Patent Description:
Aerobic exercise has always been an effective way to lose weight, increase physical conditioning, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, over time, the body adjusts to the aerobic exercise by increasing both strength and physical endurance, making the same activity easier and easier to perform. Therefore, to maintain a high level of physical exertion during aerobic exercises, weight or resistance must be added or increased over time to keep up with the body's increased physical conditioning.

Adding held weight to any aerobic activity is a great way to accomplish such addition of weight or resistance. There exists a wide variety of indoor and outdoor exercises that are made more challenging when even the smallest amount of held weight is added to the activity. Increasing the heart rate, muscle activity, and total calories burned per hour is possible with the addition of dumbbells or various methods of holding weight in the hand during physical activities.

A conventional dumbbell is intrinsically formed as a single solid unit formed with a center grip bar with weight blocks attached at both ends, the larger the weight the larger the outer weight blocks or segments become. Therefore, these traditional dumbbell shapes are not advantageous during physical activities, especially aerobic activity, as they often alter the form of the exercise to limit the risk of banging the weights together or coming in contact with the body. In addition, traditional dumbbell shapes can come in contact with aerobic machines such as treadmills or step climbers during certain arm movements or motions, can get hung up or caught on headphone wires during exercise, and can hit a walking or running partner's dumbbell or body as they are swung back and forth by the holder when exercising in a group.

Therefore, there exists a need for a handheld weight system in which most of the weight is centered in the palm without the above mentioned and other disadvantages. In addition to the single weight unit being centered in the palm of the hand, it is also more advantageous for the user when the weight unit can be securely held in the palm during the physical activity. <CIT> discloses a hand exerciser that is structured and arranged to strength the various muscle groups of the user's hand and to improve dexterity of the user's fingers and thumb. The hand exerciser comprises a flexible frame formed into an arc-shaped configuration having an outer surface and an inner surface. On the outer surface of the frame is a first platform at one end and a second platform at the opposite end. A resistance member, such as compressible foam, a bag or the like, is removably positioned against the inner surface inside the arc-shaped frame between the two platforms such that when the user presses the platforms between the fingers and thumb, the resistance member resists compression to exercise the hand. Rails and elongated members on the first platform assist with the improving strength and dexterity. Sensor pads, light and/or audio generators and a cell phone support apparatus can be utilized. <CIT> discloses a fitness equipment including a cord having two ends each provided with a handgrip, a cord mounting cap, a mounting sleeve, a snapping member, and two end caps. The mounting sleeve presses and locks the snapping member onto the respective end of the cord. The cord mounting cap receives the mounting sleeve and the snapping member and is removably mounted on the handgrip. Each of the end caps is removably mounted on the handgrip. Thus, each of the two ends of the cord is provided with a handgrip so that the fitness equipment can function as a jump rope, and the handgrip can be used individually to function as a dumbbell after the handgrip is detached from the cord. <CIT> discloses a weight and holding training device for both weight training and holding training mainly comprises two sets of end casings, a balance weight element and an elastic element. In which, the balance weight element and the elastic element are embedded into the end casings so as to be fixed firmly. Consequently, a close-loop frame is formed. This close-loop frame provides a space within the frame that allowing the elastic element to deform. Thus, both functions of weight training and holding training can be achieved. <CIT> discloses an accessory for a game controller, the accessory having a substantial weight and attachment features for securing the game controller thereto, to provide for resistance training and exercise while using the game controller. The documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose egg shaped weight units.

The present application provides an egg shaped exercise weight in accordance with the claims which follow.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments, serve to explain the principles of the invention. These drawings do not describe all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for small light weight unit that can be securely held and centered in the palm of the holder during physical activities, for example, exercises.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements or steps. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments described herein.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective view of an exercise weight unit <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the present disclosure may provide a small light weight unit <NUM> in a rounded or oval shape main body <NUM>. The main body includes an end <NUM>, and end <NUM>, a central axis through the two ends, and a central portion between the two ends. The weight unit includes an elongated protrusion ("fin" or "hump") <NUM> protruding from one side of the weight unit main body at base <NUM> and extending from one end <NUM> of the body to the other end <NUM> of the body. The elongated protrusion <NUM> may have a width W that is smaller than the diameter of the main body <NUM> at the central portion, forming a space S between the surface of the main body <NUM> and the elongated protrusion <NUM>.

