Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WEIGHTED EXERCISE DEVICE PROVIDING MULTIPLE GRIPS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a weighted device
for use in exercising, and more particularly to generally
hemispherical weighted exercise devices for use in exercising and
which can be gripped in two or more different ways to thereby
enable their use for a wide range of exercises.
The present invention also relates to a stackable weighted
exercise device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dumbbells are often used in muscle-building or muscle-toning
exercises. However, a traditional dumbbell, i.e., a pair of weights
connected by a short bar serving as a handle, is not appropriate
for all exercises and alternative forms of weights have been
developed for different exercises.
One weighted exercise device that was considered to be
particularly useful for gymnastic exercises is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 113,966 (Ballou) and comprises a spherical or spheroidal
lower part that is elongated or extended on one side. The weighted
exercise device includes a hollow cavity and includes an opening in
the elongated or extended part leading into the cavity. A handle
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extends across the cavity and is positioned to enable a user to
extend their hand into the cavity and grasp the handle. The only
manner in which this weighted exercise device may be used is by
gripping the handle
Other weighted exercise devices include those disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,813,669; 4,880,218; and 4,900,016 (all to
Caruthers).
Another exercise device is a Bosu balance trainer that has a
rim that can be gripped. This balance trainer is constructed of
rubber and plastic and is not weighted.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a weighted
device for use in exercising.
A weighted exercise device in accordance with the invention
includes a body defining a hollow cavity opening at a first edge of
the body. The body has a hemispherical portion and a tubular
portion extending to one side of the hemispherical portion. A rim
is arranged on the tubular portion of the body and projects
outwardly past an outer surface of the body. A handle is arranged
in the cavity. The rim provides a first grip for a user during use
of the exercise device and the handle provides a second grip for
the user during use of the exercise device.
Another way to consider the exercise device in accordance with
the invention is as one that includes a body defining a hollow
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cavity opening at a first edge of the body, a first grip arranged
in connection with the body and adapted to be gripped by one or
both hands of a user, and a second grip arranged in the cavity and
adapted to be gripped by only one hand of the user. The first grip
is arranged proximate the first edge and projects outwardly past an
outer surface of the body.
By providing two different grips on the same weighted exercise
device, a user can perform a larger variety of exercises using the
invention in comparison to exercise devices that include only a
single type of grip.
The body has a generally hemispherical shape that provides a
better, safer, and more efficient exercise experience than
traditional dumbbells.
To enable yet additional grips on the same weighted exercise
device, and thus increase the variety of exercises that can be
performed using the invention, one or more cut-outs may be formed
in a side wall of the body. Each cut-out may be formed partly in
the hemispherical portion and partly in the tubular portion of the
side wall of the body. Suitable dimensioning of the cut-outs is
designed to enable the user to insert part of one of their hands
through each cut-out and then over the rim in order to grip a
portion of the device between the cut-out and the rim. When
gripping the device with one or both hands in this manner, the user
can perform for example, a floor or swinging exercise, or can more
easily carry the exercise device.
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In any of the embodiments of the weighted exercise device
described above, the side wall of the body may be provided with a
step and the opening into the cavity has a size greater than or
equal to the outer diameter of the body at the step to enable
multiple weighted exercise devices to be stacked one on top of
another. The step may be provided in the hemispherical portion, in
the tubular portion or between the hemispherical portion and the
tubular portion.
Other objects of the present invention are attained in
accordance with the weighted exercise device of the present
invention which are described hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention, together with further objects and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals identify like elements.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
weighted exercise device in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the weighted exercise device shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the weighted exercise device shown
in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the weighted exercise
device shown in FIG. 1;
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FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a
weighted exercise device in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 6 shows two stacked exercise devices;
FIG. 7 shows an embodiment with a rubberized coating;
FIG. 8 is a right side view of a third embodiment of a
weighted exercise device in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 9 is a left side view of the weighted exercise device
shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the weighted exercise device shown
in FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a top view of the weighted exercise device shown in
FIG. 8; and
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of two of weighted exercise
devices shown in FIG. 8 stacked one on top of another.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference
numerals refer to the same or similar elements, a weighted exercise
device in accordance with the invention is designated generally as
10 and includes a generally hemispherical main body 12 defining a
hollow cavity 14 and having a rim 16 adjacent its upper edge 20 (the
top edge 20 when the weighted exercise device is positioned as
shown in FIG. 1). By being generally hemispherical, it is preferred
that the body 12 has a generally hemispherical portion 12a and a
small extended or elongated portion (tubular portion) 12b extending
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from the generally hemispherical portion 12a (see FIGS. 1 and 4).
Body 12 thus has a generally acorn shape.
The extended or
elongated portion 12b is tubular in view of the formation of part
of the cavity 14 therein.
The rim 16 preferably extends around the entire circumference
of the body 12 (see FIG. 1) and more particularly, is situated on
the extended or elongated portion 12b of the body 12 (see FIG. 4).
Rim 16 may either be considered an integral part of the body 12 or
a separate part that is connected to the body 12.
The outer surface of the body 12 is provided with a unique
shape in view of the presence of the projecting rim 16. At the
bottom edge, the outer surface of the body 12 has a substantially
hemispherical portion (in portion 12a), then has a generally
cylindrical surface portion (in portion 12b) and then an outwardly
projecting rounded portion (rim 16). As such, the rim 16 projects
outwardly in a radial direction past the extended or elongated
portion 12b, i.e., beyond the outer surface of this tubular portion
of the body 12. This unique shape is partially shown in FIG. 4.
The thickness of the tubular portion 12b is preferably uniform so
that the cylindrical surface portion does not taper inward.
The size of the extended or elongated portion 12b of the
weighted exercise device 10 may be dependent on, for example, the
size of the hands of the user intended to use the weighted exercise
device 10. The size of the extended or elongated portion 12b also
affects the size of the cavity 14, i.e., a larger extended or
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elongated portion 12b results in a larger cavity 14. The weighted
exercise device 10 should accommodate most users. However, a user
with unusually large hands may prefer a weighted exercise device 10
that has a larger extended or elongated portion 12b and thus a
larger cavity 14 than a user with smaller hands. Different size
weighted exercise devices 10 may be manufactured with different
weights. The larger weights would be of larger size. A set of
different-weight exercise devices 10 could be assembled together
and sold as a unit.
Rim 16 is preferably rounded and beveled (see FIG. 4), and
serves as a hand grip for a user to grip or grasp the weighted
exercise device 10 with one or two hands when performing an
exercise. In cross-section, the rim 16 has a substantially semi-
circular form thereby providing an easily grippable form for the
user's hand.
Rim 16 is therefore a first grip of the weighted exercise
device 10. Most often, the user would grip or grasp the rim 16 with
both of their hands when performing an exercise, although the user
could also grip or grasp the rim 16 with only one of their hands
for certain exercises.
A second grip of the weighted exercise device 10 is provided
by a handle 18 that extends across the hollow cavity 14 formed in
the hemispherical body 12. Handle 18 is substantially cylindrical,
or may be tubular, and is preferably rigid. Handle 18 may be formed
integral with the body 12 or separated therefrom and then attached
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to the body 12 in a preferably permanent manner, e.g., by welding.
Handle 18 may be positioned a distance inward from the top
edge 20 of the hemispherical body 12, i.e., recessed within the
cavity 14. Handle 18 is also spaced a distance from the bottom of
the cavity 14 so that the user's fingers have room to pass freely
around the handle 18 and grasp it comfortably.
The recess distance varies depending, for example, on the size
and weight of the weighted exercise device 10 (see FIG. 4). This
distance may be determined during design of the weighted exercise
device 10 in consideration of the location of the center of gravity
of the weighted exercise device 10. More specifically, in one
embodiment, it is desirable for the handle 18 to be close to or at
the center of gravity of the device. As such, when one of the
user's hands is gripping the handle 18, the center of gravity is
close to where the hand is, thereby providing a safer and more
balanced exercise experience.
On the other hand, when the user is using the rim 16 as the
grip, and using both hands as in a preferred use, the center of
gravity is away from the user's hands for performing certain
exercises.
As shown in FIG. 6, an advantage of the recessing of the
handle 18 in the cavity 14 is that the weighted exercise device 10
is thus stackable, i.e., multiple weighted exercise devices 10 may
be stacked one on top of another with, in each adjacent pair of
weighted exercise devices, a portion of an upper weighted exercise
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device sitting in the cavity 14 defined by a lower weighted
exercise device. More than two devices could be stacked. A
convenient space saving design is therefore provided.
Handle 18 is optionally provided with a coating 24 on its
outer surface to provide a better and/or more comfortable grip to
the user (see FIG. 2). The coating 24 may be made of rubber, or any
other material that improves the grip, and may be textured or
grooved. Alternatively, the outer surface of the handle 18 itself
may be textured or grooved to improve the user's grip thereof.
