GB2485908A

GB2485908A - A vibrating barbell weight

Info

Publication number: GB2485908A
Application number: GB201120403A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Griffiths
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-25
Filing date: 2011-11-25
Publication date: 2012-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-25
Also published as: GB2485908B; GB201120403D0; GB201020013D0

Abstract

A weight for a barbell with means to vibrate the weight. The rotation means may comprise a mass 46 located in the weight and driven to rotate by an electric motor 48. The mass 46 may be eccentrically mounted with respect to a central point of the weight and there may be a worm gear arrangement 150 to drive its movement. The mass 46 may also be supporting on bearings. A control means with a wireless transmitter and receiver may be provided. Alternatively a wire can pass through a bar to connect a pair of weights. The controller may control the amplitude and frequency of the vibration and may also be used to coordinate or synchronise vibrations on different weights using sensors. A slave and master relationship may be provided in respect of the coordination of vibration on different weights. Cooperating keys and grooves may be used to retain a weight on a bar.

Description

A Barbell and a Weight for a Barbell The invention relates to a barbell and a weight for a barbell.

Exercise equipment is known in the form of a vibrating platform for improving fitness, strength and muscle tone. The known platform is designed for the user to stand on ft and includes a handle or handles for the user to hold while standing on the platform. The user may adopt different posftions standing on the platform, in particular the squat posftion. The known vibration platform vibrates over a range of 1 to 2 nun at a frequency of 25 to 50 Hz. Such vibrating platforms have been commercially available for over ten years. The known platforms are large, heavy and expensive. The platform must be large so that a person can stand on ft wfth both feet.

The platform must be capable of taking the full weight of an adult, so it must be strong and hence it is heavy. A typical platform will weigh 100 to 120 kg.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a weight for a barbell, the weight including vibration means to vibrate the weight.

By providing a weight which vibrates, a user lifting the weight not only uses his muscles in raising the weight, but also in coping with the vibration. A workout using the weight of the invention, rather than a conventional dead weight, will mean that the muscles work more, and over time will resuh in better muscle, better bone density, better circulation and other medical, fitness and strength benefits.

In one embodiment, the weight defines a through bore to receive a bar. In this way the weight can be placed anywhere along the length of the bar.

In another embodiment, the weight defines a blind bore to receive the end of a bar. In this way the weight is more compact.

The vibration means may take any suitable form and may comprise drive means which may drive rotation of a mass, the centre of gravity of the mass preferably being offset from the axis of rotation. The mass may be rotated about any suitable axis, but in a preferred embodiment the mass is rotated about the axis of the weight or the axis of a bore defined through the weight to receive the bar of a barbell, and which may be the same as the axis of the weight. The mass may be, for example, a mass mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation and in a preferred embodiment the mass is entirely to one side of the axis of rotation.

The drive means may drive rotation of the mass in any suitable way and may drive rotation of the mass through a gear, which may be a worm gear. The mass may be carried by a bearing, one race of which may be driven by the drive means. The mass may be carried between a ring driven by the drive means and the bearing race.

The bearing race may lie close to the periphery of the weight and may be mounted to the casing of the weight. Altematively, the race may lie close to the centre of the weight and the non-driven bearing race may be mounted to the casing of the weight, for example, where it defines an aperture to receive the barbell bar.

The drive means may take any suitable form and may be an electrically powered drive means. The weight may include a socket for power. Preferably the weight is self-contained and includes an on board power supply, which may be an electrical power supply, such as a battery, preferably a rechargeable battery. Where the weight defines a blind bore to receive the end of a bar, the battery may intersect the axis of the bar. The ability to mount the battery in this position means that a large conventionally shaped battery can be accommodated.

The weight preferably includes a controller. The weight preferably also includes a communication device, which is may be hard wired but is alternatively a wireless communication device such as an infra-red communication device. The device may comprise at least one transmitter and/or at least one receiver. Where the devices are wireless, preferably, there is a plurality of communication devices, preferably at least three communication devices, preferably spaced apart, preferably equispaced around the weight, preferably on the same side of the weight. In this way communication should be assured, even if one communication device is blocked by a user. The controller may control the vibration means to control the frequency of vibration of the weight. The controller may also or alternatively control the vibration means to control the amplitude of vibration of the weight. Where the weight includes drive means, the controller may form part of a feedback loop including the drive means and a vibration sensor. Where the drive means drives rotation of a mass, the controller may be in a feedback loop including the drive means and a rotation sensor.

