Patent Publication Number: US-8992396-B2

Title: Adjustable dumbbell

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable exercise device or dumbbell 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 handle to be grasped or held by the user, and a number of weight plates to be attached onto the ends of the handle 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. 5,839,997 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, 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. 
     However, 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; i.e., the weight plates or weight members should be solidly and stably disposed and received and supported in 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. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,641 to Chen discloses a further typical adjustable dumbbell comprising a series of weighted plates to be attached onto the ends of the handle, and a lock nut should be attached onto the ends of the handle for selectively or adjustably mounting or securing or anchoring the weighted plates on the ends of the handle. 
     However, it takes a long time to thread and unthread the lock nuts from the handle in order to attach or mount the required or selected number of the weight plates or weight members onto or from the ends of the handle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,478 to Liang discloses a still further typical adjustable dumbbell comprising a series of weighted plates to be attached onto the ends of the handle, and to be engaged onto one another. 
     However, the smallest weighted plates should be attached or mounted or secured onto the ends of the handle with a threaded engagement, and it takes a long time to thread and unthread the smallest weighted plates to and from the ends of the handle, in addition, the smallest weighted plates may not be solidly and stably secured or locked or retained to the ends of the handle and may have a good chance to be disengaged from the ends of the handle inadvertently while in use, and the falling weighted plates may have a good chance to hurt the users. Furthermore, the weighted plates are only anchored or retained to each other with spring biased projections or detents or balls, and the weighted plates also may have a good chance to be disengaged from each other inadvertently while in use; i.e., the weighted plates may not be solidly and stably secured or locked or retained to the ends of the handle and/or secured or locked or retained together and may have a good chance to be disengaged from each other. 
     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 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 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 without supporting the weight members in a supporting base. 
     The further objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustable exercise device or dumbbell including an improved compact structure for allowing the weight members to be received and accommodated and engaged with each other to a compact folding or receiving or storing structure or configuration. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable exercise device comprising a handle including a first end member, a first spring biased latching element slidably received and engaged in the first end member of the handle, and selectively extendible out of the first end member of the handle, and including an inclined surface formed and provided on top thereof, a first base weight member including a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with the first end member of the handle and for allowing the first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto the first end member of the handle, and including an aperture formed in the first base weight member and communicating with the chamber of the first base weight member, and the first base weight member being contactable and engagable with the inclined surface of the first spring biased latching element for pressing the first spring biased latching element into the first end member of the handle and for allowing the first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto the first end member of the handle, and the first spring biased latching element being biased to engage into the aperture of the first base weight member when the first spring biased latching element is aligned with the aperture of the first base weight member, for anchoring and retaining the first base weight member to the first end member of the handle, and a first button slidably received and engaged in the first base weight member and aligned with the aperture of the first base weight member and the first spring biased latching element for selectively depressing the first spring biased latching element into the first end member of the handle, and for selectively disengaging the first spring biased latching element from the first base weight member and for allowing the first base weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from the first end member of the handle. 
     The handle includes a recess formed in the first end member, and a plate engaged into the recess of the first end member, and the plate includes an orifice formed therein for slidably receiving and engaging with the first spring biased latching element. The handle includes a cavity formed in the first end member for receiving and engaging with a spring biasing member of the first spring biased latching element. 
     The plate includes a flange extended into the orifice of the plate, and the first spring biased latching element includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with the flange of the plate and for limiting the first spring biased latching element to slide and move relative to the plate and for preventing the first spring biased latching element from being disengaged from the plate and the first end member of the handle. 
     The handle includes a second end member, a second spring biased latching element slidably received and engaged in the second end member of the handle, and selectively extendible out of the second end member of the handle, and an inclined surface formed and provided on top of the second spring biased latching element, a second base weight member having a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with the second end member of the handle and for allowing the second base weight member to be attached and engaged onto the second end member of the handle, and having an aperture formed in the second base weight member and communicating with the chamber of the second base weight member, and the second base weight member is contactable and engagable with the inclined surface of the second spring biased latching element for pressing the second spring biased latching element into the second end member of the handle and for allowing the second base weight member to be attached and engaged onto the second end member of the handle, and the second spring biased latching element being biased to engage into the aperture of the second base weight member when the second spring biased latching element is aligned with the aperture of the second base weight member, for anchoring and retaining the second base weight member to the second end member of the handle, and a second button slidably received and engaged in the second base weight member and aligned with the aperture of the second base weight member and the second spring biased latching element for selectively depressing the second spring biased latching element into the second end member of the handle, and for selectively disengaging the second spring biased latching element from the second base weight member and for allowing the second base weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from the second end member of the handle. 
