Abstract:
An exercise device comprising a core element which may be generally spherical and interchangeable shells or covers which are mounted in an overlying relationship with the core to vary the total weight. The covers may have a two-part hinged construction or be segmented with the segments of each cover being interlocking. In one embodiment, the covers are sized to allow each cover to be mounted or nested one upon another in order to vary the weight. The cover may include two spherical panels having at least an outer wall element. Weight blocks, which can be mounted to the outer wall element or placed in a space between the outer wall element and an inner wall element, allow the mass of the cover to be adjusted. The exercise device may have attachment means to attach it to a bar unit, such as a barbell, or may be used as a free-standing exercise ball.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/816,165 filed Jun. 23, 2006. 
     
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an adjustable weight exercise device construction. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Numerous fitness and exercise routines or regimens utilize weighted devices which are manipulated by the user. Such well known devices include dumbbells and barbells, exercise or medicine balls, kettle bells, and the like. As the various muscles and muscle groups of an individual are of different size and strength, and different exercises are directed to different muscles and muscle groups, the weight or mass of the exercise device used by the user must be varied in accordance with the exercise performed. A weight appropriate for use in connection with a leg exercise, for example, may be much too heavy for use in an arm exercise. In addition, as the user becomes more fit, the appropriate weight for a given exercise normally increases. 
         [0004]    One way by which such variation is accommodated is by providing a series of weight elements of different weights or masses. Dumbbells, for example, are often provided in sets in a series of fixed weight increments. (Eg., 5 lb, 7.5 lb, 10 lb, etc.). Thus, an individual is required to purchase a full range of such incremental weight units to accommodate his or her needs in performing various exercise routines. 
         [0005]    Another mechanism for providing weight adjustment is to provide a series of weight element sub-units which may be mounted together to provide a particular desired weight. Such a mechanism is exemplified by barbell and dumbbell constructions in which individual weight plates are mounted on the barbell or dumbbell bar in the desired combination and locked in place by an appropriate clamping device. 
         [0006]    Alternatively, adjustable weight exercise devices have been provided in which a hollow shell is filled with a relatively dense flowable material, such as sand or water, to a desired degree and then sealed or capped. Marks or indicia on the shell may be provided to provide some indication of the corresponding mass or weight when the shell is filled to a certain level. 
         [0007]    All the foregoing, however, suffer from various shortcomings. Either a plurality of complete weight elements must be obtained and maintained, or the user must be prepared to fill and empty receptacles with risks of spillage, breakage and the like. The use of weight plates require clamps which may be difficult or inconvenient to tighten securely and can be lost. 
         [0008]    It is accordingly a purpose of the present invention to provide an exercise device construction allowing weight or mass adjustment to be effected in a simple and convenient manner. 
         [0009]    A further purpose of the present invention is to provide an adjustable weight exercise device adaptable to incorporation in a variety of device formats, such as an exercise ball, barbell or dumbbell. 
         [0010]    Yet a further purpose of the present invention is to provide an adjustable exercise apparatus of economical construction and assembly. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In accordance with the foregoing and other objects and purposes, an exercise device of the present invention comprises a core element which may, for example, be generally spherical. The core may be provided with means to allow it to be interconnected with other elements, such as a bar, to form an adjustable weight barbell or dumbbell system. 
         [0012]    In contradistinction to prior exercise devices in which the exercise device is in the form of a single hollow element variably filled with a mass to change its weight and then plugged, the present invention provides a plurality of overlying shell or cover weight elements that are mountable on the exterior of the core to vary the total weight. A shell or cover elements may comprise, for example, a plurality of panels or gores that may be assembled together about the entire periphery of the core. Alternatively, the shell or cover element may be of a two-part hinged panel construction which, when the two panels are separated or pivoted apart, allow the shell to be placed about the core and, when closed, cause the shell to closely embrace the enclosed core. The shell panels are constructed of an appropriate material, such as metal-filled plastic, the mounting of the shell on the core adding to the weight or the mass of the core in accordance with the specific construction and dimension of the shell. Complimentary fastening means may be located on the core and shell to allow the shell to be rigidly but removably mounted on the core. Alternatively, the individual panel of the shell may interlock with each other in a manner that retains them on the enclosed core. 
         [0013]    A plurality of shells may be provided, each shell having a different mass to provide a different degree of augmentation to the weight or mass of the core. The shells may be interchangeable upon the core, or alternatively may be constructed in graduating sizes to allow the shells to be mounted or nested one upon another on the core for weight augmentation. In such a construction, a shell is either mounted upon the core or upon a previously-mounted shell in accordance with the weight requirements and desires of the user. 
