US20080188362A1

US20080188362A1 - Weightlifting device

Info

Publication number: US20080188362A1
Application number: US12/100,255
Authority: US
Inventors: James Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-19
Filing date: 2008-04-09
Publication date: 2008-08-07

Abstract

A weightlifting device includes a handle member, an elongated adjustable member, a set of weight plates, and an elongated limiting member. The handle member has a tubular end portion. The adjustable member extends into the end portion of the handle member and is movable axially relative to the handle member. Each of the weight plates is sleeved around the adjustable member. The limiting member extends through the weight plates to thereby prevent rotation of the weight plates relative to each other.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/642367, filed on Dec. 29, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a weightlifting device, more particularly to a weightlifting device that permits easy adjustment of the number of weight plates attached to a handle member.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional dumbbell includes a handle member, a set of weight plates that are attached removably to the handle member, and a pair of spin locks, each of which is threadedly engaged to a respective one of opposite end portions of the handle member for retaining the weight plates on the handle member.
The aforementioned conventional dumbbell is disadvantageous in that attachment and detachment of the weight plates to and from the handle member are inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a weightlifting device that can overcome the aforesaid drawback of the prior art.
According to the present invention, a weightlifting device comprises an exercising weight that includes a handle member, an elongated adjustable member, a set of weight plates, and an elongated limiting member. The handle member has a tubular end portion. The adjustable member extends into the end portion of the handle member and is movable axially relative to the handle member. Each of the weight plates is sleeved around the adjustable member. The limiting member extends through the weight plates to thereby prevent rotation of the weight plates relative to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a weightlifting device according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view to illustrate a weight plate of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view to illustrate an adjustable member, a limiting member, and a retaining unit of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view to illustrate a state where the adjustable member of the preferred embodiment is disposed at a first angular position;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view to illustrate a state where the adjustable member of the preferred embodiment is disposed at a second angular position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view to illustrate a handle member of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a partly sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrating a state where the retaining unit engages the weight plate; and

