Patent Publication Number: US-2023149764-A1

Title: Adjustable dumbbell

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is in the field of personal exercise equipment and more specifically relates to an adjustable dumbbell system which allows for the configuration of a dumbbell for use with a user selectable number of weight elements. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Dumbbells are ubiquitous devices used for weight-training exercises. The strength of dumbbell users varies, and for a given user, the most effective amount of weight for an exercise varies from exercise to exercise, or from one point in time to another. As such, users typically desire a plurality of conventional fixed-weight dumbbells, or a dumbbell system which enables removal and replacement of a variety of weights. In a home or a small gym, it may be inconvenient or impractical to store a plurality of dumbbells, and it is inconvenient and time-consuming to remove and replace weights in dumbbells that enable it. 
     In response to these issues, adjustable dumbbells have been developed which allow users to rapidly change the weight. In many adjustable dumbbell systems, a change to the weight of the dumbbell is performed by placing the dumbbell in a dedicated base and manipulating a selector, which connects or disconnects weight elements from the dumbbell as necessary to achieve the desired weight. Many of these adjustable dumbbells are bulkier than their traditional counterparts due to their complex or delicate mechanisms, do not allow small increments of weight adjustment, or compromise on ergonomics. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, an adjustable dumbbell system, may comprise a dumbbell with a bar assembly and weight elements (plates) that may be selectably connected to the bar assembly, and a stand which may support the dumbbell or any idle weight elements in a ready position. The weight elements may be defined by only a thickness and a profile shape and may have no gaps between them when either mounted to the bar assembly or supported idle on the stand. 
     The bar assembly may comprise a hand-grip and a mechanism to selectably connect weight elements to the bar assembly. 
     Actuation of the selection mechanism may be enacted by rotating the hand-grip about the bar assembly&#39;s long axis to actuate sliding lock tabs which may selectably engage notches in individual weight elements, allowing the user to increase or decrease the quantity of weight elements locked to the bar assembly. The bar assembly may have a pattern of notches which may engage features of the weight elements to lock weight elements to the bar assembly in the direction of the long axis of the bar assembly. 
     In preferred embodiments, weight elements may be profile-cut steel plate, the bar assembly may be four pieces of profile-cut steel plate bolted or welded together and may have a molded-plastic hand-grip and a plastic gap-filler between the hand-grip and the steel components of the bar assembly, and the stand may be profile-cut and bent steel plate. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an adjustable dumbbell system comprising a bar assembly having a rotatable actuator rotatable about a long axis of the bar assembly; extendable engagement members disposed at opposite ends of the bar assembly and extendable along the long axis of the bar assembly, the extendable engagement members provided with external threading; the rotatable actuator provided with internal threading configured for meshing with the external threading of the extendable engagement members such that rotation of the rotatable actuator in a first direction imparts a first linear directional movement to distally extend the extendable engagement members, and rotation of the rotatable actuator in a second direction imparts a second and opposite linear directional movement to retract the extendable engagement members. 
     In addition to the bar assembly, the device comprises two spaced-apart sets of weight members, each of the weight members comprising an aperture configured for receipt of one of the extendable engagement members. 
     In operation of the adjustable weightlifting system, when the rotatable actuator is rotated in the first direction the extendable engagement members distally extend and pass through the aperture of one or more of the weight members in series thus engaging one or more of the weight members. Conversely when the rotatable actuator is rotated in the second direction, the extendable engagement members retract back out of the aperture of the one or more of the weight members in series to disengage from the one or more of the weight members. 
     In some embodiments, the rotatable actuator comprises a cylindrical hand grip disposed around a central portion of the bar assembly and rotatable about the long axis of the bar assembly. 
     In some embodiments the bar assembly comprises notched ends disposed at opposite ends of the bar assembly, the notched ends provided with laterally-disposed guideways, each extendable engagement member slidably disposed in one of the guideways. Where this is the case, the aperture may comprise a vertical notch from an upper edge of the weight member to a centre of the weight member, the vertical notch configured for receipt of one of the notched ends of the bar assembly, the vertical notch comprising a tab at a bottom of the vertical notch such that when the notched end is received in the vertical notch a notch of the notched end engages the tab to restrain distal movement of the weight member relative to the bar assembly. 
