GB2601802A

GB2601802A - Apparatus comprising a handle and a weight and able to be swung by a person for Physical exercise

Info

Publication number: GB2601802A
Application number: GB2019559.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Percival Yarde Barry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-12-10
Filing date: 2020-12-10
Publication date: 2022-06-15
Also published as: GB202019559D0

Abstract

Apparatus comprising a handle and a weight and able to be swung by a person for physical exercise, which apparatus comprises the handle 24 and the weight 26. The handle 24 comprises a tapering end portion 28 which tapers outwardly in a direction towards the weight 26. The weight 26 comprises a tapering bore 30 which tapers inwardly in a direction towards the handle 24. The tapering bore 30 extends completely through the weight 26. The handle 24 and the weight 26 fit together such that the tapering end portion 28 on the handle 24 and the tapering bore 30 in the weight 26 bind together to secure the weight 26 on the handle 24 consequent upon the apparatus 22 being held by the handle 24 and swung by the person. The handle 24 and the weight 26 are separable from each other consequent upon at least one of the handle 24 and the weight 26 receiving a force which causes the tapering end portion 28 on the handle 24 and the tapering bore in the weight 26 to cease to bind together. The end portion 28 may be formed from an elastic material.

Description

APPARATUS COMPRISING A HANDLE AND A WEIGHT AND

ABLE TO BE SWUNG BY A PERSON FOR PHYSICAL EXCERCISE

This invention relates to apparatus for use by a person for physical exercise. More especially, this invention relates to apparatus comprising a handle and a weight and able to be swung for a person for physical exercise.

Apparatus comprising a handle and a weight and able to be swung by a person for physical exercise is known. Such known apparatus may be a mace or a kettle bell. One known type of mace is such that the weight is a permanent fixture to the handle. This means that if a person requires to use maces of different weights, then a number of maces are required, each with a different weight. This is disadvantageous in terms of the cost of buying the different maces and also in terms of storing the different maces.

A known mace which overcomes the above problem is one which has the weight in the form of a plurality of discs which can be releasably secured to the handle. A person requiring to use maces of different weights is thus able to use one or more of the discs until such time as the required overall weight is achieved. A disadvantage of such a mace is that the discs are secured on a threaded end portion of the handle. The discs are held in position by two screw threaded collars, with one each of the screw threaded collars being positioned on either side of the required number of discs. It is time consuming to unscrew one of the collars to add or remove a disc or discs, and then to readjust the relative position of the two screw threaded collars in order to secure the weights firmly in position on the handle.

It is an aim of the present invention to avoid or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus comprising a handle and a weight and able to be swung by a person for physical exercise, which apparatus comprises: (i) the handle; and (ii) the weight, and wherein: (iii) the handle comprises a tapering end portion which tapers outwardly in a direction towards the weight; (iv) the weight comprises a tapering bore which tapers inwardly in a direction towards the handle; (v) the tapering bore extends completely through the weight; (vi) the handle and the weight fit together such that the tapering end portion on the handle and the tapering bore in the weight bind together to secure the weight on the handle consequent upon the apparatus being held by the handle and swung by the person; and (vii) the handle and the weight are separable from each other consequent upon at least one of the handle and the weight receiving a force which causes the tapering end portion on the handle and the tapering bore in the weight to cease to bind together.

The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous in that it can easily be provided with different weights. It is only necessary to provide the handle and/or the weight with a force which causes the tapering portion on the handle and the tapering bore on the weight to cease to bind together. The weight then slides off the handle. A new weight can then be slid onto the handle, whereupon the weight will bind to the handle as the person picks up the apparatus for the physical exercise. As the weight is swung, the weight binds tightly to the handle. There is no possibility of the weight coming off the handle because of the direction of taper of the tapering end portion on the handle and the complementary tapering bore in the weight.

