This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Chinese Application No. 200610002384.6 filed Jan. 27, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a weight trainer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a weight trainer containing the mixture of a solid powder and a thermo plastic elastomer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the trend towards health care, weight training is popular and easily reaches the effect of exercising. If weight training lasts for a long term, vigorous and graceful muscle can be turned out. Some conventional weight trainer, made of iron lump, iron powder, iron flake or iron bead, such as dumbbells or a sand bag, is stiff and has a weight of several pounds or kilograms. The weight trainer, when being slid from a hand, could hurt a body and therefore is specifically unfitted for a child or an older person.
Additionally, in regards to some weight trainers, a metal lump or metal powder is enclosed by a cloth or rubber package. The weight trainer can be attached to some portion of the body through a Velcro tape. Because the metal lump or metal powder is stiff and has a low flexibility, it could be uneasy to put the weight trainer on, and uncomfortable could be felt when the weight trainer is put on.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a weight trainer with heaviness and softness, so hurting a body can be avoided and muscle can be trained.
To achieve the above advantage and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a weight trainer that includes a thermo plastic elastomer and a solid powder, wherein the thermo plastic elastomer and the solid powder are mixed. The mixture is flexible and is tailored to various designs for the weight trainer. Besides, the weight trainer containing the mixture can be comfortably held by a hand or can be comfortably put on a hand, arm, wrist, leg, ankle or waist. The internal body in the weight trainer, due to being mixed with the solid powder, has an extremely high density ranging from 0.5 g/cm3 to 6 g/cm3, preferably ranging from 4 g/cm3 to 6 g/cm3, so the weight trainer can have a high weight, even fitted with the internal body in small volume.
Preferably, each particle of the solider has a largest transverse dimension of less than 100 microns. Preferably, the solid powder includes iron powder
Preferably, the weight trainer further includes an enclosure, such as cloth or rubber, enclosing an internal body containing the thermo plastic elastomer and the solid powder. The internal body has 60 to 85 weight percent of the solid powder, for example.
Preferably, the weight trainer further includes an oil mixed with the thermo plastic elastomer and the solid powder.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer held on a hand according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective and cross-sectional views showing an egg-shaped dumbbell according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective and cross-sectional views showing a dumbbell according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective and side views showing a dumbbell according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective and cross-sectional views showing a dumbbell according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective and cross-sectional views showing a weight trainer according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer put on a wrist or lower arm according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective and cross-sectional views showing a weight trainer according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective and cross-sectional views showing a weight trainer according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer put on an ankle or lower leg according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer according to an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing two main loading parts and a rectangular ring of the weight trainer in FIG. 18.
FIGS. 20 and 21 are perspective and cross-sectional views showing a weight trainer according to a ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 22 and 23 are perspective and side views showing a weight trainer according to a tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 24 and 25 are perspective and cross-sectional views showing a weight trainer according to an eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
The weight trainer of the present invention used to train the muscle on a hand can be made with a dumbbell shape as shown in drawings. The weight trainer is soft, so hurting a body can be avoided when the weight trainer is slid from a hand.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer held on a hand according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The weight trainer 100 is an egg-shaped dumbbell. The muscle on an arm can be trained by repeatedly bending the arm at the elbow with holding the egg-shaped dumbbell 100 on a hand 10. Besides, the muscle on fingers can be trained by repeatedly bending the fingers with pressing the egg-shaped dumbbell 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the egg-shaped dumbbell 100 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the egg-shaped dumbbell 100 in FIG. 2. The egg-shaped dumbbell 100 includes an enclosure 102 and an internal body 104, wherein the enclosure 102 encloses the internal body 104. The internal body 104 is formed by uniformly mixing a thermo plastic rubber or elastomer (TPR or TPE), a solid powder, and an oil. The thermo plastic rubber or elastomer may include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic vulcanizates elastomer (TPV), thermoplastic polyurethene elastomer (TPU), thermoplastic styrene elastomer (TPS), thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE), polyamide elastomer (PAE) or styrene-class thermo plastic elastomer, for example. The styrene-class thermo plastic elastomer may include styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS), styrene-ethylene-styrene block copolymer (SES), styreneic block copolymer (SBC), or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), for example. The internal body 104 has 5 to 20 weight percent of the thermo plastic rubber or elastomer, for example. The oil in the internal body 104 may be rubber extender oil, industrial oil, white oil, yellow oil or black oil, for example. The internal body 104 has 10 to 25 weight percent of the oil, for example. The solid powder may include iron powder, stone powder, mineral powder, copper powder, lead powder, tin powder, or some powder constituted from other metal or inorganic material. The internal body 104 has 60 to 85 weight percent of the solid powder, for example. In regards to iron powder, each particle of the iron powder has a largest transverse dimension of less than 100 microns, and preferably of between 1 micron and 100 microns, for example. Optionally, the internal body 104 may include dioctyl phthalate (DOP). The internal body 104 as described above has extremely high density of between 0.5 g/cm3 and 6 g/cm3 or between 3 g/cm3 and 6 g/cm3, for example, and preferably between 4 g/cm3 and 6 g/cm3. The enclosure 102 may include well ductile rubber and/or well ductile cloth and/or well ductile plastic.
