Abstract: A adjustable barbell producing decreased destabilizing forces during the lifting movement, and a method for making same, includes a bar having a pair of longitudinally-separated inner collars weighing no less than approximately 30 lbs, a pair of sleeves mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the bar and sized to accommodate the through-holes of removable weight plates mounted on said sleeves, each sleeve being positioned longitudinally outward of a respective one of said collars, the collars thereby decreasing the stress on the bar and the moment of inertia of the weight being lifted.

Abstract: A dumbbell and incremental weight plate for same comprise a bar that extends generally axially between opposing end regions, a weight plate mass mounted about the bar at each end region, and at least one incremental weight plate mountable on the dumbbell. The weight plate mass and the incremental weight plate have respective magnetic regions that cause the incremental weight plate to be selectively magnetically secured to the weight plate mass or to be magnetically repelled from the weight plate mass to assist the user in removing the incremental weight plate from the dumbbell.

Abstract: A dumbbell having an antimicrobial handle comprises a bar having a pair of end regions, and extending generally longitudinally therebetween along a generally central axis, weight plate masses mounted at the end regions and mechanically secured thereto, and a pair of collars located at longitudinally opposed positions on bar to define a handle region therebetween. A handle is located within the handle region and includes a generally tubular grip surface member supported by the bar and formed from an antimicrobial copper alloy, the generally tubular grip surface member extending generally axially between longitudinally spaced-apart end regions. The pair of longitudinally-spaced generally annular collars have axially-inwardly extending flange portions sized and structured to substantially circumscribe the end regions of the generally cylindrical grip surface member and to securely capture the end regions between the flange portions and the bar.

Abstract: A dumbbell and incremental weight plate for same comprise a bar that extends generally axially between opposing end regions, a weight plate mass mounted about the bar at each end region, and at least one incremental weight plate mountable on the dumbbell. The weight plate mass and the incremental weight plate have respective magnetic regions that cause the incremental weight plate to be selectively magnetically secured to the weight plate mass or to be magnetically repelled from the weight plate mass to assist the user in removing the incremental weight plate from the dumbbell.

Abstract: A dumbbell having weight plates onto which magnetically coupled incremental weight plates can be securely mounted comprises a bar, weights at the end regions of the bar, means for retaining the weight plates at the respective ends to define a handle region therebetween, and a sleeve of generally annular cross-section securely mounted about the bar at least one end region axially outward from the weight plate, said sleeve member having (a) a hub portion for accommodating the through-opening of a weight plate, and (b) a flange portion of greater exterior dimension than the hub portion and having at least one magnetically-responsive region for magnetically securing an incremental weight to the dumbbell when said incremental weight plate is mounted about said hub region. In accordance with the invention, an adaptor to convert conventional dumbbells to utilize magnetically-coupled incremental weight plates comprises elements (a) and (b) above.

Abstract: A dumbbell and incremental weight plate for same comprise a bar that extends generally axially between opposing end regions, a weight plate mass mounted about the bar at each end region, and at least one incremental weight plate mountable on the dumbbell. The weight plate mass and the incremental weight plate have respective magnetic regions that cause the incremental weight plate to be selectively magnetically secured to the weight plate mass or to be magnetically repelled from the weight plate mass to assist the user in removing the incremental weight plate from the dumbbell.

Abstract: A dumbbell comprises a bar that extends generally axially between opposing end regions, a weight plate mass mounted about the bar at each end region, means for retaining the mounted weight plate mass at the respective end regions to define a handle region axially inward of the end regions that can be gripped by a user during exercise movement of the dumbbell, means for mechanically securing the weight plate mass to the dumbbell, said bar extending sufficiently axially outward of the mechanically secured weight plate mass to accommodate an incremental weight plate mounted about the bar axially outward of the mechanically secured weight plate mass, means for magnetically securing a magnetically responsive incremental weight plate to the dumbbell via magnetic attraction unless the mounted incremental weight plate has been rotated about the bar to a decoupling position, and means for establishing a decoupling position in which there is no magnetic attraction between the mounted incremental weight plate and the du

Abstract: New sensors and methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of multiple gaseous substances simultaneously with both high selectivity and high sensitivity are provided. The new sensors rely on a characteristic difference in energy between the interaction of a particular substance with a catalyst coated heat transfer device (HTD) and a non-catalyst coated (or one coated with a different catalyst) reference HTD. Molecular detection is achieved by an exothermic or endothermic chemical or physical reaction between the catalytic surface of the sensor and the molecule, tending to induce a temperature change of the sensor. Both high temperature and non-destructive low temperature detection are possible. The magnitude and rate of endothermic or exothermic heat transfer from a specific molecule-catalyst interaction is related to molecular concentration.

Abstract: A dumbbell and incremental weight plate for same are disclosed herein comprising a bar that extends generally axially between opposing end regions, a weight plate mass mounted about the bar at each end region, and at least one incremental weight plate mountable on said weigh plate mass. One of the weight plate mass and incremental weight plate has at least a pair of such regions with a north magnetic pole and a south magnetic pole. The other of the weight plate mass and incremental weight plate has at least one magnetic region constituting a magnetic pole.

Abstract: A dumbbell having weight plates onto which magnetically coupled incremental weight plates can be securely mounted comprises a bar, weights at the end regions of the bar, means for retaining the weight plates at the respective ends to define a handle region therebetween, and a sleeve of generally annular cross-section securely mounted about the bar at least one end region axially outward from the weight plate, said sleeve member having (a) a hub portion for accommodating the through-opening of a weight plate, and (b) a flange portion of greater exterior dimension than the hub portion and having at least one magnetically-responsive region for magnetically securing an incremental weight to the dumbbell when said incremental weight plate is mounted about said hub region. In accordance with the invention, an adaptor to convert conventional dumbbells to utilize magnetically-coupled incremental weight plates comprises elements (a) and (b) above.

Abstract: A kettlebell is disclosed herein having, in its preferred embodiment, a pair of oppositely-facing, generally frustum-shaped weightplates disposed about a first axis that is perpendicular to the axis of its handle. The frustum shape reduces the force of impact against the user's forearm during certain exercise movements. The preferred handle includes places which can be held between the user's thumb and remaining fingers for improved control during other exercise movements.

Abstract: The invention herein provides a “thick bar” barbell that permits free rotation of weight plates during weightlifting movements, weighs less than 50 lbs. and accommodates standard Olympic weight plates. Briefly, the invention comprising a generally cylindrical bar of generally annular cross-section having an outer diameter of between approximately 1.5 inches and 3.5 inches and extending longitudinally between a pair of end regions. A rod member is securely inserted within each end region of the bar. Each rod member has an outer segment extending longitudinally outward beyond the respective end region of the bar, the segment having an O.D. less than the O.D. of the bar. Generally cylindrical sleeves are mounted on the outer segments of the rod members for rotation thereabout the bar's longitudinal axis, with a bushing between each of the rod segments and the respective sleeve. The outer diameter of each sleeve is sized to accommodate the 50 mm hole found in standard Olympic weight plates.

Abstract: A kettlebell is disclosed herein having, in its preferred embodiment, a pair of oppositely-facing, generally frustum-shaped weightplates disposed about a first axis that is perpendicular to the axis of its handle. The frustum shape reduces the force of impact against the user's forearm during certain exercise movements. The preferred handle includes places which can be held between the user's thumb and remaining fingers for improved control during other exercise movements.