The force required for removing the weight from the handle may be effected by simply holding the apparatus such that the weight is uppermost and is held in the person's hand. A tap on the floor with the lower end of the handle will then break the binding frictional force between the tapering portion on the handle and the tapering bore in the weight, whereupon the weight is able to slide off the handle. The apparatus can then be inverted such that the tapering end portion of the handle is lowermost, whereupon a new weight of required size can be slid over the top of the handle and down to the tapering end portion of the handle. Thus the apparatus of the present invention is able to have a use condition which is adjustable to provide a required total weight required by a user. The apparatus of the present invention is also able to have a non-use condition in which the handle is separated from the weights, and this may be preferred for storage and/or transport to a place of exercise.

The apparatus may be one in which the handle comprises a rigid portion and the tapering end portion, and in which the tapering end portion comprises an elastic material. The tapering end portion may be made substantially solely of the elastic material. Alternatively, the tapering end portion may comprises a covering of the elastic material on another material, for example a rigid material.

The elastic material is preferably a rubber material. Other types of elastic material may be employed. The rubber material is preferably ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). Other types of rubber material may be employed.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be one in which the handle comprises a rigid portion and the tapering end portion, and in which the tapering end portion is formed completely of a rigid material. The apparatus may then be one in which the rigid portion of the handle and the tapering end portion are made of the same material, whereby the handle is made of a single piece of material. Thus, for example, the handle may be made of wood, for example ash. Other types of wood may be employed. Other types of material may be employed so that, for example, the handle may be made of a metal, for example aluminium. Alternatively, the handle may be made of a single piece of material in the form of carbon fibre.

In all embodiments of the invention, the tapering end portion may have a taper known as a Morse taper. Alternatively, the tapering end portion may have a taper known as a Jacobs taper. Other type of tapering shapes may be employed.

The apparatus of the present invention may be one in which the handle is a fixed length handle.

Alternatively, the apparatus of the present invention may be one in which the handle is an adjustable length handle, and in which the handle includes length adjusting means. The length adjusting means may be a spring clip. The spring clip may be a pair of sprung male members which locate in apertures. Other types of length adjusting means may be employed so that, for example, the length adjusting means may be a pin which extends into a chosen one of a row of apertures extending longitudinally along the handle.

The handle may be in the form of a pole. In this case, the apparatus of the present invention may be in the form of a mace. When the handle is in the form of a pole, the apparatus may be in forms other than a mace.

Alternatively, the apparatus of the present invention may be one in which the handle comprises an apertured hand grip and a shank. The apertured hand grip may be a circular or a D-shaped apertured hand grip. Other grip shapes may be employed. The apparatus may then take the form of a kettle bell. When the handle comprises the apertured hand grip and the shank, the apparatus may take forms other than a kettle bell.

In all embodiments of the invention, the weight is preferably in the form of a sphere. The weight may however be of other shapes so that, for example, the weight may be elliptical or ovoidal.

The weight may comprise a shell and a filling. The filing may be concrete, weight beads, or another material.

The shell may be made of a metal. The shell may be made in two halves which are secured together, for example by welding. Any suitable metal may be employed.

The shell may be provided with a filling aperture for receiving the weighted filling material. When the shell is filled, then the filling aperture may be closed with a closure device, for example a grommet.

If desired, the shell may be made of a plastics material. The plastics material may be moulded in one piece or several pieces as required.

Alternatively, the weight may be made from a single piece of heavy material, for example iron.

In all embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may include fastener means for locating on the handle adjacent the weight and acting as a failsafe fastener means for preventing unwanted sliding of the weight along the handle and away from the tapering end portion of the handle.

The fastener means may be a collar. The collar may be a clamp collar. Alternatively, the collar may be a sprung collar. Fastener means other than a collar may be employed.

