US20190255378A1

US20190255378A1 - Device for the use of bottles for gym tools

Info

Publication number: US20190255378A1
Application number: US16/343,108
Authority: US
Inventors: Marco Giunchi
Original assignee: Mgw System Srl
Current assignee: Mgw Systems Srl; Mgw System Srl
Priority date: 2016-10-18
Filing date: 2017-10-18
Publication date: 2019-08-22
Also published as: IT201600104699A1; EP3528905A1; CN109952132A; WO2018073766A1

Abstract

The device for the use of bottles for gym tools comprises: at least one retaining medium of at least one bottle having an end portion; interlocking means locked together with the retaining medium and receiving in engagement said end portion to form an interlocking coupling, wherein the retaining medium comprises a central opening adapted to receive in engagement at least one structural element of a gym tool adapted to support the retaining medium.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for the use of bottles for gym tools.

PRIOR ART

Bottles, especially plastic bottles, which are marketed every year, are a significant environmental issue.
In fact, once the consumables' containment function has been carried out, the bottles are transformed into waste material the quantity of which is not negligible.
This is the reason why the need for reusing bottles is increasingly felt in order to reduce the amount of waste to be conveyed to the landfill and thus the environmental issue.
A known reuse of waste bottles involves the exploitation of bottles as a tool for weightlifting.
It is known to exploit the containing capacity of the individual bottles in order to obtain a heavy manufactured article to be used as a weight in gym exercises and sports activities.
In particular, filling the used bottles with a liquid or other heavy material is known, such as earth, sand or other similar material, in order to weigh the bottles and then use them in weightlifting exercises.
Such reuse, though effective, is limited to weights of small size, e.g. of some kilograms.
Since bottles can be grasped individually, their reuse in gym exercises is limited to weights of small size, instead of small dumbbells.
Therefore, the need is well known to improve the reuse of bottles or other containers for performing gym exercises, thus expanding their possibilities of use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a device for the use of bottles for gym tools suitable for physical activity and sports.
One object of the present invention is to provide a device for the use of bottles particularly suitable for weightlifting.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for the use of bottles for gym tools which allows expanding the possibilities of use of bottles in weightlifting and other gym exercises.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for the use of bottles for gym tools usable at home in a safe manner for the user and for the surfaces.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for the use of bottles for gym tools which allows reusing bottles in a practical and easy manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide simple solutions in the sports field in a rational manner, which is easy and effective to use and with an affordable cost.
The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present device for the use of bottles for gym tools according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of the following embodiments of a device for the use of bottles for gym tools, illustrated by way of an indicative, but non-limiting example, in the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a detail of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a detail of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to these illustrations, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a device for the use of bottles for gym tools.
According to the invention, the device 1 comprises a retaining medium 2 of at least one bottle 7 having an end portion 9.
The retaining medium 2 comprises a perimeter edge.
The end portion 9 coincides with the bottleneck portion generally provided with a step-shaped projecting part 9 a and a threading for screwing a closure cap. Advantageously according to the present invention, plastic bottles 7 can be used, but it cannot be ruled out that they may be of a different material, such as e.g. light metal (aluminum) or cardboard.
The bottles 7 are of a conventional type and are used as container elements, are sealed by means of a cap 8 and at the neck they comprise a step 9 a used for housing a guarantee ring and the hermetic sealing of the cap 8.
These embodiments show a bottle 7 of the type of a beverage container, but differently-shaped bottles cannot be ruled out, such as e.g. those used for soaps and detergents.
The device further comprises interlocking means 5, 6 locked together with the retaining medium 2 and receiving in engagement the end portion 9 to form an interlocking coupling.
The interlocking means 5, 6 and the end portion 9 are coupled so that the bottle 7 is interlocked in the retaining medium 2.
In the illustrated embodiments, the retaining medium 2 has a substantially disc shape with an outer edge having a perimeter defined by ten sides, but different configurations cannot be ruled out that include different perimeters, such as square, hexagonal or circular.
Usefully the retaining medium 2 comprises a central opening 3 adapted to receive in engagement a structural element 4 of a gym tool adapted to support the retaining medium itself.
This way, the device 1 can be used in combination with other elements, such as a barbell grip medium or a supporting rod.
In these embodiments, the device 1 is associated with a structural element 4 of the type of a barbell grip medium.
The interlocking means 5, 6, on the other hand, comprises an interlocking seat 5.
In particular, the interlocking means 5, 6 comprise a plurality of seats 5.
Advantageously, the seats 5 are arranged in a radial pattern along the perimeter edge of the retaining medium 2.
This way, it is possible to interlock a plurality of bottles 7 which branch off in a radial pattern.
If the bottles are filled in the same way, or are empty, the device 1 so formed defines a body the mass of which is balanced, having the center of gravity substantially coincident with the center of the retaining medium 2.
In a first embodiment illustrated in the FIGS. 1 to 3, the device 1 comprises adapter means 6 locked together with the seat 5 and adapted to receive in engagement the end portion 9.
Preferably, the adapter means are cylindrical bodies fitted to measure or screwed into the seats 5.
The adapter means 6 comprise a recess 6 a provided with screwing means 11 associated with the end portion 9.