     In some preferable embodiments the aperture further comprises a horizontal notch positioned at the bottom of the vertical notch, the horizontal notch configured for receipt of the extendable engagement member, wherein when the notched end is received in the vertical notch and the hand grip is rotated in the first direction, the extendable engagement members move in the first linear direction passing through the horizontal notch of one or more of the weight members in series, such that lifting of the bar assembly will cause the extendable engagement members to press up against the horizontal notch and lift the one or more weight members, and wherein when the notched end is received in the vertical notch and the hand grip is rotated in the second direction, the extendable engagement members move in the second and opposite linear direction passing back out of the horizontal notch of one or more of the weight members in series to disengage from the one or more weight members. 
     Some embodiments of the invention also include a stand for receipt and support of the sets of weight members, the stand comprising notches for receiving the weight members and supporting the weight members in an orientation allowing the extendable engagement members to pass through the apertures. The weight members may be supported in a general vertical orientation, or may be supported in an orientation angled off of vertical. 
     In further embodiments of the invention the bar assembly further comprises a protuberance configured to engage the aperture and prevent rotation of the weight members relative to the extendable engagement members when the extendable engagement members are disposed in the apertures. 
     Some embodiments of the invention and system of the present invention further comprise corresponding holes in the rotatable actuator and the extendable engagement members and a pin configured for receipt in the holes, such that receipt of the pin in the holes prevents further rotation of the rotatable actuator relative to the extendable engagement members thereby securing the engagement of the extendable engagement members with the one or more of the weight members. 
     The adjustable weightlifting system of the present invention permits the selective loading of a dumbbell for use by a weightlifting user. As outlined above and throughout, the adjustable weightlifting system comprises two spaced apart sets of weight members placed to permit placement of an extendable bar assembly therebetween, each of the weight members including an opening configured to receive and engage an extendable engagement member of a bar assembly; and an extendable bar assembly comprising an elongate bar having a long axis and two extendable engagement members contained within and extendable from opposite distal ends of the bar along the long axis. Upon positioning the extendable bar assembly in a contracted position with the extendable engagement members retracted within the elongate bar, when the engagement members are extended from the distal ends of the bar assembly they can each extend through and engage the opening of one or more of the weight members in series resulting in a selectively weighted dumbbell for use. Upon retraction of the extendable engagement members into the elongate bar, when serially engaging one or more of the weight members, the extendable bar assembly will disengage from set weight members. 
     As outlined, the elongate bar could further comprise a rotatable actuator rotatable about the long axis which also includes internal threading capable of engaging external threading on the external engagement members. Upon rotation of the rotatable actuator in a first direction imparts a first linear directional movement to distally extend the extendable engagement members from the distal ends of the elongate bar, and rotation of the rotatable actuator in a second direction imparts a second and opposite linear directional movement to retract the extendable engagement members—when the rotatable actuator is rotated in the first direction, the extendable engagement members distally extend and pass through the opening of one or more of the weight members in series, thus engaging the one or more of the weight members; and when the rotatable actuator is rotated in the second direction, the extendable engagement members retract back out of the opening of the one or more of the weight members in series to disengage from the one or more of the weight members. 
     As outlined above certain embodiments of the present invention would include a bar assembly that comprises notched ends disposed at opposite ends of the bar assembly and provided with guideways, each extendable engagement member slidably disposed in one of the guideways. It will be understood that other approaches will also be understood by those skilled in the art and all are contemplated within the scope hereof. 
     In embodiments of the bar assembly that comprise notched ends at the opposing ends of the bar assembly with guideways, the corresponding openings in each weight member might comprise a vertical notch from an upper edge of the weight member to a centre of the weight member configured for receipt of one of the notched ends of the bar assembly; and a tab at a bottom thereof such that when the notched end of the bar assembly is received in the vertical notch, a corresponding notch of the notched end of said bar assembly engages the tab to restrain distal movement of the weight member relative to the bar assembly. 
