GB2413288A

GB2413288A - Training apparatus with variable weight

Info

Publication number: GB2413288A
Application number: GB0408743A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Wilkins; Charles Richard Burch
Original assignee: SUFFOLK PUNCH Ltd
Current assignee: SUFFOLK PUNCH Ltd
Priority date: 2004-04-20
Filing date: 2004-04-20
Publication date: 2005-10-26
Also published as: GB0408743D0

Abstract

A training apparatus, such as a barbell or dumbbell, for which the weight of the training apparatus can be varied by adding or removing weighted inserts 40 from a plurality of apertures (70 see Figure 2) in a weight carrier 30 of the apparatus. The weighted inserts 40 may be secured within the apertures using a resilient band 50 received within a peripheral groove 34 on the carrier 30. Each of the apertures carries an opening (72) which is aligned with the peripheral groove 34 such that the resilient band 50, in use, partially protrudes across the apertures to engage the weighted inserts 40.

Description

24 1 3288

TRAINING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to training apparatus for use when weighttraining or weight-lifting and in particular to a training apparatus for which the weight to be lifted can be varied.

In general, there is an increased interest in exercise and fitness activities in order to maintain health and fitness, including both aerobic exercises, such as running, cycling, rowing, etc., and weight training exercises. Whilst weight training machines are most frequently used as they are simple to operate, it is commonly acknowledged that the use of free weights, such as dumbbells or barbells, is most effective.

One of the disadvantages of conventional dumbbells and barbells is that in order to exercise at a different weight it is time-consuming to undo the collars that secure the weights to the bar, remove and/or add additional weights as required and then re-fasten the collars. For dumbbells it is possible to provide a number of dumbbell sets having different weights to address this problem, but this approach requires storage racks that use significant amounts of space.

There have been a number of attempts to provide dumbbells that can be more simply modified to change their weight, for example using one or more levers to attach or detach weights as required, but generally they have not proved to be simple to use or sufficiently resilient for prolonged use in a gym or fitness club.

4362a2 April 2004 - 2 - According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising one or more apertures for receiving a weighted insert and a restraint means, in use, the restraint means restraining one or more weighted inserts within an associated aperture.

Preferably the apparatus is substantially disc-shaped and the one or more apertures connect a first face of the apparatus with a second face of the apparatus. The apparatus may further comprise a peripheral groove, and the restraint means may be received within the peripheral groove.

Preferably the or each aperture comprises an opening which is aligned with the peripheral groove, with the restraint means protruding through the opening of the or each aperture. The restraint means may comprise a polymeric band, which may comprise a nitrite rubber.

Preferably the restraint means is configured to restrain a weighted insert at one end of the or each aperture. The or each aperture may comprise an engagement means to engage with a weighted insert. The apparatus may further comprise means for receiving a shaft.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a training apparatus comprising a shaft and two apparatuses as described above, wherein the shaft is coupled to the two apparatuses. The training apparatus may comprise a dumbbell or a barbell.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following Figures in which: 4362a2 April 2004 - 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic depiction of an apparatus according to the present invention; Figures 2 & 2a shows a schematic depiction of a first view of a weight carrier for use with an apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure 3 shows a schematic depiction of a weighted insert for use with an apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1-3, an apparatus 10 according to the present invention comprises a shaft 20 and two weight carriers 30. Each carrier comprises a number of apertures 70 which can receive a weighted insert 40 such that the total weight of the apparatus may be varied in order to provide a desired level of exercise. Each weight carrier is secured to the shaft via fastening means 25, with the shaft preferably passing through each weight carrier.

Each weight carrier comprises first and second flat sides 36, 38 and is preferably substantially disc-shaped. Second side 38 may comprise a second disc that is separated from the main body of the carrier by a peripheral groove 34. Each of the apertures 70 are preferably all substantially parallel to each other and connect the first side to the second side.

Additionally, a shaft aperture 60 is provided to receive the shaft 20.

In use, one or more weighted inserts are placed into each weight carrier. It is preferred that an equal number of inserts are placed into each of the carriers so that the apparatus is balanced and that the inserts placed into each 4362a2 April 2004 - 4 carrier are equally spaced around the insert. A restraint means 50 is provided such that the inserts can not accidentally fall from the carrier, even if the apparatus is dropped.

In a preferred embodiment, the restraint means 50 comprise a resilient member that is received within the peripheral groove 34. Each of the apertures 70 comprises an opening 72 which is aligned with the peripheral groove34 such that the restraint means, in use, partially protrudes across the aperture. A weighted insert can be added into an aperture 70 by extending the restraint means 50 to remove it from the opening 72, sliding the insert into the aperture and releasing the restraint means 50. The restraint means 50 will then return into the opening, preventing the insert from exiting the carrier via the second face of the carrier.

