Adjustable dumbbell

An adjustable dumbbell assembly includes a dumbbell mechanism having two or more weight members engaged in a receptacle, and a handle bar engaged between the weight members, two catches slidably engaged in the handle bar and extendible out and engageable with the weight members for detachably attaching the weight members to the handle bar, two followers slidably engaged in the receptacle and each having a protrusion for engaging with the catches and for moving the catches to engage with the weight members, and for detachably attaching the weight members to the handle bar, and an actuating member engaged with the followers for actuating the followers to move the catches to engage with the weight members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable dumbbell, and more particularly to an adjustable dumbbell assembly having an easily and quickly adjustable structure for easily and quickly adjusting the weight of two adjustable dumbbell devices or mechanisms of the dumbbell assembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various kinds of typical adjustable dumbbells have been developed and provided for conducting various exercise operations, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,413 to Kupferman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,997 to Roth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,093 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,214 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,641 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,213 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 9,616,273 to Chen, and U.S. Pat. No. 10,343,010 to Chen disclose several of the typical adjustable dumbbells each including a number of weight members or weight rings that may be selectively or adjustably secured together for adjusting the weight of the dumbbells.

Normally, in the typical adjustable dumbbells, two extension carriers or tracks are formed or provided on the end portions or extended outwardly from the end portions of the central handle bar, and the weight rings may be selectively or adjustably secured to the extension carriers or tracks.

However, the extension carriers or tracks are required to be permanently formed or provided on the end portions of the central handle bar such that the extension carriers or tracks and the central handle bar may form and may include a greatly increased length for the typical adjustable dumbbells.

In addition, the extension carriers or tracks are each required to be moved and adjusted relative to the central handle bar respectively for adjusting the weight of the dumbbells, but may not be moved and adjusted relative to the central handle bar simultaneously.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional adjustable dumbbells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustable dumbbell assembly including an easily and quickly adjustable structure for easily and quickly adjusting the weight of two adjustable dumbbell devices or mechanisms of the dumbbell assembly.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable dumbbell assembly comprising a receptacle including a first compartment and a second compartment, a first dumbbell mechanism including a first weight member engaged in the first compartment of the receptacle, a second weight member engaged in the second compartment of the receptacle, and a handle bar engaged between the first weight member and the second weight member, the handle bar including a bore formed in the handle bar, a first catch and a second catch slidably received and engaged in the bore of the handle bar and extendible out of the handle bar and engageable with the first weight member and the second weight member, for detachably attaching the first weight member and the second weight member to the handle bar, a first follower and a second follower slidably received and engaged in the receptacle, and the first follower and the second follower each include a protrusion for engaging with the first catch and the second catch and for moving the first catch and the second catch to engage with the first weight member and the second weight member, and for detachably attaching the first weight member and the second weight member to the handle bar, and an actuating member engaged with the receptacle and engaged with the first and the second followers for easily and quickly actuating the first and the second followers to move relative to the receptacle and for actuating the first and the second followers to move the first catch and the second catch to engage with the first weight member and the second weight member.

The first and the second followers each include a rack, and the actuating member includes a wheel engaged with the racks of the first and the second followers for moving the first and the second followers relative to each other when the actuating member is rotated relative to the receptacle. The actuating member may further include a motor driving member coupled to the wheel for driving the wheel to move the followers relative to the receptacle with the motor driving member selectively.

The first follower and the second follower each include a protrusion for engaging with the first catch and the second catch and for moving the first catch and the second catch to engage with the first weight member and the second weight member, and for detachably attaching the first weight member and the second weight member to the handle bar.

The receptacle includes two grooves formed in the receptacle for slidably receiving and engaging with the protrusions of the first follower and the second follower respectively and for guiding the first follower and the second follower to slide relative to the receptacle. The receptacle includes a plurality of notches formed in the receptacle, and the protrusions each include a tongue for engaging with the notches of the receptacle.

The handle bar includes two housings provided at end portions, the bore of the handle bar is formed through the housings. The first and the second weight members each include two projections, and the housings each include two dovetail slots formed in the housings respectively for receiving and engaging with the projections of the first and the second weight members and for anchoring the first and the second weight members to the housings of the handle bar respectively.

The housings each include a key hole formed in the respective housing, and the first and the second weight members each include a key hole aligned with the key holes of the housings. The first and the second catches each include an extension slidably engageable into and through the key holes of the housings and of the first and the second weight members. The first and the second weight members each include a seat provided in a lower portion of the key hole of the first and the second weight members, the housings each include a seat provided in a lower portion of the key hole of the housing.

