Abstract:
A system and method for covering weight plates is disclosed herein. Specifically, a system for covering weight plates can comprise a top sleeve comprising a first center orifice and a bottom sleeve comprising a second center orifice aligned parallel to the first center orifice. Additionally, the bottom sleeve can be connectable with the top sleeve.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to a system and method for covering weight plates. 
         [0002]    Today, some of the most commonly used training equipment in homes or gyms include resistance equipment, as weight benches and plate weights are often used for strength training Weight benches of different types are used to help users achieve correct posture and ensure the targeting of particular muscle groups. Additionally, weight benches are used in conjunction with other weightlifting equipment, such as barbells, dumb bells, and kettle bells. Due to frequent use, padded and/or upholstered weight benches often crack, tear, and/or rip open from constant wear and tear. Likewise, weight plates that are used with weight benches can also rust when unused and stored for a long time. 
         [0003]    A common method used to repair damaged weight benches involves taping or sewing a portion of the torn area. This method can prevent further damage on the torn area. However, not only will the damaged area look unsightly, but it can also result in discomfort for users from uneven surfaces or protrusions on the bench surface. Furthermore, taping the damaged area tends to be an exclusively temporary fix, as the torn portion can continuously tear again from frequent use and create additional damage. Having weight benches fixed by an upholsterer can be time consuming and costly. Repetitively scrubbing rust from metal weight plates or painting over the plates after cleaning the rust off can be tiring, inconvenient, costly, and time consuming. 
         [0004]    As such, it would be useful to have an improved system and method for covering weight plates. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A system and method for covering weight plates is disclosed herein. Specifically, a system for covering weight plates can comprise a top sleeve comprising a first center orifice and a bottom sleeve comprising a second center orifice aligned parallel to the first center orifice. Additionally, the bottom sleeve can be connectable with the top sleeve. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, a method for covering weight plates is disclosed herein. Specifically, a method for covering weight plates can comprise inserting a weight plate into a bottom sleeve and connecting a top sleeve to the bottom sleeve, where the bottom sleeve can be mateable with the top sleeve. The method can further comprise the step of inserting a weight bar through a center orifice of the top sleeve and the bottom sleeve. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a weight bench protected with plate sleeves and a bench cover. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates plate sleeves covering a weight plate. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates plate sleeves comprising a top sleeve and a bottom sleeve. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an embodiment of plate sleeves where a portion of top sleeve can be attached to a portion of bottom sleeve. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4B  illustrates another embodiment of plate sleeves that can form one or more handle openings. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a bench cover for a bench. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a bench cover that can enclose a bench through one or more hooded coverings. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an embodiment of bench cover that uses a fastening device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Described herein is a system and method for covering weight plates. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers&#39; specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a weight bench  100  protected with plate sleeves  101  and a bench cover  102 . Weight bench  100  can comprise any piece of bench equipment designed for weight training. Weight bench  100  can comprise a bench  103  and a rack  104 . Bench  103  can include various adjustable configurations, such as, but not limited to, flat, incline, or decline positions. Bench  103  can comprise a long bar portion on weight bench  100  designed for seating. Rack  104  can comprise a framework and/or stand that can attach to bench  103 . Rack  104  can hold free weight equipment, such as dumb bells and/or barbells. Plate sleeves  101  can be made of any material designed to protect and enclose weight plates that can be attached to free weight equipment. Bench cover  102  can be used to protect bench  103 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates plate sleeves  101  covering a weight plate  200 . Weight plate  200  can comprise different sizes, weight levels, and types. Weight plate  200  can be used to increase weight of adjustable weight barbell or set of adjustable weight dumbbells. Weight plate  200  can comprise metal and/or rubber material. In an embodiment where weight plate  200  comprises metal, plate sleeves  101  can be used to protect weight plate  200 . In such embodiment, plate sleeves  101  can comprise rust resistant material, which can include, but is not limited to rubber. Moreover, the visible surface of plate sleeves  101  can have various type of decoration, engravings, and/or other design materials. As an example, a visible surface of plate sleeves  101  can contain an embossed information and/or logos such as, a company name, brand name, and/or measurement of weight plate  200  (i.e. kilograms “KG” or in pounds “LBS”). Plate sleeves  101  can be clear or can comprise any kind of color and/or textures. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates plate sleeves  101 , which can comprise a top sleeve  301 , a bottom sleeve  302 , a center orifice  303  and a rim  304 . Top sleeve  301  can be the cylindrical top portion of plate sleeves  101  that can cover the top surface or one side of weight plate  200 . Bottom sleeve  302  can be the cylindrical bottom portion of plate sleeves  101  that can cover the bottom surface or the opposite side of weight plate  200 . Center orifice  303  can comprise a through hole on plate sleeves  101  that is centrally aligned with the central opening of weight plate  200 . Central orifice  303  can be an opening for receiving the bar of a barbell or dumbbell. Rim  304  can be the protruding member placed around the edge surface of plate sleeves  101 . 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, top sleeve  301  can be removed entirely from bottom sleeve  302 . In such embodiment, top sleeve  301  and bottom sleeve  302  can be separable from each other. As such, weight plate  200  can be easily placed into any of the plate sleeves  101 . In such embodiment, top sleeve  301  and bottom sleeve  302  can be attached together through a locking mechanism, such as a lock tight mechanism and/or any fastening device, which can include but is not limited to, zippers, and/or snaps. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an embodiment of plate sleeves  101  where a portion of top sleeve  301  can be attached to a portion of bottom sleeve  302 . In such embodiment, top sleeve  301  and bottom sleeve  302  can create have a large opening  401  where weight plate  200  can be inserted. As such, large opening  401  can be fastened through any fastening device  402 , which can include but is not limited to, zippers, and/or snaps. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4B  illustrates another embodiment of plate sleeves  101  that can form one or more handle openings  403 . Handle openings  403  can be used for weight plates  200  that comprise formed grip handles. In such embodiment, user can carry weight plates  200  with plate sleeves  101  attached through handle openings  403 . Moreover, handle openings  403  can use a tight lock mechanism and/or other fastening device, such as a hook and loop system, zippers, and/ or snaps to ensure that handle openings  403  can wrap around and attach together tightly. 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of bench cover  102  for bench  103 . Bench cover  102  can comprise soft, durable, and water-resistant materials, such as, but not limited to, rubber, plastics, leather and/or fabrics. Additionally, the bottom surface of bench cover  102  can comprise slide resistant material, such as, but not limited to, rubber, which can prevent bench cover  102  from sliding off bench  103 . Slide resistant material can ensure that bench cover  102  stays in place and does not crimple and cause discomfort for the user. 
         [0023]    Bench cover  102  can be used as a protective layer for bench  103  that can also provide an additional cushion for users. Moreover, the visible surface of bench cover  102  can comprise different textures, colors, and/or designs. As such, bench cover  102  can contain information, such as company name, logo, and/or brand name. In an embodiment where bench  103  can comprise a fixed flat weight bench  100 , bench cover  102  can form a single sleeve to cover the entire bench  103  surface. In another embodiment where bench  103  can comprise a back pad  501  and a seat pad  502 , one or more bench covers  102  can be used to protect bench  103 . In such embodiment, a seat sleeve  503  and a back sleeve  504  can be used to cover separate members of bench  103 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 6A  illustrates bench cover  102  that can enclose bench  103  through one or more hooded coverings  601 . Hooded covering  601  can be an extended covering attached at one or more edges of bench cover  102 . In one embodiment, hooded covering  601  can comprise a flexible and/or elastic material capable of stretching and/or returning to its original shape. As such, hooded covering  601  can tightly wrap under the surface of bench  103 . In this embodiment, some areas at the bottom portion of bench  103  can be exposed and not covered with hooded covering  601 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an embodiment of bench cover  102  that uses a fastening device  402 . In one embodiment, bench cover  102  can cover bench  103  entirely. In such embodiment, bench cover  102  can enclose the whole bench  103 . As such, fastening device  402  can comprise, for example, zippers, and/or snaps to fasten and/or unfasten bench cover  102 . 
         [0026]    Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”