The apparatus of the present invention may be made in different sizes to suit persons of different sizes. The apparatus may be such that the handle for the mace is 600-1300mm and the handle for the tube is 500-600mm. The handle may have a diameter of 30mm. Other measurements for the handle may be employed.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows first known apparatus comprising a handle and a weight and able to be swung by a person for physical exercise, the apparatus being in the form of a mace with a head formed by a fixed weight; Figure 2 shows second known apparatus which is in the form of a mace as in Figure 1 but which is such that the weight part of the mace is adjustable and comprises a plurality of discs; Figure 3 shows first apparatus of the present invention comprising a handle and a weight and able to be swung by a person for physical exercise, the apparatus being in the form of a mace; Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3 and shows in broken lines a tapering end portion of the handle which is inside the weight; Figure 5 shows the apparatus of Figure 3 in an inverted form and illustrates how the weight is able to be slid along the handle; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the weight in the apparatus shown in Figure 3; Figures 7, 8 and 9 are side, top and sectional views through the weight shown in Figure 6; Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a closure device in the form of a grommet as shown in Figure 5; Figure 11 is a section through the grommet as shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a top view of the grommet as shown in Figure 10; Figure 13 shows second apparatus of the present invention comprising a handle and a weight and able to be swung by a person for physical exercise, the apparatus being in the form of a mace; Figure 14 is an isometric device of the locking device shown in the mace of Figure 13; Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the locking device shown in Figure 14 and is a view partially in section, of one type of handle for use in the apparatus shown in Figure 3 or Figure 13; Figure 16 is a section view through third apparatus of the present invention and in the form of a mace; Figure 17 shows forth apparatus of the present invention comprising a handle and a weight and able to be swung by a person for physical exercise, with the apparatus being in the form of a kettle bell; Figure 18 is a section through part of the apparatus shown in Figure 17; Figure 19 is an isometric view of a spring clip as used in the apparatus shown in Figures 17 and 18; Figure 20 shows the apparatus of Figure 3 being swung by a person for a first type of physical exercise; Figure 21 shows the apparatus of Figure 3 being swung by a person for a second type of physical exercise; Figure 22 show the apparatus of Figure 3 being swung by a person for a third type of physical exercise; and Figure 23 shows the apparatus of Figure 3 being swung by a person for a fourth type of physical exercise.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown first known apparatus 2 which is in the form of a mace. The apparatus 2 comprises a handle 4 and a weight 6. The weight 6 is formed integrally with the handle 4. Thus the weight 6 is not interchangeable and this means that if a person wishes to use the apparatus 2 and such that it is of different weights, then different pieces of the apparatus 2 are required with each piece of apparatus being of the required weight.

Figure 2 shows known apparatus 8 and which is in the form of a mace. The apparatus 8 comprises a handle 10 and a weight 12. The weight 12 is formed by six separate discs 14. The discs 14 can be increased or decreased in number in order to provide the apparatus 8 with a specific overall weight required by a person using the apparatus 8. The discs 14 are secured on a threaded end portion 16 of the handle 10. The discs 14 are maintained in position by an upper threaded collar 18 and a lower threaded collar 20. It is time consuming and inconvenient to have to unscrew the lower threaded collar 20 in order to remove or add discs 14 to the stack of discs 14 to form the required weight 12. In addition, once the required number of discs 14 has been achieved, it may also be necessary to adjust the upper threaded collar 18 with respect to the lower threaded collar 20 in order to make sure that the required stack of discs 14 is securely retained between the collars 18, 20.

Figures 3 -12 show first apparatus 22 of the present invention. The apparatus 22 comprises a handle 24 and a weight 26. The apparatus 22 is able to be swung by a person for physical exercise. The apparatus 22 comprises the handle 24 and the weight 26.

The apparatus 22 is such that the handle 24 comprises a tapering end portion 28 which tapers outwardly in a direction towards the weight. The weight comprises a tapering bore 30 which tapers inwardly in a direction towards the handle 4. The tapering bore 30 extends completely through the weight.

The handle 24 and the weight 26 fit together such that the tapering end portion 28 on the handle 24 and the tapering bore 30 in the weight 26 bind together to secure the weight 26 on the handle 24 consequent upon the apparatus 22 being held by the handle 24 and swung by the person.

