Abstract:
An attachable weight assembly having separable sections for attachment to a pole used in exercising. The weight assembly includes a elongated main body having a first end and a second end and a bore running through the first end, second end and elongated main body. The bore is sized to fit over a shaft. The first and second ends each have a storage area for secure storage of a molded weight. The elongated main body is separable into at least two main body sections. The main body sections are attached together using an attachment mechanism. A user attaches the weight assembly to the shaft for use during exercise.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/456,095 filed Nov. 1, 2010 and is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to exercise devices. Specifically, and not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a dumbbell weight assembly attachable to a pole. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     With the ever increasing sedentary life of people in the modern world, it has become important for individuals to maintain an exercise regime to maintain their health. There are a wide variety of ways to exercise. One type of exercise which has become very popular is Nordic walking. Nordic walking is fitness walking utilizing specially designed poles. This type of exercise has evolved from an off-season ski-training activity, which is also known as ski walking, hill bounding or ski striding. It has become a way of exercising year-round. Ski walking and hill bounding with poles has been practiced for decades as dry land training for competitive Nordic skiers. In addition, hikers with knee pain discovered they could walk with more power by using a pair of trekking poles, which often eliminates or reduces pain to hip, ankles, knees, feet and backs. Nordic walking involves the individual applying force to the poles with each stride. These Nordic walkers use more of their entire body and at a greater intensity which is not normally present in normal walking. Nordic walking includes the benefits of increased overall strength and endurance in the core muscles and the entire upper body of the Nordic walker. In addition, balance and stability are improved by using the poles. 
     In another aspect, lightweight hand weights are frequently used during exercise to improve strength and endurance while toning and shaping muscles. Repetitive motion with lightweight hand weights is an excellent blend of muscle endurance work and cardio-respiratory activity. Addition of hand weights while working the upper body increases aerobic exercise and caloric expenditure. 
     Benefits of aerobic training include increasing endurance, boosting High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, helping to control blood pressure, bone strengthening, helping to maintain normal body weight and improving one&#39;s sense of wellbeing. 
     It would be advantageous to have an apparatus which combines the benefits of Nordic walking with hand weights. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an attachable weight assembly having separable sections for attachment to a pole used in exercising. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a weight assembly attachable to a shaft. The weight assembly includes a elongated main body having a first end and a second end and a bore running through the first end, second end and elongated main body. The bore is sized to fit over a shaft. The first and second ends each have a storage area for secure storage of a molded weight. The elongated main body is separable into at least two main body sections. The main body sections are attached together using an attachment mechanism. A user attaches the weight assembly to the shaft for use during exercise. 
     In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an exercise system using a weight assembly attached to a shaft. The system includes a shaft of a component of any exercise equipment. The system also includes an elongated main body having a first end and a second end and a bore running through the first end, second end and elongated main body. The bore is sized to snugly fit over the shaft. In addition, the first and second ends each having a storage area and a molded weight insertable into the storage area. The elongated main body is separable into at least two main body sections. The main body sections are attached together using an attachment mechanism. A user attaches the weight assembly to the shaft for use during exercise. The shaft may be a pole used in Nordic walking. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are front views of the attachable dumbbell weight assembly in one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the dumbbell weight assembly of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the dumbbell weight assembly in an open configuration with the half section separated from an opposing half section; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of the dumbbell weight assembly; 
         FIG. 4B  is an opposite side view from  FIG. 4A  of the dumbbell weight assembly; 
         FIG. 4C  is a top perspective view of the dumbbell weight assembly; 
         FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of a fully assembled half section; 
         FIG. 5B  is a front perspective view of a disassembled half section; 
         FIG. 6A  is a side view of the dumbbell weight assembly; 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross sectional view of the dumbbell weight assembly along a line B; 
         FIG. 6C  is a cross sectional view of the dumbbell weight assembly along a line A; and 