Preferably, the insert comprises a shoulder 42 that engages with a ledge 74 provided in each aperture so that the insert is prevented from exiting the carrier via the first face of the carrier. It is preferred that the resilient member protrudes across approximately 10% of the diameter of each aperture. It has been found that this value provides a sufficient barrier to restrain the inserts within the carrier whilst still allowing the restraint member to be extended to allow the insert to be removed. It will be understood that the resilient member may protrude across a different proportion of an aperture without effecting the nature of the invention.

It will be readily understood that different restraint mechanisms may be used, for example a threaded connection between the insert and the carrier, one or more closures or 4362a2 April 2004 caps to enclose the aperture, magnetic restraint means, spring-loaded ball bearings, etc. However, it has been found that the use of a resilient member as described above simplifies the construction of the apparatus and also provides an apparatus that is simple to use. The resilient member may comprise a polymeric material, such as, for example, a rubber o-ring, a spring band or a bungee cord. It will be readily understood that any material or construction may be used for the resilient member as long as it is sufficiently elastic to enable inserts to be added to the and removed from the carrier and is also strong enough to restrain the inserts within the carrier.

The apparatus may be implemented as a dumbbell or a barbell, or in any other form. A carrier may, as is conventional be of a circular crosssection but it will be understood that the carrier may have a different cross-section, for example elliptical, hexagonal, octagonal, etc., or an irregular cross-section. It will also be understood that the carriers and/or the shaft may be of any convenient size. It is envisaged that, for a dumbbell according to the present invention, each insert may weigh 500g and that the weight of the shaft and two empty carriers, which are formed from a metal (such as aluminium or mild steel) or from a robust plastics material (such as ABS) is in the range of 2-10 kg.

Typically, the maximum weight of a dumbbell with each aperture filled will be in the range of 12-20 kg. Clearly, larger and/or heavier carriers may be used for a barbell, which should be able to accept larger and/or heavier weighted inserts. As well as changing the material used to form the inserts, inserts of different weights may be formed by 4362a2 April 2004 - 6 - altering the length, diameter and/or aspect ratio of the inserts.

Figure 1 shows that each insert partially protrudes out of the first side of the carrier. It will be understood that by altering the length of an insert there may be no protrusion of the insert, or that the insert may protrude by a greater distance that indicated figuratively in Figure 1. This variability in insert length may be used to provide inserts having a different weight.

It will be understood that different materials may be used, for example moulded polymers or other metals, such as lead, to provide inserts of lesser or greater weights, and that the materials used to make the carriers may be selected to provide a desired weight. The carriers and/or the inserts may be covered with a polymeric material to provide the same appearance and/or feel, regardless of the material used to make the items. The carriers and/or the inserts may be colour coded and/or textured in order to indicate their weight to a user. Figure 2 indicates that a carrier comprises eight apertures, but it will be immediately appreciated that a carrier may comprise a greater or lesser number of apertures.

Each carrier is secured to the shaft via fastening means 25, which may provide a rigid coupling of each carrier to the shaft or alternatively the fastening means 25 may allow a carrier to rotate about the axis of the shaft. This can reduce strain caused by an asymmetric loading of the weight carriers.

4362a2 April 2004 7 -

Claims

1. A training apparatus comprising one or more apertures for receiving a weighted insert and a restraint means, in use, the restraint means restraining one or more weighted inserts within an associated aperture.

2. A training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is substantially disc-shaped and the one or more apertures connect a first face of the apparatus with a second face of the apparatus.

3. A training apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a peripheral groove.

4. A training apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the restraint means is received within the peripheral groove.

5. A training apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the or each aperture comprises an opening which is aligned with the peripheral groove.

6. A training apparatus according to claim 5 wherein, in use, the restraint means protrudes through the opening of the or each aperture.

7. A training apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the restraint means comprises a polymeric band.

8. A training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the restraint means comprises a nitrite rubber.

4362a2 April 2004 - 8

9. A training apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the restraint means is configured to restrain a weighted insert at one end of the or each aperture.

10. A training apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the or each aperture comprises an engagement means to engage with a weighted insert.

11. A training apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus further comprises means for receiving a shaft.

12. A training apparatus comprising a shaft and two apparatuses according to any preceding claims, wherein the shaft is coupled to the two apparatuses.

13. A training apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the training apparatus comprises a dumbbell.

14. A training apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the training apparatus comprises a barbell.

4362a2 April 2004