Kettlebell system

A kettlebell having a planar body. The kettlebell has a curved handle with an arched central portion connected to the body for gripping. A first edge and opposing second edge of the body positioned between two outward curved edges are linear and substantially parallel to form the body of the kettlebell with two opposing straight sides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention herein disclosed relates generally to a hand-held exercise device and system. More particularly, it relates to a kettlebell exercise device which is configured for both conventional kettlebell exercises as well as employment for exercise with a planar surface of the disclosed kettlebell herein positioned on a support surface.

2. Prior Art

Background of the Invention

In recent years kettlebells have become a popular component in exercise regimens. A kettlebell is conventionally formed of cast iron or cast steel and has a ball shape with a handle extending from the top of the ball which provides weight for exercising. The kettlebell is popular for performing many types of exercises, including ballistic exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training.

While somewhat similar to dumbbells, which are also used for exercise, the center of the mass of a kettlebell, is extended beyond the hand of the user gripping the handle. So configured with the extending handle, a kettlebell allows different exercises than that of a hand-held dumbbell, such as those employing swing movements of the kettlebell. Such swing movements, while gripping the extended handle, provide added safety during use for grip, wrist, arm and core strengthening. Due to its configuration, unlike a dumbbell, the weight of a kettlebell is fixed, but is unevenly distributed. As a consequence, a gripped kettlebell which is swung or otherwise moved by the user gripping it, provides a changing or unstable force the user must resist during such movement. Such is a desirable aspect for users for the effectiveness of the kettlebell exercises.

With respect to the above, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the kettlebell system herein, it is to be understood that the system invention is not limited in its application to the details of employment and to the arrangement of the components or the steps set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The various components and configurations herein disclosed for the kettlebell system are capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, all of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art once the information herein is reviewed.

Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for other kettlebell systems. It is important, therefore, that the embodiments, objects and claims herein, be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this summary description, any directional prepositions if employed, such as up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device or depictions as they may be oriented are for convenience only in describing such as it appears in the drawings. Such terms of direction and location are not intended to be limiting in any fashion, or to imply that the device or method herein has to be used or positioned with graphics in any particular orientation. Further, if not otherwise respectively defined, by the term substantially is meant, plus or minus five percent.

The disclosed device herein provides for an exercise system using the kettlebell device herein disclosed, which employs a planar body portion which provides the primary mass or weight of the device during use. By planar body is meant that the body is planar somewhat like a pancake and has at least the bottom surface being substantially flat so it will not rock when placed on a flat support surface. A handle configured for gripping by a user during exercise extends from an upper surface of the body. A lower surface of the body opposite the upper surface, is substantially planar and configured for positioning on a planar support surface without rocking.

The handle extending from the upper surface of the body is configured for gripping by a user during a swinging of the body. Additionally, with the body lower surface positioned on a support surface, the handle may be gripped by the user for other exercises. For example, where a pair of the kettlebell devices are employed for exercise, the user may grip central portions of the handles extending from the body having a planar surface positioned on a floor and can perform pushup type exercises. This provides for a very stable positioning of the user during such exercises.

Significant enhanced stability when using a pair of the kettlebell devices herein is provided by the handle configuration. The elongated handle is connected to the top surface of the body of the device at each of two ends thereof. A central portion of the handle is arched to provide an enhanced grip area for the user. It was found in experimentation that while a straight center portion provided a good grip, an arch shape of the central portion of the handle provided users a much more comfortable grip for using the device.

The body of the device is formed with two substantially parallel linear edges positioned on opposite ends of the body. The linear edges preferably both run along a line which is substantially normal to or perpendicular to a handle axis of the handle running through the central portion thereof. By substantially is meant within five degrees of perpendicular.

The opposing straight or linear side edges on opposite ends of the body of the device, during experimentation, (as opposed to forming a circle by extension of the curve of the side edges) significantly reduced contact of the side of the body with the legs and other portions of the body of the user who swings the kettlebell device herein during exercise. While the device performs well without the linear side edges, and thus the planar body having a circular circumference will provide the unstable weight for exercise desired of a kettlebell, the opposing linear side edges are most preferred as they reduce the chance of contact with the user during use, which at best can cause discomfort on impact and more significantly, can cause bruises or impact cuts.

Additionally, from the arched central portion of the handle, curved portions extend to engagement ends of the handle which are connected to the body of the device. The total length of the handle between the exterior surface of the curved portions thereof, along the axis of the central portion, is configured such that the exterior surfaces of both of the curved portions, do not extend past an imaginary line extending above and parallel to the linear portions. The positioning of the outside surfaces of both curved portions, within the overhead footprint of the top surface of the body, also helps prevent body contact with the user during swinging exercises.

A connection axis of both ends of the handle, running from the curved portions to the top surface of the body, is vectored at an inward angle, away from the side edges of the body and toward a central area of the body. When the user employs two of the kettlebell devices herein for stationary exercises, such as by gripping two handles and performing pushup exercises, experimentation has shown that this angle or vector for force, makes for a much more stable mount, than if the connection axis is perpendicular to the top surface of the body or the support surface. Currently, an angle between 30-50 degrees works well as the angle of the axis and thus the force vector.

