WO2005075027A2

WO2005075027A2 - Weight training equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2005075027A2
Application number: PCT/DK2005/000073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Bliddal
Original assignee: Martin Bliddal
Priority date: 2004-02-06
Filing date: 2005-02-03
Publication date: 2005-08-18
Also published as: WO2005075027A3

Abstract

A barbell or dumbbell, which is highly light-weight and compact during storage and transport, comprises separate weight units (2) that may be collapsed in steps for adjusting the weight of the barbell in a controllable manner. The weight unit (2) may easily be assembled and filled with a varying volume of a dense material like water or sand to provide a fully functional barbell or dumbbell for weight training exercises. The weight units are easily detachable from the bar (1) and are constructed with accordion-style bellows (8, 10). The weight units (2) can be quickly detached, drained and collapsed for storage and transport, and conversely be quickly expanded, filled to a known weight and attached to the bar (1) for weight training exercises. The bar (1) of the barbell can be easily and quickly disassembled to shorter sections (l', 1') for storage and transport.

Description

WEIGHT TRAINING EQUIPMENT

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of weight training equipment, in particular to weight training equipment in the form of a barbell and a weight unit that can be drained, collapsed and/or disassembled for transport and storage, and as specified in the preambles of claims 1 and 7, respectively. In the following the term barbell is defined to include closely-related equipment in the form of dumbells.

Background of the Invention US 4,997,184 discloses a design for travel dumbbells essentially consisting of a bar and a number of bladders held in place between a set of end plates at each end of the bar. The bladders are filled with water and the number of bladders used determines the weight of the dumbbell. US 5,445,587 discloses a design for a non-flexible, hollow barbell with internal bladders. The bladders may be fully or partly filled with water and the corresponding weight may be shown on an inbuilt indicator. US 5,967,952 discloses a design for dumbbells and barbells with collapsible weight chambers. The bar is telescopic and the weight is regulated by adjusting the length of the part of the bar, where the collapsible weight chambers are located, and two dumbbell bars can be connected to form a barbell bar. US 5,997,442 discloses a portable exercise system comprising non-flexible weight units tillable with water, dumbbell bars, and a barbell bar that can be disassembled. The weight of the dumbbells and the barbell is adjusted by the number of weights units put on the bar. WO 01/83039 discloses a design for a dumbbell or barbell where each weight unit has a central hole for accommodating the bar and has a variable internal fluid- tight volume formed between two end plates that are interconnected by bellows. The internal volume is adapted to be filled wholly or partly with a fluid, e.g. water, and one endplate is provided with a closable opening adapted for filling and emptying the weight unit of the fluid material. The weight unit and thereby the bellows may be collapsed in discrete steps for adjusting the internal volume, provided by a graduated bar insert which extends slidably with the hollow handle of the dumbell or barbell. The hollow bar has apertures for reversibly locking on to leaf-spring loaded buttons, thus providing the graduated, discrete steps for adjusting and indexing the internal volume and consequently the weight of the weight unit. The adjustment of the fluid- filled weight units of this prior art are complicated, requiring a coaxial slidable arrangement of the bar as well as separate spring-loaded indexing means.