Where the communication device is a receiver, the controller may be arranged to control the frequency of vibration of the weight and/or the amplitude of vibration of the weight and/or the phase of vibration in response to a signal received by the or at least one receiver. Where the communication device is an emitter, the controller may control the emitter to emit a signal dependent upon the frequency of vibration of the weight and/or the amplitude of vibration of the weight and/or the phase of vibration.

The controller may be operable by the user to control the frequency of vibration and/or the amplitude of vibration of the weight. The controller may also be operable by the user to control the duration for which the weight vibrates. The controller preferably enables the user to select from a plurality of durations. The controller is preferably arranged such that after turning on vibration, there is a delay before vibration starts. This enables the user to move from adjacent the weight to the centre of the barbell to start exercise.

The weight preferably includes an indicator to indicate to a user the orientation of the weight. In this way, where two weights are used, they can be arranged on the barbell bar in the same orientation so that the phase of vibration can be synchronised.

Preferably, means is provided to prevent the weight from rotating on a barbell bar. The means may comprise a projection forming a key to be received in a groove in a bar, or may comprise a recess to receive a key on a bar. Alternatively, a key collar may be provided, the key collar being arranged to be slid on to a bar and including means such as a clamp to attach the collar immovably in position on the bar, the key collar including keying means as between the collar and weight to prevent rotation of the weight on the collar, the keying means comprising a key on one of the collar and weight to be received in a recess defined in the other of the collar and weight.

The weight may be arranged to vibrate over a range of movement of about 1 to 6 mm, preferably about 2 to 4 mm. The weight may be arranged to vibrate at a frequency in the range 10 to 60 Hz, preferably in the range 30 to 40 Hz. The amplitude of vibration may be adjustable. The frequency of vibration may also or altematively be adjustable.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a pair of weights for mounting on a bar to form a barbell, each weight being a weight according to the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably the weights include communication means so that the weights can communicate with each other. Preferably each weight includes a controller and preferably the controller controls the frequency of vibration and/or the amplitude and/or the phase and preferably all three so that they are synchronised. In this way the two weights on the barbell will be vibrating in exactly the same way which is better for the user, in particular in terms of balance.

One of the pair of weights is preferably a master and includes at least one emitter, and the other of the pair of weights is preferably a slave and includes at least one receiver to receive a signal from the master weight.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a barbell, the or at least one weight on the barbell being a weight according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a barbell including a bar and a pair of weights according to the second aspect of the invention thereon.

Preferably the weights include communication means so that the weights can communicate with each other. The communication means may be wireless communication means and the communication means on each weight are then suitably arranged on the bar to face the communication means of the other weight of the pair, in particular where the communication is by line of sight.

In the third or fourth aspect of the invention, the bar of the barbell may include a connector to electrically connect the bar to a connector on at least one weight.

Where the weight has a blind bore to receive the end of the bar, the weight connector may be at the blind end of the bore and the bar connector may be on the end of the bar. A plug and socket arrangement is thus provided. The bar connector may be received in the hollow end of the bar. The bar may be hollow and the weights may communicate through the hollow core of the bar. The bar may include wires therethrough connected to bar connectors.

Three embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above of a barbell in a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of the weights of the barbell of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the weight of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a side elevation in cross section of the weight of Fig. 2 taken at AA as shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the weight of Fig. 2 with one half of the casing removed so that the internal mechanism is visible; Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the weight of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the control system of the weight; Fig. 8 is a front view of the weight in a second embodiment with one half of the casing removed to show the internal mechanism; and, Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the weight of the second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a barbell in a third embodiment; Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the barbell of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the barbell of Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a detailed view in elevation of one end of the barbell of Fig. 10; Fig. 14 is a partially exploded perspective view of one end of the barbell of Fig. 10; Fig. 15 is a detailed view of one end of the bar of the barbell of the third embodiment; Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one side of the vibrating weight of the third embodiment; Fig. 17 is a plan view of the vibrating weight of the third embodiment; Fig. 18 is a side elevation in cross-section of the vibrating weight of the third embodiment; Fig. 19 is a side elevation of the vibrating weight of the third embodiment partially cut away; Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the vibrating weight of the third embodiment showing the battery and battery panel in exploded fashion; Fig. 21 is a view of the resilient cover of the vibrating weight of the third embodiment; and, Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the weight of the third embodiment with part of the casing removed; A barbell of the first embodiment as shown in Fig. I comprises a bar 12 in the form of a circular cross section tube, two vibrating weights 14, 16, one at each end of the bar 12 and four conventional weights 18, two at each end of the bar 12.

