Patent Publication Number: US-9895571-B2

Title: Adjustable exercise device

Description:
The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/049,173, filed 22 Feb. 2016, pending. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable exercise device or dumbbell or barbell or the like, and more particularly to an adjustable exercise device or dumbbell including an improved compact structure for allowing the weight members to be easily and quickly and readily and adjustably attached to or disengaged from the weight carrier or handle and for allowing the adjustable dumbbell to be easily operated by the user. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Typical exercise devices or barbells or dumbbells comprise a central handle member to be grasped or held by the user, and a number of weight plates to be attached onto the ends of the handle member for weight lifting or exercising purposes, or for exercising or training the upper muscle groups or the lower muscle groups of the user. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,478 to Liang, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,997 to Roth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,446 to Krull, U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,093 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,606 to Krull, U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,674 to Krull, U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,424 to Krull, U.S. Pat. No. 7,137,931 to Liu, U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,243 to Krull, U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,536 to Liu, U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,214 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,485,077 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,641 to Chen, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,025,613 to Wang disclose several typical adjustable dumbbells each comprising a number of weight plates or weight members selectively or adjustably attaching or mounting onto the handle shaft or handle bar that is provided for being held or grasped by the users to train the upper muscle groups or the lower muscle groups of the user, and a latch device attached onto the handle and/or the weighted plates for selectively or adjustably mounting or securing selected or different number of the weighted plates on the ends of the handle and for exercising or training the upper muscle groups or the lower muscle groups of the user. 
     A supporting base is further required to be provided for stably supporting the weight plates or weight members in place, and the latch device is required to be moved relative to the handle or the weight plates or weight members or actuated to engage with the required or selected number of the weighted plates or weight members when the weight plates or weight members are supported on or in the supporting base, and before the handle and the weight plates or weight members may be lifted or moved away from the supporting base, and the latch device is required to be moved relative to the handle or the weight plates or weight members or actuated to engage with and to couple the required or selected number of the weighted plates or weight members to the handle before the handle and the weight plates or weight members may be lifted or moved away from the supporting base. 
     However, the typical adjustable dumbbells include a complicated structure or configuration that may not be easily and quickly made or manufactured by the manufacturers and that may include a complicated making or manufacturing procedure and that may include a greatly increased manufacturing cost. 
     The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional adjustable dumbbells. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustable exercise device or barbell or dumbbell including an improved compact structure for allowing the weight members to be easily and quickly and readily and adjustably attached to or disengaged from the weight carrier or handle and for allowing the adjustable dumbbell to be easily operated by the users. 
     The other objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustable exercise device or barbell or dumbbell including an improved compact structure for allowing the adjustable exercise device or dumbbell to be made or manufactured by the manufacturers. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable exercise device comprising a number of weight members each including a groove formed therein, and the weight members each including a tongue extended laterally therefrom, a handle device including a handle bar having an end portion selectively engageable into the grooves of the weight members, and a hand grip disposed on the handle bar, a number of plates rotatably disposed on the handle bar and rotated in concert with the hand grip relative to the handle bar, the plates being selectively engageable between the weight members, and the plates each including an engaging element provided thereon for selectively engaging with the tongues of the weight members respectively when the plates and the hand grip are rotated relative to the handle bar, and for selectively anchoring a selected number of weight members to the handle bar of the handle device with the plates and for allowing the user to adjust the adjustable exercise device to different weight or the like, and a detecting device may further be attached to the handle device and includes a central processing unit, a weight detector electrically connected to the central processing unit for sending the detected weight signals to the central processing unit, and a displayer electrically connected to the central processing unit for sending signals to the central processing unit and for displaying a total weight of the handle device and the weight members, and/or for displaying the calories consumed by the user and calculated with the central processing unit. 
     The detecting device includes a timer electrically connected to the central processing unit for sensing and sending a timing signal to the central processing unit. The detecting device includes a transmitting unit electrically connected to the central processing unit for receiving and/or sending signals from and to the central processing unit. 
     The detecting device includes a switch electrically connected to the central processing unit for being actuated or switched and for sending the switching signals to the central processing unit. A first of the plates includes a number of protrusions extended therefrom for selectively engaging with the switch and for actuating the switch. 