Referring now in particular to FIGS. 3 and 4, the generally
hemispherical body 12 also includes a slightly flattened area 22 at
a bottom, i.e., encompassing the bottom edge, in order to enable
the weighted exercise device 10 to be stably placed onto a flat
horizontal surface. Flattened area 22 is not required to be
completely flat, and it may just be tapered. Its presence enables
the weighted exercise device to be balanced and rest upright, in
the position shown in FIG. 4, if placed carefully on a floor or
other horizontal surface. The flattened area 22 also enables the
user to do push-up type exercises, rotate one's hands, and/or
rotate his body while exercising, thereby utilizing core muscles.
This can be done with one device, where the user grips the one
device with two hands, or this can be done with two devices, where
the user grips one device in each hand.
Variations to the shape and/or form of the weighted exercise
device 10 described above are envisioned. For example, the outer
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surface of the rim 16 may be textured (as shown in FIG. 1) and/or
an interval groove 26 may be arranged in connection with the rim
16. FIG. 5 shows such a groove 26 having a generally semi-circular
cross-section which is formed opposite or in the rim 16.
In cross-section, groove 26 has a smaller semi-circular form
than the cross-sectional form of the entire rim 16. The thickness
of the rim 16 (in cross-section) is therefore varied, increasing
from a smaller thickness adjacent the tubular portion of the
extended and elongated portion 12a to a larger thickness at the
largest radius of the rim 16 and then decreasing to a smaller
thickness at the top edge 20 of the body 12 (see FIG. 5).
In use, groove 26 may accommodate a thumb of the user while
handling or lifting the weighted exercise device 10 so that the
user is better able to handle the weighted exercise device 10 by
placing the thumb on the inside of the body 12 and the remaining
fingers around the projecting rim 16 on the outside of the body 12.
The surface of the groove 26 may be textured in the same manner as
shown for the rim 16 in FIG. 1. In this case, the rim 16 is more
securely gripped between the thumb on the inside thereof and the
remaining fingers on the outside thereof.
More generally, depending on the size and depth of the groove,
the groove 26 serves as an indentation in the inner surface of the
body 12 and thereby improves the ability of the user to grasp the
rim 16 and exercise device 10 in its entirety, since their thumb
and/or other fingers will be able to engage with, i.e., partly
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enter into, the groove 26. As such, the depth of the groove 26 may
be preferably in the order of the thickness of an average human
thumb or finger.
The weighted exercise device 10, in any of its forms and
shapes described above, may be used for a wide variety of
exercises, only some of which are identified herein. For example,
the weighted exercise device 10 may be used as traditional
dumbbells in pairs to perform bicep curls, clean and jerky
movements, military presses, bench presses, or swinging type
exercises typically performed with kettlebells. In addition, the
weighted exercise device 10 may be used for floor exercises, such
as push-ups, using either a single weighted exercise device with
the user's two hands gripping the rim 16 or two weighted exercise
devices 10 with each of the user's hands gripping the handle 18 of
a respective weighted exercise device 10.
The weighted exercise device 10 may also be used for wrist and
forearm rehabilitation exercises with the user grasping the handle
18, positioning the flattened area 22 against a flat surface, and
turning the weighted exercise device 10 to either side on the flat
surface. The weighted exercise device 10 could be rotated and turn
on the rim 16.
Furthermore, the weighted exercise device 10 can be used by a
user, while standing or sitting, and for floor exercises because
they are designed to be used for the same exercises that involve
traditional dumbbells and kettlebells. For
example, when
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performing push-up type exercises, the user can rotate and pivot,
and can shift his body weight. These actions utilize core and
stabilization muscles thereby providing a highly efficient exercise
for the user using the weighted exercise device 10. The device of
the present invention takes the place of both dumbbells and
kettlebells.
The weight of the weighted exercise device 10 is provided
primarily by the hemispherical body 12, along with a smaller
contribution to the weight by the handle 18. To this end, the body
12 is provided with a thickness and material composition to provide
a desired weight, e.g., 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb or more. If the same
material is used, the weighted exercise device is larger as the
weight increases. With smaller weights, for example a 5 lb weight,
the slight elongation to a slightly oval shape (see FIGS 2 and 3)
will ensure more space in the cavity 14. Sets of weighted exercise
devices 10 may be assembled with different weights of the weighted
exercise devices, e.g., from 1 lb to about 15 lbs with increments
of 1, 2 or 3 lb. Higher weights, such as 20 lb, 25 lb, 30 lb, 35
lb, 40 lb, and 50 lb or more can also be made.