The handle 24 and the weight 26 are separable from each other consequent upon at least one of the handle 24 and the weight 26 receiving a force which causes the tapering end portion 28 on the handle 24 and the tapering bore 30 on the weight 26 to cease to bind together. Typically, the separating force can be achieved by inverting the apparatus 22 and tapping the lower end of the handle 24 on the floor or ground. The applied separating force is thus typically in the opposite direction to the force binding the tapering end portion 28 and the tapering bore 30 together during the swinging of the apparatus 22 by the person and about the end of the handle 24 opposite the tapering end portion 28.

The handle 24 comprises a rigid portion 32 and the tapering end portion 28. The tapering end portion 28 comprises an elastic material. More specifically, the tapering end portion 28 is made substantially of the elastic material. The elastic material is a rubber material. The rubber material is preferably ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM).

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the elastic material may be in the form of a covering over another material, for example over a rigid material. In this case, the rigid material may be a metal, wood or a rigid plastics material.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the handle 24 may be such that it comprises the rigid portion 32 and the tapering end portion 28 but with the tapering end portion 28 being formed completely of a rigid material. The rigid portion 32 of the handle 24 and the rigid tapering end portion 28 may be made of the same material, whereby the handle 24 is made of a single piece of material. In this case, the handle 24 may be made of wood, for example ash or another wood material. Alternatively, the single piece of material may be made of a metal, for example aluminium or another metal.

The tapering end portion 28 has a taper known as a Morse taper. Alternatively, if desired, the taper may be a Jacobs taper. Tapering end portions 28 having other tapering angles may be employed.

The tapering end portion 28 in the apparatus 22 shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 is such that it is a separately formed tapering end portion 28 to the remainder of the handle 24. As can best be appreciated from Figure 5, the handle 24 is a parallel sided handle 24 having an end portion 34. The tapering end portion 28 has a bore 36 which receives the end portion 34 of the handle 24. The tapering end portion 28 is secured by an adhesive 38 to the tapering end portion 28. In alternative embodiments of the invention (not shown), the tapering end portion 28 can be secured in position on the end portion 34 with other types of fixing means such for example as screws or bolts. The type of fixing means chosen may depend upon the material from which the handle 24 is made. Any suitable fixing means or combination of fixing means may be employed.

As shown in Figure 5, the separately formed tapering end portion 28 has a reduced diameter bore 40. The bore 40 is able to be used for receiving fixing means, for example a screw, for fixing the tapering end portion 28 in position.

As can be appreciated from Figured 3 -5, the handle 24 is in the form of a pole. This handle 24 is of a fixed non-adjustable length.

The weight 26 is in the form of a sphere. The tapering bore 30 in the weight 26 is best appreciated from Figures 5, 6 and 8. The tapering bore 30 comprises a tapering portion 42 and a parallel-sided portion 44. Other types of tapering bores 30 may be employed.

When the weight 26 is slid over the handle 24 from its upper end 46, the weight 26 slides over the tapering end portion 28 such that the tapering end portion 28 fits into the tapering portion 42. The part 48 of the handle 24 immediately above the tapering end portion 28 fits into the parallel-sided portion 44 of the tapering bore 30 in the weight 26.

The weight 26 is in the form of a sphere. The weight 26 may be of another shape such for example as an ovoid or elliptical shape. The weight 26 comprises a shell 50 and a filling 52. The filling 52 is concrete. The filling 52 may alternatively be filling beads made of appropriate material. Any suitable type of filling material may be employed. The provision of the filling 52 in the shell 50 is facilitated by forming the shell 50 with an initial opening 54 which is large enough to enable the filling 52 easily to be poured into the shell 50. When the shell 50 is full with the filling 52, then the opening 54 may be reduced in size by inserting a grommet 56 into the shell 50. The grommet 56 may be secured in position by any suitable fastening means, for example an adhesive.