     The handle device includes a shank for engaging into the grooves of the weight members and for anchoring the housing to the weight members and for preventing the housing from rotating relative to the weight members, and the shank includes a chamber formed therein for receiving or engaging with the detecting device. The shank includes an aperture formed therein and communicating with the chamber of the shank for receiving or engaging with the switch. 
     The handle device includes a follower disposed between the plates and the hand grip and rotated in concert with the plates and the hand grip relative to the handle bar, the follower includes a number of flaps extended therefrom and spaced from each other for forming a number of notches between the flaps, the shank includes a window formed in the shank, and the follower includes a number of ears for selectively aligning with the window of the shank, and the ears each include a numeral for being shown through the window of the shank. 
     The handle device includes a housing rotatably engaged on the handle bar, and the housing includes a spring biased latch for selectively engaging with either of the notches of the follower and for preventing the follower from being rotated relative to the housing, and the housing includes a casing having a compartment formed in the casing for slidably receiving or engaging with the spring biased latch. 
     The housing includes a spring biased projection engageable with the follower for anchoring and positioning the follower to the housing at selected angular positions, and the follower includes a number of depressions formed therein for selectively engaging with the spring biased projection and for solidly and stably anchoring the follower to the housing. 
     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 adjustable exercise device or barbell or dumbbell in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the adjustable dumbbell; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell, taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is another cross sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell, taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a further cross sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell, in which the handle and the weight members are removed or separated from the base support; 
         FIG. 6  is a still further cross sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell, taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is another partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell; 
         FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12  are still further cross sectional views similar to  FIG. 5 , illustrating the operation of the adjustable dumbbell; 
         FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C  are still further cross sectional views of the adjustable dumbbell, taken along lines  8 A- 8 A,  8 B- 8 B,  8 C- 8 C of  FIG. 3  respectively; 
         FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C ;  10 A,  10 B,  10 C;  11 A,  11 B,  11 C; and  12 A,  12 B,  12 C are still further cross sectional views similar to  FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C  respectively, illustrating the operation of the adjustable dumbbell as shown in  FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12  respectively; 
         FIGS. 13, 14, and 15  are still further cross sectional views similar to  FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C ;  9 A,  9 B,  9 C;  10 A,  10 B,  10 C;  11 A,  11 B,  11 C; and  12 A,  12 B,  12 C respectively, illustrating the operation of the adjustable dumbbell as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a further partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell; 
         FIG. 17  is a further cross sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell, taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a further cross sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell, taken along lines  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is another perspective view illustrating a handle device of the adjustable dumbbell; 
         FIG. 20  is a further partial exploded view illustrating the handle device of the adjustable dumbbell; and 
         FIG. 21  is a diagram illustrating a detecting device of the adjustable dumbbell. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1-6 , an adjustable dumbbell or barbell or exercise device in accordance with the present invention comprises a receptacle or base support  10  including one or more (such as two) side or end portions  11 ,  12  each having one or more (such as three) recesses or socket openings  13  formed therein for receiving or accommodating or engaging with the weight plates or weight members  20  respectively, and each having a projection or key  14  extended upwardly therefrom. The weight members  20  each include a U-shaped opening or groove  21  formed therein, and each include a depression or recess  22  formed in either or both of the side portions  23  thereof and communicating with the groove  21  of the respective weight member  20 , and the weight members  20  each further include a key or tongue  24  extended laterally and outwardly therefrom, such as extended into the recess  22  thereof and in line with or located below the groove  21  of the respective weight member  20 . 
     The adjustable exercise device or dumbbell further comprises a handle device  3  including a longitudinal spindle or handle bar  30  having a middle or intermediate portion  31  and two end portions  32 ,  33 , best shown in  FIGS. 3, 5, 7 , and a hand grip  34  rotatably disposed or provided on the middle or intermediate portion  31  of the handle bar  30  for being grasped or held by the user and for carrying or lifting or moving the handle device  3  and for allowing the adjustable dumbbell to be easily operated by the user. The hand grip  34  is rotatable relative to the handle bar  30  ( FIG. 3 ). One or more (such as two) end plates or end members  35 ,  36  are attached or mounted or secured to the end portions  32 ,  33  of the handle bar  30  respectively, for example, the end members  35 ,  36  are solidly and stably mounted or secured to the end portions  32 ,  33  of the handle bar  30  with latches or fasteners  37  respectively for allowing the end members  35 ,  36  to be pivoted or rotated in concert with the handle bar  30 . 