A mark or
indication of the weight of each weighted exercise device in the
set may be placed on the body 12 in an easily visible location. As
the weights get heavier, the device has another advantage: because
the device is generally hemispherical, the weight is evenly
distributed and is easier and safer to handle. Moreover, the size
is not as large as conventional dumbbells, thereby being easier to
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use, especially in pairs.
In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer surface
of the weighted exercise device 10, i.e., the outer surface of the
body 12 and/or rim 16, is rubberized and/or color-coded.
Rubberizing the weighted exercise device 10 (i.e., by providing a
thin outer rubber-like coating 30 on the entire device) enables two
or more of the weighted exercise devices 10 to be stacked together
(as in FIG. 6) without allowing metal-to-metal contact. Further,
the rubber coating on the outer surface of the body 12 and/or rim
16 prevents damage to surfaces against which the weighted exercise
device 10 is used, e.g., flooring or furniture. Instead of a rubber
material, a plastic material could be used for the coating 30. In
one embodiment, is possible to only color the rim 16 so that
different colored rims are provided in a set of weighted exercise
devices. A mark or indication of the weight of each weighted
exercise device may be placed on the colored rim.
The rubberized or rubber-like coating 30 on the groove 26
improves gripping by the user.
Weighted exercise device 10 may be made from a single piece of
cast iron or other similar, heavy density material. The casting
process may be designed to provide the body 12 with the cavity 14
and rim 16. The handle 18 may either be formed during the casting
or formed separately and attached to opposed portions of the inner
surface of the body 12 at the desired distance from the top edge 20
of the body 12. The groove 26 may also be formed in the casting or
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molding. Casting is not the only manner in which the weighted
exercise device 10 may be formed but is only an exemplifying
method. One skilled in the art would readily understand how to
manufacture the weighted exercise device 10 using other material
processing techniques from the disclosure herein.
Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, another embodiment of a weighted
exercise device in accordance with the invention is designated
generally as 32 and includes a main body 34 defining a hollow
cavity 36 and having a projecting rim 38 adjacent its upper edge 40
(the top edge 40 when the weighted exercise device 32 is positioned
as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9).
Main body 34 has a side wall 42 having a truncated or
flattened hemispherical portion 42a and an extended or elongated
portion 42b extending from the flattened hemispherical portion 42a
(see FIGS. 8 and 9). The extended or elongated portion 42b is
generally tubular, i.e., a tubular portion, and forms part of the
cavity 36 therein. At the bottom of the side wall 42, the main body
34 has a bottom wall 44 with a substantially flat and planar bottom
surface 46.
The rim 38 preferably extends around the entire circumference
of the body 34 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) and is situated on the
extended or elongated portion 42b of the body 34 (see FIGS. 8 and
9). Rim 38 may include the same features and incorporate the same
modifications and variants as rim 16 of exercise device 10
described above, e.g., a groove on the inner side.
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The exercise device 32 also includes a handle 48 that extends
across the hollow cavity 36 formed in the main body 34 (see FIG.
11). Handle 48 may include the same features and incorporate the
same modifications and variants as handle 18 of exercise device 10
described above.
Handle 48 may be positioned a distance inward from the top
edge 40 of the main body 34, i.e., recessed within the cavity 36.
Handle 48 is also spaced a distance from the bottom of the cavity
36 so that the user's fingers have room to pass freely around the
handle 48 and grasp it comfortably.
To increase the number of uses of exercise device 32, one or
more cut-outs 50 are formed in the side wall 42 of the main body
34. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-12, two cut-outs 50
are formed, each partly in the hemispherical portion 42a of the
side wall 42 and partly in the extended or elongated portion 42b of
the side wall 42.
Cut-outs 50 are generally oval and extend from a point below
the handle 48 to a point above the handle 48. Two cut-outs 50 may
be provided on opposite sides of the main body 34, as shown in
FIGS. 8 and 9, and may, but are not required to, align with one
another. Cut-outs 50 may have a shape other than oval as shown, and
may be provided in any number.
Suitable dimensioning of the cut-outs 50, i.e., selection of
their size, enables the user to insert a respective one of their
hands through each cut-out 50 and over the rim 38 in order to grip
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a portion of the main body 34 between the cut-out 50 and the rim
38. The user can perform exercises with their hand(s) in this
position, e.g., floor or swinging exercises. This position also
enables the user to more easily carry the exercise device 32.