Each vibrating weight 14, 16 includes a casing 20 made of two casing halves 20a, 20b. The casing 20 defines a central aperture or bore 22 to receive the bar 12.

From the front, the casing 20 has eight sides 32. The front and rear surfaces 24, 26 of the casing 20 are substantially flat except that the front surface 24 defines a hexagonal rebate 28 centred on the axis of the aperture 22, and the rear surface 26 includes a raised hexagonal land 30 in an equivalent position and of corresponding size to the rebate 28. In this way, adjacent weights can interlock with one another. The halves 20a, 20b of the housing 20 are secured together by four bolts 66.

Inside the casing 20, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, there is a circular bearing 34. The outer bearing race 36 is secured to one half 20b of the housing 20. The inner bearing race 38 mounts a ring 40 with a toothed inner surface 42, the ring 40 being connected to the inner race 38 by five radial ribs 44. Between two radial ribs 44, and between the ring 40 and inner race 38 is provided a mass 46. The mass 46 is arc shaped and subtends an angle of around 800 at the axis of the aperture 22. In order to reduce the space taken up by the mass 46, the mass 46 should be made of a dense material and in this embodiment it is made of tungsten and weighs about 300g.

The front half 20a of the casing 20 mounts an electric stepper motor 48. The electric stepper motor 48 is mounted behind a bent sheet metal part 50. The sheet metal part 50 defines an aperture 52 to receive a rotary shaft 54 of the motor 48. A first cog 56 is mounted concentrically on the shaft 54 and meshes with a second cog 58 which in turn meshes with the teeth 42 of the ring 40. The second cog 58 is mounted for rotation on a stud 60 which is received in an aperture 62 in the bent plate 50.

The motor 48 is housed in the lower part of the housing 20, and the upper part of the housing 20 receives a battery 64 to power the motor, which may be a lithium polymer battery 64.

Each of the vibrating weights 14, 16 includes a socket (not shown) on one side wall of the casing 20 for charging of the battery 64.

Three infrared LEDs 68 are provided on the front face 24 of the front half 20a of the housing 20. The LEDs 68 are equally spaced at 120° intervals about the axis of the aperture 22 and are provided towards the sides 32 of the casing 20. Two buttons are also provided on the face 24 above the aperture 22. The buttons 70 and the LEDs 68 are connected to a PCB 74 mounted behind the battery 64 in the front half 20a of the casing 20. The location of the buttons 70 provides a visual indicator to the user of the orientation of the weight 14.

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of the electrical system. A microcontroller 76 mounted on the PCB 74 controls infrared LEDs 68 and is connected to the buttons 70.

The microcontroller 76 is also connected to the battery 64 and to the motor 48. The PCB 74 also includes a rotation sensor 78 which senses rotation of the shaft 54 of the motor 48. Thus, the microcontroller 76 controls the supply of power to the motor 48 and a signal is fed back to the microcontroller 76 from the rotation sensor 78 indicative of the consequent rotation of the shaft 54 of the motor 48.

The weight 14 at one end of the barbell 10 has been described. The vibrating weight 16 at the other end of the barbell 10 is the same as the first vibrating weight 14, but instead of infrared LEDs, the second vibrating weight 16 includes infrared receivers in the same positions. The first vibrating weight 14 acts as master and the second vibrating weight 16 as slave.

In use, the user will fit the weights 14, 16 onto the bar 12 of the barbell 10.

The weights 14, 16 should be fitted in the same orientation so that the mass 46 in each is in the same position. The orientation of each weight can be seen from the position of the buttons 70. The weights 14, 16 should be fitted as the innermost weights on the barbell 10 and with the LED emitters 68 of the master weight 14 facing the receivers of the slave weight 16.