     In some embodiments the opening of each weight member might also comprise a horizontal notch configured for receipt of the extendable engagement member, positioned at the bottom of the vertical notch—when a notched end of the bar assembly is received in the vertical notch and the hand grip is rotated in the first direction, the extendable engagement members move in the first linear direction passing through the horizontal notch of the one or more of the weight members in series, such that lifting of the bar assembly will cause the extendable engagement members to press up against the horizontal notch and lift the one or more weight members. In such embodiments, when the notched end of the bar assembly is received in the vertical notch and the hand grip is rotated in the second direction, the extendable engagement members move in the second and opposite linear direction passing back out of the horizontal notch of the one or more of the weight members in series to disengage from the one or more weight members. 
     The invention can also comprise a stand for the resting storage and positioning of the weight members, which will result in the resting support of the two spaced-apart sets of weight members in resting positions for engagement by the extension of the bar assembly, said stand comprising slots for receiving the weight members and supporting the weight members in an orientation allowing the extendable engagement members to pass through the openings. 
     Certain embodiments of the bar assembly of the present invention will also comprise a surface configured to engage an innermost of the weight members to prevent movement of the weight members along the long axis once engaged. 
     Certain embodiments of the dumbbell system of the present invention include a weight setting indicator system as a component of the rotatable actuator. The weight setting indicator system consists of a plurality of apertures extending through and disposed around the actuator through which the user can see at least a portion of at least one of the extendable engagement members through each aperture. The second component of the weight setting indicator system are selectively aligned weight indicia which indicate the total weight of the dumbbell system based upon the number of blade elements engaged by the extended engagement members. Either the individual apertures, or the engagement members themselves inside of the rotatable actuator, could include total weight setting indications which would indicate the weight of the dumbbell system based upon the alignment of a particular weight indicia with a particular aperture through the actuator. The user could selectively adjust the weight of the dumbbell while the dumbbell was in its resting position, by rotating the actuator until the selected aperture was aligned with the selected weight indicia indicating based upon the known weight of individual weight elements and the extended length of the engagement members what the total weight of the dumbbell is at the selected extension of the engagement members. 
     In certain embodiments of the weight setting indicator system, the weight indicia with the weight values or markings on the engagement members which become visible through an active aperture a corresponding selected weight of the dumbbell. 
     In certain embodiments of the weight setting indicator system, the weight indicia themselves would be the interior end of at least one of the engagement members which the user could see through the apertures and use as an alignment indicator with the apertures as labelled to select a desired weight of the dumbbell. 
     The user could use the weight setting indication system in these embodiments to selectively adjust the operating weight of the dumbbell by extending or retracting the engagement members until the appropriate weight indicia were aligned with appropriate aperture indicating the desired operating weight of the dumbbell. As the engagement members were retracted resulting in a decrease in the number of weight elements engaged and unattended decrease in the operating weight of the dumbbell, the weight indicia would align with apertures indicating a lower corresponding weight value. 
     In operation of the system of the present invention, the user can position the retracted bar assembly between the two spaced apart sets of weight members and extend the extendable engagement members to engage the desired number of weight members. Following the completion of weightlifting with the attached selected amount of weight, the bar assembly can be contracted again to remove the weights therefrom. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an example of the disclosure and, together with the foregoing general description and the following detailed description, delineate the principles of these examples: 
         FIG.  1    is an isometric view of an adjustable dumbbell system in accordance with an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a proximal isometric view of the bar assembly of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is an isometric view of the weight element of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is an isometric view of the handle of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view of the handle of  FIG.  2    taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    is an isometric view of a sliding lock tab of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a top plan view of the bar assembly of  FIG.  2    with the sliding lock tabs half extended; 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of the bar assembly of  FIG.  2    with the sliding lock tabs half extended; 
         FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional view of the bar assembly of  FIG.  2    taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG.  8    with the sliding lock tabs half extended; 
         FIG.  10    is an isometric view of the adjustable dumbbell system of  FIG.  1    showing the dumbbell raised from the stand, dumbbell having approximately two-thirds of the weight elements connected to the bar assembly; 
         FIG.  11    is an end view of the adjustable dumbbell system as portrayed in  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell system as portrayed in  FIG.  10    taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell system as portrayed in  FIG.  10    taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable dumbbell system as portrayed in  FIG.  10    taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  15    is an end view of an alternate embodiment of a weight element in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of a system in accordance with the present invention using the weight elements of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable weight system in accordance with the present invention including a weight setting indicator system; 
         FIG.  18    is a cutaway view of the article of  FIG.  17    demonstrating the interior components of the system involved in the weight setting indicator; 
         FIG.  19    is a side view of the rotatable actuator of  FIG.  17   ; and 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view of an extension element; 
         FIG.  21    is a side view of a rotatable actuator in accordance with  FIG.  17    demonstrating a larger plurality of viewing apertures disposed around the actuator for the purpose of weight setting indication. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, some well-known elements are not shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. The following description of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form of any exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense. 