The elongated protrusion <NUM> may have an arc shape at the top <NUM> of the protrusion <NUM> (the top <NUM> is on the edge that is away from the main body <NUM>). One advantage of providing the elongated protrusion <NUM> may be to reduce the diameter of the weight unit main body <NUM>, for example, the body <NUM> does not have to extend to cover the space S from the body to the top of the protrusion <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition, another advantage of providing the elongated protrusion <NUM> may be to add more material to the weight unit.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary side view of the exercise weight unit <NUM> showing the elongated protrusion <NUM> at the bottom of the weight unit <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary side view of the exercise weight unit <NUM> showing the elongated protrusion ("fin" or "hump") <NUM> turned <NUM> degrees upward, so that the elongated protrusion <NUM> is shown at the top, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> also illustrates exemplary dimensions (in inches) of the weight unit. The advantageous dimensions of the weight unit may range from, for example, <NUM> to <NUM> in length (from end <NUM> to end <NUM>) with a diameter of the main body <NUM>, at the largest portion of the main body, of for example <NUM> to <NUM> and vary by size and shape to reach a specific weight increment without exceeding a comfortable or natural grip. The protrusion feature <NUM> runs along length of the weight unit from each end <NUM> and <NUM> and meets in the middle forming an arc. The advantageous dimensions of the arc may be, for example, approximately <NUM> to <NUM> in width (W), approximately <NUM> to <NUM> in length (L) at the base <NUM>, and <NUM> to <NUM> in depth (d) at the deepest point (top of the protrusion <NUM> to the base <NUM>). The volume of the protrusion <NUM> may represent an increase in the weight unit (if without the protrusion) from, for example,. <NUM> pounds depending on the material, for example metal, and density of the weight unit and the shape and size of the protrusion. The dimensions of the weight unit may allow the weight unit to be centered in the palm of a user who is holding the weight unit in his or her hand. As such, a person with skill in the art will understand that the dimensions shown are examples and are not limiting.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary front view of the exercise weight unit <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> also illustrates an exemplary dimension (for example, <NUM> inches) of the diameter (D) of the weight unit main body <NUM>. The dimensions of the weight unit may allow the weight unit to be centered in the palm of a user who is holding the weight unit in his or her hand. As such, a person with skill in the art will understand that the dimensions shown are examples and are not limiting.

<FIG> illustrates another exemplary front view of the exercise weight unit <NUM> showing the weight unit of <FIG> turned <NUM> degrees downward, so that the elongated protrusion <NUM> is shown at the bottom, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary view of the exercise weight unit <NUM> being held by a user's hand, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. As shown, the protrusion feature <NUM> protrudes from the weight unit <NUM> in between the open area of the closed fist surrounding the weight unit <NUM>. In some exemplary operations, when the exercise weight unit being held by a user's hand <NUM>, the protrusion of the weight unit may fit into the gap between the user's fingers and the thumb when the hand is closed. The protrusion may also allow for increased grip support along the metacarpal bones of the thumb when the hand is fully closed around the weight unit. This is critical as it stabilizes the weight unit in the hand during physical activity and also spreads the weight of the unit across multiple bones to limit injury due to an unbalanced weight distribution or forced tight grip. As mentioned, the ergonomic palm centered hand weight unit may utilize the protrusion (or fin or hump) feature to increase the volume of the weight unit without increasing the grasp diameter of the user's hand. In some embodiments, utilizing the gap and the protrusion allows for the addition of volume and weight to the weight unit. The protrusion may provide further support for the thumb.

In some embodiments, the weight unit may be made of suitable metals or alloys and the weight vary in increments based on critical dimensions provided. For example, based on the metal used, the weight may be as follow:.

In some embodiments, depending on the desired weight unit increment and the cost of the raw material, any number of raw metals or alloy combinations may be used to construct it. The size and shape may be altered slightly to adjust for material composition and shrink after forging or processing. The advantageous use of the protrusion feature may allow for inexpensive metal or alloys to increase volume and weight without utilizing more dense metals such as tungsten or tungsten alloys.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure may include light weight hand straps, Velcro™ wraps, neoprene grips, rubber flexible wrap, rubber gel filled grips, or gloves to securely hold the weight unit centered in the palm during high speed arm movements, such as aerobic exercises, sprinting or swimming. <FIG> illustrates an exemplary side view of a rubber flexible wrap <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. The wrap <NUM> may include one or more finger loops <NUM>, and a wrap body <NUM>. <FIG> shows an example of a one-finger loop. A larger loop may fit more than one finger. The wrap body <NUM> may removably and fitly wrap around a weight unit (see <FIG>).

