Abstract:
A dumbbell with an arched handle includes two weighted elements positioned on either side of a handle having an arched center portion. The shape of the arch facilitates a complete range of motion and training of the biceps, triceps and forearm muscles through a full rotation of the hand utilizing pronation and supination exercises.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly to a dumbbell having an arched handle for providing greater arm movement. 
         [0003]    Gymnasiums and sports facilities across the globe utilize weights and equipment of varying types and sizes that are designed to assist users in building body muscle. One of the most common pieces of exercise equipment are dumbbells which traditionally include a short, straight handle interposed between two weighted sides. 
         [0004]    Dumbbells are among the smallest pieces of exercise equipment typically utilized in gyms and generally include a uniform size and length which allow the devices to be placed or stacked onto dumbbell stands capable of holding multiple dumbbells of different weights. 
         [0005]    As dumbbells are rigid devices, the conventional design can act to restrict a user from performing certain exercises that require the rotation of the hand or wrist of a user, as doing so would cause the dumbbell to impact another portion of the users&#39; body. To this end, conventional dumbbells having a straight handle can restrict the motion of a user thereby preventing particular muscle groups from being completely and fully trained at all possible angles. 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  illustrates one example of a traditional dumbbell  1  in use during a curling exercise, where the dumbbell is curled toward the chest of the user from the hip. As shown, when reaching the apex of the curl, the weights  2  of the traditional dumbbell make contact with the arm of the user  5 , thus preventing rotation of the wrist  5   a  (see arrow a), and limiting the ability of the user to exercise all angles of the bicep, tricep and forearm muscle. Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , when attempting to perform the same exercise with the users hand in a rotated manner, the location of the weight  2  of the traditional dumbbell requires that a user rotate their wrist to prevent the device from impacting the users arm, thereby inhibiting the user from fully retracting their arm and further preventing the user from enjoying a full range of bicep, tricep and forearm exercise motion. 
         [0007]    Moreover, the straight handle of the conventional dumbbell, combined with the limited range of exercise which can be performed with the device  1  can be difficult for users who have restricted motion in their wrists. Particularly those users who are rehabilitating broken bones and require a more ergonomic way to grasp the device. 
         [0008]    Although there are a number of devices for dumbbells and other exercise equipment in the known art that fulfill their respective objectives, the present invention, directed to a dumbbell with an arched handle differs from the foregoing prior art in a number of aspects. The manner by which will become more apparent in the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is directed to an improved dumbbell. One embodiment of the present invention can include a pair of weighed elements and an elongated handle with a centrally located arched section that is permanently interposed between the weighted elements. The arched section has an upper boundary that is less than an upper boundary of the weights and is configured to allow a user to grip and position the dumbbell at a plurality of different configurations for increasing a range of motion. 
         [0010]    Another embodiment of the present invention can include a dumbbell with a pair of opposing arched handles for allowing a user to grip the device with both hands at a plurality of different configurations for increasing a range of motion in both hands. 
         [0011]    This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a side view of a user utilizing a prior art dumbbell. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of a user utilizing a prior art dumbbell. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a dumbbell with an arched handle that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a storage rack and a plurality of dumbbells with arched handles in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention with user arm. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention with user arm. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a user utilizing a dumbbell with a curved handle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a dumbbell with an arched handle according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0022]    For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 2 . Although illustrated in the following examples as either a right hand or a left hand, one of skill in the art will recognize that the inventive concepts disclosed herein can be incorporated into either a right hand or left hand exercise. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a dumbbell with an arched handle  10  that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the device  10  can include an elongated handle  11  having a centrally located arch  11   b  interposed between a pair of opposing weights  12 . 
         [0024]    The handle  11  can act to allow a user to grip the device  10  at a number of different wrist angles. To this end, the handle  11  can include an elongated tubular member having a first end  11   a,  an arched middle portion  11   b  and a second end  11   c.  Each end of the handle  11   a  and  11   c  are connected to one of the opposing weights  12  and act to define a central axis  15 . The surface of the handle  11  can be bare metal, plated, plastic coated, painted or can include a rubber coating for assisting a user to grip the device. 
         [0025]    In one preferred embodiment, the handle  11  can be constructed from a hardened material such as steel or iron, that is connected at each end to the weights  12  at an angle Θ of between approximately fifteen and sixty degrees and preferably forty-five degrees with respect to the central axis  15 , thus forming the arched center section  11   b.  Of course, other angles and construction materials such as lead filled plastic, for example, can also be utilized without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0026]    The weights  12  can act to provide the resistance necessary to build muscle, and can preferably include solid pieces of metallic elements having a known weight that are permanently affixed to each end of the handle  11   a  and  11   b  via welds or other known manufacturing processes appropriate to the construction materials utilized by the device. 
         [0027]    In an alternate embodiment (not illustrated), each weight  12  can comprise one or more removable and/or variable weights connected to the handle ends  11   a  and  11   c  in a conventional manner. Varying weights are extremely well known in the art and no further description will be provided. 
         [0028]    As the device  10  is intended to be compatible with conventional dumbbell storage racks, each weight  12  will preferably be secured to the end of the handle  11   a  and  11   c  at a 90 degree angle with respect to the central axis  15 . Additionally, it is preferred that each weight  12  have a generally planar top and bottom section  12   a  and  12   b,  respectively for allowing multiple dumbbells to be stacked on top of each other and to prevent rolling when placed on a flat or angled surface. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the handle  11  can include an overall length of between 3 and 8 inches and preferably about 5 inches. Each weight  12  can include an overall length of between 1 and 4 inches and preferably about 2.5 inches. The height of each weight can be between 2 and 7 inches and preferably about 4 inches (depending on the weight of the device). Additionally, it is preferred that the uppermost portion of the handle arch  11   b  be bounded by axis  15   a  representing the uppermost portion of each weight  12   a.  To this end, the overall dimensions of the device  10  can approximate existing dumbbells, and the shape of the arch will not interfere with the ability of the device to be vertically stacked onto a conventional dumbbell storage rack  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  5 , the dumbbell with arched handle  10  can be gripped by a user at multiple wrist angles B, thus allowing the device to be held, rotated and positioned at a plurality of different angles with respect to the user&#39;s body. Such a feature allows a user to exercise all angles of the bicep, tricep and forearm muscles, resulting in a complete range of motion and a superior workout when performing pronation and supination exercises. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a dumbbell  10  having a second arched handle  11 ′. As shown, handle  11 ′ can include substantially identical elements  11   a ′,  11   b ′ and  11   c ′ to handle  11   a,    1  lb and  11   c,  respectively. Handle  11 ′ can preferably be positioned opposite to handle  11  so as to allow the device to be easily gripped by a user utilizing either hand regardless of how the device is sitting when not in use. Additionally, by including a second handle  11 ′, the device can be utilized by both hands simultaneously and at different grip angles. 
         [0032]    Although handle  11 ′ is illustrated as having an angle Θ′ that is identical to angle Θ, other embodiments are also contemplated. To this end, the location and angles of the two handles  11  and  11 ′ can be identical or different. 
         [0033]    As described herein, one or more elements of the device  10  can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individual elements such as the weights  12 , handles  11  and  11 ′ (including all sub parts), for example, may be formed together as one continuous element, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof. 
         [0034]    Accordingly, in one embodiment, the device  10  can be constructed from a single piece of steel or aluminum having a weight and dimension suitable for utilization by a user. 
         [0035]    As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0036]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0037]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.