Patents Assigned to PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20150202485
    Abstract: An exercise machine for performing barbell type free weight lifting exercises has a power cage or Smith press type frame, an elongated bar held on the frame in a substantially horizontal resting position, and an adjustable exercise mass assembly that allows a user to select an exercise weight from among a plurality of choices of different exercise weights provided by the exercise mass assembly. The exercise mass assembly is separate from the bar and any auxiliary weight plates carried on the bar. A cable and pulley system operatively connects the bar to a movable portion of the exercise mass assembly that provides the selected exercise weight. A powered actuator sets up the bar for performing a weight lifting exercise by lifting the movable portion of the exercise mass assembly up above a second portion of the exercise mass assembly that remains stationary during the particular weight lifting exercise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson
  • Patent number: 9050496
    Abstract: An exercise machine for performing barbell type free weight lifting exercises has a power cage or Smith press type frame, an elongated bar held on the frame in a substantially horizontal resting position, and an adjustable exercise mass assembly that allows a user to select an exercise weight from among a plurality of choices of different exercise weights provided by the exercise mass assembly. The exercise mass assembly is separate from the bar and any auxiliary weight plates carried on the bar. A cable and pulley system operatively connects the bar to a movable portion of the exercise mass assembly that provides the selected exercise weight. A powered actuator sets up the bar for performing a weight lifting exercise by lifting the movable portion of the exercise mass assembly up above a second portion of the exercise mass assembly that remains stationary during the particular weight lifting exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson
  • Publication number: 20140274597
    Abstract: A selectorized dumbbell has a plurality of nested weights which each have a box-shaped configuration comprising spaced left and right weight plates joined by planar, substantially imperforate, front and rear walls. The front and rear walls of the nested weights are very thin in comparison to the weight plates, extend over substantially the full height of the weight plates, and are joined to the weight plates along substantially their entire height. A selector comprises a pair of connecting members that coact between a handle of the dumbbell and upper portions of the front and rear walls of the nested weights to select a desired number of the weights for use with the handle depending upon the selected positions of the connecting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl K. Towley, III
  • Patent number: 8668630
    Abstract: An add-on weight kit for a selectorized dumbbell comprises a second set of nested weights that are similar in shape and structure to a first set of nested weights originally provided on the dumbbell. The second set of weights has a plurality of overlying rails that will underlie an array of similar rails carried on the first set of nested weights. The kit includes a second handle having vertically spaced openings with the second handle being used in place of a first handle originally provided on the dumbbell. The openings on the second handle are arranged relative to the rails on the second set of weights such that the same connecting pin as used on the dumbbell to couple the first set of weights to the first handle can be used to additionally couple a selected number of the add-on weights to the second handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson
  • Patent number: 8394004
    Abstract: A selectorized dumbbell comprises a plurality of nested weights which have front and rear arrays of rails with the rails being vertically spaced from one another with a space beneath each rail. A handle is insertable into a gap between stacks of nested left and right weight plates. A selector comprises front and rear pin arrays in each end of the handle with the pins in these arrays being selectively movable in a horizontal direction into extended positions located in the spaces beneath the rails for coupling different weights to the handle. The pins in the arrays are movable into their extended positions by a single vertically movable member carried on a vertically rotatable shaft in the handle end or by a plurality of independently movable members in the handle end that are moved by a plurality of keys carried on a top side of the handle end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson
  • Patent number: 7918772
    Abstract: A selectorized dumbbell has a handle that can be inserted into a gap between stacks of nested left and right weight plates. A selector determines how many left weight plates are coupled to the left end of the handle and how many right weight plates are coupled to the right end of the handle. Each weight plate is held between a pair of flexible arms on a forked carrier. The arms allow the weight plates to deflect out of a normal, substantially upright, orientation if an impact shock is delivered to the dumbbell. The arms are restored to their normal orientation once the impact shock dissipates. Alternatively, the weight plates may comprise a metallic inner weight plate covered with an elastomer encasement and with an integral elastomer lug attaching the weight plates to at least one interconnecting member. The selector may comprise a connecting pin with at least one flexible shock absorbing prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson
  • Patent number: 7850581
    Abstract: A selectorized dumbbell has a handle that can be inserted into a gap between stacks of nested left and right weight plates. A selector determines how many left weight plates are coupled to the left end of the handle and how many right weight plates are coupled to the right end of the handle. Each weight plate is held between a pair of flexible arms on a forked carrier. The arms allow the weight plates to deflect out of a normal, substantially upright, orientation if an impact shock is delivered to the dumbbell. The arms are restored to their normal orientation once the impact shock dissipates. Alternatively, the weight plates may comprise a metallic inner weight plate covered with an elastomer encasement and with an integral elastomer lug attaching the weight plates to at least one interconnecting member. The selector may comprise a connecting pin with at least one flexible shock absorbing prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson
  • Patent number: 7775947
    Abstract: A selectorized dumbbell has a handle that can be inserted into a gap between stacks of nested left and right weight plates. A selector determines how many left weight plates are coupled to the left end of the handle and how many right weight plates are coupled to the right end of the handle. Each weight plate is held between a pair of flexible arms on a forked carrier. The arms allow the weight plates to deflect out of a normal, substantially upright, orientation if an impact shock is delivered to the dumbbell. The arms are restored to their normal orientation once the impact shock dissipates. Alternatively, the weight plates may comprise a metallic inner weight plate covered with an elastomer encasement and with an integral elastomer lug attaching the weight plates to at least one interconnecting member. The selector may comprise a connecting pin with at least one flexible shock absorbing prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson
  • Patent number: 7722511
    Abstract: This invention relates to a selectorized dumbbell having a handle that can be dropped down between nested left and right stacks of weight plates. The weight plates can comprise individual weights or a pair of weight plates, one from each stack, can be connected together to form a single weight. A selector is provided to allow the user to select a desired number of weight plates from each stack and couple such weight plates to the handle to provide an adjustable weight dumbbell. Each weight includes a weight frame having at least one carrier to which a commodity weight can be fastened. The dumbbell can be shipped by the manufacturer with empty weight frames to reduce shipping costs. When the dumbbell with empty weight frames reaches a destination, the dumbbell can be completed by securing commodity weights to the carriers on the respective weight frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson
  • Patent number: D644701
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson
  • Patent number: D651672
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson