Patent Publication Number: US-10315063-B2

Title: Exercise biased weight

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a Continuation application that claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to a non-provisional application, application Ser. No. 14/485,781, filed Sep. 14, 2014. The afore-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to an exercise weight, and more particularly to an exercise biased weight, which has an offset bore located offset a center of mass of the exercise biased weight to generate a downward weight force to against an unwanted shaking movement of the weight body when the exercise biased weight is lifted. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTS 
     Fitness has been a dramatically growth industry during the past decades. In particular, weight training becomes a common type of strength training to build up muscle and promote personal confident. At first, trainers used their physical body to achieve the physical training, such as push-up and sit-ups, in such a manner that the trainers exert an offset force against their personal weight to train their muscle. In order to promote the training result, a variety of exercise apparatus have been provided in the current market to meet the needs of the growing population of the people who is keen to physical fitness activities. Trainers use exercise bands incorporated with their body to tone their muscle, such that the equipment required is inexpensive and they can packs their exercise bands when traveling and work out wherever they want. However, those exercise bands are difficult to measure how much weight to be added on the trainer&#39;s body. 
     Barbell is another typical equipment for training the muscle. Trainers can selectively add or subtract weight plates on/from the barbell bar so as to adjust their training purposes. In other words, the barbell is a weight-adjustable structure. Although this training equipment is easy for the trainer to record their training process, loading weight plates on the barbell is usually a technique problem. Each circular weight plate has a center hole for inserting the barbell bar thereinto, wherein since the circular weight plate has its center of mass at the center thereof, the center hole will be located at the same spot of the center of mass of the weight plate. Therefore, when the barbell is inserted into the center hole of the weight plate, the center of the mass of the weight plate is located at the barbell bar. In order to smoothly insert the barbell bar into the center hole, the diameter of the center hole must be larger than the diameter of the barbell bar. Otherwise, the barbell cannot be inserted through the center hole. As a result, a clearance is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the center hole of the weight plate and the outer circumferential surface of the barbell bar. Accordingly, there are some common drawbacks for the weight-adjustable barbell structure. 
     The center hole of the weight plate at the center of mass thereof will cause unwanted vibration at the barbell during training. For example, when the trainers lift the barbell by two hands, the unbalanced lifting forces at two hands will exert to the barbell and cause the weight plates to shake easily. In order to overcome a shaking force generated between the barbell bar and the weight plates, the trainers must keep the lifting force in balance by twisting their wrists. In other words, the weight force of the weight plate will transfer to the wrists of the trainer but not the arms thereof. The excessive weight of the weight plates will cause injuries on the trainers&#39; wrists. 
     In addition, the weight plates are circular plates, so that when the barbell is dropped on the ground with the weight plates placed thereon, the center of mass of the weight plate will shift accordingly. In other words, the barbell will serve as a rotating axle that the weight plates will roll on the ground. 
     Furthermore, due to the location of the center hole of the weight plate, the usage area of the weight plate will be limited. If the manufacturers need to put their aesthetic design or logo on the weight plate, the size and orientation thereof will be limited to the peripheral portion of the weight plate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A main object of the present invention is to provide an exercise biased weight, wherein a through offset bore formed at the weight body at a position offset to the center of mass thereof, such that the weight body is lifted to generate a downward weight force to against an unwanted shaking movement of the weight body. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the exercise biased weight, wherein the weight body is formed in circular shape, such that the weight body can fit to any existing weight bar member. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the exercise biased weight, wherein the offset bore is located at an off-center of the weight body, such that the center of mass of the weight body is located below the location where the offset bore located is when the weight body is lifted. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the exercise biased weight, wherein the weight body has a light weight segment and a heavy weight segment to form the offset bore at the center of the weight body. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the exercise biased weight, wherein the light weight segment and the heavy weight segment can be made of the same material or different materials to create a weight difference between the light weight segment and the heavy weight segment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the exercise biased weight, which does not require to alter the original structural design of the weight training equipment having a weight bar member, so as to minimize the manufacturing cost of the weight body incorporating with the weight training equipment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the exercise biased weight, wherein no expensive and complicated structures are required to be employed in the present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objects. Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic and efficient solution that generates the downward weight force to against the shaking force so as to balance the exercise biased weight securely equipped with the weight training equipment. 
