Water weight training device

The invention presented is an aquatic weight training device that enables weight training in an aquatic environment while allowing eccentric weight training. The inventive device includes at least one hollow bar with hollow weights attached at each end. The end weights each include a plurality of holes that allow a user to fill the end weights under water then controllably empty the end weights while exercising. The end weights may be fixedly or releasably attached to the bar.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention generally pertains to weight training, more particularly to weight training in an aquatic environment, and still more particularly to eccentric weight training in an aquatic environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Information concerning exercise and general overall fitness is increasing almost exponentially as both professionals and lay persons learn more about how different types of exercise affect the body and overall health. This increased awareness includes the area of weight and resistance training. It has long been known that weight training increases muscle mass, strength and raises metabolic rate among other benefits.

One form of weight training is eccentric training which entails resistance applied to a muscle as it stretches under load. An example is found with an exercise called the bicep curl. When a person curls a dumbbell toward the chest, the bicep contracts. If the person lowers the dumbbell slowly rather than let it drop, resistance is applied to the bicep as it lengthens. Essentially, eccentric training is resistance to gravity, such as when the lowering of the dumbbell is resisted (e.g., taking 5 seconds to lower the dumbbell completely). It has been found it is particularly helpful for injured persons and the elderly as it requires less force than concentric training to increase muscle mass and strength.

There is also an increased awareness of aquatic exercise performed in pools, lakes, ponds, etc. Among other factors, water provides support to individuals while they exercise, helps with back problems, reduces the possibility of injury, and helps reduce the effects of arthritis on the ability to exercise to the greatest extent possible.

People have tried to combine the benefits of weight training with the support supplied by an aquatic setting. Usually, the weight is in the form of a foam rubber device such as a dumbbell. This creates resistance as long as the device is under water. However, a foam rubber device provides no resistance when it is lifted out of the water which is the end result of most movements in the water. In addition, eccentric movements cannot be performed with the weight under water as the water negates the effect of gravity. Consequentially, the aquatic environment that would be beneficial for elderly and injured people does not allow for the most beneficial type of resistance training for those groups of people.

Thus, there is a need in the field for a device or devices that allow for weight training, including eccentric training, in an aquatic setting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention broadly comprises an aquatic weight training device comprising: at least one hollow bar having first end and a second end; a pair of hollow end weights in which one of the pair of hollow end weights is attached to the first end of the at least one bar and one of the pair of hollow end weights is attached to the second end of the at least one bar; wherein each hollow end weight includes a pair of end caps attached to and enclosing each one of the pair of hollow end weights; and a plurality of holes defined by one side of each of the pair of end weights. A liquid may be poured into the at least one hollow bar through at least one of the pair of hollow end weights.

In an alternate embodiment, the invention the at least one bar comprises two hollow bars each having a first end and a second end. Each of the first ends is attached to an end weight while each of the second ends is attached to a middle weight. In a second alternative embodiment, the end weights are releasably attached to the at least one bar by a lock ring.

One object of the invention is to provide a suitable weight training device that will allow the user to take advantage of an aquatic environment.

A second object of the invention is to depict a weight training device that increases user control over eccentric weight training.

A third object of the invention is to supply an aquatic weight training device that enables both concentric and eccentric weight training exercises.

A fourth object of the invention is to show an aquatic weight training device allows for adjusting the total weight lifted by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. It also should be appreciated that figure proportions and angles are not always to scale in order to clearly portray the attributes of the present invention.

While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly”, “very nearly”, “about”, “approximately”, “around”, “bordering on”, “close to”, “essentially”, “in the neighborhood of”, “in the vicinity of”, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby”, “close”, “adjacent”, “neighboring”, “immediate”, “adjoining”, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

FIG.1is a front view of water weight training device10(device10″) of the present invention. Bar12supports end weights14at each end of bar12. In the embodiment shown, middle weight18is supported by at least one bar12. Bar12and end weights14are hollow to allow them and middle weight18to be filled with water as explained below.

Reducers15are attached to one end of end weights14and to each end of middle weight and receive bar(s)12. End caps16(“caps16”) are attached to the end of each end weight14. Reducers15and end caps16may be fixedly attached to bar12and end weight14, respectively, as with glue or other adhesives or may be releasably attached with collar lock rings as described below. In a preferred embodiment, end caps16and reducers15may have the same size and configuration making them interchangeable and fabrication more efficient. Optionally, end caps16may have end plugs24(not seen inFIG.1) that are releasably attached to end caps16and allow water to be poured into or drained from device10when removed from one or both of end caps16.

In some embodiments, bar12may be two or more separate bars with one bar12attached at one bar end to one end weight14and at the other end to middle weight18with a second bar12attached to a second end weight14and the other end of middle weight18. This embodiment allows for a longer device10that forms a type of barbell as seen inFIG.1. Each end weight14defines a plurality of holes14athat allow end weights14to fill quickly with water when device10is submerged. Holes14aare positioned so that they form a straight line across the length of end weight14.FIG.1Ais a top perspective view of the water weight training device showing a preferred embodiment in which end weights14are attached to bar12such that the plurality of holes14aare on the same side of each end weight14so as to have both end weights14hold the same amount of water when each of holes14aface upward.

