GB2422122A - Dumbbell with rotatable weight - Google Patents

Abstract

A dumbbell comprising a bar 14 and the weight assembly 16 mounted on an end portion of the bar. The dumbbell comprises a securing member 20 for securing the weight assembly on the end portion in such a way that the weight assembly is rotatably movable in relation to the bar. Needle bearings (102, figure 2) may be provided between the bar 14 and weight assembly 16. An end plate (202, figure 3) may be provided over the end of the weight assembly to improve the appearance of the dumbbell. A resilient material (210) may be located in a recess in the end plate (202) to prevent damage to the end portions of the device.

Description

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AN EXERCISE DEVICE

The present invention relates to a exercise device, particularly but not exclusively to a dumbbell or barbell for weight lifting exercises and other fitness activfrjes Conventional dumbbells or barbells comprise a bar and a set of weights mounted on the end portions of the bar. These dumbbells or barbells further comprise flanges and collars to retain the weights in Position on the bar and to secure the weights. The flanges are provided on the bar towards the end portions. The collars are located on the end portions over the weights to secure the weights on the bar by cooperating with the flanges to fix the weights therebetween.

In conventional dumbbells in which the weights are fixedly secured onto the bar, there is a risk of injury when these weights are used in certain fitness exercises such as curls and triceps exercises The present invention aims to obviate or at least mitigate the above described problems and/or to provide improvements generally.

According to the present invention, there is provided an exercise device as defined in any of the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an exercise device comprising a bar, the bar comprising an end portion; a weight assembly mounted on the end portior-i; the weight assembly being rotatably mounted in relation to the bar.

The weight assembly thus secures to the end portion in a rotatabje manner which enables the weight assembly to rotate in relatjoi to the bar. This allows the aforesajci exercises to be performed more accurately and with a more benefjcjal physical effect on the user. Also, for certain exercises the risk of injuries to the wrists is greatly reduced.

The device may comprise a member for securing the weight assembly to the end portion.

In another embodiment of the invention the exercise device comprises a weight assembly which IS located on both end portions of the bar. The weight assembly may comprise a single weight, or an assembly of one or more individual weights. The weights may be individually rotatable in relation to the bar. The latter arrangement may advantageously be composed of similar weights in a modular form which are combined to form a suitable weight assembly.

The weght assembly is Preferably of an approximate cylindrjc external shape similar to conventional weight assemblies which are commonly used in barbells or dumbbells.

In a preferred ernbodinient of the invention, the bar comprises a member for locating the weight assembly on the end portion. The locating member may comprise a projection The projection may be in the form of a flange. This has the advantage that locating member can be easily machined out from the end portion of the bar.

The weights may comprise hearings for engaging with the bar. The bearings may comprise needle bearing, hail bearings or any other suitable bearings or combinations thereof.

in another embodiment, the bearings may he provided by a sJeeve which is located in the weight and which is adapted to rotatably engage with the end portion. Preferably, the sleeve is of a material having a low friction such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (ptfe) or similar materials In another embodjmert of the invention, the securing member may engage with the bar. This securing member limits movement of the weight assembly in relation to the end portion.

In another embodiment of the invention, the projection may be provided on the bar on one side of the weight assembly, the securing member cooperating with a projection to secure the weight assembly between the securing member and the projectior. The securing member may comprise a low friction surface to enable the weight to rotate in relation to the bar. The low friction surface may be provided by a low friction material such as bronze or a suitable plastics material such as the aforesaid ptfe material.

In a preferred embodiment, the securing member comprises a nut which engages with a threaded portion which is located on the end portion. In this way, the weight assembly is securely but rotatably held on the bar. The weight assembly preferably comprises a recess for receiving the securing member.

In an alternative embodiment the securing member may further comprise a permanent fixing, such as a welded fixing. Preferably, the securing member comprises a nut, which is welded to the end portion of the bar. In this way, a controlled compressive or locating force may provided by the nut and Permanently maintained by the welded fixing.

In a further alternative embodiment, the weight assembly may comprise an end plate. The end plate may engage with the weighted assembly The end plate may be mounted on the weight assembly and engage with the securing member.

The end plate may comprise a low friction surface to allow rotation of the weight assembly in relation to the end portion.

In another embodiment of the invention, the end plate is connected to the weight assembly by means of one or more fixing members. Fixing members may be in the form of screws or any other adequate fixing member including an adhesive.

The end plate may also be rotatable' in relation to the securing member.

The end plate advantageously obscures the securing member from sight. In this way, a securing member which is not aesthetically Pleasing may be hidden from view, thereby preserving the aesthetics, design and visual appearance of the exercise device.

The end plate Preferably comprises a recess. The recess is adapted to receive a label or similar to display product information.

In a preferred embodiment, the end plate comprises a resilient member. The resilient member may prevent the device from being damaged, for example when contacting a similar exercise device during butterfly exercises. The resilient member is Preferably provided in the recess on the end plate, and may be adapted to receive a label or similar to display product information.