Alternatively, the dumbbell used to be held on a hand may have other shapes, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a dumbbell according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the dumbbell in FIG. 4. The dumbbell 200 includes a holding stem 202 and two hexagonal-column ends 204 and 206, wherein two opposite ends of the holding stem 202 are respectively joined with the hexagonal-column ends 204 and 206. The muscle on an arm can be trained by repeatedly bending the arm at the elbow with holding the holding stem 202 of the dumbbell 200 on a hand. The dumbbell 200 is composed of an enclosure 212 and an internal body 214, wherein the enclosure 212 encloses the internal body 214. The principle materials of the enclosure 212 and the internal body 214 are the same as those of the enclosure 102 and the internal body 104 as described in the first embodiment.
Alternatively, the dumbbell used to be held on a hand may have other shapes, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a dumbbell according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the dumbbell in FIG. 6. The dumbbell 300 includes a cylinder 302 and a belt 304, wherein two ends of the belt 304 are respectively joined with two opposite ends of the cylinder 302. The muscle on an arm can be trained by repeatedly bending the arm at the elbow with holding the cylinder 302 of the dumbbell 300 on a hand, the belt 304 covering the back of the hand. The cylinder 302 of the dumbbell 300 is composed of an enclosure 312 and an internal body 314, wherein the enclosure 312 encloses the internal body 314. The principle materials of the enclosure 312 and the internal body 314 are the same as those of the enclosure 102 and the internal body 104 as described in the first embodiment.
Alternatively, the present invention provides a weight trainer that can be put on a hand, arm, wrist, leg, ankle or waist to train the muscle of the hand, leg or waist. The weight trainer is soft, so hurting a body or damaging a floor can be avoided when the weight trainer is slid from a hand.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a dumbbell according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the dumbbell in FIG. 8. The weight trainer 400 includes two arc portions 402 and 404, wherein both ends of the arc portions 402 and 404 are connected to each other. Weight training can be performed with a palm or foot passing through an opening 406 between the arc portions 402 and 404, leading the weight trainer 400 to be surroundingly mounted on a wrist or lower arm, or an ankle or lower leg. The arc portions 402 and 404 of the weight trainer 400 are composed of an enclosure 412 and an internal body 414, wherein the enclosure 412 encloses the internal body 414. The principle materials of the enclosure 412 and the internal body 414 are the same as those of the enclosure 102 and the internal body 104 as described in the first embodiment.
Alternatively, the weight trainer used to be surroundingly mounted on a wrist or lower arm, or an ankle or lower leg may have other shapes, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the weight trainer in FIG. 10. The weight trainer 500 is ring-shaped. The opening 502 in the middle of the weight trainer 500 may have a hand 20 pass therethrough. Then, the weight trainer 500 can be surroundingly mounted on a wrist or lower arm of the hand 20, as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer put on a hand according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, a foot may pass through the opening 502 in the middle of the weight trainer 500, and then the weight trainer 500 can be surroundingly mounted on an ankle or lower leg. The weight trainer 500 is composed of an enclosure 512 and an internal body 514, wherein the enclosure 512 encloses the internal body 514. The principle materials of the enclosure 512 and the internal body 514 are the same as those of the enclosure 102 and the internal body 104 as described in the first embodiment.