The first follower and the second follower each include a protrusion for engaging with the first catch and the second catch, and the first and the second catches each include a spring biased sliding member engageable with the seat of the first and the second weight members and the housings, the spring biased sliding member is engageable with the protrusion of the first and the second followers selectively. The first and the second weight members each include two dovetail slots formed in the first and the second weight members respectively.

A second dumbbell mechanism is further provided and includes a first weight element and a second weight element engaged in the receptacle, and a second handle bar engaged between the first and the second weight elements, the second handle bar including a bore formed in the second handle bar, a first latch and a second latch slidably received and engaged in the bore of the second handle bar and extendible out of the second handle bar and engageable with the first weight element and the second weight element, for detachably attaching the first and the second weight elements to the second handle bar.

The second handle bar includes two second housings provided at end portions, the bore of the second handle bar is formed through the second housings. The first and the second weight elements each include two projections, and the second housings each include two dovetail slots formed in the second housings respectively for receiving and engaging with the projections of the first and the second weight elements and for anchoring the first and the second weight elements to the second housings of the second handle bar respectively.

The second housings each include a key hole formed in the respective second housing, and the first and the second weight elements each include a key hole formed therein and aligned with the key holes of the second housings. The first and the second latches each include an extension slidably engageable into and through the key holes of the second housings and of the first and the second weight elements.

The first and the second weight elements each include a seat provided in a lower portion of the key hole of the first and the second weight elements, the second housings each include a seat provided in a lower portion of the key hole of the second housing. The first and the second followers each include a second protrusion for engaging with the first and the second latches and for moving the first and the second latches to engage with the first and the second weight elements, and for detachably attaching the first and the second weight elements to the second handle bar, the first and the second latches each include a spring biased sliding member engageable with the seat of the first and the second weight elements and the second housings, the spring biased sliding member is engageable with the second protrusion of the first and the second followers selectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially toFIGS. 1-5, an adjustable dumbbell assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a supporting base or receptacle10including one or more (such as four) depressions or recesses or compartments11formed therein for selectively receiving or engaging with the weights30,50, such as weight rings or plates or members30and weight elements50of the first and the second adjustable dumbbell devices or mechanisms3,5respectively, and including a space or compartment or chamber12formed therein (FIGS. 2-5, 8, and 11-12), such as formed in the lower or bottom portion thereof, and a cap or cover13attached or mounted or secured to the lower or bottom portion of the receptacle10for covering or enclosing the chamber12of the receptacle10, and including one or more (such as four) slots or grooves14formed therein (FIGS. 6-8, 10) and communicating with the chamber12and the compartments11of the receptacle10respectively.

The adjustable dumbbell mechanisms3,5each include two or a first and a second groups of weight members30or weight elements50to be seated or engaged or received in the first and the second compartments11of the receptacle10respectively, best shown inFIGS. 1-3, 6, and 9-12. The weight members30and the weight elements50each include a projection or catch or dovetail31,51formed or provided on the inner side portion thereof (FIGS. 6 and 9), and a slot32,52, such as dovetail slot32,52formed therein (FIGS. 1-3, 6, and 9-10), such as formed in the outer side portion thereof for receiving or engaging with the projection31,51of the other weight members30or weight elements50and for anchoring or retaining or positioning the weight members30and the weight elements50together, and arranged for allowing the weight members30and the weight elements50to be moved up and down relative to each other, but arranged for preventing the weight members30and the weight elements50from being moved sidewise relative to each other and for preventing the weight members30and the weight elements50from being disengaged or separated from each other.

The weight members30and the weight elements50each further include a hole33,53, such as a key hole33,53formed therein, and the key holes33,53of the weight members30and the weight elements50are aligned with each other, and each further include a socket or seat34,54formed or provided in the lower or bottom portion of each of the key holes33,53of the respective weight member30or weight element50. The dumbbell mechanisms3,5each further include a central handle bar40,60to be disposed or engaged between two groups or the first and the second weight members30and two groups or the first and the second weight elements50respectively, the handle bars40,60each include an elongated or longitudinal hole or bore41,61formed therein (FIGS. 5, 6, 9, and 11-12), and each include one or more (such as two) end portions42,62each having a plate or housing43,63extended radially and outwardly therefrom, the bores41,61of the handle bars40,60are also formed through the housings43,63respectively.