In another embodiment of the invention, the weight assembly comprises smooth edges. This prevents damage to the exercise device and to other equipment such as flooring on which the device is placed during use. The weight assembly may comprise mild steel and/or stainless steel. The weight assembly may further comprise a cover. The cover may comprise a resilient material such as rubber or a polyurethane material. This further limits damage to the device and/or to other equipment which is contacted with the device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the bar may comprise means for providing grip. This improves overall handling and grip on the bar during use.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bar comprises a handle. The handle may be rotatable in relation to the bar. This provides a further degree of rotation of the bar and weight assembly in relation during use and greatly improves the efficacy of any dumbbell exercises that are conducted by the person using the device. In a preferred embodiment, the handle comprises a sleeve which is rotatably mounted on the bar.

In a further embodiment, the securing member may be configured in such a way that the securing member is releasable only after removal of the end plate. Release or removal of the securing member is thus only possible in a sequence whereby firstly the end plate is removed and subsequently the securing member is removed.

In an alternative embodiment, the end plate is directly mounted on the securing member. In this embodiment, the end plate and securing member are removed simultaneously to remove the weight assembly from tlie end portion.

The invention wi]l now he further illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 presents a combined diagraa0 cross- sectional/side view of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 presents a combined diagraa crosssectional/side view of an exercise device according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 presents a diagraat cross_sectional/side view of yet another exercise device according to a further embodiment of the invention The exercise device 10 comprises a bar 12 having end portions 14 on each end of the bar 12. The device 10 further comprises a weight assembly in the form of a set of weights 16 which are rotatably mountec on the end portions 14 of the bar 12. The weights 16 are retained on the end portions by locating members in the form of projections or collars 18.

The weights 1 6 are secured on the bar 12 by securing members 20. The securing member 20 comprises a screw which engages with a threaded portion which is located on the end portion of the bar 12. The securing member 20 may be Permanently secured to the bar 12, for example via a welding fixing.

In use, clearances which are present between the end portion and the weight assembly enable the weights 16 are to be freely rotatable in relation to the bar 12. This greatly improves the efficacy of any exercises and reduces the risk of injury.

Figure 2 presents a device ioo which is essentially identical to the device as shown in Figure 1. This device comprises bearings in the form of needje bearings 102 which are located between the end portion 104 of the bar 106 and the weights 108. This improves rotation of the weight 108 in relation to the bar 106.

The exercise device ioo provides the same beneficial effects as the device 10 of Figure 1.

Finally, Figure 3 presents a exercise device 200 which is largely Similar tc) the devi.ces as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In addition to the features that are shown in Figure 2, this device further comprises an end plate 202 which is located over the weight assembly 204. The end plate is fixed onto the weight assemb]y 204 by means of fixing members in the form of screws 206. The end plate 202 greatly improves the appeararce of the product. The plate 202 may have a recess 208 which may be adapted to display suitable product information A resilient material 210 is located in the recess. This material prevents damage to the end portions of the device during exercise, and may also be adapted to display suitable product information The weight assemblies of Figs 1 to 3 comprise a high density material, Preferably mild steel. This material is covered in a resilient material such as rubber or polyurethane or similar to prevent damage to the surroundings such as floors and furniture during use of the device when the device is dropped or accidentally brought in contact with the surroundings There is thus provided an exercise device as herejnbefore described and as shown in any of the accompanying drawings.

Claims (14)

1. An exercise device comprising: a bar, the bar comprising an end portion; a weight assembly mounted on the end portion; a member for securing the weight assembly to the end portion; wherein the weight assembly is rotatably mounted in relation to the bar.

2. An exercise device according to claim comprising a weight assembly mounted on end portions of the bar, the weight assembly comprising separate weights which are each individually rotatable in relation to the bar.

3. A device according to any of claims or 2, wherein the bar comprises a member for locating the weight assembly on the end portion.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the securing member cooperates with locating member to secure the weight assembly rotatably between the locatjor member and the securing member.

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the locating member comprises a projectioy, the projection being Iocate( on the bar.

6. A device according to any of the Preceding claims, wherein the end portion comprises a threaded portion, the securing member engaging with the threaded portion.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weight assembly comprises a recess for receiving the securing member.

8. A device according to any of the Preceding claims, wherein the securing member comprises an end plate, the end plate being adapted to engage with the weight assembly.

9. A device according to ariy of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises an end plate, the end plate being secured on the weight assembly.

10. A device according to any of claims 8 or 9, wherein the end plate comprises a resilient surface.

11. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weight assembly comprises a resilient cover.

12. A device according to any of the Preceding claims, wherein the bar comprises a handle, the handle being rotatable relative to the bar.

13. An exercise device according to any of the Preceding claims, wherein the securing member comprises a permanent fixing.

14. An exercise device as hereinbefore described and as shown in any of the accompanying drawings