     The handle includes a recess formed in the second end member, and a plate engaged into the recess of the second end member, and the plate includes an orifice formed therein for slidably receiving and engaging with the second spring biased latching element. The handle includes a cavity formed in the second end member for receiving and engaging with a spring biasing member of the second spring biased latching element. 
     The plate includes a flange extended into the orifice of the plate, and the second spring biased latching element includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with the flange of the plate and for limiting the second spring biased latching element to slide and move relative to the plate and for preventing the second spring biased latching element from being disengaged from the plate and the second end member of the handle. 
     The first base weight member includes a first spring biased catching element slidably received and engaged in the first base weight member, and selectively extendible out of the first base weight member, and includes an inclined surface formed and provided on top of the first spring biased catching element, an intermediate weight member includes a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with the first base weight member and for allowing the intermediate weight member to be attached and engaged onto the first base weight member, and includes an aperture formed in the intermediate weight member and communicating with the chamber of the intermediate weight member, and the intermediate weight member is contactable and engagable with the inclined surface of the first spring biased catching element for pressing the first spring biased catching element into the first base weight member and for allowing the intermediate weight member to be attached and engaged onto the first base weight member, and the first spring biased catching element is biased to engage into the aperture of the intermediate weight member when the first spring biased catching element is aligned with the aperture of the intermediate weight member for anchoring and retaining the intermediate weight member to the first base weight member. 
     The intermediate weight member includes a second button slidably received and engaged in the intermediate weight member and aligned with the aperture of the intermediate weight member and the first spring biased catching element for selectively depressing the first spring biased catching element into the first base weight member, and for selectively disengaging the first spring biased catching element from the intermediate weight member and for allowing the intermediate weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from the first base weight member. 
     The intermediate weight member includes a compartment formed therein, a panel engaged into the compartment of the intermediate weight member and having a hole formed therein for slidably receiving and engaging with the second button. 
     The panel includes an inner peripheral flange extended into the hole thereof, and the second button includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with the peripheral flange the panel and for limiting the second button to slide and move relative to the panel and for preventing the second button from being disengaged from the panel and the intermediate weight member. 
     The intermediate weight member includes a second spring biased catching element slidably received and engaged in the intermediate weight member, and selectively extendible out of the intermediate weight member, and includes an inclined surface formed and provided on top of the second spring biased catching element, an outer weight member includes a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with the intermediate weight member and for allowing the outer weight member to be attached and engaged onto the intermediate weight member, and includes an aperture formed in the outer weight member and communicating with the chamber of the outer weight member, and the outer weight member is contactable and engagable with the inclined surface of the second spring biased catching element for pressing the second spring biased catching element into the intermediate weight member and for allowing the outer weight member to be attached and engaged onto the intermediate weight member, and the second spring biased catching element is biased to engage into the aperture of the outer weight member when the second spring biased catching element is aligned with the aperture of the outer weight member for anchoring and retaining the outer weight member to the intermediate weight member. 
     The outer weight member includes a third button slidably received and engaged in the outer weight member and aligned with the aperture of the outer weight member and the second spring biased catching element for selectively depressing the second spring biased catching element into the intermediate weight member, and for selectively disengaging the second spring biased catching element from the outer weight member and for allowing the outer weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from the intermediate weight member. 
     The outer weight member includes a compartment formed therein, a panel engaged into the compartment of the outer weight member and having a hole for engaging with the third button. The panel includes an inner peripheral flange extended into the hole thereof, and the third button includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with the peripheral flange the panel and for limiting the third button to slide and move relative to the panel. 