The housings43,63each include a hole44,64, such as a key hole44,64formed therein (FIGS. 6 and 9), such as formed in the outer side portion thereof and communicating with the bore41,61of the respective handle bar40,60, for aligning with the key holes33,53of the weight members30and the weight elements50, and each further include a socket or seat45,65formed or provided in the lower or bottom portion of each of the key holes44,64of the respective housings43,63. The key holes44,64of the housings43,63are also aligned with the key holes33,53of the weight members30and the weight elements50when the handle bars40,60are disposed or engaged between the weight members30and the weight elements50respectively. The housings43,63each further include one or more (such as two) slots430,630, such as dovetail slots430,630formed therein (FIGS. 6, 9), such as formed in the outer side portion thereof for receiving or engaging with the projections31,51at the inner side portion of the weight members30and the weight elements50and for anchoring or retaining or positioning the weight members30and the weight elements50to the housings43,63of the handle bars40,60respectively and selectively.

The dumbbell mechanisms3,5each further include one or more (such as two) rods or catches46,47and latches66,67(FIGS. 2-6 and 11-12) slidably received or engaged in the bore41,61of the handle bar40,60and extendible out of the housing43,63and the end portions42,62of the handle bar40,60, and engageable into the key holes44,64of the housings43,63and the key holes33,53of the weight members30and the weight elements50, for detachably or changeably or removably and/or adjustably attaching or mounting or securing the required or predetermined number of the two groups or the first and the second weight members30and the two groups or the first and the second weight elements50to the housing43,63or the end portions42,62of the handle bar40,60respectively. As shown inFIGS. 2-6 and 11-12, the catches46,47and the latches66,67each include an extension70extended downwardly from one end portion thereof and slidably engageable into and through the key holes44,64of the housings43,63and the key holes33,53of the weight members30and the weight elements50.

The catches46,47and the latches66,67each further include a follower or sliding member71slidably attached or mounted or secured to the extension70and anchored or retained to the extension70and arranged to be prevented from being disengaged or separated from the extension70, and a spring biasing member72engaged between the catches46,47and the latches66,67and/or the extension70and the spring biased sliding member71for biasing and forcing or moving the sliding member71downwardly relative to the catches46,47and the latches66,67and/or the extension70, and for biasing and forcing or moving the sliding member71to engage with the seat45,65of the handle bar40,60and the seat34,54of the weight members30and the weight elements50(FIGS. 2-5, 9-12) and for selectively anchoring or retaining or positioning the catches46,47and the latches66,67to the housings43,63and the weight members30and the weight elements50respectively.

In operation, as shown inFIG. 11, when the handle bar40,60is disengaged or separated from the weight members30and/or the weight elements50, the spring biasing member72may bias and force and move the sliding member71to engage with the seat45,65of the handle bar40,60, for anchoring or retaining or positioning the catch46,47and/or the latch66,67to the handle bar40,60and for preventing the catch46,47and/or the latch66,67from being disengaged or separated from the handle bar40,60. As shown inFIG. 12, when the handle bar40,60and the required or predetermined number of the weight members30and/or the weight elements50are moved or disengaged or separated from the receptacle10, the spring biasing member72may bias and force and move the sliding member71to engage with the seat34,54of the weight members30and the weight elements50for anchoring or retaining or positioning the catch46,47and/or the latch66,67to the weight members30and the weight elements50and for preventing the catch46,47and/or the latch66,67from being disengaged or separated from the weight members30and the weight elements50.

As shown inFIGS. 7-8 and 11-12, the receptacle10further includes two or a first and a second racks or sliding members or followers80,81slidably received or engaged in the chamber12of the receptacle10and movable relative to each other, and the first and the second followers80,81each include one or more (such as two) carriers or seats or protrusions82extended upwardly therefrom and slidably engaged into and through the grooves14of the receptacle10respectively (FIGS. 6, 9-10) for guiding and limiting the followers80,81to slide or move relative to the receptacle10. The protrusions82of the followers80,81are provided for engaging with the sliding members71of the catches46,47and the latches66,67(FIGS. 2-5) and for disengaging or separating the sliding members71of the catches46,47and the latches66,67from the seat45,65of the handle bar40,60and the seat34,54of the weight members30and the weight elements50, and thus for allowing the catches46,47and the latches66,67to be moved through the key holes44,64of the housings43,63and the key holes33,53of the weight members30and the weight elements50, and thus for allowing the catches46,47and the latches66,67to be moved to engage with the required or predetermined number of the weight members30and/or the weight elements50.