Alternatively, another ring-shaped weight trainer may be shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the weight trainer in FIG. 13. The ring-shaped weight trainer 600 has ball-shaped bumps 602 surrounding an opening 604 in the middle of the weight trainer 600. Fixed intervals are spaced between the ball-shaped bumps 602. A palm may pass through the opening 604 in the middle of the weight trainer 600, and then the weight trainer 600 can be surroundingly mounted on a wrist or lower arm. Alternatively, a foot may pass through the opening 604 in the middle of the weight trainer 600, and then the weight trainer 600 can be surroundingly mounted on an ankle or lower leg. The weight trainer 600 is composed of an enclosure 612 and an internal body 614, wherein the enclosure 612 encloses the internal body 614. The principle materials of the enclosure 612 and the internal body 614 are the same as those of the enclosure 102 and the internal body 104 as described in the first embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the weight trainer in FIG. 15. The weight trainer 700 includes a main loading part 702, a rectangular ring 704 and a Velcro tape 706. The rectangular ring 704 is fixed on an end 702a of the main loading part 702. The Velcro tape 706 has a right side sewed on a top surface 702c of the main loading part 702 and outwardly extends from the other end 702b of the main loading part 702. A loop area 708 is on a top surface of the Velcro tape 706 close to the main loading part 702, that is, on right and middle sides of the Velcro tape 706. A hook area 710 is on a top surface of the Velcro tape 706 far away from the main loading part 702, that is, on a left side of the Velcro tape 706. In the process of putting the weight trainer 700 on an ankle or lower leg 30, first putting the lower surface 702d of the main loading part 702 on the ankle or lower leg 30 with surrounding the main loading part 702 about the ankle or lower leg 30, next moving the Velcro tape 706 to pass through an opening in the middle of the rectangular ring 704 and then to turn back, making the hook area 710 be attached onto the loop area 708, as shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer put on an ankle or lower leg according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the weight trainer 700 may be put on a hand. In the process of putting the weight trainer 700 on a wrist or lower arm, first putting the lower surface 702d of the main loading part 702 on the wrist or lower arm with surrounding the main loading part 702 about the wrist or lower arm, next moving the Velcro tape 706 to pass through an opening in the middle of the rectangular ring 704 and then to turn back, making the hook area 710 be attached onto the loop area 708. The main loading part 702 of the weight trainer 700 is composed of an enclosure 712 and an internal body 714, wherein the enclosure 712 encloses the internal body 714. The principle materials of the enclosure 712 and the internal body 714 are the same as those of the enclosure 102 and the internal body 104 as described in the first embodiment.
Alternatively, the present invention may provide a weight trainer 800 with a pair of main loading parts 802 and 803 shaped like long bars. The main loading parts 802 and 803 are lined with opposite long edges neighboring with each other, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer according to an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing two main loading parts and a rectangular ring of the weight trainer in FIG. 18. A rectangular ring 804 is put on an end 802a and 803a of the opposite short edges of the main loading parts 802 and 803. A Velcro tape 806 has a right side with a back sewed on a top surface 802c and 803c of the main loading parts 802 and 803 and outwardly extends from the other ends 802b and 803b of the opposite short edges of the main loading parts 802 and 803. A loop area 808 is on an upper surface of the Velcro tape 806 close to the main loading parts 802 and 803, that is, on middle and right sides of the Velcro tape 806. A hook area 810 is on an upper surface of the Velcro tape 806 far away from the main loading parts 802 and 803, that is, on a left side of the Velcro tape 806. In the process of putting the weight trainer 800 on some portion of a body, such as wrist, lower arm, ankle or lower leg, first putting the lower surface of the main loading parts 802 and 803 on the wrist, lower arm, ankle or lower leg, with surrounding the main loading parts 802 and 803 about the wrist, lower arm, ankle or lower leg, next moving the Velcro tape 806 to pass through an opening in the middle of the rectangular ring 804 and then to turn back, making the hook area 810 be attached onto the loop area 808. The main loading parts 802 and 803 of the weight trainer 800 are composed of an enclosure 812 and an internal body 814, wherein the enclosure 812 encloses the internal body 814. The principle materials of the enclosure 812 and the internal body 814 are the same as those of the enclosure 102 and the internal body 104 as described in the first embodiment.
Alternatively, the present invention may provide a weight trainer 900 with a multiplicity of main loading parts 901, 902, 903, 904 and 905 shaped like long and flat bodies. The main loading parts 901, 902, 903, 904 and 905 are lined with opposite long edges neighboring with each other, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer according to a ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the weight trainer in FIG. 20. A Velcro tape 906 is connected to the leftmost main loading part 901. A hook area 910 is on a top surface of the Velcro tape 906. A loop area 908 is on a lower surface of the two rightmost main loading parts 904 and 905. In the process of putting the weight trainer 900 on some portion of a body, such as wrist, lower arm, ankle, lower leg or waist, first putting the upper surface of the main loading parts 901, 902, 903, 904 and 905 on the wrist, lower arm, ankle, lower leg or waist, with surrounding the main loading parts 901, 902, 903, 904 and 905 about the wrist, lower arm, ankle, lower leg or waist, next moving the Velcro tape 906 to make the hook area 910 be attached onto the loop area 908. The main loading parts 901, 902, 903, 904 and 905 of the weight trainer 900 are composed of an enclosure 912 and an internal body 914, wherein the enclosure 912 encloses the internal body 914. The principle materials of the enclosure 912 and the internal body 914 are the same as those of the enclosure 102 and the internal body 104 as described in the first embodiment.