     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 perspective view of an adjustable exercise device or barbell or dumbbell in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell; 
         FIG. 3  is another partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell, taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial exploded and cross sectional view illustrating the operation of the adjustable dumbbell; 
         FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11  are partial cross sectional views illustrating the operation of the adjustable dumbbell; and 
         FIG. 12  is a further partial exploded and cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 6 , illustrating the operation of the adjustable dumbbell. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1-4 , an adjustable dumbbell or barbell or exercise device in accordance with the present invention comprises a longitudinal shaft or handle  10  including a hand grip  11  formed or provided on the middle or center portion thereof for being grasped or held by the user and for carrying or lifting or moving the handle  10  and for allowing the adjustable dumbbell to be easily operated by the user, and including two end plates or end portions or end members  12 ,  13 , such as first and second end members  12 ,  13  each having a square, rectangular, or non-circular cross section, and each having a depression or compartment or recess  14  formed therein, such as formed in the upper portion thereof and opened upwardly, and each having a compartment or recess or depression or cavity  15  formed therein, such as also formed in the upper portion thereof and communicating with the respective recess  14  of the handle  10 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the cavity  15  of the handle  10  includes an area or length or width or dimension smaller than that of the recess  14  of the handle  10 . The handle  10  further includes an engaging or anchoring device or member or element  16  formed therein, such as formed in the lower or bottom portion thereof, for example, the anchoring element  16  may be selected from a bulge or projection or protrusion or depression  16  formed in the lower or bottom portion thereof and located distal to or opposite to the cavity  15  and the recess  14  of the handle  10 , and preferably directed or opened downwardly. It is preferable that the end members  12 ,  13  each include a height or width or dimension or outer diameter smaller or greater than that of the hand grip  11  for forming or defining a peripheral shoulder  17  between the hand grip  11  and the respective end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10 . 
     Two locking or latching devices  2  are provided and attached or mounted or secured to the end members  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  respectively, for example, the latching devices  2  each include a bar or panel or insert or plate  20  disposed or engaged into the recess  14  of the respective end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  and secured or anchored or retained to the respective end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  with latches or fasteners  19  respectively, and the plates  20  each include an orifice  21  formed therein for slidably receiving or engaging with a locking or latching element  23  therein, and each include an inner peripheral rib or flange  22  partially extended into the orifice  21  thereof, and the locking or latching element  23  also includes an outer peripheral flange or rib  24  extended radially and outwardly therefrom for selectively engaging with the peripheral flange  22  of the plate  20  ( FIG. 5 ) and for limiting the latching element  23  to slide or move relative to the plate  20  and for preventing the latching element  23  from being disengaged from the plate  20  and the respective end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the latching element  23  is slidable or movable relative to the plate  20  and partially extendible out of the plate  20  and/or the end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10 , and includes a tilted or inclined surface  25  formed or provided on top thereof, and includes a spring biasing member  26  disposed or engaged into the cavity  15  of the respective end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  and engaged with or between the latching element  23  and the respective end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  for biasing or moving or forcing the latching element  23  to partially extend out of the plate  20  and/or the end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10 , and/or for biasing or moving or forcing the tilted or inclined surface  25  of the latching element  23  to move out of the plate  20  and/or the end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10 , and arranged for allowing the latching element  23  to be selectively moved or depressed or compressed onto the spring biasing member  26  and into the orifice  21  of the plate  20 . 
     The exercise device further comprises one or more weight plates or weight members  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33 , such as smallest or inner or first or base weight members  30 , one or more middle or intermediate or second weight members  31 ,  32 , and greatest or outer or third weight members  33  to be selectively attached or mounted or secured onto the respective end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  in series, and the weight plates or weight members  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33  each include a chamber  34  formed therein and facing or directed or opened toward the respective end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10 , and each include another engaging or anchoring device or member or element  35  extended into the chamber  34  of the respective weight members  30 - 33 , and each include a further engaging or anchoring device or member or element  36  formed in the lower or bottom portion thereof and located below the anchoring element  35  thereof and/or formed or defined by the anchoring element  35  thereof. 
