Patent Publication Number: US-8979718-B2

Title: Hand-held exercise weight

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/077,386, filed Nov. 12, 2013, titled “HAND-HELD EXERCISE WEIGHT”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/782,242, filed May 18, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,628, titled “HAND-HELD EXERCISE WEIGHT”, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to an exercise weight, and more particularly, to an exercise weight that includes a surrounding handle. 
     Conventional hand-held exercise weights pose a risk of contact with the body, especially the torso, arms, legs, and head when the weights are swung with the arms in a forward to backward motion relative to the body or up and down along the side or between the legs. 
     SUMMARY 
     Basically, the invention is an exercise weight including a weight member, a handle member spaced apart from and substantially surrounding the weight member, and at least one attachment member joining the weight member to the handle member. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the handle member is annular and can have the shape of a circle, oval, ellipse or polygon. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the weight member generally has the shape of a circular sphere, a flattened sphere, an ovoid sphere, an elliptical sphere, a teardrop shaped sphere, a torus, a three-dimensional multifaceted solid, a letter, a number, a design, an emblem, a symbol, a mark, or a word. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the center of gravity of the weight member is at the center of gravity of the exercise weight. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the handle member defines a plane, and the plane intersects the center of gravity of the weight member. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the weight member includes a space for containing a fluid and an opening for adding or removing the fluid. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the handle member, the weight member and the attachment arm are parts of a unitary, integral casting. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the weight ratio of the weight member and the attachment member to the exercise weight is between about 5 to about 95 percent. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the weight ratio of the handle member to the exercise weight is between about 5 to about 95 percent. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a coupling mechanism is located between the attachment member and the weight member or between the handle member and the attachment member. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the coupling mechanism includes one of a threaded engagement and a bayonet coupling. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification and serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a first embodiment of the hand-held exercise weight of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the exercise weight illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of a second embodiment of the hand-held exercise weight; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a diagrammatic front view of a part of a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a diagrammatic front view, partially in cross-section, of the third embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in a state of partial assembly; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a diagrammatic front view, partially in cross-section, of a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a partial perspective view with portions cut-away of the third embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of a sixth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a front view of a seventh embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of an eighth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of a ninth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a front view of a tenth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a front view of an eleventh embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a front view of a twelfth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a front view of a thirteenth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a front view of a fourteenth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a front view of a fifteenth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a front view of a sixteenth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a front view of a seventeenth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a front view of an eighteenth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a front view of a nineteenth embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a front view, partially in cross-section, of the eighteenth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a hand-held exercise weight  10  is illustrated. The exercise weight  10  includes a handle member, an attachment member  14 , and a weight member  16 . The handle member  12  is spaced apart from and substantially surrounds the weight member  16 . An attachment member  14  joins the weight member  16  to the handle member  12  so that the weight member  16  is located inside the handle member. 
     The handle member  12  is circular in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; however, the handle member  12  can be triangular, square, oval, or otherwise non-circular, which is apparent in the descriptions of further embodiments below. The handle is preferably annular and formed to lie in a plane. In other words, the axis passing through the center of any cross section taken of the handle member defines a plane, which is parallel to the plane of the sheet of  FIG. 1 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the cross-sectional shape of the handle member  12  is circular and uniform; however, the cross-sectional shape can be elliptical or oval or various other shapes, as long as the handle member  12  is rounded and comfortable to grip. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the handle member  12  can vary along its length. Although not illustrated, the handle member  12  can be constructed to be collapsible or foldable. 
     The attachment member  14  extends radially between the weight member  16  and the handle member  12  and joins the weight member  16  to the handle member  12 . The attachment member  14  preferably lies in the plane of the handle member  12 . More specifically, the axis of the attachment member  14  lies in the plane defined by the axis of the handle member  12 . The attachment member  14  has sufficient strength to secure the weight member  16  to the handle member  12  even if the exercise weight  10  is subjected to great shock such as that of being dropped on a hard surface during exercise. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the attachment member  14  has a uniform, round cross-section. However, the attachment member  14  can have a variable cross-section along its length. For example, the attachment member  14  can be rod-shaped, frusto-conical, globular, triangular, squared, pentagonal, hexagonal or irregular in shape. 