         [0014]    The shell element may comprise an outer wall element. A plurality of weight blocks allow the weight or mass of the shell element to be varied. The weight blocks may be mounted to the outer wall element or may be located in a framed aperture located between the outer wall element and an inner wall element. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    A fuller understanding of the present invention will be accomplished upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiments of the invention, when reviewed in connection with the annexed drawings, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an exercise device of the invention, showing a shell mounted on a core; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the exercise device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the exercise device showing a cover upon a core, with a lock device for the cover in an unlocked position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the exercise device showing the cover in an open orientation; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exercise device in accordance with the invention embodied in a barbell-like construction; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the exercise device of  FIG. 6  configured as a dumbbell; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exercise device of the invention depicting the nesting of cover elements upon a core; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the embodiment of the exercise device wherein the cover comprises two spherical panels which form a receiving aperture therebetween; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a core element resting inside the embodiment of the exercise device wherein the cover comprises two spherical panels having inner and outer wall elements which form a hollow surface therebetween for receiving weight blocks; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a partially cut away perspective view of an assembled weight device of the invention depicting a core and first and second shells of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    With initial reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , an exercise device  10  of the present invention may be in the form of a sphere or ball, although other shapes may be employed. The exercise device  10  includes a core element  12  and an overlying cover or shell element  14 . The core is constructed of any appropriate material, such as metal or a filled plastic composition, chosen to provide a desired weight or mass for the core when the core is utilized as an exercise unit without a shell. The core may also be of any appropriate diameter, chosen for the particular intended use of the exercise device. For use as a free-standing exercise ball, for example, the core may have a diameter of anywhere from 4 to 12 inches, while for use as the core of a barbell or dumbbell construction cores at the lower range of such sizes may be preferred. The core may be solid or hollow as appropriate for its size and desired weight. 
         [0028]    Shell  14  is constructed as a relatively thin body, having an inner surface or alternative means preferably configured to allow it to rest closely against the outer surface of the core element  12 . Typically, the outer surface of the shell will be of the same general shape as that of the core. As depicted in the figures, the shell  14  may be formed of two or more panels or sections  16  which together envelop substantially all of the core. While the figures depict the shell  14  fully covering the core, it is anticipated that other shell arrangements, covering less than substantially all of the core surface, can be employed. The individual shell panels or portions  16  may be substantially identical, as shown in the figures, or may be of differing shapes. 
         [0029]    Means are provided to retain the shell upon the core. When the shell covers more than 50% of the core surface, such means can be in the form of elements holding the shell sections together, without a mechanical coupling to the core itself. Thus, as shown in the figures, such retention means may be in the form of a hinge  18  and a lock  20 . Such a hinge and lock system may be effectively utilized when two individual shell portions or panels  16  are used. The hinge  18  connects the two panels  16  together, while allowing them to pivot apart, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , so that they may be placed upon or removed from the core  12 . The lock  20 , located diametrically across the cover from the hinge, allows the individual shell portions  16  to be retained together in a closed orientation, thereby retaining the shell upon the core  12 . The lock element  20  may comprise a pivoting lock arm  22  mounted adjacent an edge of a first cover element portion  16  and bearing a plug  24  at an end thereof, and a bore  26  adjacent a corresponding edge of the second cover element  16  to accommodate the plug in a snug, friction-fit manner to retain the shell portions elements together. Other lock constructions as know in the art can similarly be employed. 
         [0030]    Alternative retaining means can also be employed. For example, the inner surfaces of the shell portions  16  and the outer surface of the core  12  may be provided with complimentary hook-and-loop fastener elements, whereby the shell portions  16  are retained directly upon the core. The cover portions may be provided with interlocking means to join them together in the manner of puzzle parts to retain them upon the core. 
         [0031]    As with the core, the shell portions or panels may be manufactured from any appropriate material. Both the core and the individual shell portions be fabricated from a cast metal-filled epoxy plastic formulation, as known in the art. Such a construction can allow the weight of the shell to be chosen based upon the extent and nature of the metal fill. The thickness of the shell can be chosen in accordance with the shell&#39;s diameter and desired weight, and typically is expected to be in the range of 1 to 2 inches. 
         [0032]    With further reference to  FIG. 8 , an exercise device of the present invention may incorporate, in addition to a core element  12  and a shell  14 , one or more further shells  26 . The shells  26  may be fabricated in a manner analogous to that of shell  14 , but of shape and size such that they fit over the outer surface of the shell  14  or a previously-mounted further shell  26 . Thus, and as depicted in the Figure, use of the core element  12  provides an exercise device of a first weight, such as 3 lbs; adding the first shell  14  thereto provides a total weight of 5 lbs; and further addition of the shell  26  provides a total weight of 8 lbs. Various combinations of core and shells may be provided to give great flexibility in the construction of weight elements of varying weights for a full range of exercise needs. 