         FIG. 6D  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the clamp assembly of the dumbbell weight assembly. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an attachable weight assembly for a pole. The present invention is an attachable dumbbell weight assembly  10  which adds a light hand weight to athletic poles, thereby increasing the aerobic workout of the user. The attachable dumbbell weight is added to the shaft of a pole used for hiking, snowshoes, skiing, etc.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are front views of the attachable dumbbell weight assembly  10  in one embodiment of the present invention. The attachable dumbbell weight assembly  10  includes a two piece dumbbell weight having opposing half sections  12   a  and  12   b .  FIG. 1A  illustrates the half section  12   a  attached to a shaft  14  and the half section  12   b  detached from the shaft  14 .  FIG. 1B  illustrates the half sections  12   a  and  12   b  attached to the shaft  14 . The shaft may be any cylindrical or oblong shaped object. However, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft is an exercise pole such as used in Nordic walking. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the dumbbell weight assembly  10  of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration.  FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the dumbbell weight assembly  10  in an open configuration with the half section  12   a  separated from the half section  12   b . When configured in the closed position (with half section  12   a  attached to the half section  12   b ), a central bore  16  is formed. The central bore is size and shaped to securely fit around the shaft  14 . The central bore  16  includes a bore half  16   a  and bore half  16   b  which may be lined with a nonslip compression material  18 . The dumbbell weight assembly  10  includes distal weight protrusions  20  located in each end  22  and  24  of an elongated section  26 . The weight protrusion  20  includes protrusion half  20   a  and  20   b . The elongated section  26  includes an elongated section half  26   a  and an elongated section half  26   b . The distal dumbbell weight protrusions  20  on each end of the dumbbell weight assembly  10  may include an insertable molded weight  30  having weight sections  30   a  and  30   b , which may vary in weight. The weight sections are sized and shaped to fit within the protrusion halves  20   a  and  20   b . Although, the protrusion  20  is illustrated as circular, the weight protrusion  20  may be any shape (e.g., octagonal, square, etc.). 
       FIG. 4A  is a side view of the dumbbell weight assembly  10 .  FIG. 4B  is an opposite side view from  FIG. 4A  of the dumbbell weight assembly  10 .  FIG. 4C  is a top perspective view of the dumbbell weight assembly  10 . The half sections  12   a  and  12   b  are held together by attachment mechanisms. The present invention may utilize any clamp or attachment mechanism, such as a living hinge, hook and pile strips, ski boot type closure devices, etc. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the dumbbell weight assembly  10  utilizes a living hinge clamp mechanism  40 . The living hinge clamp mechanism  40  includes a receiving member  42  located on one weight protrusion half and a extension member  44  located on an opposing weight protrusion half. The extension member  44  may be coupled to its opposing receiving member  42  and locked in place in a similar fashion found in fastening ski boots to a person&#39;s foot. In one embodiment, inner surfaces  50   a  and  50   b  of the weight protrusions  20   a  and  20   b  include a male to female connection to the opposite mirrored half, creating a stronger closure. As depicted, a male coupling member  52  is located on one inner surface (e.g., inner surface  50   b ) and a female coupling member  54  is located on an opposing inner surface (e.g., inner surface  50   a ). The male coupling member may include a protrusion which is sized and shaped to fit within the female coupling member  54  forming an indentation to receive the male coupling member. In alternate embodiments, the attachment mechanism (e.g., living hinge mechanism) may be located anywhere on the dumbbell weight assembly  10 , such as the elongated section halves  26   a  and  26   b.    
       FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of a fully assembled half section  12   b .  FIG. 5B  is a front perspective view of a disassembled half section  12   b . The nonslip compression material  18  may be constructed of separate grip sections.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict one of the grip sections, section  18   b . Each grip section is sized and shaped to fit within half of the central bore  16  (i.e., bore half  16   b ). The grip section may be removable. The grip, when located within the mirrored halves  12   a  and  12   b , creates a tight nonslip closure around the shaft  14 . Each grip section (e.g.,  18   b ) is removable and may vary in thickness to accommodate varying diameters of different shafts, which insures a nonslip closure of the dumbbell weight assembly  10 . As depicted in  FIG. 58 , the weight halves  30   a  and  30   b  may be fixed or removable. Removable weight halves  30   a  and  30   b  enable the insertable molded weights  30  to be replaced, thereby allowing heavier or lighter weights to be inserted to vary the weight, which enables a user to set the resistance and strength building level during movement. Alternatively, different weight amounts may be inserted as a fixed molded weight in  30   a  and  30   b  i.e. 1 or 2 pound weights so that a user may purchase a set of 1 or 2 pound weights. The exterior surface  80  of the elongated hand grip may contain grooves, contours, knurled or padding to more ergonomically fit to the user&#39;s hand. 