     According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by an exercise biased weight, comprising a weight body defining a center of mass, and a through offset bore formed at the weight body at a position offset to the center of mass thereof, wherein a diameter of the offset bore is slightly larger than a diameter of the weight bar member for enabling the weight bar member to slidably pass through the offset bore so as to retain the weight body at the weight bar member. Therefore, the weight body is lifted to generate a downward weight force to against an unwanted shaking movement of the weight body. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the present invention comprises a weight training equipment, comprising a weight bar member and a plurality of exercise biased weights selectively coupled at the weight bar member to adjust a weight loading force thereat. 
     Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims. 
     Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercise biased weight according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a weight bar member passing through an offset bore of a weight body when the weight body is lifted. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the exercise biased weight according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a plurality of exercise biased weights equipped with the weight training equipment. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exercise biased weight according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the light weight segment and the heavy weight segment. 
         FIG. 4  is a first alternative mode of the weight body of the exercise biased weight according to the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a second alternative mode of the weight body of the exercise biased weight according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, an exercise biased weight according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the exercise biased weight is adapted to incorporate with a weight training equipment, such barbell system or workbench system, having a weight bar member  20 . 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the exercised biased weight comprises a weight body  10  defining a center of mass  101 , and a through offset bore  30  formed at the weight body  10  at a position offset to the center of mass  101  thereof. In particular, a diameter of the offset bore  30  is slightly larger than a diameter of the weight bar member  20  for enabling the weight bar member  20  to slidably pass through the offset bore  30  so as to retain the weight body  10  at the weight bar member  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the weight body  10  can be cast or rubber coated to provide a predetermined weight. The weight body  10  has a disc-shape or circular shape with two opposed planar surfaces to define a thickness therebetween. Preferably, the center of mass  101  is located at a center portion of the weight body  10 . 
     The offset bore  30  is a circular through hole formed at an off-center of the weight body  10  and extended through the planar surfaces thereof. In particular, the offset bore  30  is located at the weight body  10  above the center of mass  101  of the weight body  10  when the weight body  10  is lifted, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, since the diameter of the offset bore  30  is larger than the diameter of the weight bar member  20 , a clearance  301  is formed between an inner circumferential surface of the offset bore  30  and an outer circumferential surface of the weight bar member  20 . In other words, when the weight body  10  is lifted, the weight bar member  20  at the offset bore  30  is located above the center of mass  101  of the weight body  10 . Therefore, the weight body  10  is lifted to generate a downward weight force g by gravity to against an unwanted shaking movement of the weight body  10 . In other words, when the weight body  10  is lifted, the shaking movement of the weight body  10  must overcome the downward weight force g thereof. As a result, the shaking movement of the weight body  10  will be minimized due to the downward weight force g. It is worth mentioning that when the weight body  10  is dropped on the ground, the downward weight force g will pull the weight body  10  toward the ground so as to prevent the weight body  10  being rolled on the ground. 
     Since the offset bore  30  is not located at the center of the weight body  10 , the usage area on each planar surface of the weight body  10  will not be limited by the offset bore  30 . Therefore, the manufacturers can put their aesthetic design or logo on the weight plate  10  at the center portion thereof without any limitation of the size and orientation of the design or logo. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the barbell system, wherein a plurality of exercise biased weights are selectively coupled at the weight bar member  20  to adjust the weight loading force thereat. For example, three pairs of weight bodies  10  are coupled at two end portions of the weight bar member  20  through the offset bores  30 . 
     It is worth mentioning that the exercise biased weight according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention can be incorporated with the existing workbench system, wherein the exercise biased weights are selectively coupled at the weight bar member  20  through the offset bores  30  to select the amount of resistance applied during the exercise. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an exercised biased weight according to a second embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the first embodiment, wherein the exercised biased weight comprises a weight body  10 A defining a center of mass  101 A, and a through offset bore  30 A formed at the weight body  10 A at a position offset to the center of mass  101 A thereof. Likewise, the diameter of the offset bore  30 A is slightly larger than a diameter of the weight bar member  20  for enabling the weight bar member  20  to slidably pass through the offset bore  30 A so as to retain the weight body  10 A at the weight bar member  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the weight body  10 A can be cast or rubber coated to provide a predetermined weight. The weight body  10 A has a disc-shape or circular shape with two opposed planar surfaces to define a thickness therebetween. Preferably, the center of mass  101 A is located at a center of the weight body  10 A. 
