Weight plate with externally actuated spring loaded internal locking device

A weight plate for use with physical fitness equipment comprising a plate body with at least a main throughbore and, possibly, other throughbores passing therethrough. The body additionally has an internal bore within the thickness of the plate body which intersects the main central throughbore. A spring loaded selector pin is movably mounted within the internal bore to selectively engage and disengage the plate body to a post positioned in the main throughbore. A handle is mounted to the selector pin externally to the plate to selectively position the selector pin.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to body building equipment, in general, and, more particularly, to a weight plate having an internal, spring-loaded pin which is externally activated to conveniently, safely and simply ease the selection of weight plates in an exercise apparatus.

2. Prior Art

Bodybuilding equipment (also referred to as physical fitness equipment or exercise apparatus) often takes many forms to provide the resistance necessary to tear down muscle tissue during an exercise regime. Contemporarily, many ingenious resistance developing systems or machines have been developed utilizing, for example, systems which incorporate a selectable weight stack. By design, the known equipment allows a user to, within the module, increase weight as the available resistance is incrementally selectable. These systems often promise faster and better results for exercisers. Although history shows the ingenuity of the advancement of mechanical and/or biomechanics may benefit muscle growth, little or no effort has been made to simplify, make safer and contemporize the selectorized weight stack for over four decades.

Conventional weight stacks are, typically, multiple layers of metal-based plates which collectively amass an aggregate amount of weight. Generally, a weight stack includes a variety of rectangular weight plates, typically one inch thick and about 10 by 4 inches. Each conventional plate known in the art incorporates four boreholes therein. Three throughbores pass vertically through the thickness of the plate from the top surface to the bottom surface. The fourth bore passes horizontally from the front face within the width of the plate (between the top and bottom surfaces) and intersects the middle one of the three bore holes.

Two throughbores engage or receive a pair of spaced-apart guide rods and cause the plate to track vertically thereon. The middle throughbore accommodates a center post. The center post has multiple diametric throughbores therein to act as a recipient for a separate selector pin which passes through the fourth throughbore. Thus, each plate may be independently and selectively engaged as part of the weight stack by manually inserting the selector pin which is, typically, slightly longer than the width of a plate and has a knob of sorts on one end so that a user may better manipulate the selector pin. The pin is inserted through the fourth throughbore in the plate and a throughbore in the center post to lock the weight plate to the center post which is then moved when the apparatus is operated.

Although traditional weight stacks, such as those described above, have succeeded in carrying out the intended purpose, there are many areas for substantial improvement.

One key problem often associated with traditional weight stacks is that the selector pin is removable and is often misplaced, stolen or damaged whereupon it is replaced with a functionally and/or structurally inadequately sized pin. This inappropriate replacement historically has caused bodily injury due to the violation of the inherent design of the apparatus.

The removable pin also permits the user to easily modify the operation of the apparatus outside the manufacturer's design criteria for the plates and/or weight stack.

Additionally, there is a level of dexterity and hand-to-eye coordination required to effect the insertion of the selector pin in the horizontal throughbore of the weight and the center post which further limits the true and effective result.

Therefore, the need exists for a more easily manufactured weight plate having a construction that minimizes confusion on the part of the user, possibility for misuse or failure, and the possibility of injury to the user, yet retains the convenient exchange of weight without danger to the user. The weight plate of the present invention satisfies this need.

Reference is made to co-pending application entitled WEIGHT PLATE WITH EXTERNALLY ACTUATED INTERNAL LOCKING DEVICE by M. Nalley, filed on Jun. 16, 2004 and bearing Ser. No. 10/868,065.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The weight plate of the present invention provides a convenient, integrally assembled apparatus for enabling an internal pin to selectively engage or disengage an associated apparatus.