To start the weights vibrating, the user will press the start button 70 on each of the weights 14, 16. When the start button 70 is pressed, the motor 48 will drive the shaft 54, which drives the cogs 56, 58 to drive the ring 40, hence rotating the inner bearing race 38, in the outer bearing race 36 and also rotating the tungsten mass 46 around the central axis. Rotation of the mass 46, which is mounted to one side of the axis of the weight 14, causes vibration. The mass 46 may be arranged to rotate at 30 Hz. The 300g weight will result in a range of movement of about 2 mm.

The master weight 14 will communicate with the slave weight 16 by sending an infrared signal from the LEDs 68 to be received by the infrared receivers of the slave weight 16. The microcontroller 76 of the master weight 14 will control the LEDs 68 to send a signal which contains information concerning the frequency, amplitude and phase of vibration of the master weight 14 so that the microcontroller 76 of the slave weight 16 can control the motor 48 of the slave weight 16 to match the amplitude and frequency of vibration and synchronise the phase of vibration. The user holding the bar 12 of the barbell 10 may block the line of communication between an infrared LED 68 and a receiver, for example with their arms, but because there are three LEDs and three receivers and because they are spaced around the bar 12, there should always be at least one receiver able to receive a signal from an LED emitter 68.

As the user lifts and exercises with the barbell 10, the vibration will increase the quality of the exercise. The frequency of vibration used activates a stretch reflex, which is a protective reflex in the muscles. This results in about 20% extra muscle working, for the same activity. This means that the user can obtain the same workout in less time, or altematively will find enhanced benefits if using such weights in their normal routine, including better bone density, better muscle, better circulation and generally improved fitness, strength and health.

Figures 8 and 9 show the second embodiment which is similar to the first.

Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals will be used for equivalent features.

Tn the second embodiment, the motor 48, instead of being mounted with its shaft 54 rotating about an axis parallel to the axis of the aperture 22 to receive the bar 12, is arranged so that the shaft 54 rotates about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the aperture 22 and non-intersecting therewith. The shaft 54 carries a worm gear 80 which meshes with a toothed ring 88 carried by the outer race 82 of a bearing 84 carried by the cylindrical part 86 of the casing 20 defining the aperture 22. The tungsten weight 46 is mounted in a frame 90 which is carried by the outer race 82 of the bearing 84. As in the first embodiment, the mass 46 is arc shaped and subtends an angle of around 80° at the axis of the aperture 22. The frame 90 comprises two radial arms 92 extending from the toothed ring 88, the arms 92 being connected by three arc parts 94, 96, 98, the outermost arc part 94 and middle arc part 96 mounting the weight 46 between them. A further radial arm 100 bisects the first radial arms 92 and intersects the inner arc part 98 and terminates at the middle arc part 96 at one end and at the toothed ring 88 at the other. The toothed ring 88, arms 92, 100, and arc parts 94, 96, 98 are one integral part made of plastics material.

The control for the weight is the same as for the first embodiment. Thus, when the button 70 is pressed to start the vibration, the motor 48 drives the shaft to rotate it and hence rotates the worm gear 80 which rotates the toothed ring 88 to rotate the frame 90 carrying the mass 46 to cause the vibration. The mass 46 may be rotated at Hz over a range of movement of the weight 10 of 4 mm.

In either embodiment, the weight 14, 16 may be supplied with a key collar.

The key collar may comprise a sleeve of elastomeric material to be slid on to the barbell bar 12 and bound in place, the collar including a protruding key to be received in a corresponding key way in the weight. The key collar will thus prevent the weights 14, 16 from rotating or moving around the bar 12, which would lead to the vibration being imperfectly synchronised.

Two examples of mechanisms for creating vibration in a barbell weight have been described, but other examples will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

The infrared communication system described is one example of a communication system that might be used. Other wireless communication systems may also be used, such as a visible light system. A non-wireless system is also envisaged, in which the weights 14, 16 are wired together by a wire which, in a preferred embodiment, is incorporated into the tubular bar 12.

The frequency and amplitude of vibration may be adjustable by the user.

The third embodiment is shown in Figs. 10 to 22. There are similarities with the first embodiment and the same reference numerals will be used for equivalent features.

Whereas, the vibrating weights 14 and 16 of the first and second embodiments included a through bore 22 to receive the bar 12, the vibrating weight of the third embodiment includes a protruding socket 110 defining a blind bore 112 to receive the end of the bar 12.