<FIG> also shows a pattern of raised nodules <NUM> along the wrap (or grip), in some embodiments, to provide additional area for contact with the hand, providing greater surface adhesion especially when the weight unit is used with high intensity movements, for example during physical exercises like running, shadowboxing, and plyometric exercises where a high degree of perspiration will be present. The nodules are not limited to any number, size, or shape. To assist in removal of perspiration from the hand during use, a series of holes <NUM> or indentations or raised lines (not shown) may also be used to allow for the evacuation or reduction of perspiration buildup in the hand during use. These holes <NUM> may also provide additional stretch or flex to the wrap when inserting the weight unit, providing a dual purpose and use.

The size of the finger loop <NUM> may change to fit various finger sizes (may be ring sizes) or accommodate several fingers at one time. In addition, the grip or wrap may be constructed as a universal grip or wrap with a specific amount of flex or stretch in the material used, for example silicone rubber, to allow for multiple finger sizes (ring sizes) to fit and hold a grip comfortably in the hand. A range of silicone rubber hardness for this particular advantageous universal grip may be <NUM>-<NUM> Shore A on the hardness scale. This range of hardness may allow not only for the grip to be stretched over the weight unit during assembly but also may allow for users with varying finger sizes to hold the unit comfortably in the hand without cutting off blood flow to the finger or fingers during use. The silicone rubber, or the like, may also be constructed by varying colors and or clarity of rubber. This is particularly advantageous when users want to either customize a colored grip or to see a logo or name engraved or painted on the weight unit body. The ability to customize or brand the weight unit and have said logo or brand be visible may be a critical component to offering customization or brand partnerships with other fitness companies, for example Nike™, New Balance™, or Adidas™, across sports or general fitness.

Although <FIG> shows a rubber flexible wrap, the other wraps or grips may also include one or more finger loops.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary front view of the rubber flexible wrap <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary view of the weight unit <NUM> enclosed (or wrapped) with the rubber flexible wrap <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary view of the exercise weight unit <NUM> enclosed (or wrapped) with the rubber flexible wrap <NUM> and being held by a user's hand <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Not shown is the finger loop <NUM> loops around the middle finger <NUM> of the user's hand.

<FIG> illustrates a handheld exercise weight unit <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the handheld exercise weight unit <NUM> includes a rounded egg or oval shaped weight unit main body <NUM>, and a finger loop grip strap <NUM> that may be removably affixed to the weight unit main body <NUM>. In some embodiments, the main body <NUM> may include two drill holes <NUM> and <NUM> such that the adjustable leather strap <NUM> may be affixed to the main body <NUM> by screws <NUM> through elongated openings <NUM> and <NUM>. The elongated openings <NUM> and <NUM> allow the strap <NUM> to be adjustable. In some embodiments, the finger loop grip strap <NUM> may be made of leather.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary assembly of a handheld exercise weight unit <NUM> with the finger loop grip strap <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. The elongated openings <NUM> and <NUM> may slide along the corresponding drill holes <NUM> and <NUM>, before the strap <NUM> being secured to the main body <NUM>, to allow a desired height H to fit a finger of a user. This desired height allows a custom fit to each user's finger size.

In some embodiments, the strap <NUM> may be affixed to the main body <NUM> by any other suitable mechanism that allows the strap <NUM> to remain secured to the main body <NUM> while the strap <NUM> holds a finger of a user during an exercise.

Although <FIG> show the weight unit <NUM> without an arc shape protrusion, the weight unit <NUM> may also include an arc shape protrusion as disclosed above.

In some embodiments, the protrusion may not include an arc edge.

In some embodiments, the weight units of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be coated in a resilient plastic, neoprene, or rubber material to ensure the proper gripping or holding thereof during aerobic exercise, decrease the slipping effect with the accumulation of sweat build up during activity, allow for the easy cleaning of the weight units with soap and water after use, protect the weight unit chip or tag from damage during use or cleaning, and to protect the weight from getting scratched or damaged if dropped or hit by another object.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure may include a sweat resistant cover or wrap for the weight unit made of resilient plastic or rubber in various colors or prints to add gripping points as well as marketing or branding opportunities including: company logos or slogans, university colors and logos, colors symbolizing special events such as the Susan Komen Race for the Cure™, and any other print or color that relates to individuals in a special or meaningful way.

