US20180078811A1

US20180078811A1 - Adjustable dumbbell

Info

Publication number: US20180078811A1
Application number: US15/271,253
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-09-21
Filing date: 2016-09-21
Publication date: 2018-03-22

Abstract

An adjustable dumbbell device includes a handle bar, and a weight member having an engaging member for engaging with the handle bar and for detachably attaching the weight member to the handle bar, and a spring biased latch engaged with the handle bar and the weight member for detachably securing the weight member to the handle bar. The handle bar includes a slot for engaging with the engaging member of the weight member. The spring biased latch is engaged in the handle bar and extended into the slot of the handle bar. The weight member includes an engaging recess or element for engaging with the spring biased latch of the end member of the handle bar.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable dumbbell, and more particularly to an adjustable dumbbell assembly having an easily and quickly adjustable structure for allowing the adjustable dumbbell to be easily and quickly actuated or operated or controlled by the user.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various kinds of typical adjustable dumbbells have been developed and provided for conducting various weight lift exercise operations, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,690 to Schook, U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,413 to Kupferman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,997 to Roth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,093 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,214 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,641 to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,213 to Chen, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,887,469 to Chen disclose several of the typical adjustable dumbbells each including a number of weight rings that may be selectively or adjustably secured together with a handle bar for adjusting the weight of the dumbbells and for allowing the weight rings of different weight to be selectively actuated or operated by the user.
Normally, in the typical adjustable dumbbells, two extension carriers or tracks are formed or provided on the end portions or extended outwardly from the end portions of the central handle bar, and the weight rings may be selectively or adjustably secured to the extension carriers or tracks.
However, the extension carriers or tracks are required to be permanently formed or provided on the end portions of the central handle bar such that the extension carriers or tracks and the central handle bar may form and may include a greatly increased length for the typical adjustable dumbbells and such that the length of the typical adjustable dumbbells may not be suitably reduced or decreased.
In addition, a slidable adjusting latch device is normally and typically engaged in the handle bar and movable relative to the handle bar in order to engage with the weight rings of different weight, such that the handle bar have to be excavated to form a longitudinal channel therein for slidably receiving or engaging with the adjusting latch device, and such that the strength of the handle bar will be decreased greatly.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional adjustable dumbbells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustable dumbbell assembly including an adjustable structure that may be easily and quickly adjusted to different weights and that may be easily and quickly actuated or operated or controlled by the user.
The other objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustable dumbbell assembly including a structure having no extension carriers or tracks formed or provided on the end portions or extended outwardly from the end portions of the central handle bar such that the total length of the dumbbell assembly may be selectively decreased.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable dumbbell assembly comprising a handle bar including a first end member, a weight member including an engaging member for engaging with the first end member of the handle bar and for detachably attaching the weight member to the first end member of the handle bar, and a spring biased latch engaged with the first end member of the handle bar and the weight member for detachably securing the weight member to the first end member of the handle bar. It is to be noted that no slidable adjusting latch device is required to be engaged in the handle bar and movable relative to the handle bar in order to engage with the weight rings of different weight, such that the total length of the dumbbell assembly may be selectively decreased, and it is to be noted that the spring biased latch is normally engaged with the handle bar and the weight member for detachably securing the weight member to the handle bar.
The handle bar includes a slot formed in the first end member of the handle bar, and the engaging member, such as a dovetail of the weight member is engaged with the corresponding dovetail slot of the first end member of the handle bar for detachably attaching or securing the weight member to the first end member of the handle bar.
The engaging member of the weight member is preferably selected from a dovetail. The spring biased latch is provided in the first end member of the handle bar and extended into the slot of the first end member of the handle bar for selectively engaging with the weight member and for detachably securing the weight member to the handle bar.
The weight member includes an engaging element provided therein for engaging with the spring biased latch of the end member of the handle bar. The engaging element of the weight member is preferably selected from an engaging recess formed in the engaging member of the weight member.
The weight member includes a slot formed therein, and a second weight member includes an engaging member for engaging with the slot of the weight member and for detachably attaching the second or other weight member to the weight member. The weight member includes a spring biased latch provided in the weight member and extended into the slot of the weight member for detachably attaching the second weight member to the weight member.
The handle bar includes a groove formed therein, and an additional weight element is selectively received in and engaged with the groove of the handle bar. The handle bar includes a second spring biased latch engaged with the additional weight element for detachably securing the additional weight element to the first end member of the handle bar. The additional weight element includes a notch formed therein for engaging with the second spring biased latch.
Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of an adjustable dumbbell assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another upper perspective view of the adjustable dumbbell assembly similar to FIG. 1, in which one half of the adjustable dumbbell assembly has been cut off for showing the inner structure of the adjustable dumbbell assembly;

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell assembly;

FIG. 4 is another partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell assembly similar to FIG. 3, in which one half of the adjustable dumbbell assembly has been cut off for showing the inner structure of the adjustable dumbbell assembly;

FIG. 5 is a further partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell assembly;

FIG. 6 is a still further partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell assembly;

FIG. 7 is a still further partial exploded view of the adjustable dumbbell assembly, as seen from another direction opposite to that shown in FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 8, 9 are diagrams illustrating the arrangements of the panels of the control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-7, an adjustable dumbbell assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a central handle bar 10, and a number of weights 50, such as weight rings or plates or members 50 to be selectively or adjustably secured to the central handle bar 10, and to be easily and quickly adjusted to different weights for the adjustable dumbbell assembly. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the handle bar 10 includes an elongated or longitudinal structure or configuration, and includes one or more (such as two) end portions or enlarged end members 11, 12 formed or provided thereon, the enlarged end members 11, 12 each include a slot 13, such as a dovetail slot 13 formed in the outer portion thereof (FIG. 5) and located or faced or directed away from the handle bar 10. The end members 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 each include a spring biased latch 14 formed or provided therein and extended or engaged into the slot 13 thereof (FIG. 5).
The weight members 50 each include an engaging member 51, such as a dovetail 51 formed or provided on the inner portion 52 thereof (FIGS. 6, 7) and faced or directed toward the end member 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 respectively for selectively engaging with the dovetail slot 13 of the end member 11, 12 or of the handle bar 10, and for detachably or changeably or removably attaching or mounting or securing to the end member 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 respectively. It is preferable that the dovetail slot 13 of the end member 11, 12 or of the handle bar 10 and the dovetail or engaging member 51 of the weight member 50 include a tilted or inclined structure or configuration having a relatively wider lower end or portion 15; 53 and a relatively narrower upper end or portion 16; 54 for allowing the engaging member 51 to be easily and quickly engaged into the slot 13 of the end member 11, 12 or of the handle bar 10.
The weight members 50 each further include an engaging element 55, such as an engaging cavity or recess 55 formed therein, and such as formed in the dovetail or engaging member 51 or formed and located close to the dovetail or engaging member 51 for selectively receiving or engaging with the spring biased latch 14 of the end member 11, 12 or of the handle bar 10, and for detachably attaching or mounting or securing the weight member 50 to the end member 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 respectively. The weight members 50 each further include an engaging slot 56, such as a dovetail slot 56 formed the outer portion thereof (FIGS. 1-7) and located or faced or directed away from the handle bar 10 for selectively receiving or engaging with the dovetail or engaging member 51 of the other weight members 50, and for detachably attaching or mounting or securing the weight member 50 to the other weight members 50.
The end members 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 each further include one or more (such as two) channels or grooves 17 formed therein for selectively receiving or engaging with the other or additional weight elements 60, and each further include one or more (such as two) other spring biased latches 18 (FIGS. 2, 4) attached or mounted or engaged therein and extended or engaged into the grooves 17 of the end members 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 respectively for selectively engaging with the additional weight elements 60 and for detachably attaching or mounting or securing the additional weight elements 60 to the end members 11, 12 of the handle bar 10.
As best shown in FIG. 5, for example, the additional weight elements 60 each include a notch 61 formed therein (FIG. 5) for selectively receiving or engaging with the spring biased latch 18 of the end member 11, 12 or of the handle bar 10, and for detachably attaching or mounting or securing the additional weight elements 60 to the end member 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 respectively. It is preferable that the additional weight elements 60 each further include one or more (such as two) shoulders or catches 62 (FIG. 5) formed or provided therein for selectively contacting or engaging with the end member 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 and for anchoring or retaining or positioning the additional weight elements 60 to the end member 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 respectively and for preventing the additional weight elements 60 from being moved or disengaged or separated from the end member 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 respectively.
The adjustable dumbbell assembly in accordance with the present invention further comprises a base support 7 including one or more (such as two) receptacles or housings 70 connected or coupled together with one or more (such as two) rods or links 71, and the housings 70 each include a depression or chamber 72 formed therein for receiving or engaging with the weight members 50 and/or the additional weight elements 60, and an actuating or selecting or control device 8 disposed or engaged into the housings 70 for selectively contacting or engaging with the spring biased latches 14, 18, 57 and for selectively disengaging the spring biased latches 14, 18, 57 from the weight members 50 and/or the additional weight elements 60 respectively.
For example, the control device 8 includes a number of discs or panels 80, 81 pivotally or rotatably supported or engaged in chambers 72 of the housings 70 respectively with a rod or spindle 82, and a hand grip or knob 83 attached or mounted or secured to the spindle 82 and rotated in concert with the spindle 82 for pivoting or rotating the spindle 82 and the weight members 50 and/or the additional weight elements 60 relative to the housings 70. The end member 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 and the weight members 50 and the additional weight elements 60 each further include a cavity 19 (FIG. 5), 58 (FIGS. 1-7), 63 (FIG. 5) formed therein and communicating with the slot 13, 56 thereof and/or the notch 61 of the additional weight element 60 (FIG. 5) for selectively receiving or engaging with the panels 80, 81 and for allowing the panels 80, 81 to be selectively contacted or engaged with the spring biased latches 14, 18, 57.
For example, the panels 80, 81 each may include one or more bulges or projections 84 extended radially and outwardly therefrom for selectively contacting or engaging with the spring biased latches 14, 18, 57, and for selectively disengaging the spring biased latches 14, 18, 57 from the weight members 50 and/or the additional weight elements 60 respectively. The arrangement of the projections 84 of the panels 80, 81 may be arranged as that shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 for disengaging the selected spring biased latches 14, 18, 57 from the weight members 50 and/or the additional weight elements 60 respectively and for determining how many of the weight members 50 and/or the additional weight elements 60 to be attached to and carried with the handle bar 10.
As shown in FIG. 7, the knob 83 includes a number of cavities or depressions 85 are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the knob 83 and preferably equally spaced from each other, and one of the housings 70 of the base support 7 includes a spring biased projection 73 (FIGS. 2, 4, 6-7) disposed or engaged therein for selectively engaging with the depressions 85 of the knob 83 and for solidly and stably anchoring or securing or retaining or positioning the knob 83 and the spindle 82 and the panels 80, 81 to the housings 70 of the base support 7 at the selected angular position.
In operation, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the spindle 82 and thus the panels 80, 81 may be pivoted or rotated relative to housings 70 of the base support 7 with the knob 83 for actuating the selected projections 84 of the panels 80, 81 to engage with or to be disengaged or separated from the spring biased latches 14, 18, 57, and thus for determining how many of the weight members 50 and/or the additional weight elements 60 to be attached to and carried with the handle bar 10.
It is further to be noted that the weight members 50 and/or the additional weight elements 60 may be selectively or adjustably secured to the end member 11, 12 of the handle bar 10 with the spring biased latches 14, 18, 57 respectively, and the selected spring biased latches 14, 18, 57 may be selectively actuated or disengaged or separated from the weight members 50 and/or the additional weight elements 60 for determining how many of the weight members 50 and/or the additional weight elements 60 to be attached to and carried with the handle bar 10.
Accordingly, the adjustable dumbbell assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a structure that may be easily and quickly adjusted to different weights, and having no extension carriers or tracks formed or provided on the end portions or extended outwardly from the end portions of the central handle bar such that the total length of the dumbbell assembly may be selectively decreased.
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

