Abstract:
An exercise device according to which at least one weight is disposed in the enclosure and is locked in the enclosure.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   This invention relates to an exercise device not unlike a kettlebell, and a method of adjusting the weight of same. 
   A standard kettlebell is a generally spherically-shaped cast iron weight with a handle attached. With a variety of functional motions, one can swing, pull and press a kettlebell between several positions (such as swing, rack, and lock) to achieve a wide range of fast, convenient and fluid workouts. 
   However, it is often desirable to change weights during a workout, depending on the particular exercise involved. This requires changing to a different kettlebell corresponding to the desired weight. Thus, an exerciser has to have several kettlebells of varying weights in order to complete one workout. 
   Therefore, what is needed is an exercise devise similar to a kettlebell, whose weight can be adjusted. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an exercise device according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the assembled device of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   An exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention is referred to, in general, by the reference numeral  10  in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. The device  10  includes a curved plate  12 , a handle  14  mounted to the upper surface of the plate  12 , and an externally threaded stem  16  affixed to the center of the inner surface of the plate. The plate  12 , the handle  14 , and the stem  16  can be formed integrally, or the handle and/or the stem can be secured to the plate in any conventional manner. 
   An upper, annular, curved, enclosure portion  20  has two circular open ends, one of which (the upper end as viewed in the drawing) is sized to receive the plate  12 . An annular flange, or lip,  20   a  extends out from the other end of the enclosure portion  20 , for reasons to be described. 
   A circular base  24  receives an annular, curved, lower enclosure portion  26  that has two circular, open ends, the lower one of which is supported by the base. To this end, an outer annular, radially-extending lip  24   a  is provided on the base  24  and is sized to receive the lower end of the enclosure portion  26 . The other end of the enclosure portion  26  is sized to receive the lower end of the enclosure portion  20 , with the lip  20   a  extending within the inner diameter of the corresponding upper portion of the enclosure portion  26  in a close fit. 
   An externally and internally threaded stem  28  is affixed to the center of the inner surface of the base  24 , and extends through the enclosure portion  26 . The stem  16  can be formed integrally with the base  24 , or it can be secured to the base in any known manner. 
   A weight assembly  30  is provided that consists of a series of stacked annular weights  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  and  30   d , each of which has a central opening slightly larger than the diameter of the stem  28  so that each weight can be placed around the stem. An internally threaded nut  32  extends over the upper weight  30   a  and threadedly engages the stem  28  to lock the weights  30   a - 30   d  in place. A central opening is provided through the nut  32  and it is understood that a lock washer, or the like, (not shown) can be provided, as needed to secure the nut in its locking position. The outer surfaces of the weights  30   a - 30   d  are slightly spaced from, and configured to generally conform to, the corresponding inner surfaces of the enclosure portions  20  and  26 . An internally threaded bore extends through the stem  28  and is sized to receive the stem  16  in a threaded engagement. 
   To assemble the device  10 , the lower enclosure portion  26  is placed over the base  24  with the stem extending through the enclosure portion. The weight assembly  30  is lowered into the enclosure portion  26  so that the stem  28  extends through the openings in the weights  30   a - 30   d . The nut  32  is then threadedly engaged with the upper end portion of the stem  28  to lock the weights  30   a - 30   d  in place. The upper enclosure portion  20  is then lowered over the weight assembly  30  until the lip  20   a  extends within the inner diameter of the corresponding upper portion of the lower enclosure portion  26  in a close fit. The plate  12  is then lowered over the enclosure portion  20  until the stem  16  threadedly engages the stem  28 . The plate  12 , and therefore the stem  16 , are rotated to tighten the plate, and therefore the upper enclosure portion  20 , relative to the lower enclosure portion  26  to enclose the weight assembly in the enclosure formed by the plate  12 , the base  24 , and the enclosure portions  20  and  26 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   Of course, the number of weights  30   a - 30   d  in the weight assembly  30  can be varied as necessary to change the overall weight of the device  10 . Also, one or more of the weights  30   a - 30   d  can be replaced by another weight of a different weight. In each case, the plate  12 , and therefore the stem  16 , are rotated until the engagement of the stem  16  with the stem  28  is released. The enclosure portion  20  and the nut  32  are removed and one or more of the weights  30   a - 30   d  are removed or replaced as needed, depending on the particular exercise. Then the above-described assembly procedure is repeated to lock the weights  30   a - 30   d  in place, and to lock the enclosure portions  20  and  26  between the plate  12  and the base  24 . 
   Therefore, when using the device  10 , one can change weights during a workout, depending on the particular desired exercise, without having to resort to use of another separate device. 
   VARIATIONS 
   It is understood that variations can be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the enclosure portion  26  can be placed on the base  24  after the weights  30   a - 30   d  are tightened over the base  24 , as described above. Also, the number of weights in the assembly  30  can be varied, and each weight  30   a - 30   d  of the assembly can be different from, or the same as, the other weights in the assembly. 
   It is understood that spatial references, such as “upper”, “lower”, “radial”, “outer”, “over”, “between”, “inner”, and “surrounding” are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the layers described above. 
   Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.