     For example, the chambers  34  of the smallest or inner or first weight members  30  each include a height or width or dimension or inner diameter or area equal to or slightly greater than the height or width or dimension or outer diameter or area of the end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  for receiving or engaging with the end member  12 ,  13  and for allowing the smallest or inner or first weight members  30  to be attached or mounted or secured onto the end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  respectively. The engaging or anchoring devices or members or elements  35  of the smallest or inner or first weight members  30  are engaged with the anchoring depressions or elements  16  at the end members  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  for anchoring or positioning or retaining the weight members  30  to the end members  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  and for preventing the weight members  30  from moving relative to the end members  12 ,  13  of the handle  10 . 
     The weight plates or weight members  30 - 33  each include a space or depression or cavity or compartment  37  formed therein ( FIGS. 2-3 ), such as formed in the upper portion thereof for attaching or mounting or securing or receiving or engaging with a locking or catching device  5  therein respectively, and a compartment or cavity or space or depression or aperture  38  formed therein, such as also formed in the upper portion thereof and communicating with the respective compartment  37  thereof ( FIGS. 3 ,  5 ) and also communicating with the chamber  34  thereof, and the smaller (except the smallest) weight members  30 - 32  each may further include a cavity or recess or space or depression  39  formed therein and also communicating with the respective compartment  37  thereof, and spaced or separated or offset from the aperture  38  thereof, but not communicating with the chamber  34  thereof. 
     When the smallest or inner or first weight members  30  are attached or mounted or secured onto the end member  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  respectively, the weight members  30  may be contacted or engaged with the tilted or inclined surfaces  25  of the latching elements  23  respectively and may move or depress or compress the respective latching elements  23  onto the spring biasing member  26  and into the orifice  21  of the plate  20  for allowing the weight members  30  to be attached or engaged onto the end members  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  respectively, and the latching elements  23  may then be biased or moved or forced to engage into the apertures  38  of the weight members  30  respectively when the latching elements  23  are aligned with the apertures  38  of the weight members  30  respectively, in order to solidly and stably catch or lock or latch the weight members  30  to the end members  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  respectively and to prevent the weight members  30  from being disengaged from the end members  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  respectively. 
     The locking or catching devices  5  are provided and attached or mounted or secured to the weight members  30  respectively, for example, the catching devices  5  each include a bar or insert or plate or panel  50  (for weight members  30 - 32 ),  60  (for weight member  33 ) disposed or engaged into the compartment  37  of the respective weight member  30 - 33  and secured or anchored or retained to the respective weight member  30 - 33  with latches or fasteners  40  respectively, and the panels  50 ,  60  each include a hole  51 ,  61  formed therein for slidably receiving or engaging with a button  53 ,  63  therein, and each include an inner peripheral rib or flange  52 ,  62  partially extended into the hole  51 ,  61  thereof, and the button  53 ,  63  also includes an outer peripheral flange or rib  54 ,  64  extended radially and outwardly therefrom for selectively engaging with the peripheral flange  52 ,  62  of the panel  50 ,  60  ( FIG. 5 ) and for limiting the button  53 ,  63  to slide or move relative to the panel  50 ,  60  and for preventing the button  53 ,  63  from being disengaged from the panel  50 ,  60  and the respective weight member  30 - 33 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the button  53 ,  63  is slidable or movable relative to the panel  50 ,  60  and prevented from being extending out of the panel  50 ,  60 , and arranged for selectively aligning with the latching element  23  when the latching element  23  is biased or forced to engage into the aperture  38  of the respective weight member  30 , and arranged for allowing the latching element  23  to be selectively moved or depressed or compressed onto the spring biasing member  26  and into the orifice  21  of the plate  20  with the button  53 ,  63 , and thus for allowing the weight members  30  to be selectively moved onto or disengaged from the end members  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  respectively when the latching elements  23  are depressed or compressed into the orifices  21  of the plates  20  respectively. 
     The panels  50  for the weight members  30 - 32  each further include a passage  55  formed therein for slidably receiving or engaging with a locking or catching element  57  therein, and each include an inner peripheral rib or flange  56  partially extended into the passage  55  thereof, and the locking or catching element  57  also includes an outer peripheral flange or rib  58  extended radially and outwardly therefrom for selectively engaging with the peripheral flange  56  of the panel  50  ( FIG. 5 ) and for limiting the catching element  57  to slide or move relative to the panel  50  and for preventing the catching element  57  from being disengaged from the panel  50  and the respective weight member  30 - 32 . As best shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the catching element  57  is slidable or movable relative to the panel  50  and partially extendible out of the panel  50  and/or the weight members  30 - 32 , and includes a tilted or inclined surface  59  formed or provided on top thereof for selectively engaging with the other weight members  31 - 33 . 
