VARIABLE-WEIGHT KETTLEBELL

Abstract

A kettlebell having a hollow interior portion, and a substantially flat surface upon which the kettlebell may rest. The interior portion is lined with a water-impervious coating. Additionally, or alternatively, the interior portion may have a water-impervious bladder disposed therein.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO. RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/163,758, filed 26 Mar. 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to kettlebells and, in particular, to kettlebells of adjustable weight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A standard kettlebell is a generally spherical-shaped cast iron weight with a handle attached. Most kettlebells have a flattened base which provides for stability when placed on a surface when the kettlebell is not in use. The handle is generally integrally cast with the bottom spherical portion of the kettlebell, or it may be otherwise affixed to a previously cast bottom portion.

Kettlebells, which have been in use for over a century, provide aerobic exercise for strength training and fitness. Typically, a user lifts the kettlebell while standing in a variety of poses to work one or more muscle groups. For example, a kettlebell is typically lifted from a squatting position up and over the user's head to provide both upper and lower body workout.

Strength training and fitness regimens using kettlebells often require the use of a set of kettlebells of differing weights. Although gymnasiums will typically have one or more sets of kettlebells of differing weights, a kettlebell of desired weight may not be readily available to the prospective user. Also, a kettlebell user may desire to exercise with kettlebells in his or her home and would not be expected to have available a set of kettlebells of all desired weights.

Therefore, a number of different types of adjustable or variable weight kettlebells have been developed. For example, Anderson U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,715 discloses kettlebells comprising a handle attached to a central plate to which weight plates can be attached. Although the device is referred to as a “kettlebell”, it does not have the standard spheroid shape of a typical kettlebell. However, by attaching weight plates of differing weights, one can have an exercise device of adjustable weights.

Ekhaus U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,445 discloses a device comprising a handle attached to two spaced-apart support plates, wherein weight plates may be attached between the support plates or on the outside of each support plate. Its disclosure describes an adjustable weight device which, if properly configured, will have a shape similar to a standard kettlebell.

Chen U.S. Pat. No. 7,563,208 discloses an adjustable kettlebell comprising a carrier that has a chamber which can accommodate weight members of variable weight. When properly configured, the device can have the appearance of a standard kettlebell.

Published Patent Application No. US. 2010/0048362 discloses an adjustable weight kettlebell to which facet plates can be attached and which also includes a cavity capable of receiving a solid weight insert.

There have recently been developed hollow kettlebells designed to be filled, from a bottom opening, with solid particles such as steel shot or lead shot. These devices are kettlebells of variable weight and constitute an improvement over previous devices which required assembly of various weighted elements in order to provide the desired weight.

These prior art devices may be suitable for use in a gymnasium or in a home environment. However, a traveler may desire to go through his or her usual exercise regimen while away from home and would find it inconvenient to have to carry a hollow kettlebell and a heavy packet of solid material, such as steel shot or lead shot, in order to provide the desired weight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a hollow kettlebell in which the interior portion of its body is lined with a water-impervious coating and/or a water-impervious bladder is disposed in the interior portion of the body. Thus, the kettlebell is configured to receive water or other aqueous liquid in its interior. The bottom flat portion of the kettlebell contains a port for accessing the interior portion of the body. If the kettlebell includes a bladder, it may be advantageously of a size to substantially fill the interior portion of the kettlebell and it will include a port attachable to the body port. The bladder may comprise an elastic material which can, if necessary, be removed and replaced.

The details of one or more implementations of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary kettlebell.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the kettlebell, shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the kettlebell shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the kettlebell shown in FIG. 1, illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a kettlebell exercise device 100 includes a substantially spherical body 110 having upper and lower portions 112, 114. A handle 120 is attached to the upper portion 112 of the body 110. The lower portion 114 of the body 110 defines a substantially flat surface 116 for supporting the kettlebell on a ground surface in a stable manner, so that the kettlebell 100 may rest in an upright position with the handle 120 substantially upright and accessible for gasping by a user. In some examples, the handle 120 may formed with the body 110. The body 110 defines a substantially hollow interior portion 115. The lower portion 114 defines a port 118 for accessing the interior portion 115 of the body 110.

In a preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 3, the interior portion 115 of the kettlebell is lined with a water-impervious coating 150. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, bladder 140, impervious to water, is disposed in the interior portion 115. The bladder 140 defines a port 142 attached to the body port 118 for receiving a liquid weight substance, such as water. A plug 130 is receivable by the body port 118 and/or the bladder port 142 for sealing contents (e.g., water) of the bladder 140.

The plug 130 may define a manipulation feature 132 (e.g., groove, slot, or protrusion) that allows a user to hold and turn the plug 130 for insertion in the body port 118 and/or bladder port 142. In some implementations, the bladder port 142 defines threads 144 configured to receive corresponding threads 134 defined by the plug 130 for scaling the bladder 140.

In some implementations, the bladder 140 comprises a water-proof, non-rusting material, such as rubber, vinyl, etc. In other implementations, the bladder 140 can also be used in the hollow kettlebell lined with a water-impervious coating 150. In some examples, the bladder 140 elastically expands and shrinks in the interior body portion 115 as the bladder 140 receives or loses contents.

The body 110 may be made of a generally hard and durable material, such as plastic or steel. In some cases, a portion of body 110 (e.g., the lower body portion 114) is comprised of a semi-rigid or elastic material. For example, the lower upright body portion 114 may comprise rubber or other elastic material that expands and contracts in accordance with a weight level (e.g., amount of weight material, solid and/or liquid) within the interior body portion 115). The bladder 140 may comprise an elastic material as well that expands and contracts at substantially the same rate as the lower body portion 114. In some examples, the bladder 140 is integral with the lower body portion 114, both expanding and contracting in concert to accommodate the received weight material.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

A kettlebell device as described herein is particularly useful for travelers since it can be filled with water, which is readily available in hotels, campsites, etc.

Claims

1. A kettlebell comprising:

a substantially spherical body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion comprising a substantially flat surface, the body defining a substantially hollow interior portion capable of receiving and retaining a liquid, and:

a handle attached to the upper portion of the body;

wherein the lower portion comprises a port for accessing and sealing the interior portion of the body.

2. The kettlebell of claim 1, wherein the port comprises threads configured to receive a threaded plug for sealing the port.

3. The kettlebell of claim 1, wherein the handle is integral with the body.

4. The kettlebell of claim 1, wherein the body is made of a substantially rigid plastic material.

5. The kettlebell of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises water.

6. The kettlebell of claim 1, in which the surface of the hollow interior portion is lined with water-impervious coating.

7. The kettlebell of claim 1, in which a water-impervious bladder is disposed in the hollow interior portion.

8. The kettlebell of claim 7, in which the bladder comprises an elastic material.