       FIG. 6A  is a side view of the dumbbell weight assembly  10 .  FIG. 6B  is a cross sectional view of the dumbbell weight assembly  10  along a line B.  FIG. 6B  illustrates the insertable molded weight  30  and the compression material  18 .  FIG. 6C  is a cross sectional view of the dumbbell weight assembly  10  along a line A.  FIG. 6C  illustrates the insertable molded weight  30 , the compression grip material  18 , the male coupling member  52  and the female coupling member  54 .  FIG. 6D  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the clamp assembly  40  of the dumbbell weight assembly  10 .  FIG. 6D  illustrates the receiving member  42  and the extension member  44 . 
     Each half of the dumbbell weight assembly  10  is clamped together to form an attachable weight to an athletic pole, such as a ski, hiking, or snowshoe pole. In addition, the clamped weight may be used separately as a hand weight. The mirrored half design creates an ease in manufacturing and simple design modality. 
     The weight may be attached anywhere along the shaft  14  as determined by the user&#39;s desire for resistance training and pole balance. The athletic pole (shaft  14 ) may be gripped at the proximal end and used in the usual fashion for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, etc. as the distal end strikes the ground. The attachable dumbbell weight preferably includes the nonslip material located in the bore  16  to prevent slippage of the weight on the athletic pole. The athletic pole may also be grasped on the grip of the attachable dumbbell weight which may be placed in the proximal to midshaft pole region. The pole may then be carried using the attachable dumbbell weight. The pole is preferably carried using and up and down pumping motion of the arms. Increasing the intensity of the pumping motion increases the cardiovascular workout using a high repetition low weight hand weight. Additionally, the attachable dumbbell weight may be used alone as a hand weight during walking or other exercises, providing a low weight high repetition endurance workout. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , the operation of the dumbbell weight assembly  10  will now be explained. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the half sections  12   a  and  12   b  are separated. The desired weight amount is inserted into the dumbbell weight assembly  10  by inserting the insertable molded weight halves  30   a  and  30   b  into the weight protrusions halves  20   a  and  20   b . Alternatively, precast molded weights  30   a  and  30   b  may already be inserted into  20   a  and  20   b . The half sections are position on the desired region of the shaft  14 . The bore halves  16   a  and  16   b  are positioned against an outer surface of the shaft  14 . The half sections  12   a  and  12   b  are held together by the clamp mechanism  40  whereby the extension member  44  is fit within the receiving member  42  and locked in place. The male coupling member  52  engages its corresponding female coupling member  54 . Furthermore, the nonslip compression material  18  prevents the weight assembly  10  from sliding up or down the shaft  14  when locked in place. With the dumbbell weight assembly  10  securely in place, the user may use the shaft (pole) to exercise with additional weight added to the pole. 
     The dumbbell weight assembly may be constructed of any rigid material, such as plastic, steel, or composite material. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the molded weights  30  may be liquids, granular solids or any other substance which may fill a hollow section within the protrusions  20 . It should be understood that any mechanism which changes the amount of weight on the weight assembly may be utilized and still remain in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the attachable weight may be applied to any shaft and used in many different applications, such as golf clubs, hockey sticks, fishing poles, bicycle frame tubes, canoe/kayak paddles, etc. In another aspect, the attachable weight may be used for physical rehabilitation patients and/or older people. The weight may be attached to canes, walkers, etc to add a low weight, repetition physical therapy. Furthermore, although the present invention is discussed using two sections, any number of sections may be utilized which allow the weight to be attached to the shaft. In addition, the attachable weight may assume different shapes to adhere to exercise equipment in the most ergonomically and aerodynamically efficient manner and to conform to varying shapes, tapers, and sizes of exercise equipment shafts. 
     The present invention provides versatility in low weight high repetition endurance training. The present invention provides a simple and easy way of adding weight to a shaft of a pole or other exercise equipment. Furthermore, the weight assembly may be modified to allow different weights to be applied to a shaft. In addition, the present invention provides a secure fastening of the weight assembly to the shaft. 
     While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility. 
     Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof. 
     It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.