Patent Publication Number: US-7588519-B2

Title: Exercise weight system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the present invention relates to weight-bearing exercise equipment, and more specifically to incremental weight systems for easily adjusting the weight applied to weight training devices such as barbells, dumbbells, and flat plate machines. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Individuals using weight training in a personal fitness regimen often desire to adjust the weight applied to any particular apparatus. Because most standard weight systems are adjustable only in 5 lb. increments, this presents a problem if a smaller adjustment increment is desired. The desire for smaller weights has given rise to auxiliary weights, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,735,777 and 5,040,787. The weights described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,777 use several discrete magnets to attach a circular body to a magnetic weight training apparatus. Unfortunately, these discrete magnets do not generally provide sufficient retention force to keep the auxiliary weight of U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,777 adhered to a coated training apparatus such as a barbell, dumbbell, or plate apparatus coated with rubber or plastic. Moreover, the weight system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,787 suffers from the drawback that it is not generally compatible with existing weight training equipment, because special retention abutments must be formed in the auxiliary weights. 
     It would be desirable to have an exercise weight system with finer adjustment increments (micro-adjustability) sought by weight trainers, coupled with the ability to adhere to both coated and uncoated weight training apparatus. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first embodiment of the present invention, an incremental weight for an exercise system includes an annular magnet encapsulated by a coating which covers at least a portion of the surface of said magnet. The annular magnet may be fabricated from either ferrite, or alnico, or from other magnetic materials as suggested by this disclosure and as otherwise may be known to those skilled in the art. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention a coating applied to the magnet may be composed of either an elastomer, such as silicone rubber, or other types of coatings, such as anti-slip coatings, and further may be filled with particulate material to increase its adhesion-promoting properties, also as suggested by this disclosure and as otherwise may be known to those skilled in the art. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, elastomeric mounting pads may be attached to a surface of a weight defined by an annular surface of said magnet. Such mounting pads aid in maintaining the present inventive weight securely adhered to the surface of a weight training apparatus. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, an exercise weight system preferably includes a primary weight training device and at least one incremental weight. The incremental weight is preferably configured as an annular magnet having a coating which encapsulates the surface of the magnet. The primary weight training device may be a dumbbell, a barbell, a flat plate apparatus, or other type of apparatus. 
     It is an advantage of an exercise weight system according to the present invention that micro-adjustment of a weight training apparatus may be achieved without the need for tools of any kind. 
     It is a further advantage of an exercise weight system according to the present invention that the present incremental weights may be employed with both coated and uncoated primary weights, without the danger of scratching delicate plated surfaces. This is a decided advantage when primary weights are plated with chrome or other metals. 
     It is a further advantage of the present exercise weight system that the inventive incremental weights may be stacked upon one another, so as to increase their versatility, as compared with known incremental or auxiliary weights. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily appreciated upon reference to the following disclosure when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of an incremental weight according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the first exemplary incremental weight shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the inventive first exemplary incremental weight of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the first exemplary incremental weight, as applied to a first type of dumbbell. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the first exemplary incremental weight, as applied to a second type of dumbbell. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the first exemplary incremental weight, as applied to a barbell. 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation (or side) view illustrating the first exemplary incremental weight, as applied to a weight training apparatus utilizing flat plate weights. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a second exemplary incremental weight embodiment having mounting pads according to one aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating an incremental weight embodiment according to the present invention applied to an Olympic Plate primary weight. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific exemplary embodiments thereof, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment consistent with the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of components set forth above and below, or as described and illustrated in the drawings. Apparatuses consistent with the present invention are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract included below, are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in a first embodiment, incremental weight  10  has a generally annular configuration. The annular configuration of weight  10  results in part from the annular configuration of generally annular magnet  14 , which is shown in section in  FIG. 3 . Magnet  14  has two annular faces,  22  (illustrated through a cut-away section of coating  18 ), and a central bore,  26 . Magnet  14  may be fabricated from a variety of suitable magnetic materials as suggested by this disclosure and as otherwise may be known to those skilled in the art. Such materials include, without limitation, ferrite, alnico, and other materials. Because magnet  14  occupies practically the entire space within incremental weight  10 , the present inventive weight exhibits vastly superior magnetic properties, and concomitant superior adhesion characteristics, as compared with known incremental weights. 