Additionally preferred, in all modes of the kettlebell device and system herein, is the inclusion of tapered or beveled edges central edges of the planar body of the kettlebell device. If the device is formed with a circular body, the beveled edges will run the entire circumference of the body. If the body is formed with opposing linear sided edges, which as noted is preferred, the beveled or slanted edges run on opposing central edges of the body in between the linear side edges.

These slanted or beveled side edges provide clearance for the opposing sides of the body of the device, when swinging it close to the body of the user, and has been found in experimentation to help prevent impacts. Further, these beveled edges are especially well configured for holding the engagement of polymeric covers to the body of the device.

In another preferred mode of the device herein, removably engageable secondary weights may be engaged. While the body of the device has a fixed weight amount, by attaching a secondary weight to the body, the aggregate weight for exercise may be increased.

In an additional mode of the device herein, polymeric covers can be engaged over the body of the kettlebell. The polymeric covers provide additional padding for an unlikely contact with the person of the user and prevent slipping of the kettlebells when they are used for exercise while positioned on a support surface such as a floor.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the kettlebell system herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of operation nor the arrangement of the components or the steps set forth in the following description or illustrations in the drawings. The various methods of implementation and operation of the kettlebell device and system herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art once they review this disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other kettlebell devices and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the disclosed kettlebell system herein. Therefore, that the objects and claims herein should be regarded as including such equivalent construction, steps, and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is an object of this invention to provide a kettlebell system which is safer to use for swing exercises and more comfortable for the user to grip.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a kettlebell system which is configured for the addition of weight and for positioning on a support surface where the handles may be employed for other exercises.

These together with other objects and advantages, which become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation of the kettlebell system herein as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Further objectives of this invention will be ascertained by those skilled in the art as brought out in the following part of the specification wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the kettlebell exercise device and system without placing limitations thereon.

In this detailed description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only. Any such terms are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

Now referring to drawings inFIGS. 1-9, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen inFIG. 1a perspective view of a kettlebell device10. As shown, the device10includes a substantially planar body12having an upper surface14opposite a lower surface16. In all modes of the device10, the body12is preferably formed as a solid or unitary structure in that during use the handle15in some exercises, the body12must support the weight of the user doing pushups or the like. Further, it is preferred the handle15and body12be formed in a unitary structure such as by molding or permanent welding of the handle15to a solid core body12. As shown, the body12is planar and while the upper surface14need not be flat, and could have curve or rise to it, the lower surface16should be planar or flat because it is configured for positioning upon a flat or planar support surface such as a floor or mat. The U-shaped handle15, as shown, has a first end17and a second end18engaged to the upper surface14of the body12.

As can be seen inFIG. 1, and better in the overhead view ofFIG. 3, a first side edge20of the body12, located adjacent the first end17of the handle15, is linear and is positioned opposite a second side edge22of the body12, which is also linear. By linear is meant running in a straight line. As shown, the first side edge20runs parallel to the second side edge22. Further in a preferred mode of the device10, the first side edge20and second side edge22run substantially normal or perpendicular to a handle axis21, which as shown inFIG. 3, runs through a central portion30of the handle15.

As also shown inFIGS. 1-3, a first central edge26, and an opposing second central edge28of the body12, running in between the first side edge20and second side edge22, are formed as beveled edges. By beveled is meant that surfaces of the first central edge26and second central edge28run from the upper surface14toward the lower surface16at an angle between substantially 30-50 degrees. As noted, this beveled edge shape is preferred as it helps prevent contact of the sides of the body12against the user during exercise and renders any contact of the body12with the edge supported on the outer forearm of the user while gripping the handle15, more comfortable.

As shown in the side view ofFIG. 2, the handle15of the device10has a central portion30shaped in an arch configuration. While a linear central portion30was found to work well in testing, forming the central portion30with a curved or arch shape, was found to be much more comfortable for the user to grip the device10during use for swinging and for the comfort of the user where the handles15are gripped to support the weight of the user. As such, an arch or curve shape of the central portion30of the handle is preferred.

Also shown inFIG. 2is a diameter of the central portion30, which determines an exterior circumference area thereof, and the area for gripping for a user. Currently, a diameter between 1-2 inches works well to form a handle15with a central portion30which is easily gripped by a user. Further shown is a gap H1between the top or upper surface14of the body12, and the furthest point19of the arched central portion30of the handle15. A preferred distance of this gap H1in experimentation which helped to minimize the torque or leverage imparted by the body12against the handle15during swinging and other exercises, was a gap H1of between 1.5 to 2 times the diameter W1of the handle15. Currently, a gap H1of between 1-4 inches is preferred to minimize the leverage force caused by the torque of the body12twisting the handle15during swinging and other uses of the device10.

