Patent Publication Number: US-7223214-B2

Title: Adjustable dumbbell

Description:
The present invention is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/867,509, filed on May 31, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,093. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an adjustable dumbbell, and more particularly to an adjustable dumbbell assembly having an easily and quickly adjustable structure. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Various kinds of typical adjustable dumbbells have been developed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,690 to Schook, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,413 to Kupferman disclose two of the typical dumbbells each including one or more weight rings that may be selectively or adjustably secured together for adjusting the weight of the dumbbells. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,690 to Schook, the weight rings each includes an outer thread for threading with the inner threads of the other weight rings and for securing the weight rings together. It takes time to thread the weight rings together. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,413 to Kupferman, the weight rings are engaged on a core or a rod and each includes a number of posts for engaging into the holes of the other weight rings. It is also required to secure the weight rings together one by one. In addition, the weight rings may be rotated and disengaged from each other while in use. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,997 to Roth et al. discloses another typical adjustable dumbbell including a number of weight rings to be selectively or adjustably secured together with a shaft that is required to be rotated relative to the weight rings or the like. However, the weight rings or weight members may not be solidly secured to the shaft while in use. 
   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 dumbbell assembly including an easily and quickly adjustable structure. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable dumbbell assembly comprising a handle including a first end, a plurality of weights each including a channel formed therein to slidably and selectively receive the first end of the handle, a latch slidably engaged onto the first end of the handle, and slidably engageable into the channels of a selected number of the weights respectively, and a securing device for securing the latch to the first end of the handle, and to secure the selected number of the weights to the first end of the handle. 
   Each of the weights includes a groove formed therein and communicating with the channel thereof, to slidably receive the first end of the handle. The grooves of the weights include a width smaller than that of the channel to slidably receive the first end of the handle, the latch includes a width greater than that of the grooves of the weights. 
   The securing device includes at least one beam attached to the first end of the handle, and a catching device for catching the latch to the beam of the first end of the handle. The securing device includes a block secured to the first end of the handle, and the beam is secured to the block and thus secured to the first end of the handle. 
   The block includes at least one cavity formed therein to receive an end portion of the beam. The handle includes a plate extended from the first end thereof, the block includes a space formed therein to receive the plate. The handle includes an extension extended from the first end thereof and parallel to the beam, the latch is slidably engaged onto the extension of the handle. 
   The securing device includes a cap secured to the first end of the handle, and the cap includes at least one cavity formed therein to receive an end portion of the beam. The beam includes a plurality of projections extended from the beam and engaged with the weights, to position the weights to the beam, and to prevent the weights from moving along the beam. 
   The beam includes a passage formed therein, the securing device includes a rod secured to the latch and slidably engaged in the passage of the beam. The catching device includes a catch slidably engaged onto the rod for engaging with the beam, to catch and secure the latch to the beam. A spring biasing device may bias the catch to engage with the beam, and to catch and secure the latch to the beam. 
   The first end of the handle includes a passage formed therein to slidably receive the latch therein. The handle includes a second end, and a plurality of second weights may be selectively secured to the second end of the handle. 
   Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein below, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adjustable dumbbell assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell assembly; 
       FIG. 3  is another partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell assembly; 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the adjustable dumbbell assembly; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the adjustable dumbbell assembly; and 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view similar to  FIG. 5 , illustrating the operation of the adjustable dumbbell assembly. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1–5 , an adjustable dumbbell assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a base  10  including a recess  11  formed therein and defined by two side bulges  12 , for receiving or supporting a dumbbell device  3  therein. Each of the bulges  12  of the base  10  includes a number of socket depressions  14  formed therein. 
   The dumbbell device  3  includes a number of weights  31  each having a lower portion engageable or receivable in the socket depressions  14  of the base  10 , for allowing the weights  31  to be stably and erectly supported on the base  10 . However, the lower portions of the weights  31  may also be arranged to be erectly supported on ground without the base  10 . 
   Each of the weights  31  includes a groove, such as a vertical groove  32  formed therein and having an open top  33 , and includes a lateral channel  34  formed therein and communicating with or intersecting with the vertical groove  32  thereof. The lateral channel  34  of the weight  31  includes a width or an inner diameter greater than the width of the groove  32  of the weight  31 . 
   A rod or handle  40  includes two end portions  41  each having a plate  42  extended radially and outwardly therefrom, and each having an extension  43  extended laterally and outwardly therefrom, and each having an annular or peripheral passage  45  formed therein and provided around the extension  43  of the handle  40 . Each of the plates  42  includes one or more orifices  46  formed therein. 
   Two cylindrical latches  47  are slidably engaged onto the extensions  43  of the handle  40  respectively, and engageable into the peripheral passage  45  of the handle  40  respectively. Each of the cylindrical latches  47  includes a bore  48  formed therein to slidably receive the extensions  43  of the handle  40  respectively, and includes a screw hole  49  formed therein. 