     One or more (such as two) followers  40  are rotatably disposed or provided on the end portions  32 ,  33  of the handle bar  30  and mounted or secured to the hand grip  34  and pivoted or rotated in concert with the hand grip  34  relative to the handle bar  30 , for example, the followers  40  each include a cylindrical member or drum  41  formed or provided on the middle or center portion thereof and rotatably engaged on the handle bar  30  and extended toward the hand grip  34  and engaged with or secured to the hand grip  34  with a toothed or serrated mechanism  42  ( FIG. 7 ) for allowing the followers  40  to be pivoted or rotated in concert with the hand grip  34  relative to the handle bar  30 . The followers  40  each include one or more (such as six), or a number of flaps  43  laterally extended from the outer peripheral portion thereof and equally spaced from each other and extended toward the hand grip  34  for forming or defining one or more (such as six), or a number of equally spaced gaps or notches  44  between the flaps  43 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 7 , the followers  40  each further include one or more (such as six), or a number of equally spaced ears  45  formed or provided or extended in the notches  44  of the followers  40  respectively, and the ears  45  each include a mark or digital or numeral  46  formed or provided thereon for weight indicating purposes. The followers  40  each further include one or more (such as six), or a number of equally spaced recesses or depressions  47  formed in one side portion thereof and faced or directed toward the hand grip  34 . One or more (such as three) spacing panels or plates  50 ,  51 ,  52  are also rotatably disposed or provided on the end portions  32 ,  33  of the handle bar  30  and disposed between the followers  40  and the end members  35 ,  36  respectively, and the plates  50 ,  51 ,  52  each include a cylindrical member or barrel  53  formed or provided on the middle or center portion thereof and rotatably engaged on the handle bar  30  and extended toward the other plates  50 ,  51  or the followers  40  for separating or spacing the plates  50 ,  51 ,  52  and the followers  40  from each other. 
     For example, the first plate  50  is disposed and arranged or located closer to the follower  40 , and the second plate  51  is disposed and arranged or located between the first and the third plates  50 ,  52 , and the third plate  52  is disposed and arranged or located closer to the end member  35 ,  36  respectively, the barrels  53  of the second and the third plates  51 ,  52  are extended toward the first and the second plates  50 ,  51  respectively, and the barrels  53  of the first and the second plates  50 ,  51  are extended toward the follower  40  and the first plate  50  respectively, and the barrels  53  of the plates  50 - 52  are engaged with or secured to the other plates  50 ,  51  and the follower  40  with a toothed or serrated mechanism  54  ( FIG. 7 ) for allowing the plates  50 - 52  and the followers  40  to be pivoted or rotated in concert with the hand grip  34  relative to the handle bar  30 . The plates  50 ,  51 ,  52  each include one or more engaging or anchoring members or elements  55 ,  56 ,  57  formed or provided on the outer peripheral portion of the plates  50 - 52  respectively, for selectively engaging with the tongues  24  of the weight members  20  ( FIGS. 13-15 ). 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C ;  9 A,  9 B,  9 C;  10 A,  10 B,  10 C;  11 A,  11 B,  11 C;  12 A,  12 B,  12 C; and  13 - 15 , the first plate  50  includes a single engaging element  55  which extends or which includes a length of about one third of the outer peripheral portion of the first plate  50 , and the second plate  51  also includes a single engaging element  56  which extends or which includes a length of about two thirds of the outer peripheral portion of the second plate  51 , and the third plate  52  includes three equally spaced engaging elements  57  each of which include a length of about one sixth of the outer peripheral portion of the third plate  52  for selectively engaging with the tongues  24  of the weight members  20  respectively when the followers  40  and the plates  50 ,  51 ,  52  are rotated relative to the handle bar  30  with the hand grip  34 , and for selectively anchoring or latching or retaining the selected numbers of the weight members  20  to the handle bar  30  of the handle device  3  with the plates  50 ,  51 ,  52  ( FIGS. 5 and 8-12 ). 