The outer surface of the main body 34 is provided with a
unique profile and shape in view of the presence of the projecting
rim 38 and a step 52 formed in the side wall 42 between the
flattened hemispherical portion 42a and the extended or elongated
portion 42b (and which is traversed by the cut-outs 50). This
unique shape is shown best in FIGS. 8 and 9.
Step 52 is formed to enable the hemispherical portion 42a of
one exercise device 32 to be positioned partly in the cavity 36 of
another exercise device 32, i.e., enable multiple exercise devices
32 to be stacked one on top of another as shown in FIG. 12. To
provide this partly nesting configuration, the outer diameter of an
outer-facing surface 54 of the hemispherical portion 42b of the
side wall 42 at the step 52 is the same as or slightly smaller than
the inner diameter of the upper portion of the rim 38 adjacent the
top edge 40 thereof.
To aid in the secure and stable stacking of multiple exercise
devices 32, the height of the hemispherical portion 42a, i.e., the
dimension from the flat bottom surface 46 to the bottom-facing
surface 56 of the step 52, is preferably substantially the same as
the distance between the upper edge of the handle 48 and the top
edge 40 of the main body 34 (see FIG. 12). In this case, the flat
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bottom surface 46 of one exercise device 32 will rest on the handle
48 of another while the step 52 of that same exercise device 32
will rest on the top edge 40 of the other exercise device, i.e., a
dual point of contact fitting which provides significant
stabilization benefits.
In other respects, both constructional and use, exercise
device 32 is similar to exercise device 10, including having an
internal groove 26 arranged in connection with the rim 38 and the
manner of use by gripping rim 38 and handle 48. As such, all of
the features of exercise device 10 may be incorporated into
exercise device 32, and vice versa. For example, a rubber-like
coating (not shown) may be provided on the outer surface of the
weighted exercise device 32, i.e., the outer surface of the main
body 34, the rim 38 and/or the inner surface of the main body 34
including the groove in the rim 38.
Rubberizing the weighted
exercise device 32 avoids metal-to-metal contact when stacking the
exercise devices 32.
The weighted exercise devices 10 described above constitute an
improvement over prior art weighted exercise devices in that they
have two grips or gripping portions, one defined by the rim 16
(with or without groove 26) and another defined by the handle 18.
The presence of these two gripping portions significantly increases
the functionality of the weighted exercise device 10 because while
a weight with a handle intended to be gripped by one hand of a user
enables a limited number of exercises to be performed and a weight
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with a grip intended to be gripped by both hands of the user
enables another limited number of different exercises to be
performed, by providing both types of grips in a single weighted
exercise devices, all of the exercises using either type of grip
can be performed using only the weighted exercise device in
accordance with the invention.
The weighted exercise devices of the present invention provide
an advantage over traditional dumbbells in that they are
substantially hemispherically shaped, which provides a symmetrical
device, wherein the weight is substantially evenly distributed
circumferentially around the handle 18 as compared to a
conventional dumbbell wherein the weight is concentrated on two
sides of a gripping bar portion. This is an important distinction
for certain exercises in order to prevent injury, particularly for
exercises where the weight is lifted above the head. The exercise
device of the present invention has a symmetrical,
circumferentially distributed weight, and provides a safer exercise
experience.
The weighted exercise device of the present invention can be
used as both a kettlebell and a traditional dumbbell. Also, the
weighted exercise devices of the present invention can be used with
the outer rounded portion on the floor to pivot and rotate while
the handle 18 is being gripped by the user so as to more
efficiently use the core muscles in a way that either kettlebells
or dumbbells cannot. The weighted exercise device of the present
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invention can also be used more safely as a swinging device
since there are no outwardly projecting members (as in
conventional dumbbells or kettlebells). The rounded
substantially hemispherical shape provides a smooth curved
outer surface that reduces the possibility of injury to the
user when using the weights while performing a swinging
exercise, or when using the weights in an aerobic class or the
like. Users can more safely use the device to perform a
plethora of exercises without having to change devices.
The present invention therefore is a weighted exercise
device that improves on existing weighted exercise devices by
expanding possible uses thereof thereby increasing the number
of exercises that can be performed with the weighted exercise
device and improving safety for the user.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been
shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in
the art that changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and,
therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such
changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the
invention.
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