Patent Publication Number: US-2003228960-A1

Title: Weight training device

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001] The invention relates to hand-held implements for exercising the human body.  
       [0002] Hand held implements can enhance the benefits of exercise, especially those movements involved in yoga, martial arts and physical therapy. The hand-held implements increase the weight of the arms in the movements, requiring exertion of muscular effort beyond that required for merely performing the yoga movements. The use of these implements makes it possible to strengthen and tone the arm, shoulder and chest muscles associated with movement of the arms.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003] The invention relates to a weight training device having a weight disk with a front face, a back face and a peripheral edge. Five fingers can be inserted into at least two finger cavities permitting a user to grip the weight disk in a comfortable manner for lifting purposes. The weight disk preferably has five finger cavities that extend through the thickness of the weight disk. In order to perform exercises the user grips the weight disk with his/her hand and lifts the disk into different arm positions. The disk adds weight to each of the movements strengthening the arm, hand and shoulder. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0004] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.  
     [0005] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:  
     [0006]FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the weight training device having five finger cavities on the front face of the weight disk;  
     [0007]FIG. 2 is a side view of the weight training device in FIG. 1;  
     [0008]FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of the weight training device with a central aperture;  
     [0009]FIG. 4 is a side view of the weigh training device from FIG. 3 with a central aperture and nut and bolt for the coupling of additional weight disks;  
     [0010]FIG. 5 is a third embodiment of the weight training device with two cavities, one of which accommodates the four fingers of the user; and  
     [0011]FIG. 6 is a fourth embodiment of the weight training device where the cavities for the fingers of the user are disposed on the peripheral edge of the weight disk. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0012] Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a weight training device  1  that is comprised of a weight disk  2 . Weight disk  2  has a substantially flat front face and back face, as well as a peripheral edge. Five finger cavities  3  are disposed through the faces of weight disk  2 . Finger cavities  3  are positioned so that the user&#39;s fingers are comfortably positioned to grip weight disk  2 . Five finger cavities  3  extend through the thickness of weight disk  2 . The user may grip and lift weight disk  2  for exercise purposes, specifically in yoga, martial arts and physical therapy exercises.  
     [0013]FIGS. 3 and 4 show weight disk  2  with a central aperture  7  that extends fully through weight disk  2 . A bolt  5  is inserted into central aperture  7  and extends out from the back face of weight disk  2 . Bolt  5  has a head  6  that is preferably shaped as a tapered cube, with the widest portion of the cube being at the end of head  6 . Central aperture  7  is preferably shaped as a tapered cube of substantially the same dimensions as head  6 . When head  6  of bolt  5  is inserted into central aperture  7  it is prevented from rotational movement.  
     [0014] Additional weight disks  8  have a central aperture  9 . Additional weight disks  8  may be slid onto bolt  5  through central aperture  9  when bolt  5  extends from the back face of weight disk  2 . Additional weight disks  8  are locked in place agains the back face of weight disk  2  by a nut  4  that preferably screws onto the end of bolt  5 .  
     [0015]FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment wherein weight disk  2  has two finger cavities  3  on its front face. A first finger cavity is positioned for the thumb of the user, while a second larger finger cavity is shaped and positioned to accommodate the remaining four fingers of the user. The second larger cavity may be C-shaped or teardrop-shaped.  
     [0016]FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment wherein weight disk  2  has five finger cavities  3 . A first finger cavity is positioned for the thumb of the user on the front face of weight disk  2 . The remaining four finger cavities  3  are disposed on the peripheral edge of weight disk  2 .  
     [0017] Accordingly, while at least one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.