The socket 110 protrudes from the flat lid 20a which forms the inner surface of the easing 20. The casing 20 is generally round but has a flat lower surface 20e, so the weight can be put on the floor and will not roll or otherwise change orientation. At the opposite side from the flat lower surface 20c, in other words on the upper side, there is a rebate 20d in which are provided two buttons 70 and four translucent windows 114 as a control panel. The first button 70a is an onloff button for the vibrating weight 14, 16. The second button 70b, allows the user to start the weight vibrating. Pressing the second button 70b once will light the first window 114, twice will light the second window, three times will light the third window and four times will light the fourth window. The windows are marked with the duration of the vibration of the weight for the program selected and thus read iSs, 30s, 45s and 60s.

The socket 110 mounts a key 116. This has a head 118 defining an aperture through which a user's finger can be inserted. The key 116 also includes a shank 122 which is received in an upright channel 124 through the socket 110 which intersects the blind bore 112 so that the end of the shank 122 is received in an aperture 126 in the bar 12, as seen, for example, in Figs. 14 and 18. There is an arrow 125 above the bore 112 pointing down to it and an arrow 127 on the bar 12 pointing to the end of the bar, the arrow 127 being on the top surface aligned with the aperture 126 to assist the user in correctly orienting the bar 12 with respect to the vibrating weight 14.

The casing 20 is partially wrapped by a cover 128 made of elastomeric material. This resilient cover 128 provides protection. The cover 128 has a cut out for the flat underside 20c of the case 20 and also has a cut out at the top 130, and cut outs to each side 132.

Inside the casing 20, a PCB 74 is mounted beneath the control panel on the rebate 22 carrying the buttons 70a, 70b and windows 114.

A large rectangular box 128 is provided spanning the casing 20 from beneath the PCB 74 to the flat lower surface 20c, in which a removable panel 130 is provided for access to the box 128. The box 128 thus lies directly behind the socket 110. The box 128 is arranged to receive a large battery 132 which takes the form of a large rectangular block. The lid 20a mounts the box 128 and also mounts a four legged spider frame 134. The end of each leg 136 of the spider frame 134 is bent to define a lug 138 defining a screw aperture by means of which the leg 136 can be attached to the lid 20a. The legs 136 of the spider frame 134 meet at a hub 142 defining a central bore 144 which journals an axle 146. The outer end of the axle 146 carries a radial arm 148 at the end of which is mounted a mass 46. Like the mass of the second embodiment, the mass 46 of the third embodiment is generally in the form of a section of an arc.

The inner end of the axle 146 is connected to a toothed wheel 150 which lies within the spider frame 134. The teeth of the toothed wheel 150 mesh with the teeth on a toothed spindle 152 which is directly driven by an electric stepmotor 48. The electric motor 48 is connected by screws to a plate 154 which extends between two of the arms 136 on one side of the box 128.

The toothed wheel 150 has a series of apertures 156 adjacent the circumference. An LED 158 is mounted on one arm 136 of the spider frame 134 so as to be directed through the apertures 156 as they pass during rotation of the toothed wheel 150. A photosensor (not shown) is mounted on the other side of the toothed wheel 150 from the LED 158 and provides a signal to the PCB 74 by means of which the speed of rotation and angle of rotation can be determined. This is because the apertures 156 are equally spaced around the circumference of the toothed wheel 150 with the exception that the aperture that would be directly in line with the radial arm 148 beneath the weight 46 is omitted.

The bar 12 is hollow and receives a shallow top hat shaped disc 160. Within the cavity of the top hat shaped disc 160 are provided three pins 164. The blind end face 166 at the bottom of the cavity 112 of the socket 110 defines three indented contacts to receive the pins 164. Wires (not shown) extend through the tube 12 and connect the pins 164 at one end of the tube 12 to the pins 164 at the other end of the tube 12 so that vibrating weights 14, 16 at opposite ends of the bar 12 are connected to one another electrically for communication.

A consumer will buy two vibrating weights 14, 16 and a bar 12 and can buy conventional weights 18 with screw collar 19 to go on to the inventive bar 12.