     The weight member  16  is fixed to an inner end of the attachment member  14 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the weight member  16  is permanently fixed to the attachment member  14 ; however, the weight member  16  can be attached to the attachment member  14  with a coupling mechanism for rapidly removing and replacing the weight member  16  with one of a different weight or configuration. Alternatively, a combination of the weight member  16  and the attachment member  14  can be attached with a coupling mechanism to the handle member  12 . The weight member  16  has the shape of a circular sphere in the first embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; however, the weight member  16  can have many different shapes as described in connection with further embodiments below, and the weight member  16  can be solid or hollow. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the center of gravity of the weight member  16  is preferably located at the center of gravity of the exercise member  10 . However, the center of gravity of the weight member  16  can be located at a position that is offset from the center of gravity of the exercise member  10 . Further, the plane defined by the axis passing through the cross-sectional center of the handle member  12  preferably intersects the center of gravity of the weight member  16 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , there is only one attachment member  14 , which is radial and is attached to the handle member  12  at only one point. Further, the attachment member  14  is relatively small in comparison to the weight member  16 . This configuration concentrates the mass at the periphery (the handle member  12 ) and at the center (the weight member  16 ) which creates a relatively large space that extends nearly 360° about the weight member  16  where a user can grip without interference with the attachment member  14  or the weight member  14 . Thus, the configuration of  FIG. 1  makes it relatively easy for a user to pick up the exercise weight  10  and begin use without significant adjustments. 
     The weight of the handle member  12  is between about five to about ninety-five percent of the weight of the exercise weight  10 . Conversely, the weight of the weight member  16  and the attachment member  14  is between about ninety-five to five percent of the weight of the exercise weight  10 . That is, the weight ratio of the handle member to the exercise weight is between about five to about ninety-five percent. The ratio of the combination of the weight member  16  and the attachment member  14  to the weight of the exercise weight  10  is between about ninety-five to about five percent. 
     The ratio of the weight of the weight member  16  to that of the attachment arm  14  can be between about 1:20 and about 20:1, as long as the strength of the attachment arm  14  is not compromised. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the exercise weight  10  is a solid, integral, unitary metal casting. However, the exercise weight  10  can be constructed by joining separate components, and the material used for making the exercise weight  10  is not necessarily metal. The exercise weight  10  can be made in various sizes and weights to accommodate the needs of users. 
     The materials that can be used to make the exercise weight  10  include stainless steel, rubber, rubber-coated metal and rubber-coated resin. The exercise weight  10  can be solid or hollow. The surface finish can be smooth or textured, e.g., ridged or dimpled. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment in which an exercise weight  20  includes a handle member  22 , four attachment members  24 , and a weight member  26 . The embodiment of  FIG. 3  is like that of  FIG. 1  except that the embodiment of  FIG. 3  has four attachment members  24 , which are arranged radially in the plane of the handle member  22 . Each of the attachment members  24  is similar to the attachment member  14  of the first embodiment. Although  FIG. 3  shows four attachment members, the number of attachment members  24  can be varied and may be two, three, five or more, as long as the attachment members  24  do not interfere with the user&#39;s ability to grip the handle member  22 . Although the attachment members  24  are separated by equal angles in  FIG. 3 , the angles between the attachment members  24  can be varied. 
       FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  8  illustrate a third embodiment that includes a handle member  32 , an attachment member  34 , and a weight member  36 . A coupling mechanism  37 ,  38 ,  39  connects the weight member  36  to the attachment member  34 . Such a coupling mechanism is known as and may be referred to herein as a bayonet coupling. The coupling mechanism includes a spring  37 , a pair of curved channels  38  (only one channel  38  is shown) and a pair of protrusions  39 , which correspond to the channels  38 . The curved channels  36  are located on opposite sides of the attachment member  34 . 
     To couple the weight member  36  to the attachment member  34 , the inner end of the attachment member  34  is inserted into a corresponding opening formed in the weight member  36 . Then, the weight member  36  is rotated slightly until the protrusions  39  are aligned with the channels  38 . Then, the weight member  36  is manually urged toward the handle member  32  against the force of the spring  37 . The protrusions  39  follow the channels  38 . When the protrusions  39  reach the curved section of the channels  38 , the weight member  36  is manually rotated slightly to guide the protrusions along the curvature of the channels  38 . The stored energy in the spring  37  then causes the weight member  36  to move away from the handle member  32  until the protrusions  39  settle at the ends of the curved channels  38 . The force applied by the spring  37  maintains the protrusions  39  at the ends of the channels  38 . The coupling mechanism  37 ,  38 ,  39  maintains the weight member  36  on the attachment member  34  until the steps for attaching the weight member  36  are reversed to separate the weight member  36 . 
     Other known coupling mechanisms can be used to couple the weight member  36  to the attachment member  34 . For example, the weight member  36  can simply be threaded to the attachment member  34 . That is, male threads can be formed on the inner end of the attachment member  34 , and female threads can be formed in the opening of the weight member  36  so that the weight member  36  can be threaded to the attachment member  34 . Alternatively, the male and female threaded parts can be reversed such that male threads are formed on a member extending from the weight member  36  and female threads are formed in an opening formed in the attachment member. Similarly, such threaded engagement may be used to join the attachment member  34  to the handle member. 