     In operation, as shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , the end portions  32 ,  33  of the handle bar  30  and the barrels  53  of the plates  50 - 52  may be engaged into the grooves  21  of the weight members  20  for allowing the weight members  20  to be engaged between the plates  50 - 52  and the followers  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 3, 5, 8-15, 8A -C;  9 A-C;  10 A-C;  11 A-C and  12 A-C, the followers  40  and the plates  50 - 52  may be rotated relative to the handle bar  30  with the hand grip  34  for selectively engaging the engaging elements  55 - 57  with the tongues  24  of the weight members  20  respectively, and for selectively anchoring or latching or retaining the selected numbers of the weight members  20  to the handle bar  30  of the handle device  3  with the plates  50 - 52  ( FIGS. 5 and 8-12 ) due to the arrangement or the engagement of the engaging elements  55 - 57  of the plates  50 - 52  with the tongues  24  of the weight members  20  respectively. 
     The adjustable exercise device or dumbbell further comprises one or more (such as two) control ferrules or housings  60  rotatably disposed or engaged on the handle bar  30  and/or the drums  41  of the followers  40  respectively, and an anchor lever or shank  61  mounted or secured to the respective housing  60  and to be engaged into the grooves  21  of the weight members  20  for anchoring or latching or retaining or positioning the housings  60  to the weight members  20  and for preventing the housings  60  from moving or pivoting or rotating relative to the weight members  30 , and the shank  61  includes an opening or window  62  formed and provided therein for selectively aligning with the ears  45  of the followers  40  and for allowing the numeral  46  of the ear  45  of the follower  40  to be seen through the window  62  of the shank  61  of the housing  60  selectively ( FIGS. 1, 2 ). The housings  60  each include an orifice  69  formed therein ( FIG. 7 ) for receiving or engaging with a spring biased projection  63  which is engageable with either of the depressions  47  of the followers  40  and for anchoring or positioning the follower  40  to the housing  60  at the selected angular position. 
     The housings  60  each further include a receptacle or casing  64  formed and provided therein ( FIG. 7 ), and a chamber or compartment  65  formed in the casing  64  for slidably receiving or engaging with a spring biased lock or latch  70  therein, and an orifice  66  formed in a bottom wall  67  of the casing  64  and communicating with the compartment  65  of the casing  64  for selectively receiving or engaging with the key  14  of the base support  10  ( FIGS. 3, 4 ). The casing  64  includes a spring biasing member  71  contacted or engaged with the latch  70  for biasing and forcing or moving the latch  70  to selectively engage with either of the notches  44  of the followers  40  that are formed or provided between the flaps  43  of the follower  40  ( FIG. 6 ) and to prevent the followers  40  and the plates  50 - 52  and the hand grip  34  from being pivoted or rotated relative to the handle bar  30  and the housings  60 , when the followers  40  and the handle device  3  are removed or disengaged or separated from the key  14  of the base support  10  ( FIGS. 5, 6 ). 
     In operation, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , when the handle device  3  and the followers  40  and the plates  50 - 52  are engaged into the grooves  21  of the weight members  20  that are supported on the base support  10 , and when the keys  14  of the base support  10  are engaged into the orifices  66  of the bottom wall  67  of the casing  64  respectively, the keys  14  of the base support  10  may be contacted or engaged with the latch  70  for moving or disengaging or separating the latch  70  from the notches  44  and the flaps  43  of the followers  40  and for allowing the followers  40  and the hand grip  34  of the handle device  3  and the plates  50 - 52  to be pivoted or rotated relative to the base support  10  and the handle bar  30 . At this moment, the keys  14  of the base support  10  are engaged with the orifices  66  of the bottom wall  67  of the casing  64  respectively such that the housings  60  are anchored or positioned or retained to the base support  10  and may not be pivoted or rotated or moved relative to the base support  10  and the handle bar  30 . 