Alternatively, the present invention may provide a glove-shaped weight trainer 1000, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer according to a tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the weight trainer in FIG. 22. The weight trainer 1000 may include four finger stalls 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1004 used to have fingers pass therethrough. The finger stalls 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1004 are lined on an upper side of the weight trainer 1000. The openings in the finger stalls 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1004 may allow an index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger of a left hand to pass therethrough, respectively, or may allow a little finger, ring finger, middle finger and index finger of a right hand to pass therethrough, respectively. A rectangular ring 1005 is mounted on a left wing of the glove-shaped weight trainer 1000. A Velcro tape 1006 outwardly extends from a right wing of the glove-shaped weight trainer 1000. A main loading part 1007 is sewed on an outer surface of the glove-shaped weight trainer 1000. In the process of putting the weight trainer 1000 on a left of right palm, first moving the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger of the left palm to pass through openings in the middle of the finger stalls 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1004 or moving the little finger, ring finger, middle finger and index finger of the right palm to pass through openings in the middle of the finger stalls 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1004, making the back of the left or right palm lean against the inner surface of the weight trainer 1000, next moving the Velcro tape 1006 to pass through an opening in the middle of the rectangular ring 1005 and then to turn back, making an hook area on a lower surface of the Velcro tape 1006 be attached onto a loop area 908 around the bottom end of the weight trainer 1000. The main loading part 1007 of the weight trainer 1000 is composed of an enclosure 1012 and an internal body 1014, wherein the enclosure 1012 encloses the internal body 1014. The principle materials of the enclosure 1012 and the internal body 1014 are the same as those of the enclosure 102 and the internal body 104 as described in the first embodiment.
Alternatively, the present invention may provide a weight trainer 1100 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a weight trainer according to an eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the weight trainer in FIG. 24. The weight trainer 1100 may include a main loading part 1102 with a recess portion 1103 in which the part between a thumb and an index finger of a left or right hand can be put. A Velcro tape 1104 is connected to a left edge of the main loading part 1102 and leftward extends from the left side of the main loading part 1102. A Velcro tape 1105 is connected to a bottom edge of a left part of the main loading part 1102 and rightward extends from the bottom edge of the left part of the main loading part 1102. A Velcro tape 1106 is connected to a bottom edge of a right part of the main loading part 1102 and rightward extends from the bottom edge of the right part of the main loading part 1102. Multiple hook areas 1107, 1108 and 1109 are on a lower surface of the Velcro tapes 1104, 1105 and 1106, respectively. Multiple loop areas 1110, 1111 and 1112 are on a right side of the main loading part 1102, and on the Velcro tapes 1105 and 1106, respectively. The hook areas 1107, 1108 and 1109 are adapted to be attached onto the loop areas 1110, 1111 and 1112, respectively. In the process of putting the weight trainer 1100 on a left of right palm, first putting the part between the thumb and the index finger of the left or right palm on the recess portion 1103 of the main loading part 1102, next bending the main loading part 1102 with moving the left and right parts of the main loading part 1102 to the back and center portions of the left palm respectively, or with moving the left and right parts of the main loading part 1102 to the center and back portions of the right palm respectively, next moving the Velcro tapes 1104, 1105 and 1106 to attach the hook areas 1107, 1108 and 1109 onto the loop areas 1110, 1111 and 1112. The main loading part 1102 of the weight trainer 1100 is composed of an enclosure 1013 and an internal body 1114, wherein the enclosure 1113 encloses the internal body 1114. The principle materials of the enclosure 1113 and the internal body 1114 are the same as those of the enclosure 102 and the internal body 104 as described in the first embodiment.
To sum up, each weight trainer disclosed in the present invention includes a thermo plastic elastomer and a solid powder, wherein the thermo plastic elastomer and the solid powder are mixed. The mixture is tailored to various designs for the weight trainer. The weight trainer containing the mixture can be comfortably held by a hand or can be comfortably put on a hand, wrist, leg, or waist. The internal body in the weight trainer, due to being mixed with the solid powder, has an extremely high density ranging from 0.5 g/cm3 to 6 g/cm3, preferably ranging from 4 g/cm3 to 6 g/cm3, so the weight trainer can have a high weight, even fitted with the internal body in small volume.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