Summary of the Invention An aspect of the present invention is to provide a barbell and a weight unit as mentioned in the introduction where the adjustable volume of flowing material can be graduated and visibly indexed with more simple means. This aspect is provided for by a barbell of the kind mentioned in the introduction having the peculiar feature that a section of the bar is provided with a sleeve on which the weight unit is slidably mounted on the bar section in such a way that one end plate may slide in axial direction of the bar while the other end plate is fixed to the sleeve, and that the bellows are made of an elastic material which is moulded so that each fold of the bellows may be collapsed individually and independently of the other folds of the bellows so as to provide the discrete steps for adjusting the internal volume. The weight unit according to the invention is peculiar in that the bellows are made of an elastic material which is moulded so that each fold of the bellows may be collapsed individually and independently of the other folds of the bellows so as to provide the discrete steps for adjusting the internal volume. The indvidual collapsing of the folds, preferably by snap-action, may be accomplished by appropriate designing a polymeric material of the outer bellows in a way known per se. By collapsing a certain number of folds, the user may adjust the internal volume of the weight unit, and upon filling the volume with e.g. water or sand, the user may immediately know from a scale what the total weight will be of the weight unit and consequently the entire barbell. In a further aspect of barbell according to the invention, the sleeve is provided rotatably on the bar so that the weight unit can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the bar. This may be advantageous when the end plates of the weight units are made with an edged circumference for resting the barbell on a flat floor as each weight unit may adjust by rotation for resting on a straight side of a pair of end plates. In order to make the weight unit replaceable on the bar, e.g. for changing the size of the weight units, it is preferred that each sleeve is provided with a radial projection, where a first end plate of the weight unit to be fixed axially to the bar is provided with a recess which is shaped to receive the projection, and where the first end plate is provided with a spring biased pawl at the recess for engaging the projection when seated in the recess on the first end plate. While one end plate is thus releasably fixed to the bar, the other end plate may slide on the bar, thus providing for the adjustable volume as well as for replacing the weight unit. Further aspects of the invention addresses the need for a barbell or dumbbell that is highly compact and light during storage and transportation, yet is full-size, fully functional and heavy during use in weight training. These aspects include a design for a barbell bar, which is light-weight and can be disassembled into shorter sections for storage and transport. These aspects are described in further detail below. The weight units can be filled with variable volumes of a dense material, such as but not limited to water or sand, in order to adjust the weight of the barbell or dumbbell to the user's preference. When filled with a dense material with a known density, such as tap water, the weight of the barbell is a function only of the length of the collapsible weight unit, and the weight can be easily determined simply by the number of collapsed/extended folds in the accordion-style bellow.

Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawing where: Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of a part of a barbell according to the invention including a weight unit according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a weight unit in cross-section separately but in fully extended state; Fig. 3 shows the same as Fig. 2 but in perspective view; Fig. 4 shows the weight unit of Fig. 2 as seen from the right; Fig. 5 shows the weight unit of Fig. 2 but seen from the left; Fig. 6 shows two sections of a bar for a barbell according to the invention in disassembled state; Fig. 7 shows a detail of the assembly between a weight unit and a bar in a barbell according to the invention; and Fig. 8 shows another detail of the assembly between a weight unit and a bar barbell according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention The invention in its preferred embodiment is a barbell comprising two weight units 2 and a bar 1 which can be assembled from two or more, preferably four, sections. Fig. 1 shows a right end of such a barbell in cross-section, where the bar 1 for carrying separate weight units 2 extends to the left. In this embodiment, each weight unit 2 is composed of four main parts: a left or inward end plate 5, a right or outward end plate 6, an internal bellows 8 and an external bellows 10 co-axially arranged in relation to the bellows 8. Both endplates 5, 6 are provided with a central aperture 7 (Fig. 2) for accommodating the bar 1. The internal bellows 8 and the external bellows 10 are joined at each end to the endplates

5, 6, respectively. The joints between the bellows 8, 10 and the endplates 5, 6 are made fluid tight. Each end plate 5, 6 is provided with an inner lining 28 or covering which is joined at the centre and at the periphery with adjacent part 30 of the bellows 8, 10. The joining is made by forming a flange 29 on the lining 28, see Figs. 7 and 8 for the central joint. The flange 29 is inserted into an annular groove together with the parts 30 of the bellows 8, 10 in each end plate 5, 6. In that way, a fluid tight compartment 12 (Fig. 2) is formed between bellows 8, 10 and endplates 5, 6. Weight can be added to the weight unit 2 by filling this compartment 12 with flowing matter, a liquid or solid, like freshwater, saltwater or sand through a filling port 14 in the outwards end plate 6. The port 14 may be closed fluid-tight by a not shown cap with bayonet function known per se; alternatively a screw cap with external thread may be used, but other means known to the skilled in the art for closing the port 14 may be envisaged. The outermost diameter of the folds in the outer bellows 10 is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the end plates 5, 6, whereby the weight unit 2 will rest on the end plates 5, 6 when placed on a flat surface, e.g. a floor. The innermost diameter of the inner bellows 8 is equal to or larger than the diameter of the central aperture 7 (Fig.2) in the end plates 5, 6, whereby a bar 1 can be pushed through a central channel formed by the bellows 8 of the weight unit 2. The weight of the barbell will thus mostly rest on the end plates 5, 6 when not in use; the bar 1 is used to lift the entire barbell off the ground from the rest position. The bellows 8, 10 are made of a strong semi-rigid but flexible plastic material, e.g. a polycarbonate, and the individual folds 16 in the bellows 8, 10 are designed in a way known per se so as to stand in one of two positions: collapsed or fully extended.