   Two blocks  50  each includes a bore  51  formed therein to slidably receive the extensions  43  of the handle  40  respectively, and each includes a space  52  formed therein to receive the respective plate  42 . One or more fasteners  53  may be engaged through the orifices  46  of the plates  42  and threaded to the blocks  50 , to detachably secure the blocks  50  to the plates  42 . 
   Each of the blocks  50  includes one or more, such as two cavities  54  formed therein, and a notch  55  formed therein and communicating with one of the cavities  54  thereof. It is preferable that the cavities  54  of the blocks  50  are oppositely formed in the respective blocks  50 , and preferably provided or positioned on the opposite sides of the bore  51  thereof. 
   One or more, such as two beams  60  are parallel to the extensions  43  of the handle  40  and each includes one end received and/or secured in the respective cavities  54  of each of the blocks  50 , and each includes one or more slots  61  formed therein and defined by one or more projections  62 , and each includes a passage  63  communicating with the slots  61  thereof respectively. 
   Two caps  65  are secured to the free ends of the extensions  43  of the handle  40  with such as fasteners  66  respectively, and each has one or more, such as two cavities  67  formed therein, to receive the other ends of the beams  60  respectively, and to solidly secure the beams  60  between the caps  65  and the blocks  50 , and thus to solidly secure the beams  60  to the end portions  41  of the handle  40 . 
   It is to be noted that the beams  60  may also be formed integral with the end portions  41  of the handle  40 , as those disclosed in the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/867,509, filed on May 31, 2001, which may thus be taken as a reference for the present invention. The beams  60  may also be formed integral with the extensions  43  of the handle  40  respectively. 
   The extensions  43  of the handle  40  may thus be provided or extended between the beams  60 , and preferably include an outer diameter or a width no greater than the width of the beams  60  respectively, such that the beams  60  and/or the extensions  43  of the handle  40  may be moved into or through the grooves  32  of the weights  31  respectively. 
   In operation, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the beams  60  may be engaged into the grooves  32  of the weights  31  via the open top  33  of the weights  31  respectively. The projections  62  of the beams  60  are extended from the beams  60  and engaged between the weights  31 , to position the weights  31  to the beams  60 , and to prevent the weights  31  from moving laterally relative to the beams  60  and the handle  40 . 
   The cylindrical latches  47  are slidably engaged onto the extensions  43  of the handle  40  respectively, and are slidably receivable in the lateral channel  34  of the weight  31  respectively, and include an outer diameter greater than the width of the grooves  32  of the weights  31 , in order to selectively engage and latch the weights  31  to the beams  60  or the extensions  43  of the handle  40 . 
   Two rods  70  are secured to the cylindrical latches  47  respectively, or each includes a threaded portion  71  threaded to the screw holes  49  of the cylindrical latches  47  respectively, and thus moved in concert with the cylindrical latches  47  respectively. Two catches  72  are slidably engaged onto the rods  70  respectively and biased to engage with the beams  60  by springs  73 , for example. 
   The rods  70  are slidably engaged in the passage  63  of the beams  60  respectively, and may be moved along the beams  60  or the end portions  41  or the extensions  43  of the handles  40  respectively, in order to move the latches  47  along the end portions  41  of the handles  40  respectively, and so as to engage the latches  47  into the lateral channels  34  of the required number of weights  31 . 
   For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the latches  47  have been engaged into the lateral channels  34  of all or four of the weights  31  respectively, such that all or four of the weights  31  may be latched or coupled to the end portions  41  or the extensions  43  of the handles  40  respectively. Similarly, only two of the weights  31  ( FIG. 6 ) may be latched to each of the end portions  41  of the handles  40 . 
   When or after the latches  47  have been engaged into the lateral channels  34  of the required number of weights  31 , the catch  72  may be biased by the spring  73  to engage with the beam  60 , and retained or positioned between the projections  62  of the beams  60  respectively, so as to solidly latch or secure the latches  47  and the required or selected number of weights  31  together. 
   As also shown in  FIG. 6 , the latches  47  have not been engaged into the lateral channels  34  of the two outer weights  31 , such that the beams  60  may be moved out through the grooves  32  of the two outer weights  31  when the beams  60  and the handle  40  are lifted upwardly relative to the weights  31 , and such that the number of the weights  31  may be selectively attached to the handle  50 . 
   It is to be noted that the latches  47  are slidably engaged onto the extensions  43  of the handle  40  respectively, and may be easily and effectively moved along the extensions  43  of the handle  40  respectively with the rods  70  respectively, and thus to easily secure or latch the required or selected number of weights  31  to the end portions  41  or the extensions  43  of the handles  40  respectively. 
   The rods  70  may also be engaged into the notches  55  of the blocks  50  respectively, for allowing the latches  47  to be disengaged from the lateral channels  34  of all of the weights  31 , and thus for allowing the handle  40  to be disengaged from all of the weights  31  when the handle  40  is lifted away from the weights  31 , such that the users may also exercise with the handle  50  only. 
   Accordingly, the adjustable dumbbell assembly in accordance with the present invention includes an easily and quickly adjustable structure. 
   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.