In use, the user will mount the required weights on the bar 12 and secure them with a collar screwed to the bar. The user will then attach a vibrating weight 14, 16 to each end of the bar 12. To do this, the user will insert the end of the bar into the cavity 112 of the socket 110 with the aperture 126 uppermost so that the pins 164 are in the right orientation to meet the contacts 166. The bar 12 is locked in position with the pins 164 in contacts 166 using the key 116 which is pushed down so that the end of the shank 122 is received in the aperture 126. Once the vibrating weights 14, 16 are connected to the ends of the bar 12 in this way, the user can turn on the vibrating weights by pressing the on button 70a. As in the other embodiments, there is a master vibrating weight 14 and a slave weight 16. The slave weight 16 does not have the control panel. Pressing the button 70a turns on both weights 14, 16, the weights being connected by the wire through the bar 12. The user then selects the exercise program that they require by pressing the button 70b so that the duration of vibration required is lit in one of the windows 114. The microcontroller on the PCB 74 allows a delay once the program has been set before vibration starts. This allows the user time to move from adjacent the weight at the end of the bar 12 to centrally of the bar so that the barbell 10 can be lifted to begin the exercise.

The mass 46 may be 250g tungsten weight and may be arranged to be rotated at3S Hz.

The microcontroller on the PCB 74 controls the motor 48 to drive the toothed spindle 152 which in turn drives the toothed wheel 150 to drive the axle 146 to rotate the arm 148 carrying the mass 46. As the mass is solely to one side of the axis of rotation, rotation of the mass 46 wilt result in vibration of the weight 14, 16. The battery 132 powers the motor 48 and PCB 74 as well as the LED 158 and photosensor.

The photosensor senses the light from the LED 158, which is interrupted by the continuous parts of the toothed disc 150 in between the windows 156. The frequency of the flashes of light received provides an indication of the speed of rotation of the toothed wheel 115 and hence the speed of rotation of the weight 46, and the gap in the flashes caused by the absent window 156 opposite the mass 46 provides an indication of the rotational position of the toothed wheel 150.

The barbell of the invention is easy to assembte and use and provides very significant fitness, strength and general health benefits.