     In a modification of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , a combination of the weight member  36  and the attachment member  34  can be coupled to the handle member  32  with a coupling mechanism. That is, a coupling mechanism can be located between the attachment member and the handle member  32 . 
     In addition, various locking devices can be employed to secure the weight member  16  to the attachment member  34 . For example,  FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth embodiment in which a pin  35  is used to secure the weight member  36  to the attachment member  34 . The embodiment of  FIG. 6  is the same as that of  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  8 , except for the addition of the pin  35 . A hole (unnumbered) is formed in the attachment member  34  at a location where the outside of the weight member  36  meets the surface of the attachment member  34  when the weight member  36  is coupled to the attachment member  34 . When the weight member  36  is coupled to the attachment member  34 , the pin  35  is fitted into the hole to prevent accidental separation of the weight member  36  from the attachment member  34 . That is, the pin prevents the weight member  36  from moving toward the handle member  32 , which prevents the protrusions  39  from entering the curved part of the channels  38 . This prevents separation of the weight member  36  from the attachment member  34 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a fifth embodiment, which includes a handle member  42 , an attachment member  44 , a weight member  46 , and a locking screw  45 . In this embodiment, threads are formed on both the weight member  46  and the attachment member  44  so that the weight member  46  can be threaded to the attachment member  44 . A collar  47  is formed integrally on the weight member  46 . A threaded hole is formed in the collar  47 , and the threaded locking screw  45  is threaded into the hole so that an end of the locking screw  45  engages the surface of the attachment member  44  when the locking screw  45  is tightened. When the locking screw  45  is firmly engaged with the attachment member  44 , the weight member  46  cannot be rotated about the axis of the attachment member  44 ; therefore, the weight member  46  cannot be removed from the attachment member  44 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates one of many possible locking devices for preventing accidental separation of the weight member  46  from the attachment member  44 . The locking mechanism of  FIG. 7  can also be employed in the embodiment of  FIG. 5  to prevent the weight member  36  from accidentally separating from the attachment member  34 . 
     Alternatively, in  FIG. 7  the collar  47  need not be provided and a threaded hole can be formed through the weight member  46  so that the locking screw can engage a threaded part of the attachment member  44  to lock the weight member  46  in place. In a further alternative, a threaded collar, or locking ring, can be threaded on the attachment member  44  prior to threading the weight member  46  onto the same threads of the attachment member  44 . To lock the weight member  46 , the threaded collar is hand-tightened against the weight member  46 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an exercise weight  50  of a sixth embodiment. The exercise weight  50  includes a handle  52 , an attachment member  54 , and a weight member  56 . As shown, the handle member  52  is polygonal. Specifically, the handle member  52  forms a hexagon. However, the number of sides of the polygonal handle member  52  can vary. Like the first embodiment, the axis of the handle member  52  preferably lies in a plane, and the axis of the attachment member  54  preferably lies in the plane defined by the axis of the handle member  52 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a seventh embodiment in which an exercise weight  60  includes a handle member  62 , an attachment member  64  and a weight member  66 . The embodiment of  FIG. 10  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the handle member  62  is elliptical, or oval, and the axis of the attachment member extends along the major axis of the ellipse formed by the handle member  62 . The axis of the attachment member can also be located to extend along the minor axis of the handle member  62 , for example. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an eighth embodiment in which an exercise weight  70  includes a handle member  72 , and a weight member  76 . The embodiment of  FIG. 11  has an attachment member that is hidden from view. The embodiment of  FIG. 11  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  76  is flattened on opposite sides. In other words, the weight member  76  has the shape of a flattened sphere. The flattened weight member  76  reduces the width, or profile, of the exercise weight  70  and facilitates stacking of a plurality of exercise weights  70 . The flattening can be any degree of flattening, so that, for example, the ratio of thickness to diameter of the weight member ranges from about 5% to about 99% 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a ninth embodiment in which an exercise weight  80  includes a handle member  82 , an attachment member  84 , and a weight member  86 . The embodiment of  FIG. 12  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  86  is annular, like the handle member  82 . That is, the weight member  86  has the shape of a torus. The weight member  86  is approximately concentric with the handle member  82  in this embodiment. The size of the weight member  86  can be larger than that illustrated if additional weight is desired, as long as sufficient space is available for a person&#39;s fingers to grip the handle without interference with the weight member  86 . This embodiment has a relatively narrow width, or profile (as measured perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 12 ), in comparison to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a tenth embodiment in which an exercise weight  100  includes a handle member  102 , an attachment member  104 , and a weight member  106 . The embodiment of  FIG. 13  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  106  is ovoid. In other words, the weight member  106  has a globular shape in which a distal end of the weight member  106  is slightly larger than a proximal end, which is attached to the inner end of the attachment member  104 . In this embodiment, the axis of the weight member  106  is coextensive with the axis of the attachment member  104 . In a modification of this embodiment, the weight member  106  can be flattened like the weight member  76  of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an eleventh embodiment in which an exercise weight  110  includes a handle member  112 , an attachment member  114 , and a weight member  116 . The embodiment of  FIG. 14  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  116  is generally an elliptical or oval sphere. In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the weight member  116  is coextensive with the axis of the attachment member  114 . In a modification of this embodiment, the weight member  116  can be flattened like the weight member  76  of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a twelfth embodiment in which an exercise weight  120  includes a handle member  122 , an attachment member  124 , and a weight member  126 . The embodiment of  FIG. 15  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  126  is generally spherical and teardrop shaped. In other words, the weight member  126  has an aerodynamic shape in which a distal end of the weight member  126  is slightly larger than a proximal end of the weight member  126 , and the longitudinal axis of the weight member  126  is coextensive with the axis of the attachment member  124 . In a modification of this embodiment, the weight member  126  can be flattened like the weight member  76  of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a thirteenth embodiment in which an exercise weight  130  includes a handle member  132 , an attachment member  134 , and a weight member  136 . The embodiment of  FIG. 16  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  136  has the shape of a multifaceted three-dimensional solid. The shape of the weight member can be polyhedral, in which the faces are the same, or the faces can differ from one another. Although the faces are triangular in  FIG. 16 , the faces can be pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal, for example. As in the previous embodiments, the center of the weight member  136  preferably coincides with the center of gravity of the exercise weight  130 , which is approximately the center of the handle member  132 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a fourteenth embodiment in which an exercise weight  140  includes a handle member  142 , an attachment member  144 , and a weight member  146 . The embodiment of  FIG. 17  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  146  has the form of a letter. In this embodiment, the letter is “A,” however, the letter can be any letter. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a fifteenth embodiment in which an exercise weight  150  includes a handle member  152 , an attachment member  154 , and a weight member  156 . The embodiment of  FIG. 18  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  156  has the form of a number. In this embodiment, the number is “5.” However, the number can be any number. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a sixteenth embodiment in which an exercise weight  160  includes a handle member  162 , an attachment member  164 , and a weight member  166 . The embodiment of  FIG. 19  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  166  has the form of an emblem, symbol, design or mark. The emblem, symbol or mark is arbitrarily selected and can have any shape as long as there is adequate clearance between the weight member  166  and the handle member  162  to permit a person&#39;s hand to grip the handle member  162  without interference by the weight member  166 . 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a seventeenth embodiment in which an exercise weight  170  includes a handle member  172 , an attachment member  174 , and a weight member  176 . The embodiment of  FIG. 20  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  166  has the form of a word. The word is arbitrarily selected and can be any word as long as there is adequate clearance between the weight member  166  and the handle member  172  to permit a person&#39;s hand to grip the handle member  172  without interference by the weight member  176 . 
       FIGS. 21 and 23  illustrate an eighteenth embodiment in which an exercise weight  180  includes a handle member  182 , an attachment member  184 , and a weight member  186 . The embodiment of  FIG. 21  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the weight member  186  includes a space for containing fluid. That is, the weight member  186  includes a cavity, and an opening  189  is formed in the weight member  186  to provide access to the cavity. Fluid can be added to or removed from the weight member  186  through the opening  189  to add weight to or remove weight from the exercise weight  180 . The ability to add and remove fluid makes the exercise weight  180  more portable, since the exercise weight  180  is lighter and easier to transport when empty. 
     An insert or bladder  185  can be provided within the cavity. In other words, the space for containing fluid can be a space within the bladder  185 . The bladder  185  can be rigid or flexible. The bladder  185  contains the fluid within the cavity of the weight member  186  so that the fluid does not directly contact the wall of the weight member  186 . 
     After fluid is placed in the hollow weight member  186  or the bladder  185 , a stopper  187  is fitted in the opening  189  to prevent the fluid from escaping. The stopper  187  is removable to permit the fluid to be removed from the weight member  186 . Although the stopper  187  is a simple plug in the embodiment of  FIG. 23 , a threaded neck can be provided on the bladder  185  or the weight member  186 , and a threaded cap can be used to close the opening  189 . 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a nineteenth embodiment in which an exercise weight  190  includes a handle member  192 , an attachment member  194 , and a weight member  196 . The embodiment of  FIG. 22  is the same as that of  FIG. 1 , except that the handle member  192  is hollow and can be filled with fluid to add weight to the exercise weight  190 . An opening  199  is formed in the handle member  192  to permit fluid to be added and removed. Although not illustrated, a stopper like that illustrated in  FIG. 23  is used to seal the opening  199 . 
     This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.