In particular, the screwing means 11 are the type of a counter-thread which is adapted to be coupled to the thread present on the end portion 9 of the bottles 7. In more detail, the device 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 can be used as a gym tool and comprises at least one retaining medium 2, preferably of plastic material, provided with a central opening 3 for its proper attachment to a gripping medium 4.
According to the present invention, in the first embodiment, the bottles 7 are retained without using the caps 8 and by means of the seats 5 which allow for the insertion of respective adapter means 6 in place of the caps 8 and which enable the bottles to be hermetically sealed and secured to the retaining medium 2 in a safe and steady manner.
Advantageously according to the present invention, the adapter medium 6, preferably of metal material, substantially cylindrical in shape and hollow, facilitates a helical coupling of the universal type with most bottles available in the market.
In a second embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the retaining medium 2 comprises a first portion 21 a and a second portion 21 b coupled to each other. In the second embodiment, the device 1 comprises at least one retaining medium 2, preferably of plastic material, with the two symmetrical portions 21 a and 21 b, both provided with at least one central opening 3 for the proper attachment of at least one gripping medium 4 and a plurality of holes 22 for coupling means of the two portions 21 a and 21 b, not illustrated because of known type.
The portions 21 a and 21 b, by means of a suitable sandwich coupling and secured by means of the holes 22, enable the retention of the container elements 7.
Usefully, the two portions 21 a and 21 b of the retaining medium 2 are symmetrical and are composed of a plurality of seats 5 arranged along the outer edge of the retaining medium 2.
The seats 5 are defined by the coupling of respective half portions 5 a, 5 b formed on the portions 21 a and 21 b.
Each seat 5 comprises an interlocking groove 23 adapted to receive in engagement at least one projecting part of the end portion 9.
In particular, the interlocking groove 23 is adapted to receive in engagement the step 9 a of the bottle 7 and interlock it to the retaining medium 2 when the two portions 21 a and 21 b are coupled.
Preferably, the groove 23 extends around the axis A of the seats 5.
According to the present invention, after the two portions 21 a and 21 b of the retaining medium 2 were suitably coupled, the bottles 7 provided with the cap 8 remain securely locked thanks to the step 9 a which fits in the space defined by the groove 23.
The operation of the present invention is as follows.
The bottles 7, filled or empty according to the user's preferences, are interlocked to the retaining medium 2, forming a body with it having a substantially balanced mass.
The user can use this body to perform physical exercises, e.g. by inserting the gripping medium 4 in the central opening 3 and lifting it in a barbell fashion.
In the first embodiment, the bottles 7 are screwed onto the adapter means 6, with the thread of the end portion coupled to the screwing means 11.
In the second embodiment, the end portions 9 of the bottles 7 are fitted in the seats 5, with the step 9 a inserted in the groove 23 before the two portions 21 a and 21 b are coupled.
A gym tool 1, 4 comprising the device 1 described above is as follows.
The gym tool 1, 4 comprises at least one structural element 4 adapted to be grasped by a user, e.g. for weightlifting.
The structural element 4 is of the type of a barbell, but the use cannot be ruled out of other structural elements such as dumbbells or the like.
According to the invention, the gym tool 1, 4 comprises at least one device 1 as described above.
The device 1 is associated in a removable manner with the structural element 4 in order to vary the weight of the gym tool.
Usefully, the gym tool 1, 4 comprises a pair of devices 1 positioned at the ends of the structural element 4.
In particular, the structural element 4 is fitted in the respective central openings 3 of each device 1.
Several devices 1 can be fitted at the ends of the same structural element 4 in order to increase the weight of the gym tool 1, 4.
It has in practice been found that the disclosed invention achieves the intended objects and in particular it is emphasized that the device for the use of bottles enables reusing bottles in a practical and easy manner.
In particular, the devised device is particularly suitable for physical activities and sports, thus enabling to develop the use of bottles even for weightlifting with barbell.
Furthermore, it can be used at home in a safe manner for the user and the surfaces.
In fact, to perform gym physical activities, such as weightlifting, fitness and body building, various types of gym tools are known such as barbells and dumbbells, and many people, for economic and time-consuming reasons, decide to perform these same exercises autonomously at their home without having to go to gyms and specialized facilities. The devised device enables the user to avoid the purchase of well-known apparatuses that, if used in a domestic environment, would have several drawbacks associated with their heavy transport, their large overall dimensions and the risk of damaging the floors in the event of their accidental fall or awkward support.
The devised device, on the other hand, can be used with known barbells and can be used in several units in order to increase the weight, thus complying with the user's needs, in the shape and number they deem adequate.
The device, in fact, allows the user to use plastic bottles to increase the weight of the retaining medium, being able to perform exercises with the barbell or, similarly, with the dumbbells.
Bottles also allow not damaging the supporting surfaces as well as providing greater user' s safety in the event of accidental fall.
The bottles used may also be of a variety of colors and shapes, favoring a design object, and can be used for possible sponsorship on the clamping device in relief or by labeling, thus obtaining a very effective marketing tool.
Usefully, according to the present invention, the use of recycled bottles allows using information regarding the capacity of the same, contained in the wording imprinted on labels or printed on the surface, to accurately determine the weights to be created depending on the liquid or the solid used for filling.
Lastly, the devised device is particularly versatile and can also be used as a decorative element or lighting element, if appropriately combined with special illumination means.