As shown inFIGS. 10 and 12, when the handle bar40,60and the required or predetermined number of the weight members30and/or the weight elements50are moved or disengaged or separated from the receptacle10, the spring biasing member72may bias and force and move the sliding member71to engage with the seat45,65of the handle bar40,60and/or the seat34,54of the weight members30and the weight elements50for anchoring or retaining or positioning the catch46,47and/or the latch66,67to the weight members30and the weight elements50and for preventing the catch46,47and/or the latch66,67from being disengaged or separated from the weight members30and the weight elements50, and also for preventing the weight members30and the weight elements50from being disengaged or separated from the handle bar40,60.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the followers80,81each include a track or rack83,84formed or provided thereon, and a knob or rotating or actuating member85is pivotally or rotatably attached or mounted to or engaged with the receptacle10, and the actuating member85includes a gear or wheel86engaged with the racks83,84of the followers80,81for actuating or operating and moving the followers80,81relative to each other when the actuating member85is pivoted or rotated relative to the receptacle10, and thus for moving the catches46,47and the latches66,67to engage with the required or predetermined number of the weight members30and/or the weight elements50with the protrusions82of the followers80,81. A motor driving member87may further be provided and coupled to the wheel86for driving the wheel86to move the followers80,81relative to each other.

The receptacle10further includes a number of cavities or notches15(FIGS. 2-5 and 8) formed or provided therein and arranged beside the grooves14of the receptacle10, and the protrusions82of the followers80,81each include a detent or tongue88extended therefrom (FIGS. 3, 8) for selectively engaging with the notches15of the receptacle10and for anchoring or retaining or positioning the protrusions82and the followers80,81to the receptacle10at the required or predetermined or selected position, and a spring biasing member89is engaged with the protrusion82for biasing the tongue88of the protrusion82to engage with the notches15of the receptacle10.

As shown inFIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, when the housings43,63of the handle bars40,60and/or the weight members30and the weight elements50are disposed or engaged into the compartments11of the receptacle10respectively, the housing43,63may be contacted or engaged with the protrusions82for disengaging or separating the tongues88of the protrusions82from the notches15of the receptacle10, and for allowing the followers80,81to be slid or moved relative to the receptacle10. In operation, as shown inFIGS. 1-3, 9 and 11, the weight members30and the weight elements50may be disposed or engaged into the compartments11of the receptacle10respectively, and the handle bars40,60may be disposed or engaged between the weight members30and the weight elements50respectively. At this moment, the housing43,63may be engaged with the protrusions82for disengaging the tongues88from the notches15of the receptacle10, and for allowing the followers80,81to be slid or moved relative to the receptacle10.

As shown inFIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, when the housings43,63of the handle bars40,60are disposed or engaged onto the receptacle10, the protrusions82of the followers80,81may be engaged with the sliding members71of the catches46,47and the latches66,67for disengaging or separating the sliding members71of the catches46,47and the latches66,67from the seat45,65of the handle bar40,60and the seat34,54of the weight members30and the weight elements50, and thus for allowing the catches46,47and the latches66,67to be moved through the key holes44,64of the housings43,63and the key holes33,53of the weight members30and the weight elements50, and thus for allowing the catches46,47and the latches66,67to be moved to engage with the required or predetermined number of the weight members30and/or the weight elements50.

As shown inFIGS. 9-12, when the housings43,63of the handle bars40,60and/or the weight members30and the weight elements50are moved or disengaged or separated from the receptacle10, the spring biasing member72may bias and force and move the sliding member71to engage with the seat45,65of the handle bar40,60and/or the seat34,54of the weight members30and the weight elements50for anchoring or retaining or positioning the catch46,47and/or the latch66,67to the weight members30and the weight elements50and for preventing the catch46,47and/or the latch66,67from being disengaged or separated from the weight members30and the weight elements50, and also for preventing the weight members30and the weight elements50from being disengaged or separated from the handle bar40,60. The catch46,47and/or the latch66,67of the handle bars40,60may thus be easily and quickly and readily actuated or operated to engage with the required or predetermined number of the weight members30and/or the weight elements50by actuating or rotating the actuating member85relative to the receptacle10.

Accordingly, the adjustable dumbbell assembly in accordance with the present invention includes an easily and quickly adjustable structure for easily and quickly adjusting the weight of two adjustable dumbbell devices or mechanisms of the dumbbell assembly.