I claim:

1. An adjustable dumbbell assembly comprising:

a handle bar including a first end member,

a weight member including an engaging member for engaging with said first end member of said handle bar and for detachably attaching said weight member to said first end member of said handle bar, and

a spring biased latch engaged with said first end member of said handle bar and said weight member for detachably securing said weight member to said first end member of said handle bar.

2. The adjustable dumbbell assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle bar includes a slot formed in said first end member of said handle bar, and said engaging member of said weight member is engaged with said slot of said first end member of said handle bar for detachably attaching said weight member to said first end member of said handle bar.

3. The adjustable dumbbell assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said engaging member of said weight member is a dovetail.

4. The adjustable dumbbell assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said spring biased latch is provided in said first end member of said handle bar and extended into said slot of said first end member of said handle bar.

5. The adjustable dumbbell assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said weight member includes an engaging element provided therein for engaging with said spring biased latch of said end member of said handle bar.

6. The adjustable dumbbell assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said engaging element of said weight member is an engaging recess formed in said engaging member of said weight member.

7. The adjustable dumbbell assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said weight member includes a slot formed therein, and a second weight member includes an engaging member for engaging with said slot of said weight member and for detachably attaching said second weight member to said weight member.

8. The adjustable dumbbell assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein said weight member includes a spring biased latch provided in said weight member and extended into said slot of said weight member for detachably attaching said second weight member to said weight member.

9. The adjustable dumbbell assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle bar includes a groove formed therein, and an additional weight element is selectively engaged with said groove of said handle bar.

10. The adjustable dumbbell assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said handle bar includes a second spring biased latch engaged with said additional weight element for detachably securing said additional weight element to said first end member of said handle bar.

11. The adjustable dumbbell assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein said additional weight element includes a notch formed therein for engaging with said second spring biased latch.