Claims

Claims 1. A weight for a barbell, the weight including vibration means to vibrate the weight.
2. A weight as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weight defines a through bore to receive a bar.
3. A weight as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weight defines a blind bore to receive the end of a bar.
4. A weight as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the vibration means comprises drive means arranged to drive rotation of a mass, the centre of gravity of the mass being offset from the axis of rotation.
5. A weight as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mass is arranged to be rotated about the axis of the weight.
6. A weight as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mass is arranged to be rotated about the axis of a bore defined in the weight to receive the end of a bar of a barbell.
7. A weight as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the mass is a mass mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis.
8. A weight as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mass is entirely to one side of the axis.
9. A weight as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the drive means is arranged to drive rotation of the mass through a gear.
10. A weight as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gear is a worm gear.
11. A weight as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the mass is carried by a bearing, one race of which is driven by the drive means.
12. A weight as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mass is carried between a ring driven by the drive means and the bearing race.
13. A weight as claimed in claim 12, wherein the bearing race lies close to the periphery of the weight.
14. A weight as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the bearing race is mounted to the casing of the weight.
15. A weight as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the bearing race lies close to the centre of the weight and the non-driven bearing race is mounted to the casing of the weight.
16. A weight as claimed in any of claims 4 to 15, wherein the drive means is an electrically powered drive means.
17. A weight as claimed in claim 16, wherein the weight includes a battery.
18. A weight as claimed in claim 17, wherein, where the weight defines a blind bore to receive the end of a bar, the battery is mounted over the end of the bar.
19. A weight as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the weight includes a controller.
20. A weight as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the weight includes a communication device.
21. A weight as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device comprises at least one transmitter and/or at least one receiver.
22. A weight as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the communication device is a wireless communication device such as an infra-red communication device.
23. A weight as claimed in claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein there is a plurality of communication devices.
24. A weight as claimed in claim 23, wherein the weight includes at least three communication devices.
25. A weight as claimed in claim 24, wherein the communication devices are spaced apart equispaced around the weight.
26. A weight as claimed in claims 23, 24 or 25, wherein the communication devices are on the same side of the weight.
27. A weight as claimed in any of claims 19 to 26, wherein the controller is arranged to control the vibration means to control the frequency of vibration of the weight.
28. A weight as claimed in any of claims 19 to 27, wherein the controller is arranged to control the amplitude of vibration of the weight.
29. A weight as claimed in any of claims 19 to 28, wherein, where the weight includes drive means, the controller forms part of a feedback loop including the drive means and a vibration sensor.
30. A weight as claimed in any of claims 19 to 29, wherein where the drive means drives rotation of a mass, the controller is in a feedback loop including the drive means and a rotation sensor.
31. A weight as claimed in any of claims 19 to 30, wherein where the communication device is a receiver, the controller is arranged to control the frequency of vibration of the weight and/or the amplitude of vibration of the weight and/or the phase of vibration in response to a signal received by the or at least one receiver.
32. Aweightasclaimedinanyofclaimsl9to3l,whereinwherethe communication device is an emitter, the controller is arranged to control the emitter to emit a signal dependent upon the frequency of vibration of the weight and/or the amplitude of vibration of the weight and/or the phase of vibration.
33. A weight as claimed in any of claims 19 to 32, wherein the controller is arranged to be operable by the user to control the frequency of vibration and/or the amplitude of vibration of the weight
34. A weight as claimed in any of claims 19 to 33, wherein the controller is arranged to be operable by the user to control the duration of vibration of the weight
35. A weight as claimed in claim 34, wherein the controller enables the user to select from a plurality of durations.
36. A weight as claimed in any of claims 19 to 35, wherein the controller is arranged such that after turning on vibration, there is a delay before vibration starts.
37. A weight as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the weight includes an indicator to indicate to a user the orientation of the weight.
38. A weight as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means is provided to prevent the weight from rotating on a barbell bar.
39. A weight as claimed in claim 38, wherein the means comprises a projection fbrming a key to be received in a groove or aperture in a bar, or comprises a recess to receive a key on a bar.
40. A weight as claimed in claim 38, wherein a key collar is provided, the key collarbeingarrangedtobeslidontoabarandincludingmeanssuchasaclampto attach the collar immovably in position on the bar, the key collar including keying means as between the collar and weight to prevent rotation of the weight on the collar.
41. A weight as claimed in claim 40, wherein the keying means comprises a key on one of the collar and weight to be received in a recess defined in the other of the collar and weight.
42. A weight as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the weight is arranged to vibrate over a range of movement of about 1 to 6 mm.
43. A weight as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the weight is arranged to vibrate over a range of about 2 to 4 mm.
44. A weight as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the weight is arranged to vibrate at a frequency in the range 10 to 60 Hz.
45. A weight as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the weight is arranged to vibrate at a frequency in the range 30 to 40 Hz.
46. A weight substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 7, 8 and 9 or 10 to 22 of the accompanying drawings.
47. A pair of weights for mounting on a bar to form a barbell, each weight being a weight according to any of claims 1 to 46.
48. A pair of weights as claimed in claim 47, wherein the weights include communication means so that the weights can communicate with each other.
49. A pair of weights as claimed in claim 48, wherein each weight includes a controller and the controller controls the frequency of vibration and/or the amplitude and/or the phase and preferably all three so that they are synehronised.
50. A pair of weights as claimed in claim 48 or 49, wherein one of the pair of weights is a master and includes at least one emitter, and the other pair of weights is a slave and includes at least one receiver to receive a signal from the master weight.
51. A pair of weights substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 7, 8 and 9 or 10 to 22 of the accompanying drawings.
52. A barbell, the or at least one weight on the barbell being a weight as claimed in any of claims ito 46.
53. A barbell including a bar and a pair of weights as claimed in any of claims 48 to Si thereon.
54. A barbell as claimed in claim 52 or 53, wherein the weights include communication means so that the weights can communicate with each other.
55. A barbell as claimed in claim 54, wherein the communication means comprises wireless communication means and the communication means on each weight is suitably arranged on the bar to face the communication means of the other weight of the pair.
56. A barbell as claimed in claim 52, 53 or 54, wherein the bar of the barbell includes a connector to electrically connect the bar to a connector on at least one weight.
57. A barbell as claimed in claim 56, wherein where the weight has a blind bore to receive the end of the bar, the weight connector may be at the blind end of the bore and the bar connector may be on the end of the bar.
58. A barbell as claimed in claim 57, wherein the bar connector is received in the hollow end of the bar.
59. A barbell as claimed in any of claims 54 to 58, wherein the bar is hollow and the weights communicate through the hollow core of the bar.
60. A barbell as claimed in claim 59, wherein the bar includes wires therethrough connected to bar connectors.
61. A barbell substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 7, 8 and 9 or 10 to 22 of the accompanying drawings.