     The present invention is directed to an adjustable dumbbell system for weight training exercises. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , an adjustable dumbbell system  100  is illustrated, which may comprise a dumbbell  101 , a bar assembly  102 , two stacks  103  of weight elements  104 , and a stand  105  to hold the dumbbell  101  while it is not in use, or any un-selected weight elements  104  while the dumbbell  101  is in use. The weight elements  104  comprising each stack  103  may not have gaps between them except where the dumbbell  101  is separated from weight elements left idle on the stand  105 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the bar assembly  102  may have two ends  106 , onto which a selectable quantity of weight elements  104  may be locked, which may start with the innermost weight elements  104 , progressively adding to the stacks  103  outward as the selected weight quantity is increased. Weight elements  104  may be restrained from moving distally along the long axis of the bar assembly  102  by pluralities of notches  108  at each end  106 , arranged so that the tab  113  on each weight element  104  has a notch  108  to be restrained by, said tabs  113  may be laterally alternated from one weight element  104  to the next in the stack  103 . Weight elements  104  may be restrained from rotating or moving proximally along the long axis of the bar assembly  102  by flat surfaces  111  on the bar assembly which contact the innermost weight element  104 ; any portion of the stack  103  of weight elements  104  that may be locked to the bar assembly  102  may also benefit from this restraint as there may not be gaps between weight elements  104 . The weight elements  104  may be selectably locked to the bar assembly  102  with the bottom  115  of the big notch  114  being held up to the bottom side of the bar assembly  102  by virtue of sliding lock tabs  109  which may be positionable along the long axis of the bar assembly  102  and otherwise restrained to the bar assembly  102  by the guideway  110 , and may bear against small notches  116  when the are extended to pass through said notches, serving to restrain weight elements  104  such that the notches  108  remain engaged to the tabs  113 . The position of the sliding lock tabs  109  along the guideway  110  may dictate the quantity of weight elements  104  locked to the bar assembly  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 ,  5 , and  6   , the hand grip  107 , which may be rotatably connected to the bar assembly  102 , may have internal threads  118  at each end, which may be of opposite hand on each end, which may engage partial external threads  120  on the lock tabs  109 . Referring to  FIG.  7   , rotation of the hand grip  107  by the user may impart linear motion to the lock tabs  109  by virtue of the internal threads  118  of the handle meshing with the partial external threads  120  on the lock tabs  109 . Referring to  FIG.  8   , the hand grip  107  may be equipped with a device to restrain rotation while the dumbbell is in use to prevent the tabs  109  from being retracted, which may ensure weight elements  104  are prevented from falling off; said device may be a removable pin inserted through hole  112  which may pass through the hand grip  107  and the bar assembly  102 . 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1   , at rest, the weight elements  104  may be arranged in the stand  105  with the bar assembly  102  placed down in the slot in the stacks  103  formed collectively by the big notches  114  in the weight elements  104 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  10  and  11   , when the bar assembly  102  is lifted from the stand  105 , a quantity of weight elements  104  are pulled out with the bar assembly  102 , said quantity may be dependent upon the position of the lock tabs  109  as set by the user; any remaining weight elements  104  may be held in a ready position in the stand  105  by virtue of notches  121  in the stand  105  matching the notches  117  of the weight elements  104  in the remaining stack, in a manner similar to that of the notches  108  in the bar assembly  102  matching the tabs  113  in the weight elements  104 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12 ,  13 , and  14   , the adjustable dumbbell system  100  as arranged as in  FIGS.  10  and  11    is shown in several cross-sectional views in order to describe the system for selectably locking the weight elements  104  to the bar assembly  102  with further clarity. 