         [0033]    The combination of core  12  and shells  14 ,  26  may be incorporated into other exercise devices. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , cores  12  may each be provided with a bore, such as threaded receiving bore  28  into which a complimentary threaded end  30  of a handle, shown in the form of a bar unit  32  or  34 , is received. A single core and attached bar/handle may be used as is, or the bar units  32  and  34  may have complimentary joining means  36  at the ends opposite from those having the threaded couplings  30 , allowing the two bar units to be coupled together to produce an extended length bar, in the nature of a barbell bar. Shell elements  14  (and  26 ) may be provided with a bore  38 , depicted in phantom in  FIG. 1 , to accommodate the threaded end  30  of a bar unit when the shell is mounted on the core. The bore  38  may preferably be located along the line of intersection between two of the individual shell portions  16  to facilitate mounting of the shells upon a previously assembled barbell, and allowing the shells to be mounted upon and removed from the core without disassembling the barbell construction. Other connection means, such as bayonet type connections, snap-fit connectors, and the like may be used in place of threaded connections. 
         [0034]    When the complimentary joining means  36  of the bar units  32 ,  34  are in the form of a threaded receiving bore and threaded end having the same size and thread pitch as the bore  28  and threaded end  30 , the bar unit  34 , having two threaded ends, may be used to engage a pair of core elements as depicted in  FIG. 7 , whereby the length of the bar is shortened and the resulting construction is in the nature of a dumbbell. Once again, the overall weight of the dumbbell may be adjusted by the placing of one or more cover elements on the cores. 
         [0035]    A first preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . As seen therein, the shells  14  or  26  may comprise two hemispherical sections  36  each having an outer wall element  38  and an inner wall element  40 . The inner wall element has a peripheral flange  42 , which rests on a series of standoffs  44  molded in the interior of the outer wall element  38 . Screws  48  extend through bores in the flange and engage the standoffs to connect the inner and outer wall elements  38 ,  40  together. A hollow space  42  is formed between the wall elements, allowing a plurality of weight blocks  45  to be installed in receiving pockets or apertures  52  located on the inner surface of the outer wall. This allows the mass of the of shell to be adjustable, and allows the panel shells to made of a rigid, tough material without significant concerns regarding its density, as the mounted weights  45  are chosen as appropriate for the intended weight of the shell. Because the weight blocks  45  are internal to the shell, they may be of any appropriate material without undue concern regarding their appearance. Thus, for example, the weight blocks  45  may be chosen of an appropriate metal or metal alloy, and need not have a highly finished surface appearance. The weights may be user accessible, allowing them to be interchanged by the user upon separating the inner and outer wall elements  38 ,  40  or the wall elements may be permanently joined together to prevent separation and user access to their contents. 
         [0036]      FIG. 11  depicts an alternative construction for the invention and shows a cut away assembly of a core  52  and first and second overlying shells  54 ,  56 . As depicted therein, each of the shells have a pair of hinged outer wall element  58 . Rather than having complete inner walls, the shells each have a series of inwardly-directed pedestals  60  which may be fabricated integrally with the outer wall elements. The pedestals  60  are capped with covers  62 , with both the distal ends of the pedestals and the covers contoured to provide a mating surface for outer surface of the core or another shell about which the shell is mounted. Hinge  64  is mounted to the interior surfaces of the outer wall element to maintain a smooth outer surface for the shell. 
         [0037]    The outer wall elements  58  may provided with a thickened inner flange section  68  through which mounting bores  66  for bar unit  24  and the like extend. As shown, the bores are located at the bating interface between the two hinged wall elements of the shell. The end of the bar unit threads into an inner block  70  of core  52 , which block may be supported within the core by internal support flanges  72 . The block  70  may be of a different material form the surrounding portions of the core, thus allowing the block material to be chosen with proper regard for strength requirements, which may be different from or incompatible with those desired for the surrounding core portions. The size of the block  70  may also be chosen with consideration of the desired overall weight for the core. The end of the bar unit may be of a stepped construction as shown, wherein the mounting bore of each size shell are different, with larger shells having larger bores. 
         [0038]    The shells may also be provided with internal mounting pedestals  74  for weight units  76 . Each of the pedestals may have a planar base portion  78  and a central cylindrical stem  80 , upon which the ring-shaped weight units are mounted. A cover  82  hold the weight in position. The cover may be of a removable configuration to allow weight interchange. Preferably the pedestals are arranged evenly about the shell for a balanced weight distribution, and may be two in number, positioned perpendicularly to the hinged edge of the wall element. The pedestal stems  80  may have a length such that they extends inwardly a greater distance that the height of the positioning pedestals  60 . In such a case the outer wall of the adjacent inner shell, such as first shell  54  in the figure, is provided with a mating depression  84  to accommodate the pedestal end. The portion of the outer wall in which the depression is located may be internally thickened at  86  to provide the needed support for the depression. The thickenings may preferably be incorporated into the pedestal bases  78  for the weight units  76  of the shell. The engagement of the pedestal ends with the depression provides an alignment system for the shell units and provides additional rigidity to the assembled system. 
         [0039]    Other adaptations and modifications to the embodiments of the invention as presented herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, a core element may be provided with a removable integral handle to form a kettle bell-type exercise device. In such a case, the overlying covers would be provided with appropriate cut-out portions to allow them to be mounted on the core without interference with the handles.