The grommet 56 has a through bore 58 which is of the same diameter as the parallel-sided portion 44 of the tapering bore 30 in the weight 26. Thus the upper end 46 of the handle 24 is able to pass through the parallel-sided portion 44 of the tapering bore 30 and also through the through bore 58 in the grommet 56.

The grommet 56 is disc-shaped as shown in Figures 10 -12. The grommet 56 has an upper lip 60 and a peripheral groove 62. The peripheral groove 62 has a 900 face 64 and an inclined face 66.

The grommet 56 also has a recess 68 in its upper surface. This recess 68 is for receiving a colour code for indicating apparatus 22 of different weights. The recess 68 may be omitted if desired.

Figure 13 shows second apparatus 70 of the present invention. The apparatus 70 is the same as the apparatus 22 except that it is additionally provided with fastener means 72. The fastener means 72 is for locating on the handle 24 and acting as a failsafe fastener means 72 for preventing unwanted sliding of the weight 26 along the handle 24 and away from the tapering end portion 28 of the handle 24.

The fastener means 72 is shown in detail in Figures 14 and 15. Figure 15 shows the fastener means 72 from a different angle to that shown in Figure 14 and on an enlarged scale. It will be seen that the fastener means 72 is in the form of a collar. The collar is a clamp collar comprising two parts 74, 76 which are tightened together about the handle 24 by an over-centre operating lever 78. The lever 78 is connected to the part 74 by a formation 80 as shown in Figure 15. The lever 78 pivots about the part 76 by a pivot 82. The parts 74, 76 pivot together by pivots 84. The lever 78 is provided with ribs 86 for facilitating applying downward locking pressure to the lever 78. This downward locking pressure will be opposite to opening locking movement of the lever 78 and which is indicated by the arrow 88.

Figure 16 shows third apparatus 90 of the present invention. In the apparatus 90, the rigid portion 32 of the handle 24 is made of wood, for example ash, and screws 92 extend through the tapering end portion 28 in order to secure the tapering end portion 28 to the rigid portion 32. The tapering end portion 28 is made of a flexible material, for example a rubber material, but it may in alternative embodiments of the invention (not shown) be a cover portion on top of a solid portion or it may be a completely solid portion.

The pieces of apparatus 22, 70, 90 are each in the form of a mace.

Figures 17-19 show fourth apparatus 94 of the present invention. For ease of illustration, Figures 17 and 18 only show a handle 96 of the apparatus 22. The handle 96 comprises a tapering end portion 98. The tapering end portion 98 fits into a weight, such for example as the weight 26.

The handle 96 is shorter than the handle 24. The handle 96 is an adjustable handle have an apertured hand grip 97 and a shank 99. The shank 99 has a first part 100 which slides within a second part 102. The parts 100, 102 are secured in desired relative positions in order to give the handle 96 a required overall length by length adjusting means 104. The length adjusting means comprises a pair of sprung male members 105, 108 which are biased apart by a sprung V-strip 110 which is best seen in Figure 19. The male members 106, 108 are biased outwardly through apertures 112, 114 respectively in the part 102 of the handle 96. The parts 100, 102 of the handle 96 are hollow as shown. In the apparatus 22, 70, 90, the handle 24 may be solid or hollow as desired.

The apparatus 94 is able to be swung by a person for physical exercise. The apparatus 94 is in the form of a kettle bell.

Figure 20 shows a person 116 using the apparatus 22 to perform an exercise called a pendulum swing. With the pendulum swing, the apparatus 22 is swung backwards and forwards in the direction shown by arrows 118, 120.

Figure 21 shows the apparatus 22 being used by the person 116 to perform an exercise known as a woodchop. The apparatus 22 is swung backwards and forwards in the path indicated by the arrow 122.

Figure 22 shows the person 116 performing an exercise known as tricep raises. In the tricep raises, the apparatus 22 is raised and lowered as shown by the arrow 124. In this exercise, swinging of the apparatus 22 may be kept to a minimum.