     The followers  40  and the plates  50 - 52  may thus be easily and quickly rotated relative to the handle bar  30  with the hand grip  34  for selectively engaging with the weight members  20  and for selectively anchoring or latching or retaining the selected numbers of the weight members  20  to the handle bar  30  of the handle device  3  with the plates  50 - 52  ( FIGS. 5 and 8-12 ). As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the handle device  3  and the followers  40  and the plates  50 - 52  are removed or disengaged or separated from the base support  10  and the weight members  20 , and when the keys  14  of the base support  10  are removed or disengaged or separated from the orifices  66  of the bottom wall  67  of the casing  64  of the housing  60 , the latch  70  may be biased and forced and moved to engage with either of the notches  44  of the followers  40  that are formed or provided between the flaps  43  of the follower  40  and to prevent the followers  40  and the plates  50 - 52  and the hand grip  34  from being pivoted or rotated relative to the handle bar  30  and the housings  60  at this moment. The above structure has been filed in a co-pending patent application. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16-20 , the handle device  3  may further include one or more partitions or spacers  58  disposed and arranged or located between the plates  50 ,  51  and the follower  40 . One of the plates  501  includes a number of bulges or protrusions  59  extended radially and outwardly therefrom. The adjustable dumbbell or barbell or exercise device further includes a detecting device  9  attached or mounted or secured to the handle device  3 . For example, one of the shanks  61  of the housing  60  and/or of the handle device  3  includes a compartment or chamber  68  formed therein ( FIGS. 17-18, 20 ) for receiving or accommodating or engaging with the detecting device  9 , and includes an aperture  680  formed therein ( FIG. 18 ) and communicating with the chamber  68  of the shank  61  of the housing  60  and/or of the handle device  3 . 
     The detecting device  9  includes a circuit board  90  received or engaged in the chamber  68  of the shank  61  of the housing  60  and/or of the handle device  3 , a detecting switch  91  attached or mounted or secured to the circuit board  90  and extended or engaged through the aperture  680  of the shank  61  and faced or directed toward the protrusions  59  of the plate  501 , best shown in  FIG. 18 , for selectively contacting or engaging with the protrusions  59  of the plate  501  and for being switched or actuated or operated by the protrusions  59  of the plate  501 . A processor device or central processing unit (CPU)  92  is received or engaged in the chamber  68  of the shank  61  and/or attached or mounted or secured to the circuit board  90  and electrically connected or coupled to the switch  91  for receiving signals from the switch  91 . 
     A timing device or timer  93  and/or a weight detecting device or weight detector  94  are also received or engaged in the chamber  68  of the shank  61  and electrically connected or coupled to the central processing unit  92  for sending timing and/or detecting signals to the central processing unit  92  ( FIG. 21 ). For example, the timer  93  may be used for sensing or detecting the time interval or the time period for how long the adjustable exercise device or dumbbell has been actuated or operated. The weight detector  94  may be used for sensing or detecting the total weight of the handle device  3  and the weight members  20  that have been attached to and carried with the handle device  3  and operated by the user. 
     A displaying device or displayer  95  and/or a telecommunicating or transmitting device or unit  96  are also received or engaged in the chamber  68  of the shank  61  and electrically connected or coupled to the central processing unit  92  for sending signals into and out of the central processing unit  92  ( FIG. 21 ). The displayer  95  may be used for showing or displaying the time interval or the time period for how long the adjustable exercise device or dumbbell has been actuated or operated, the total weight of the handle device  3  and the weight members  20  that have been attached to and carried with the handle device  3 , the calories consumed by the user and calculated with the central processing unit  92 , or the like. The transmitting unit  96  may be selected from a universal series bus (USB) interface, Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (wifi) etc., and may be used for signal receiving and/or transmitting purposes to and from personal computers (PC), notebooks, iPads, portable phones, etc. 
     Accordingly, the adjustable exercise device or dumbbell in accordance with the present invention includes an improved compact structure for allowing the weight members to be easily and quickly and readily and adjustably attached to or disengaged from the weight carrier or handle and for allowing the adjustable dumbbell to be easily operated by the users. 
     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.