The profile of individual folds 16 is seen more clearly on Fig. 8. The internal volume of the weight unit 2 can hence be adjusted stepwise by collapsing or extending one or more folds 16. Each fold 16 that is changed from collapsed to extended state will add a fixed amount of additional internal volume to the weight unit 2, corresponding to a proportional increase in weight when the compartment 12 is filled with e.g. water. The weight of the assembled barbell with the weight units 2 filled with a material of a known density is hence a linear function of the number of extended folds in the bellows 8, 10 and can be determined from a table or simple formula. The weight might also be indicated on a scale (not shown) on the barbell, which could be in the form of a scale on the bar 1 on which the weight unit 2 is positioned, as the length of the weight unit is proportional to the number of folds 16 that are extended. On Fig. 1 is shown a partly collapsed state of the weight unit 2, where the folds 16' adjacent to the outwards end plate 6 are collapsed, thus reducing the internal volume of the compartment 12 as compared with the full volume formed in the extended state shown on Figs. 2 and 3. As it appears on Fig. 1 , the outward end plates 6 are slidable on the bar 1 in order to accommodate for the reduced dimension of the bellows 8, 10 and compartment 12. The central aperture 7 (Fig.2) in the endplate 6 does have a loose fit with the periphery of the bar 1. The inward endplate 5 is secured axially to the bar 1 by means of a snap lock 18. In this embodiment, the snap lock 18 made as a spring biased pawl 19 which is urged towards the bar 1 by a not shown spring mechanism which can be configured in different way as known by the skilled in the art. The pawl 19 may engage an annular flange or projection 20 (Fig. 6) provided around the periphery of the bar 1 ; see Fig. 7 for the details. The projection 20 also forms a stop for the endplate 5 at the side opposite the side engaged by the pawl 19, and the endplate 5 is thus fixed in axial direction by the projection 20, thus securing one end of the weight unit 2. As it appears from Fig. 7, the pawl 19 has a chamfered side 21 so that the snap lock 18 can function by just pushing the endplate towards the projection 20. Release of the weight unit 2 is performed by pulling the pawl 19 back and drawing the endplate way from the projection 20. The weight units 2 are thus separate components of the barbell or dumbell for disassembling for storage or for replacement with weight units 2 of other sizes. In other embodiments of the invention, the details of the end plates 5, 6 may be combined or swapped, e.g. so that the port 14 appears on the inwards plate 5 and so that the pawl 19 may appear on the outwards plate 6 and the projection 20 at the outer end of the bar 1. The end plates 5, 6 and the bellows 8, 10 may have circular periphery. In order to prevent unwanted rolling of the barbell on a smooth surface, end plates 5, 6 as well as bellows 8, 10 may have an edged profile, see Figs. 3 -5 depicting a pentagonal configuration. Configurations with more sides are possible, e.g. with hexagonal or octagonal configurations. For technical and aesthetic reasons it is preferred that the sides 11 between edges 13 on end plates and bellows are slightly curved. The bar may comprise four sections, two end sections 1 ' and two midsections 1 " which can be assembled to a bar and the weight units 2 can be fitted on end sections of the assembled bar 1. After use, the weight units 2 can be taken off and the bar 1 can be disassembled for saving space during storage or transport. In Figs. 1 and 6 only part of the midsection 1 " is shown. To allow the weight units 2 to rotate individually on the bar 1 for stable resting of the barbell on an even surface, particularly with an edged profile of the end plates 5, 6, the end sections 1 ' are provided with a sleeve 23 around the centre tube 25 (Fig.6 and 7). The sleeve 23 is mounted at each end by a sliding bearing 22 (Fig. 7), the bearings 22 formed by an internal ring 26 fixed to the centre tube 25 and external ring 24 fixed to the sleeve 23, see in particular Figs. 7 and 8. The external rings 24 can rotate around the internal rings 26, thereby allowing the sleeve 23 and thus the weight unit 2 to rotate around the end section 1 '. Midsections 1 " may be mutually assembled by a screw connection (not shown). A midsection 1 " and an end section 1 ' may be assembled by a joint as shown on Fig. 6. From one end of the end section the inner tube 27 (Fig. 6) protrudes from the centre tube 25. The midsection 1 " is tubular for accommodating the protruding end of tube 27. The midsection 1 " and end section 1 ' are connected by pushing the protruding inner tube 27 of the end section 1 ' into the midsection 1 ". A snap-lock of the type used for compressed air hoses and garden hoses is used for securing the sections 1 " and 1 ' to each other, configuring a springloaded outer sleeve 31 (Fig. 6) and balls 30 (Fig.6), the balls 30 engaging an annular recess 32 (Fig. 6) on the end section 1 '. The bar 1 may alternatively be composed of one, two or three sections. The unique design concept described above in combination with the use of light-weight material provides for a barbell of hitherto unprecedented combination of convenience and usefulness. In one embodiment of the described barbell, where the barbell is constructed primarily of plastics and carbon fibre composites and with the design disclosed above, the barbell may have a drained weight of as little as about two kilograms and a filled-state maximum weight of as much as about one hundred and fifty kilograms. This corresponds to a ratio of filled-state maximum weight to drained weight of about 75. The drained weight is defined as the total weight of the completely drained and collapsed barbell, and the filled-state maximum weight is defined as the total weight of the barbell expanded to maximum capacity and filled with sand with a density of 2.3 kilogram per litre. Also, the full size barbell may be disassembled and collapsed, and the dimensions of the disassembled unit are small enough to fit conveniently into a bag. In a further not shown embodiment, the weight units may be provided with an internal fluid tight bag which is structurally independent in relation to the bellows and one end plate while connected fluid tight to the inlet 14 in the other end plate 6. In that way is achieved an extra safety measure with regard to preventing leaking of the fluid contents of the weight units. The invention in other embodiments include a barbell or a dumbbell with one or more of the features of the most preferred embodiment described above, whereby said other embodiments are set apart from prior art. A preferred embodiment of the dumbbell comprise weight units of essentially the same design as the weight units in the most preferred embodiment of the invention as a barbell, but may comprise a bar consisting of just one section and combining essential features described for the four sections in the most preferred embodiment of the invention as a barbell.