Alternatively, a shorter hollow single bar42may be attached to two hollow end weights44to form a dumbbell40as seen inFIG.2. As with device10, bar42is hollow as are end weights44which enables dumbbell40to hold water when submerged. End weights44define a plurality of holes44a. Preferably, each plurality of holes44aface in the same direction so both end weights44retain water when holes44aface upward. In one embodiment, end weights44have an end cap46releasably attached to end weight44. In another embodiment, reducers45may be attached both to bar42and end weight44to attach end weight44to bar42.FIG.2depicts a preferred embodiment in which end caps46include a plurality of straight edges or sides to prevent rolling of dumbbell40along a floor, ground, etc.

Preferably, devices10and40and ancillary parts are fabricated from such suitable plastics as HPE although person of skill in the art will recognize that other materials may be used.

FIG.3is a top perspective view of end cap16. Opening20is at the center of end cap16. If cap16is dome shaped as shown inFIG.3, opening20is preferably located at the apex of the dome. If cap16is flat, opening20is preferably located at the center of cap16. Wedges16ainteract with similar wedges in the end plug with the same slope to form a sealed cap16.

FIG.4is a bottom perspective view of end cap16. Receiver22extends from cap16and defines the inner end of opening20. Channel22aruns along the length of receiver22and receives side extension30that extends from handle cap26(not shown inFIG.4) as described below.FIG.5is a top perspective view of locking end plug24which rotates into opening20so that wedges24aof end plug24slip between wedges16ato form a water-tight seal on the end of end cap16.

FIG.6depicts handle cap26with opening28and side extension30(“extension30”) obtruding from side wall26aof handle cap26. One end of opening28fits into receiver22of end cap16so that extension30fits into channel22ato hold handle cap26in place inside receiver22. The other end of opening28receives bar12or single bar42to form a hollow channel from receiver22of end weight14or44that is sealed to hold water. It will be recognized that bars12and42may fit into opening28(male friction fitting) or opening28may fit over bars12and42(female friction fitting). Adhesives and/or sealants known to those having skill in the art may be used to ensure a proper seal to hold the water in a fixed attachment of end weight14or44to bars12or42, respectively.

FIG.7is a top perspective view of lock ring50. Lock ring50releasably attaches end weight14to bar12and also seals the water within end weight14to prevent leaking between end weight14and bar12. Lock ring50includes wedges52alocated on peripheral edge52and notches54located 180 degrees from each cut into wall56. Tabs58facilitate rotation of lock ring50by a user.FIG.8depicts spring clip60(“clip60”) which includes two legs62jointly held at base61and extending from base61to form a V shape. At the end of each leg62are knobs64which protrude outwardly from legs62. Space59is the space into which hollow bar12is inserted during assembly (and refilling) of exercise device10.

To seal bar12and end weight14, lock ring50is placed in opening20of end cap16and rotated until wedges52afall between wedges16ato form a water-tight seal as see inFIG.7A. Spring clip60is positioned inside bar12with each knob64inside holes (not shown) placed in bar12to hold clip60in position. As lock ring50is rotated, notches54come into position over the holes allowing knobs64to protrude through notches54to hold lock ring60in the sealed position. To unseal lock ring60, the user presses in knobs64and rotates lock ring50until lock ring wedges52amove from between end cap wedges16a. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that lock rings50and spring clip60can be used in a similar, if not identical, manner to seal end weights44to bar12to prevent leakage of water from end weights44in dumbbell40.

The plurality of holes14ain end weights14allow a user to use device10to combine the advantages of water weight training device10in the water with the effects of eccentric weight training as discussed above.FIG.9Ashows user U holding device10under the water surface WS to allow water to flow into holes14a. The arrows indicate user U has rotated device10so holes14aface upward so end weights14hold the maximum amount of water. User U may keep holes14afacing upward and/or out of the water and use device10as a typical barbell type weight training device. Alternatively, device10may be rotated downward as seen inFIG.9Bto allow some or all of the water to be drain through holes14aas seen inFIG.9B.

The advantage regarding eccentric training in using device10is that user U can adjust the weight of the water in end weights14by controlling the amount of rotation of device10that takes place during the eccentric (muscle stretching) phase of an exercise. As user U repeats an exercise, the muscle gets fatigued and it becomes more difficult to allow the eccentric phase to proceed as slowly as it should to achieve maximum benefit. By draining some water and thus removing weight, user U can perform more repetitions (reps) before the muscle is finally exhausted, i.e., the muscle cannot work any longer without rest. This can be controlled by the amount of rotation applied—greater amounts of rotation of holes14afrom the upward facing orientation will release more water from end weights14. In addition, at the end of the rep, end weights14can be filled by dipping device10under water. Again, by controlling the rotation, the amount of water entering end weights14can be controlled without having to stop an exercise to adjust weights.FIGS.10A and10Bshow how the rotation and orientation of holes14aenable water to enter or leave end weights14.FIG.10Cshows holes14aat a “9 o'clock” position demonstrating some water can be retained in end weights14by user U depending on to what degree end weights14are rotated. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that the same advantage regarding eccentric weight training can be found when using dumbbell(s)40having end weights14with a plurality of holes14aas seen inFIG.2.

It will be recognized that user U can increase resistance weight by hanging weights from bar12while still retaining the advantages gained by using device10with its hollow end weights14and holes14a.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention are efficiently obtained, although changes and modifications to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which changes would not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.