FIG. 9 is a partly sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrating a state where the retaining unit is disengaged from the weight plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of a weightlifting device according to this invention is shown to include an exercising weight 1.
The exercising weight 1 includes a handle member 2, elongated left and right adjustable members 61, 51, first and second sets of weight plates 41, 31, and elongated left and right limiting members 65, 55.
The handle member 2 has opposite tubular left and right end portions 22, 21.
Each of the left and right adjustable members 61, 51 extends into a respective one of the left and right end portions 22, 21 of the handle member 2 and is movable axially relative to the handle member 2.
The weight plates 41, 31 in each of the first and second sets are sleeved around a respective one of the left and right adjustable members 61, 51.
The left limiting member 65 serves to prevent rotation of the weight plates 41 relative to each other. Similarly, the right limiting member 55 serves to prevent rotation of the weight plates 31 relative to each other.
The exercising weight 1 further includes left and right restricting units 63, 53 and left and right retaining units 62, 52.
Each of the left and right restricting units 63, 53 serves to arrest axial movement of a respective one of the left and right adjustable members 61, 51 relative to the handle member 2.
Each of the left and right retaining units 62, 52 serves to retain the weight plates 41, 31 in a respective one of the first and second sets on a respective one of the left and right adjustable members 61, 51.
Since the constructions of the left end portion 22 of the handle member 2, the left adjustable member 61, the weight plates 41, the left limiting member 65, the left restricting unit 63, and the left retaining unit 62 are similar to those of the right end portion 21 of the handle member 2, the right adjustable member 51, the weight plates 31, the right limiting member 55, the right restricting unit 53, and the right retaining unit 52, respectively, only the right end portion 21 of the handle member 2, the right adjustable member 51, the weight plates 31, the right limiting member 55, the right restricting unit 53, and the right retaining unit 52 will be described hereinafter.
As best shown in FIG. 3, each of the weight plates 31 is formed with a first through-hole 311 that has a non-circular shape, a second through-hole 312 that is in spatial communication with the first through-hole 311, and third and fourth through-holes 313, each of which that is in spatial communication with the second through-hole 312 and is defined by a hole-defining wall 314.
With further reference to FIG. 4, the adjustable member 51 has a circular cross-section.
The restricting unit 53 includes a first restricting is member 531 provided on the adjustable member 51, and a second restricting member 532 provided on the right end portion 21 of the handle member 2.
The adjustable member 51 is rotatable relative to the handle member 2 between a first angular position, where the first and second restricting members 531, 532 engage each other, thereby arresting axial movement of the adjustable member 51 relative to the handle member 2, and a second angular position, where the first and second restricting members 531, 532 are disengaged from each other, thereby permitting axial movement of the adjustable member 51 relative to the handle member 2.
The limiting member 55 is sleeved on the adjustable member 51, extends through the first through-holes 311 in the weight plates 31, and has inner and outer surfaces 551, 552. The inner surface 551 of the limiting member 55 has a circular cross-section that corresponds to the cross-section of the adjustable member 51, thereby permitting rotation of the adjustable member 51 between the first and second angular positions. On the other hand, the outer surface 552 of the limiting member 55 has a non-circular cross-section that corresponds to the shape of the first through-holes 311 in the weight plates 31, thereby preventing rotation of the weight plates 31 relative to each other. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the outer surface 552 of the limiting member 55 has at least one flat portion. Preferably, the cross-section of the outer surface 552 of the limiting member 55 has a pair of opposite flat portions 555, 556.
The limiting member 55 further extends into the end portion 21 of the handle member 2. The end portion 21 of the handle member 2 has a non-circular cross-section that corresponds to the cross-section of the outer surface 552 of the limiting member 55, thereby preventing rotation of the limiting member 55 relative to the handle member 2.
The first restricting member 531 of the restricting unit 53 includes a plurality of spaced apart engaging grooves 533 that are formed in and that are disposed along the length of the adjustable member 51.
The adjustable member 51 is further formed with a guiding groove 534 that extends along the length thereof and that is in spatial communication with the engaging grooves 533.
The limiting member 55 is formed with an elongated slot 554 that extends from the inner surface 551 to the outer surface 552 thereof. The elongated slot 554 in the limiting member 55 is registered with the engaging grooves 533 when the adjustable member 51 is disposed at the first angular position. On the other hand, the elongated slot 554 in the limiting member 55 is registered with the guiding groove 534 when the adjustable member 51 is disposed at the second angular position.
The second restricting member 532 includes an engaging protrusion 535 that extends from the end portion 21 of the handle member 2 through the elongated slot 554 in the limiting member 55. The engaging protrusion 535 is disposed in a selected one of the engaging grooves 533 in the adjustable member 51 when the adjustable member 51 is disposed at the first angular position, as best shown in FIG. 5. On the other hand, as best shown in FIG. 6, the engaging protrusion 535 is disposed in the guiding groove 534 in the adjustable member 51 when the adjustable member 51 is disposed at the second angular position.
The limiting member 55 is further formed with an elongated hole 553 that extends from the inner surface 551 to the outer surface 552 thereof.
With particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 7, the retaining unit 52 includes a secured member 521 and a movable member 522. The secured member 521 extends through the elongated hole 553 in the limiting member 55, and is secured to the adjustable member 51 so as to be co-movable therewith between the first and second angular positions. The movable member 522 is coupled movably to the secured member 521, and is movable relative to the secured member 521 between an engaging position, where the movable member 522 engages an outermost one, i.e., a rightmost one, of the weight plates 31, and a disengaging position, where the movable member 522 is disengaged from the outermost one of the weight plates 31.
In this embodiment, the movable member 522 includes an engaging piece 524 and an operable piece 523. The engaging piece 524 of the movable member 522 includes an engaging body 542 that is sleeved slidably on the secured member 521, and an engaging arm 543 that extends from the engaging body 542 and that has a hook shape. The engaging arm 543 of the engaging piece 524 engages the hole-defining wall 314 of the outermost one of the weight plates 31 when the movable member 522 is disposed at the engaging position, as best shown in FIG. 8. On the other hand, as best shown in FIG. 9, the engaging arm 543 of the engaging piece 524 is disengaged from the hole-defining wall 314 of the outermost one of the weight plates 31 when the movable member 522 is disposed at the disengaging position.
The retaining unit 52 further includes a biasing member 541, such as spiral spring, that biases the movable member 522 to the engaging position. In particular, the secured member 521 has a free end 527 provided with an abutting piece 526. The biasing member 541 is sleeved on the secured member 522, and has opposite ends that respectively abut against the abutting piece 526 of the secured member 521 and the engaging piece 524 of the movable member 522.
The operable piece 523 of the movable member 522 is sleeved on the biasing member 541 and is connected to the engaging piece 524 so as to be co-movable therewith.
The second through-hole 312 in each of the weight plates 31 permits extension of the movable member 522 therethrough when the adjustable member 51 is moved axially relative to the handle member 2.
Each of the third and fourth through-holes 313 in each of the weight plates 31 has a shape which corresponds to that of the engaging arm 543 of the engaging piece 524 of the movable member 522. As such, the weight plate 31 may be sleeved on the limiting member 55 in either direction, i.e., either side of the weight plate 31 first.
The weight lifting device further includes a rack unit 7 that supports thereon the exercising weight 1. In particular, the rack unit 7 has opposite left and right end portions 72, 71, each of which supports thereon the weight plates 41, 31 in a respective one of the first and second sets, and a middle portion 73 that interconnects the left and right end portions 72, 71 thereof and that supports thereon the left and right end portions 22, 21 of the handle member 2. In this embodiment, each of the left and right end portions 72, 71 of the rack unit 7 is formed with a plurality of spaced apart slots 721, 711. Each of the weight plates 41 in the first set extends into a respective one of the slots 721 in the left end portion 72 of the rack unit 7 when the left end portion 72 of the rack unit 7 supports thereon the weight plates 41. Similarly, each of the weight plates 31 in the second set extends into a respective one of the slots 711 in the right end portion 71 of the rack unit 7 when the right end portion 71 of the rack unit 7 supports thereon the weight plates 31. The construction as such permits the rack unit 7 to stably support the exercising weight 1 thereon.
In use, at an initial state, the rack unit 7 supports thereon the exercising weight 1. At this state, when it is desired to adjust the number of the weight plates 31 sleeved around the right adjustable member 51, the movable member 522 of the right retaining unit 52 is first disposed at the disengaging position. Subsequently, the right adjustable member 51 is disposed at the second angular position. At this time, the right adjustable member 51 may be moved axially relative to the handle member 2 to increase or decrease the number of the weight plates 41 sleeved around the right adjustable member 51. Thereafter, the right adjustable member 51 is disposed back at the first angular position. Subsequently, the movable member 522 of the right retaining unit 52 is disposed back at the engaging position.
Since the procedure for adjusting the number of the weight plates 41 sleeved around the left adjustable member 61 is similar to the above-described procedure, a detailed description of the same will be dispensed with herein for the sake of brevity.
The left end portion 72 of the rack unit 7 is marked with a plurality of gradations 9, each of which is aligned with a respective one of the slots 721 in the left end portion 72 of the rack unit 7 and indicates the total weight of the weight plates 41 sleeved around the left adjustable member 61. Similarly, the right end portion 71 of the rack unit 7 is marked with a plurality of gradations 8, each of which is aligned with a respective one of the slots 711 in the right end portion 71 of the rack unit 7 and indicates the total weight of the weight plates 31 sleeved around the right adjustable member 51.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A weightlifting device, comprising:

an exercising weight including

a handle member having a tubular end portion,

an elongated adjustable member extending into said end portion of said handle member, and movable axially relative to said handle member,

a set of weight plates sleeved around said adjustable member, and

an elongated limiting member extending through said weight plates to thereby prevent rotation of said weight plates relative to each other.

2. The weightlifting device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a restricting unit including a first restricting member provided on said adjustable member, and a second restricting member provided on said end portion of said handle member,

said adjustable member being rotatable relative to said handle member between a first angular position, where said first and second restricting members engage each other, thereby arresting axial movement of said adjustable member relative to said handle member, and a second angular position, where said first and second restricting members are disengaged from each other, thereby permitting axial movement of said adjustable member relative to said handle member.

3. The weight lifting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said weight plates is formed with a first through-hole that has a non-circular shape, and said adjustable member has a circular cross-section,

said limiting member being sleeved on said adjustable member, extending through said first through-holes in said weight plates, and having an inner surface that has a circular cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of said adjustable member, thereby permitting rotation of said adjustable member between the first and second angular positions, and an outer surface that has a non-circular cross-section corresponding to the shape of said first through-holes in said weight plates, thereby preventing rotation of said weight plates relative to each other.

4. The weightlifting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said limiting member further extends into said end portion of the said handle member, said end portion of said handle member having a non-circular cross-section that corresponds to the cross-section of said outer surface of said limiting member, thereby preventing rotation of said limiting member relative to said handle member.

5. The weightlifting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first restricting member includes a plurality of spaced apart engaging grooves that are formed in and that are disposed along the length of said adjustable member,

said adjustable member being further formed with a guiding groove that extends along the length thereof and that is in spatial communication with said engaging grooves,

said limiting member being formed with an elongated slot that extends from said inner surface to said outer surface thereof, and that is registered with said engaging grooves when said adjustable member is disposed at the first angular position and said guiding groove when said adjustable member is disposed at the second angular position,

said second restricting member including an engaging protrusion that extends from said end portion of said handle member through said elongated slot in said limiting member,

said engaging protrusion being disposed in a selected one of said engaging grooves when said adjustable member is disposed at the first angular position,

said engaging protrusion being disposed in said guiding groove when said adjustable member is disposed at the second angular position.

6. The weightlifting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said limiting member is formed with an elongated hole that extends from said inner surface to said outer surface thereof, said weightlifting device further comprising a retaining unit for retaining said weight plates on said adjustable member, said retaining unit including

a secured member that extends through said elongated hole in said limiting member, and that is secured to said adjustable member so as to be co-movable with said adjustable member between the first and second angular positions, and

a movable member that is coupled movably to said secured member, and that is movable relative to said secured member between an engaging position, where said movable member engages an outermost one of said weight plates, and a second position, where said movable member is disengaged from said outermost one of said weight plates.

7. The weightlifting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said movable member includes an engaging piece sleeved slidably on said secured member, and said secured member has a free end provided with an abutting piece, said retaining unit further including a biasing member for biasing said movable member to the engaging position, said biasing member having opposite ends that respectively abut against said abutting piece of said secured member and said engaging piece of said movable member.

8. The weightlifting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said weight plates is further formed with a second through-hole that is in spatial communication with said first through-hole in a respective one of said weight plates and that permits said movable member of said retaining unit to pass therethrough when said adjustable member is moved axially relative to said handle member.

9. The weightlifting device as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said weight plates is formed with a third through-hole that is in spatial communication with the second through-hole and that is defined by a hole-defining wall,

said engaging piece of said movable member including an engaging body, and an engaging arm that extends from said engaging body, that has a hook shape, and that engages said hole-defining wall of said outermost one of said weight plates when said movable member is disposed at the engaging position.