     The catching devices  5  each further include a spring biasing member  69  disposed or engaged into the depression  39  of the respective weight member  30 - 32  and engaged with or between the catching element  57  and the respective weight member  30 - 32  for biasing or moving or forcing the catching element  57  to partially extend out of the panel  50  and/or the weight member  30 - 32 , and/or for biasing or moving or forcing the tilted or inclined surface  59  of the catching element  57  to move out of the panel  50  and/or the weight member  30 - 32 , and arranged for allowing the catching element  57  to be selectively moved or depressed or compressed onto the spring biasing member  69  and into the passage  55  of the panel  50  with the other weight members  31 - 33  when the other weight members  31 - 33  are engaged onto the smaller weight members  30 - 32  respectively. 
     For example, when the other or relatively greater weight members  31 - 33  are attached or mounted or secured onto the relatively smaller weight members  30 - 32  respectively ( FIGS. 6-9 ), the weight member  31 - 33  may be contacted or engaged with the tilted or inclined surfaces  59  of the catching element  57  respectively and may move or depress or compress the respective catching element  57  onto the spring biasing member  69  and into the passage  55  of the panel  50  for allowing the relatively greater weight member  31 - 33  to be attached or engaged onto the relatively smaller weight member  30 - 32  respectively, and the catching elements  57  may then be biased or moved or forced to engage into the apertures  38  of the weight members  30 - 32  respectively when the catching elements  57  are aligned with the apertures  38  of the weight members  30 - 32  respectively, in order to solidly and stably catch or lock or latch the relatively greater weight members  31 - 33  to the relatively smaller weight members  30 - 32  respectively and to prevent the relatively greater weight members  31 - 33  from being disengaged from the relatively smaller weight members  30 - 32  respectively. 
     When the buttons  53 ,  63  of the relatively greater weight members  31 - 33  are aligned with the catching element  57  and when the catching element  57  is depressed or compressed into the passage  55  of the panel  50  with the button  53 ,  63  ( FIG. 10 ) and separated or offset or disengaged from the aperture  38  of the respective weight member  31 - 33  ( FIG. 11 ) for allowing the relatively greater weight members  31 - 33  to be moved relative to the relatively smaller weight members  30 - 32  respectively and to be separated or disengaged from the relatively smaller weight members  30 - 32  respectively ( FIG. 12 ) when required. It is to be noted that the smallest or inner or first weight members  30  may be solidly and stably attached or mounted or secured or locked to the end members  12 ,  13  of the handle  10  respectively with the latching elements  23 , and the relatively greater weight members  31 - 33  may be solidly and stably attached or mounted or secured or locked to the relatively smaller weight members  30 - 32  respectively with the catching elements  57 . No supporting bases are required to be provided for supporting the weight plates or weight members  30 - 33  in place when coupling the weight plates or weight members  30 - 33  together. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the buttons  53  of the inner weight members  30  are required to be aligned with the latching elements  23  of the end members  12 ,  13  of the handle  10 , and the catching elements  57  of the inner weight members  30  are required to be spaced or separated or offset from the buttons  53  of the inner weight members  30  and thus will also be spaced or separated or offset from the latching elements  23 . The buttons  53  of the intermediate weight members  31  are required to be aligned with the catching elements  57  of the inner weight members  30  for selectively moving or depressing or compressing the catching elements  57  of the inner weight members  30  onto the spring biasing members  69  and into the passage  55  of the panel  50  of the inner weight members  30 . The catching elements  57  of the intermediate weight members  31  are required to be spaced or separated or offset from the buttons  53  of the intermediate weight members  31  and thus will also be spaced or separated or offset from the catching elements  57  of the inner weight members  30 . Similarly, the buttons  53  of the outer intermediate weight members  32  are aligned with the catching elements  57  of the intermediate weight members  31 , and spaced from the catching elements  57  of the outer intermediate weight members  32 . 
     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.