As shown, this central portion30of the handle15is positioned in between the first end17and second end18of the handle15which is permanently engaged to or formed as a unitary structure with the body12. Both the first end17and second end18of the handle15are formed in a respective reverse curve, from their intersection with the central portion30, and extend to engagement with the upper surface14of the body12, along a respective end portion reverse curve axis shown as V1and V2. By reverse curve is meant that each of the two handle ends reverse the direction of the handle at that respective end, and extend back toward the upper surface engagement to the body12along a respective handle end axis. A first reverse curve of the first end17of the handle15curves and extends in reverse from the handle axis21, along axis V1and the second reverse curve of the second end18of the handle15changes direction and also extends to the connection to the body12along second reverse axis V2. Currently, the angle of both the V1and V2from the flat lower surface16of the body12or the upper surface14if also flat, runs at an angle A, which is between 30 to 50 degrees.

This angled intersection of both the first end17and second end18with the body12imparts force to the body12at force vectors running toward a central area of the body12, such as an area on either side of line H1shown inFIG. 2, and away from the first side edge20and second side edge22. Such, as noted above has been found to yield a more stable device10when used for exercise, especially where the user grips the central portion30of the handle15to support their body weight thereon.

Also shown inFIG. 2, and preferred, is a total length of the handle15between the exterior surfaces17A and18A of the respective curved portions17and18, is configured such that the exterior surfaces17A and18A of both of the curved portions17and18closest to a respective linear side edge20or22, does not extend past an imaginary line extending above and parallel to the planar linear first side edge20and second side edge22. This is preferred because in experimentation it was shown that it better kept the outside edges of the curved portions17and18, from striking or otherwise contacting the user during swinging of the device10as well as keeping the first side edge20and the second side edge22from striking the user during use.

As noted,FIG. 3is a top plan view of the device10ofFIGS. 1-2, and shows the handle15having a handle axis21running substantially perpendicular to the linear first side edge20and second side edge22which run substantially parallel to each other. Also shown are the curved or half circle shaped first central edge26running opposite the second central edge28, both of which extend between the first side edge20and second side edge22.

Shown inFIG. 4is the lower surface16of the body12. Also shown are the linear first side edge20running opposite and substantially parallel to the second side edge22. Additionally depicted on the lower surface16, are a plurality of recessed areas32formed into the lower surface16. While the device10will perform well without them, it was found during experimentation, that the recessed areas32provided better traction for the lower surface16when placed on a support surface such as a floor, which minimized or eliminated slipping. This was especially true on a carpeted surface.

Shown inFIGS. 5-6are depictions of the kettlebell device10which may be employed in pairs. As shown, when the lower surface16of the body12of each pair of devices10is located upon a support surface, the device10in such pairs may be employed for gripping of both handles15thereof by the user. This allows the user to use the stability of the devices10and the projecting handles15, for exercises such as pushups. As shown, the handle axis21of both devices10in pairs may be placed in parallel as inFIG. 5or changed to an alignment between the two as inFIG. 6, should the user wish to change the orientation of their hands during gripping of the handles15.

InFIG. 7is depicted another mode of the kettlebell device10herein, wherein a removably engageable secondary weight34may be engaged to the body12of the kettlebell device10, to increase the weight for exercise. The kettlebell device10weight is provided by the total of the weight of the body12and the engaged handle15which currently runs between 6-16 pounds. This total weight may be increased, by the weight of the secondary weight34which currently is preferred at 5-15 pounds.

The secondary weight34preferably is a mirror image shape of the perimeter edge of the body12, in that the exterior perimeter of the secondary weight34includes a first side edge20A and second side edge22a, and a beveled first central edge26aand second central edge28a. This mirrored shape of the perimeter edge of the secondary weight34to that of the body12, insures that the user has the benefit noted above of the planar first and second side edges as well as beveled central edges.

A removable connection of the secondary weight34to the body12of the kettlebell device10is currently provided by a recess36which is formed into the secondary weight34. The recess36has an interior circumference38defined by a sidewall40surrounding the recess36. The shape of the interior circumference38of the recess36is a mirror image which is essentially the same as a shape of the exterior circumference of the body12of the device10. Thus, the circumference of the body12defined by the shape and length of the opposing first and second side edges20and22and the shape and length of the first central edge26and second central edge28, is equal to or essentially the same as that of the interior circumference38of the secondary weight34. Thus, the body12of the device10may be simply placed within the matching recess36, where it may be removably held in place by magnets42. The magnets42are shown engaged to the secondary weight34but could also be positioned on the body12of the kettlebell device10and provide a removable fastener between the two.

FIGS. 8-9show another preferred mode of the kettlebell device10herein, which include a removably engageable polymeric cover44. Much the same as the above noted secondary weight34, the removable cover44is removably engageable to the body12of the kettlebell device10. Preferably this engagement would be a biased engagement of cover sidewalls46which surround and define a shape of the circumference of a cover recess48. By forming the circumference defined by the sidewalls46as a slightly smaller mirror image of the circumference of the body12, when the body12is slid into the cover recess48, the polymeric material forming the cover sidewall46will stretch slightly and compress upon the circumference of the body12. This will form a biased compressive engagement of the cover sidewall46against the circumference of the body12, and hold the removable cover44on the body12. This cover44is desirable where the kettlebell device10may be used or placed on a support surface such as a hardwood floor or slick concrete to prevent slipping and to protect the underlying support surface from impact damage from hard contacts with the body12of the kettlebell device10.