The weight plate includes a plate body with a central and two outwardly throughbores which pass vertically therethrough. The body additionally has an internal horizontal bore which intersects the central vertical throughbore within the thickness of the plate body. A selector pin is movably mounted within the internal horizontal bore to selectively engage the plate body to a center post of the associated apparatus which center post passes through the central throughbore. A positioning sleeve is mounted in the internal bore in the plate to selectively position the selector pin within the internal bore. A spring engages the selector pin to provide a positioning force to the selector pin within the positioning sleeve.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown a conventional weight plate100which is known in the art. Typically, multiple layers of metal-based plates are used to collectively amass an aggregate gross weight in a weight machine. Generally, a weight plate100comprises a rectangular body, typically about one inch thick and about 10 inches by 4 inches. A conventional weight plate100incorporates three vertical throughbores101,102and103which pass through the thickness of the plate from the top surface to the bottom surface. A fourth throughbore105passes horizontally through the width of the plate, i.e., from front to back between the top and bottom surfaces. Throughbore105intersects the middle throughbore103and passes therethrough into the plate on the other side of throughbore103.

In a typical utilization, throughbores101and102engage a pair of spaced apart guide rods106and107(shown in dashed outline). This arrangement permits the plate100to track vertically on the guide rods.

The middle throughbore103accommodates a center post108also shown in dashed outline. The center post108has multiple diametric throughbores109to act as a recipient for a selector pin110which passes through throughbore105. Each plate100may be independently selected by way of manually inserting the selector pin110which is, typically, slightly longer than the front-to-back width of any one plate and has a suitable knob110A at one end so that a user may better manipulate the pin. The pin is manually inserted through throughbore105and a throughbore109in the center post108(after moving the weights vertically up or down) to select a desired weight plate.

Although conventional weight stacks, such as those described above, have succeeded in carrying out the intended purpose, there are many areas for substantial improvement. For example, the selector pin110is frequently misplaced and replaced with a functionally and/or structurally inadequate sized pin. This inappropriate replacement has, historically, let to bodily injury due to the inherent design flaw which permits the freedom of user to openly modify the use of the system outside the manufacturer's intent and/or the plate's (weight stack) design.

Additionally, there is a level of dexterity and hand-to-eye coordination required to effect this “engagement” of the selector pin110in the throughbore105of the weight plate100which further limits usage of the weight system or apparatus.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is shown a cutaway view of the selector weight plate200of the instant invention. The selector weight plate200has the traditional rectangular configuration and is formed from a rigid material, such as iron, steel, urethane, rubber, plastic or a composite material. In order to provide a range of plates having varying weight, the dimensional characteristics of the plate often vary. As an example, a ten-pound weight plate may have a dimension of 10 inches long by 4 inches wide by 1 inch thick. These dimensions are illustrative only and are not limitative. The shape and size of the plate are subject to design preference.

The plate200is, typically, similar to the prior art weight plate formed with a middle throughbore203so as to accept a pin receiving adjustment bar (see center post108inFIG. 1) and two adjacent throughbores201and202which include low friction type bearings206and207, respectively. Throughbores201and202receive the vertical guide bars (see bars106and107inFIG. 1) which stabilize the selected plate.

The plate200is further formed with cavity205which permits the insertion and movement of the locking pin701(seeFIGS. 7-9) through the throughbore203and the center post108into bore end cavity205A when actuated by the external handle702. The outer end of cavity205is adapted to receive sleeve300(seeFIG. 4) which is inserted into the plate200. Cavity205includes an internal threaded portion205B which is adapted to threadedly receive and engage the interior end305of sleeve300.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown a plan view of one side surface of the weight plate200of the instant invention. The plate200is formed with internal cavity205at the front edge surface which permits the insertion of the pin assembly700(seeFIG. 7). The cavity205communicates with throughbore203which houses support post108. The threaded portion205B at the surface of cavity205is shown. The cavity205is properly sized to permit movement of the pin701when actuated at the external end thereof. It is understood that the cavity205may be formed in any side surface of the plate300as may be desired.

FIG. 4is a side view of the sleeve300which is generally cylindrical in shape with a threaded portion305adjacent end308of the cylindrical body. The threaded portion305is provided to engage the threaded interior section205B of cavity205in the weight plate (seeFIGS. 2 and 3). While not limited thereto, the sleeve300is, typically, fabricated of a high strength plastic material.

A generally hexagonal shaped end306is formed at the opposite end of sleeve300. The “hex” shape is generally useful for tightening and securing the threaded engagement of sleeve300within the cavity205in plate200by means of a wrench or the like.

