Patent Publication Number: US-2021187341-A1

Title: Exercise device with cushioning device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an exercise device, and more particularly to an exercise device, such as a barbell, a kettle bell, or a dumbbell having a damping or cushioning device for cushioning and protecting the weight members of the exercise device and for preventing the weight members of the exercise device from hitting onto the ground or the supporting surface, and for preventing both the ground or the supporting surface and the weight members from being damaged. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various kinds of typical exercise devices, such as barbells, kettle bells, or dumbbells have been developed and provided for conducting various exercise operations, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,413 to Kupferman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,997 to Roth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,093 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,214 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,641 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,213 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 9,616,273 to Chen, and U.S. Pat. No. 10,343,010 to Chen disclose several of the typical dumbbells each including a number of weight rings or weight members that may be selectively or adjustably secured together for adjusting the weight of the dumbbells, and that may be held or carried with the user for conducting various exercise operations. 
     However, the weight rings or the weight members include a relatively greater weight, and the weight rings or the weight members may have a good chance to be disengaged or separated from the hand of the user inadvertently and may have a good chance to be hit or stricken onto the ground or the supporting surface, and both the ground or the supporting surface and the weight rings or the weight members may be damaged. 
     The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional barbells, kettle bells, or dumbbells. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an exercise device, such as a barbell, a kettle bell, or a dumbbell including a damping or cushioning device for cushioning and protecting the weight members of the exercise device and for preventing the weight members of the exercise device from hitting onto the ground or the supporting surface, and for preventing both the ground or the supporting surface and the weight members from being damaged. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercise device comprising a weight member, and a cushioning element attached to the weight member, and the cushioning element including an outer diameter greater than that of the weight member for allowing the cushioning element to be protruded out of the weight member and for hitting or engaging onto the supporting surface before the weight member hit or engaged onto the supporting surface, and for preventing the weight member from hitting onto the supporting surface, and for preventing both the ground or the supporting surface and the weight members from being damaged. 
     The cushioning element includes a wall member having an outer diameter greater than that of the weight member for hitting or engaging onto the supporting surface, and for preventing the weight member from hitting onto the supporting surface. The cushioning element includes a peripheral flange provided on an outer peripheral portion of the wall member and protruded out of the weight member for forming a chamber in the cushioning element and for receiving the weight member. The cushioning element includes a fastening member, such as a latch, a screw or a bolt extended from the wall member for engaging with the weight member and for attaching the cushioning element to the weight member and for preventing the cushioning element from being disengaged or separated from the weight member. 
     A second weight member may further be provided, and a handle mechanism engaged between the weight member and the second weight member for coupling and securing the weight member and the second weight member together and for actuating and operating the weight member and the second weight member, and a second cushioning element attached to the second weight member for hitting or engaging onto the supporting surface before the second weight member hit or engaged onto the supporting surface, and for preventing the second weight member from hitting onto the supporting surface, and for preventing both the ground or the supporting surface and the second weight members from being damaged. 
     The second cushioning element includes a wall member having an outer diameter greater than that of the second weight member for preventing the second weight member from hitting onto the supporting surface. The second cushioning element includes a peripheral flange provided on an outer peripheral portion of the wall member for forming a chamber in the second cushioning element and for receiving the second weight member. The second cushioning element includes a fastening member extended from the wall member for engaging with the second weight member and for attaching the second cushioning element to the second weight member. 
     Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial exploded view of an exercise device in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another partial exploded view of the exercise device; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the exercise device; 
         FIG. 4  is another partial perspective view of the exercise device; and 
         FIG. 5  is a plan schematic view illustrating the operation of the dumbbell assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , an exercise system in accordance with the present invention comprises a supporting base or stand  10 , and one or more receptacles  11  disposed and supported on the supporting base  10 , the receptacles  11  each include one or more depressions or recesses or compartments  13  formed therein for selectively receiving or engaging with an exercise device  2 , such as a barbell or a dumbbell  2  or the like, the exercise device or the barbell or the dumbbell  2  includes one or more (such as two) groups of weight member  20 ,  21 , such as first and second weight rings or plates or elements or members  20 ,  21 , and a handle mechanism  30  to be disposed and engaged between the two groups of the weight member  20 ,  21  for coupling or securing the weight members  20 ,  21  together and for carrying and actuating or operating the weight members  20 ,  21  of the exercise device  2 . 
     The exercise system further comprises a damping or cushioning device  4  including one or more (such as two) cushioning members or elements  40 ,  41  to be detachably or changeably or removably and/or adjustably attached or mounted or secured to the weight member  20 ,  21  for cushioning and protecting the weight members  20 ,  21  of the exercise device  2  and for preventing the weight members  20 ,  21  of the exercise device  2  from hitting onto the ground or the supporting surface  90  ( FIG. 5 ), and for preventing both the ground or the supporting surface  90  and the weight members  20 ,  21  from being damaged. 
     For example, the first and the second cushioning elements  40 ,  41  of the cushioning device  4  each include a recesses or space or compartment or chamber  42  formed therein and formed or defined by a body or wall member  43  and an outer peripheral wall or flange  44 , and arranged for allowing the weight members  20 ,  21  to be partially received or engaged in the chamber  42  of the cushioning element  40 ,  41 , and each include an attachment or lock or fastening member  45 , such as a screw or bolt  45  extended from the center portion of the wall member  43  of the cushioning element  40 ,  41 , for threading or engaging with the outermost weight member  20 ,  21  and for anchoring or attaching or mounting the cushioning element  40 ,  41  to the weight member  20 ,  21 . The outer peripheral flange  44  is formed or provided on the outer peripheral portion of the wall member  43 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the weight members  20 ,  21  each include an outer diameter smaller than that of the wall member  43  and/or that of the peripheral flange  44 , and/or the wall member  43  and/or that of the peripheral wall or flange  44  include an outer diameter greater than that of the weight member  20 ,  21  and arranged for allowing the peripheral flange  44 , and/or the wall member  43  to be extended or protruded out of the weight member  20 ,  21 , best shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In operation, as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the exercise device  2 , particularly the weight members  20 ,  21  of the exercise device  2  are disengaged or separated from the hand of the user inadvertently, the weight members  20 ,  21  of the exercise device  2  may have a good chance to be hit or stricken onto the ground or the supporting surface  90 , and both the ground or the supporting surface  90  and the weight members  20 ,  21  may be damaged. The cushioning elements  40 ,  41  that are extended or protruded out of the weight member  20 ,  21  may first be hit or stricken onto the ground or the supporting surface  90  for cushioning and protecting the weight members  20 ,  21  and for preventing the weight members  20 ,  21  from hitting onto the ground or the supporting surface  90  and for preventing both the ground or the supporting surface  90  and the weight members  20 ,  21  from being damaged. 
     Accordingly, the exercise device in accordance with the present invention includes a damping or cushioning device for cushioning and protecting the weight members of the exercise device and for preventing the weight members of the exercise device from hitting onto the ground or the supporting surface and for preventing both the ground or the supporting surface and the weight members from being damaged. 
     Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.