Claims

1. A barbell including at least one weight unit mounted on a bar, the weight unit having a central hole for accommodating the bar and having an a variable internal fluid-tight volume formed between two end plates that are interconnected by coaxially disposed inner and outer bellows, where the internal volume is adapted to be filled wholly or partly with a flowing material, e.g. a liquid or a particulate material, and where the bellows may be collapsed in discrete steps for adjusting the internal volume, where one endplate is provided with a closable opening adapted for filling and emptying the weight unit of the fluid material, characterised in that a section of the bar is provided with a sleeve on which the weight unit is slidably mounted on the bar section in such a way that one end plate may be slided in axial direction of the bar while the other end plate is fixed to the sleeve, and that the bellows are made of an elastic material which is moulded so that each fold of the bellows may be collapsed individually and independently of the other folds of the bellows so as to provide the discrete steps for adjusting the internal volume.

2. A barbell according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is provided rotatably on the bar so that the weight unit can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the bar.

3. A barbell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each sleeve is provided with a radial projection, where one end plate of the weight unit to be fixed axially to the bar is provided with a recess which is shaped to receive the projection, and where the end plate is provided with a spring biased pawl at the recess for engaging the projection when seated in the recess on the end plate.

4. A barbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the bar consists of two end sections and two centre sections that are releasably assembled in continuation of each other for forming the bar.

5. A bar according to claim 4, wherein the sections are assembled by inserting the end of one section into the end of another section and rotating the sections in relation to each other around the longitudinal axis in order to screw one section into the other.

6. A bar according to claim 5, wherein the sections of the assembled bar are prevented by means of an interlocking mechanism from rotating in relation to each other around the longitudinal axis so as to prevent the sections from accidentally separating.

7. A weight unit adapted for mounting on an end section of a bar, the weight unit having a central hole for accommodating the bar and having an a variable internal fluid-tight volume formed between two end plates that are interconnected by coaxially disposed inner and outer bellows, where the internal volume is adapted to be filled wholly or partly with a flowing material, e.g. a liquid or a particulate material, and where the bellows may be collapsed in discrete steps for adjusting the internal volume, where one endplate is provided with a closable opening adapted for filling and emptying the weight unit of the fluid material, characterised in that the bellows are made of an elastic material which is moulded so that each fold of the bellows may be collapsed individually and independently of the other folds of the bellows so as to provide the discrete steps for adjusting the internal volume.

8. A weight unit according to claim 7, wherein the volume between the bellows comprises a fluid tight bag, which bag has an opening connected to the inlet .