     Coating  18  preferably encapsulates the entire surface of magnet  14 . Coating  18  may be selected from groups of coatings including, without limitation, elastomers such as silicone rubber, plastics, and other coatings as suggested by this disclosure and as otherwise may be known to those skilled in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, coating  18  may be filled with particulate material to increase its adhesion-promoting properties. 
     When formulated from molded silicone rubber according to a selected embodiment, coating  18  enhances the durability of incremental weight  10  by providing a protective cushion, which is important if weight  10  utilizes a ceramic magnet, such as a ferrite magnet. In the case in which coating  18  is formed from silicone rubber, this will help to protect magnet  14  from damage if weight  10  is accidentally dropped. 
     In addition to protecting magnet  14 , coating  18  also provides increased adhesion, in the form of an anti-slip characteristic, to weight  10 . This increased adhesion results from the inherent friction promoting performance of the silicone, as well as from the friction promoting characteristic of first, or outer, annular, rib,  34 , which is formed integrally in coating  18 , and which extends about the outer periphery of annular surface  22  of magnet  14 , as well as from second, or inner, annular rib  38 , extending about the inner periphery of magnet  14 . Ribs  34  and  38  are especially useful for promoting adhesion to smooth-sided primary weight training devices. Radial ribs  42  work in concert with ribs  34  and  38  to promote adhesion of weight  10 . Ribs  34 ,  38 , and  42  also work to prevent unwanted harshness when weight  10  is moved rapidly into contact with a device such as a dumbbell or barbell. As mentioned above, in an exemplary embodiment, coating  18  may be filled with particulate material to increase its adhesion-promoting properties. 
     Ribs  34 ,  36 , and  42  offer yet another advantage, as they provide an amount of axially extending clearance sufficient to permit indicia, shown generally at  46  of  FIG. 1 , to be printed in raised type upon coating  18  without impairing the adhesion characteristics of weight  10 . Such indicia may include an advisory such as a preferred polarity for attachment of weight  10 . 
     The present incremental weight may advantageously be provided as a component part of an exercise system including not only one or more incremental weights  10 , but also one or more primary weight training devices. Accordingly,  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate incremental weight  10  applied to dumbbells  50  and  58 . The tenacious grip provided by magnet  14  maintains incremental weight  10  securely in contact with these and other known dumbbells.  FIG. 6  shows weight  10  applied to collar  56  of barbell  54 , with the weight  10  being attracted magnetically to the iron or steel collar  56 . Finally,  FIG. 7  shows incremental weight  10  applied to flat plates  66  of plate apparatus  62 . 
     In the second embodiment of  FIG. 8 , a number of mounting pads  30 , which may be fabricated from silicone rubber or other suitable friction promoting material, are applied to or integrated with an annular surface  40  of weight  10  defined by annular surface  22  of magnet  14 . Pads  30  enhance the non-slip capability of coating  18 . 
       FIG. 9  displays yet another exemplary use for the present inventive incremental weight. As seen in  FIG. 9 , incremental weight  10  adheres readily to the slab sides of Olympic Plate primary weights. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, these embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the invention. In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of structural components, materials, and structural variations, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, components, materials, parts, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the various Figures are not drawn to scale and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or a specific “embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments, and further, are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner and in any suitable combination with one or more other embodiments, including the use of selected features without corresponding use of other features. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular application, situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered part of the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     In addition, use of the term the disjunctive term “or” herein and throughout the claims that follow, is generally intended to mean “and/or”, having both conjunctive and disjunctive meanings (and is not confined to an “exclusive or” meaning), unless otherwise indicated. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the summary or in the abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations, modifications and substitutions are intended and may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.