In Figure 23, the person 116 is shown using the apparatus 22 to perform an exercise known as swing through with squats, In Figure 23, the person 116 is shown standing erect in solid lines, and the person 116 is shown bending forward in dotted lines in order to swing the apparatus 22 through their legs and in the direction indicated by the arrows 126, 128, It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, the apparatus of the present invention can be made with hollow or solid handles 24. Preferably the handles 24 are constructed to be of a lightweight, for example of a weight less than a solid handle and less than a solid handle made of iron. This is because the handle of the apparatus of the present invention, for example the handle 24, is preferably such that its lightweight does not unduly add to the weight of the entire apparatus, for example the apparatus 22. It is preferred that the required weight for the apparatus of the present invention is centred in the actual weight at the end of the handle, for example the weight 26. If the handle is heavy, then the actual weight of the handle can be appreciable and it is not really provided at the part of the apparatus which is required for optimum swinging and thereby optimum physical exercise from the swinging. The weight 26 may be of any suitable construction. When the weight is in the form of a shell, then the shell may be made in two halves which are subsequently secured together, for example by welding in the case of metals, or by adhesives in the case of shells made of plastics materials. The tapering end portion 28 is preferably made of a dense rubber and more preferably of EPDM. However other compressible materials may be used including plastics materials which are configured to be compressible. Typical materials for the weight when it is in the form of a shell constructed in two halves are stainless steel, copper, bronze. Depending upon the material, the outer surface of the sphere may be brushed and polished. The two halves of the shell may be injection moulded or otherwise produced. As an alternative to a hollow sphere, the weight may be in the form of a solid piece of metal, for example iron. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned and/or shown above, taken singly or in any combination.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus comprising a handle and a weight and able to be swung by a person for physical exercise, which apparatus comprises: (i) the handle; and (5) the weight, and wherein: (iii) the handle comprises a tapering end portion which tapers outwardly in a direction towards the weight; (iv) the weight comprises a tapering bore which tapers inwardly in a direction towards the handle; (v) the tapering bore extends completely through the weight; (vi) the handle and the weight fit together such that the tapering end portion on the handle and the tapering bore in the weight bind together to secure the weight on the handle consequent upon the apparatus being held by the handle and swung by the person; and (vii) the handle and the weight are separable from each other consequent upon at least one of the handle and the weight receiving a force which causes the tapering end portion on the handle and the tapering bore in the weight to cease to bind together.
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the tapering end portion comprises an elastic material.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the tapering end portion is made substantially solely of the elastic material.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the elastic material is a rubber material.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the rubber material is EPDM.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the handle comprises a rigid portion and the tapering end portion, and in which the tapering end portion is formed completely of a rigid material.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the rigid portion of the handle and the tapering end portion are made of the same material, whereby the handle is made of a single piece of material.
8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the tapering end portion has a taper known as a Morse taper.
9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 -7 in which the tapering end portion has a taper known as a Jacobs taper.
10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the handle is a fixed length handle.
11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 -9 in which the handle is an adjustable length handle, and in which the handle includes length adjusting means,
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the length adjusting means is a spring clip and a pair of sprung male members which locate in apertures.
13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the handle is a pole.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the apparatus is in the form of a mace.
15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 -12 in which the handle comprises an apertured hand grip and a shank.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which the apertured handgrip is a circular or a D-shaped apertured hand grip.
17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or claim 16 and in the form of a kettle bell.
18. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the weight is in the form of a sphere.
19. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the weight comprises a collar and a filling,
20. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the filling is concrete.
21. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the shell is made of a metal.
22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-20 in which the shell is made of a plastics material.
23. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including fastener means for locating on the handle and acting as a failsafe fastener means for preventing unwanted sliding of the weight along the handle and away from the tapering end portion of the handle.
24. Apparatus according to claim 23 in which the fastener means is a collar.
25. Apparatus according to claim 24 in which the collar is a clamp collar.