FIG. 5is a view of the sleeve300from the right end thereof (as shown inFIG. 4). The “hex nut” end306is shown. In addition, the end view shows the slot310formed in the inner wall300A of the cylindrical body of sleeve300. The slot310selectively permits sliding travel of retaining pin711on engagement pin701therethrough (seeFIG. 3).

FIG. 6is a cutaway view of the sleeve300which shows the threaded end305thereof and the end surface308. The slot310in the inner wall300A is shown along with the discontinuous ledge311which is formed at the outer end of the inner wall300A.

FIG. 7is a plan view of the locking pin mechanism700. The mechanism includes a pin701which is, in effect, a rod or shaft formed of a suitably strong material such as but not limitative to steel or the like. The pin701is attached to (or integrally formed with) a suitable handle such as knob702. In a preferred embodiment, the pin701is formed of metal and threadedly attached to knob702which is manufactured of wood, plastic or the like.

The shaft of pin701includes a retainer ring703which is swaged, or otherwise fastened, to the pin701. The retainer ring703is properly sized to pass through the main body of cavity205but not the outer portion thereof.

In addition, a coil spring710encircles the shaft of pin701and is engaged by (or seated on) the retainer ring703.

A retaining pin711is formed or otherwise provided at the shaft of pin701. The retaining pin711, which may be swaged to the shaft701, extends radially therefrom. The retaining pin is sized to selectively pass through slot310(seeFIGS. 5 and 6) and to selectively engage the discontinuous ledge311in the sleeve300.

The weight plate200of the instant invention is assembled by forming the plate200as shown. The spring710is passed over the end of the shaft of pin701and into engagement with the retaining ring703before the knob702is attached to the outer end of the pin.

Likewise, the shaft of the pin701is passed through the sleeve300from the threaded end305. The knob702is then attached to the shaft of pin701thus capturing the spring710on the shaft of the pin701between the knob702and the bottom end308of sleeve300.

The sleeve300(with pin701therein) is then inserted into cavity205through the outer opening in the side wall shown best inFIG. 3. The threaded end305of sleeve300is then threadedly engaged with the threaded portion205A of cavity205. The sleeve300is snugly secured by means of a wrench or the like applied at the hex end306of the sleeve.

FIG. 8shows a cutaway view of the weight plate200in the unlocked (or disengaged) position relative to the support post108. That is, the pin701is, effectively, stored in the cavity205.

To store the pin701(or to release the pin701from engagement with the support post108), the knob702is rotated until the retaining pin711is aligned with slot310in sleeve300. The knob702is pulled outwardly along with pin701which passes through the sleeve300thereby compressing spring710between ring703and the inner end308of sleeve300. When the pin701(with the retaining pin711) has passed through the central aperture in the sleeve, the pin701is rotated so that the retaining pin711is out of alignment with slot310. The retaining pin711is locked against the inner ledge311at the outer end of sleeve300. At this point the pin701is disengaged from post108and the weight plate200can be added to or removed therefrom.

FIG. 9shows a cutaway view of the weight plate200with the pin701in the locked position relative to the support post108. In order to lock the weight plate200to the center post108, the knob702(and attached pin701) is rotated thereby aligning the retaining pin711with the slot310in sleeve300whereupon the spring710, compressed between sleeve end308and retainer ring703, is able to force the pin701inwardly into bore end205A via the diametric throughbore in support post108within throughbore203. The spring710maintains the pin701in the locked position and engages the plate to the support port until the pin701is released as discussed relative toFIG. 8.

Thus, it is noted that the locking mechanism remains with the weight plate but is readily accessed outside the dimensions of the plate for safety. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the many benefits and advantages afforded the present invention. Of significant importance is the ability to easily and safely select weight with a single finger while maintaining the advantage of providing an integrally formed and uniform system to reduce cost and liability exposure to the consumer.

Thus, there is shown and described a unique design and concept of a weight plate with externally actuated spring loaded internal locking device. While this description is directed to particular embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations which within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. It is understood that the description herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to be limitative. Rather, the scope of the invention described herein is limited only by the claims appended hereto.