     The weight body  10 A has a light weight segment  11 A and a heavy weight segment  12 A, wherein the light weight segment  11 A is lighter than the heavy weight segment  12 A. In particular, a volume of light weight segment  11 A is smaller than a volume of the heavy weight segment  12 A. 
     According to the second embodiment, the light weight segment  11 A and the heavy weight segment  12 A are made of different materials. For example, the light weight segment  11 A can be made of plastic and the heavy weight segment  12 A can be made of metal. 
     The offset bore  30 A is a circular through hole formed at a center of the weight body  10 A and extended through the planar surfaces thereof. Accordingly, the center of mass  101 A of the weight body  10 A is located at the heavy weight segment  12 A thereof, wherein the offset bore  30 A is formed at the heavy weight segment  12 A and is located apart from the center of mass  101 A of the weight body  10 A. In particular, the offset bore  30 A is located at the weight body  10 A above the center of mass  101 A of the weight body  10 A when the weight body  10 A is lifted. Therefore, a clearance  301 A is formed between an inner circumferential surface of the offset bore  30 A and an outer circumferential surface of the weight bar member  20 . As a result, the weight body  10 A is lifted to generate a downward weight force g by gravity to against an unwanted shaking movement of the weight body  10 A. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a first alternative mode of the exercised biased weight according to the second embodiment, wherein the weight body  10 B has a light weight segment  11 B and a heavy weight segment  12 B. The light weight segment  11 B is lighter than the heavy weight segment  12 B. A volume of light weight segment  11 B is smaller than a volume of the heavy weight segment  12 B. Accordingly, the light weight segment  11 B and the heavy weight segment  12 B are made of the same material and are integrated with each other to form a unified body. In particular, a thickness of the light weight segment  11 B is smaller than a thickness of the heavy weight segment  12 B, such that the light weight segment  11 B is lighter than the heavy weight segment  12 B. Preferably, each of the light weight segment  11 B and the heavy weight segment  12 B has a uniform thickness. It is appreciated that the thickness of the light weight segment  11 B is gradually reduced from the heavy weight segment  12 B while the heavy weight segment  12 B has a uniform thickness. 
     The offset bore  30 B is a circular through hole formed at a center of the weight body  10 B and extended through the planar surfaces thereof. Accordingly, the center of mass  101 B of the weight body  10 B is located at the heavy weight segment  12 B thereof, wherein the offset bore  30 B is formed at the heavy weight segment  12 B and is located apart from the center of mass  101 B of the weight body  10 B. Therefore, the offset bore  30 B is located at the weight body  10 B above the center of mass  101 B of the weight body  10 B when the weight body  10 B is lifted. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second alternative mode of the exercised biased weight according to the second embodiment, wherein the weight body  10 C has a light weight segment  11 C and a heavy weight segment  12 C. The light weight segment  11 C is lighter than the heavy weight segment  12 C. Accordingly, the light weight segment  11 C and the heavy weight segment  12 C are made of the same material and are integrated with each other to form a unified body. 
     In particular, the weight body  10 C further has a through slot  13 C formed at the light weight segment  11 C, such that the light weight segment  11 C is lighter than the heavy weight segment  12 C. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the through slot  13 C is an arc-slot formed at the light weight segment  11 C of the weight body  10 C. 
     The offset bore  30 C is a circular through hole formed at a center of the weight body  10 C and extended through the planar surfaces thereof. Accordingly, the center of mass  101 C of the weight body  10 C is located at the heavy weight segment  12 C thereof, wherein the offset bore  30 C is formed at the heavy weight segment  12 C and is located apart from the center of mass  101 C of the weight body  10 C. Therefore, the offset bore  30 C is located at the weight body  10 C above the center of mass  101 C of the weight body  10 C when the weight body  10 C is lifted. 
     According to the above embodiments and their alternative modes, the offset bore is located above the center of mass of the weight body when the weight body is lifted. Therefore, the weight body is lifted to generate the downward weight force to against the unwanted shaking movement of the weight body so as to minimize the unwanted shaking movement of the weight body during training. In addition, the exercise biased weight of the present invention fits to any existing weight training equipment having the weight bar member, such that the exercise biased weight of the present invention can be a replacement of the conventional weight plate to put the exercise biased weight of the present invention on the existing weight training equipment. 
     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.