In some embodiments, the weight unit may have an inner core and an outer core of varying metals or casted layers within the modular unit to achieve the specific weight and shape of the unit as well as create a barrier or protective layer around softer but denser metals such as lead.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure may provide a RFID tracking tag/microchip or other tracking device or system thereof which may be embedded within a weight unit, and that communicates to a device, for example, a smart phone, smart watch, or similar device to automatically identify the individual or combined continuous weight values during upper body movements and/or exercise.

In some embodiments, the weight unit, for example the main body, may have a weight shell with varying insert weights that may be locked therein or removed therefrom to increase or decrease weight accordingly during physical activities.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure may include motion tracking sensors such as gyroscopes and accelerators within the weight unit, a smart watch, or other monitoring devices that are worn on the wrist or forearm in combination with inputs from the user (e.g., height) to track individual upper body motion of the user through algorithms computing the X, Y, Z axis points (roll, pitch, and yaw), and rotational acceleration data points of each movement performed by the user.

In some embodiments, the data collected from the gyroscope and accelerator unit, in conjunction with the continuous held weight values, may be visible to the user either on a smart monitoring device or uploaded to a smart phone, tablet, laptop, or computer in such a way that it is easy to read and understand. Such a format may include, for example: graphs, charts, total arm movements by category and muscle group, total pounds lifted per hour, total pounds lifted, total pounds lifted per muscle group, total pounds lifted per individual exercise, etc. In some embodiments, the total data generated from the gyroscope and the accelerator, in conjunction with the varying held weight, shall provide an overall analysis displayed on either the smart monitoring device itself or uploaded to a laptop, tablet, phone, or computer depicting an animated male or female digital body display with the intensity of the exercises and the muscle groups used to perform said exercises identified by color of intensity and performance. For example, if an individual performed mostly all bicep curls during their aerobic activity, the digital body would show red in the bicep muscle for high intensity, yellow in the forearm muscle group for medium intensity, and green for low performance or intensity in the remaining upper body muscle groups. Furthermore, by rotating the digital body with the swipe of a finger on a display window, the digital body rotates to show muscle groups located on the individual's back to complete the entire upper body muscle groups. The digital body may also include lower body muscle groups, utilizing data generated from the sensors to track muscle activity during aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, running, running stairs, or hiking, etc..

In some embodiments, data collected may be calculated to determine calories burned by the user during the physical activity. In some embodiments, the device may use the Harris-Benedict method as follows: <MAT> <MAT>.

The Harris-Benedict equations revised by Mifflin and St Jeor in <NUM>: <MAT> <MAT>.

For example, C = (<NUM> x H - <NUM> × W + <NUM> × A - <NUM>) × T / <NUM>. C is the number of calories that the user burned, H is the user's average heart rate, W is the user's weight, A is the user's age and T is the length of the user's exercise session in minutes. Assume that the user is a <NUM>-year-old female weighing <NUM> pounds. The user's average heart rate during an exercise session that lasted <NUM> minutes was <NUM> bpm. The user burned C = (<NUM> × <NUM> - <NUM> x <NUM> + <NUM> x <NUM> - <NUM>) x <NUM> / <NUM> = <NUM> calories.

In some embodiments, the Katch & McArdle method may be used as follows.

It should also be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the following description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

To the extent the embodiments disclosed herein include or operate in association with memory, storage, and/or computer readable media, then that memory, storage, and/or computer readable media are non-transitory. Accordingly, to the extent that memory, storage, and/or computer readable media are covered by one or more claims, then that memory, storage, and/or computer readable media is only non-transitory.

While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.

It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In general, terms such as "coupled to," and "configured for coupling to," and "secure to," and "configured for securing to" and "in communication with" (for example, a first component is "coupled to" or "is configured for coupling to" or is "configured for securing to" or is "in communication with" a second component) are used herein to indicate a structural, functional, mechanical, electrical, signal, optical, magnetic, electromagnetic, ionic or fluidic relationship between two or more components or elements. As such, the fact that one component is said to be in communication with a second component is not intended to exclude the possibility that additional components may be present between, and/or operatively associated or engaged with, the first and second components.

As used herein, the term "and/or" placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (<NUM>) the first entity, (<NUM>) the second entity, and (<NUM>) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with "and/or" should be construed in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.

Claim 1:
An exercise weight unit (<NUM>) adapted to be handheld and palm-centered, comprising:
an elongated main body (<NUM>), the main body being oval shaped or rounded egg shaped and having a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>), a central portion, and a central longitudinal axis through the first end and the second end; and
a protrusion (<NUM>) extended away from an outer surface of the main body, characterised in that,
the protrusion is extending from the first end of the main body to the second end of the main body along a base.