     Referring to  FIG.  12   , the sliding lock tab  109  on one end  106  of the bar assembly  102  which may be confined by the guideway  116  is shown deployed in a position such that it passes through the small notches  116  of several weight elements  104 , ensuring the bottoms  115  of the large notches  114  remain engaged with the notches  108  of the bar assembly  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  13   , the notches  108  on the near side of the bar assembly  102  as cut by section line  13 - 13  in  FIG.  11    may restrain the tabs  113  on every second weight element  104  in the direction of the bar assembly&#39;s  102  long axis; and referring to  FIG.  14   , the notches  108  on the far side of the bar assembly  102  as cut by section line  14 - 14  in  FIG.  11    may restrain the tabs  113  on the remaining weight elements  104  in the direction of the bar assembly&#39;s  102  long axis. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, the notches  108  may be identical from one to the next, and the large notch  114  and bottom of the large notch  115  in each weight element  114  may be shaped to engage the bar assembly&#39;s  102  notches  108 . In still other embodiments, notches  108  may be substituted with tabs or some other protrusion and may require a gap between weight elements or additional processing to accommodate said tabs or protrusions. In still other embodiments, the arrangements of notches  108  may be on opposite faces of the bar assembly  102  rather than on the ‘bottom’ of it. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15  and  16   , and adjustable barbell system in accordance with the present invention is shown using an alternate configuration of the weight elements  104  and the notched ends  108 . Specifically, an asymmetrical feature  123  at the bottom  115  of the notch  114  may be used instead of a tab  113 ; the bar assembly  102  having corresponding notched ends  108  to axially restrain the weight elements  104 . 
     It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that by routine modification the present invention can be optimized for use in a wide range of conditions and application. It will also be obvious to those of skill in the art that there are various ways and designs with which to produce the apparatus and methods of the present invention. The illustrated embodiments are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but to provide examples of the apparatus and method to enable those of skill in the art to appreciate the inventive concept. 
     In addition to the general concept of an adjustable weightlifting system as outlined, the invention also includes a novel weight setting indicator system which can be used by the user to adjust and visibly ascertain the selected operating weight of the dumbbell system. Referring first to  FIGS.  17 ,  18 , and  19    there is shown one embodiment of an adjustable dumbbell system in accordance with the present invention including a novel weight setting indicator system. Dumbbell  101  is shown, along with the distal ends  124  of the extendable engagement members  109 . The rotatable actuator  107  comprising a handgrip is also shown. 
     Shown on the actuator  107  are a plurality of apertures  131  with corresponding weight labels  130  indicating the selected weight of the dumbbell. Alignable weight indicia  132  can be seen through the apertures  131  such that upon the alignment of the weight indicia  132 , being an interior end of an engagement member, with a particular selected aperture  131  with the particular weight indication  130 , the user can know the selected weight of the dumbbell. The weight labels  130  will be applied and positioned on the actuator  107  based upon the known weight of the individual weight elements—for example, where the extendable engagement members will engage seven weight plates at each end of the dumbbell, if each weight plate weighs 5 pounds, the total of 14 weight plates would weigh 70 pounds and the aperture could be positioned and labelled accordingly based upon wherever the necessary interior and the engagement member comprising the weight indicia  132  in such an embodiment would be located. The interior end  132  can be seen as a portion of the extendable engagement member  109 , and the selected engaged number of weight elements  104  can also be seen. 
       FIGS.  20  and  21    demonstrate views of the rotatable actuator  107  of  FIG.  17   , demonstrating different positioning of apertures  131  with weight labels  130  applied thereto. It will be understood that variations and modifications of the weight setting indication system will be understood to those skilled in the art and all such modifications are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. These variations for example may include the machining or application of numerical weight indications on the threaded surface of the extendable engagement members which would become visible through a viewing aperture, as a modification or alternate configuration instead of that shown in  FIG.  17   . 
     Using the weight setting indication system of the embodiment of  FIG.  17   , the user can see the selected weight of the dumbbell system  101  by adjusting the weight indicia  132  and the apertures  131  by extending or retracting the engagement members  109  until the desired weight indicia  132  are aligned with an active aperture indicating the current use weight  132  of the system. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. The terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps not expressly referenced.