniform, symmetrical weight distribution. 
         [0029]    When each weight half  32  is positioned near the other, magnets  36 / 38  having oppositely oriented fields attract each other and the magnetic force pulls each weighted portion  32  towards each other and holds the weight halves  32  together as shown in  FIG. 4 . For example, magnets  36  are oriented with their north poles to the left and south poles to the right, thereby having a north/south interface between the two weighted portions  32 . In this example, the poles of the second pair of magnets  38  are either oriented in the same way with their north poles to the left and south poles to the right or opposite with their north poles to the right and south poles to the left. In embodiments where the poles of the second pair of magnets  38  are oriented in the opposite direction, the weight halves can only join in one orientation and cannot join rotated by 180 degrees. 
         [0030]    When the weighted portions  32  are joined, it is preferred, though not required, that the faces  42  of the weight halves  32  abut cleanly without gaps. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a perspective view of one part of a pair of dual-use weights  30  with a magnetic strip  50  and a cross-sectional view of one part of a pair of dual-use weights are shown. As shown in  FIG. 4 , it is preferred that the weighted portions  32  abut cleanly along joining line  42 . When magnetic strip material  50  is used to hold the weighted portions  32  together, it is preferred, though not required, that the magnetic strip  50  be set within a groove  52 , keeping the faces  42  of the weighted portions  32  as planar as possible. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , plan view of the dual-use weights  30 , joined for use as kettle weights with optional latches  60 / 62  is shown. In some embodiments, the magnetic force between the magnets  36 / 38 / 50  is sufficient to hold the weighted portions  32  together. In other embodiments or for safety reasons, the weighted portions  32  are further held together with a latch  60 / 62 . Although shown as a simple resilient latch  60 / 62  in which the latch lever  62  stretches slightly to snap over a base  60 , any other latch system is anticipated such as hook and eye, rotating latches, etc. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , plan view of the dual-use weights  30 , joined for use as kettle weights with hook and loop material  72 / 74  is shown. In this alternate embodiment, the weight halves  32  are held together by hook material  72  interfacing with loop material  74 . In one embodiment using hook  72  and loop  74  material, the hook  72  and loop  74  material is recessed slightly in a recess  70  to allow a closer connection between the weighted portions  32 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a cross-sectional view of a pair of dual-use weights  30  showing an optional keying mechanism  90 / 92  for holding the dual-use weights together is shown. In this embodiment, the key  90  slides into the key hole  92 . In some embodiments, the magnets  36 / 38  help to hold the weight halves  32  together so they don&#39;t easily slide apart. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 , cross-sectional views of optional weight extensions  100 / 100   a  for use with the dual-use weights  30  are shown. As one desires more resistance, optional weight extensions  100 / 100   a  are added to one or both weight halves  32 . In some embodiments, the extension  100  has an enclosure  102  with an attachment mechanism shown as magnets  106 / 108  and an additional mass  110 . In other embodiments, the extension  100   a  has an enclosure  102   a  with an attachment mechanism shown as magnets  106 / 108 / 116 / 118  on both sides and an additional mass  110 . The first extension  100  is useful for increasing the weight of the individual weight halves  32 , but having magnets  106 / 108  only on one side, does not allow joining for use. The second extension  100   a  is also useful for increasing the weight of the individual weight halves  32 , but having magnets  106 / 108  on one side and magnets  116 / 118  on the distal side allows joining for use with both sides of the weighted portions  32  together with one or more extensions  100   a  between the weighted portions  32 . Although shown with separate magnets  106 / 108 / 116 / 118 , any of the described connection mechanisms are anticipated including magnetic strips  50 , hook and loop material  72 / 74  and key/keyhole  90 / 92 . Additionally, it is anticipated that in some embodiments, the weight extensions  100 / 100   a  also include latches  60 / 62  that mate with the latches  60 / 62  of the weighted portions  32 . 
         [0036]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0037]    It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.