Claims

1) Device (1) for the use of bottles for gym tools comprising:

at least one retaining medium (2) of at least one bottle (7) having an end portion (9);

interlocking means (5, 6) locked together with said retaining medium (2) and receiving in engagement said end portion (9) to form an interlocking coupling;

wherein said retaining medium (2) comprises a central opening (3) adapted to receive in engagement at least one structural element (4) of a gym tool adapted to support said retaining medium (2).

2) A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said retaining medium (2) comprises a first portion (21 a) and a second portion (21 b) coupled to each other.

3) A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking means (5, 6) comprise an interlocking seat (5).

4) A device (1) according to claim 3, wherein said interlocking means (5, 6) comprise adapter means (6) locked together with said seat (5) and adapted to receive in engagement said end portion (9).

5) A device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said adapter means (6) comprise a recess (6 a) having screwing means (11) associated with said end portion (9).

6) A device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claim 3, wherein said interlocking seat (5) comprises an interlocking groove (23) adapted to receive in engagement at least one projecting part (9 a) of said end portion (9).

7) A device (1) according to claim 3, wherein said interlocking means (5, 6) comprise a plurality of seats (5).

8) A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said retaining medium (2) comprises a perimeter edge.

9) A device (1) according to claim 8, wherein said seats (5) are arranged radially along said perimeter edge of said retaining medium (2).

10) Gym tool (1, 4) comprising at least one structural element (4) adapted to be grasped by a user, wherein it comprises at least one device (1) according to claim 1 associated in a moveable manner with said structural element (4) and adapted to vary the weight of the gym tool.