COMBINATION KETTLE BELL AND DUMBBELL

Abstract

For use with a dumbbell having a transverse connection or connections between two weights, a support structure comprising an elongated handle bar, and at least two jaw members capable of providing releasable connection to a weight, when said weight is present, said weight comprising a transverse connection or connections between two weights. The releasable connection capable of being locked in a closed position by a clamp mechanism.

Description

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 12/455,158, filed Jun. 1, 2009, which claims priority from Provisional application Ser. No. 61/133,704, filed Jun. 26, 2008 and Ser. No. 60/936,501, filed Jun. 19, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to handle attachments as disclosed herein to an existing dumbbell, to create a new type of dumbbell with handle structure improving over what is referred to as a kettlebell, (or) a new structural design over dumbbell altogether that will function both as a dumbbell and also what is referred to herein as a kettlebell.

There is need for improvements in handle supported dumbbell structures facilitating their use and enhancement in connection with exercising, and also in design configurations enhancing safety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the invention to provide improvements as referred to. Basically, the invention is embodied in a handle for holding weight comprising an elongated handle bar and at least two jaw members capable of providing releasable connection to a weight, when the weight is present. The weight comprises a transverse connection or connections between two weights. The jaw members are capable of being locked, by a clamp mechanism, in a closed position while releasably connected to said transverse connection or connections.

In one embodiment, the means referred to comprises jaw members having two holders that embrace and grasp the connection or connections in response to relative pivoting of one or both of the members. Further, a spring loaded clamp arm may be provided functioning as an over the center latch to retain or lock the holders in the grasping position. Also, a spring or springs may be provided for urging the two members toward or apart from one another

Another object includes provision of tightenable joints at opposite ends of the bar whereby the angularity of the weights may be adjusted relative to the handle bar.

Another object includes a tightenable jaw adjustment to allow for different sizes of bars.

Further, the handle may be rotatable both locking into a rotated position and being freely rotatable.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 as a perspective view of a clam-shell type holder connectable to an arm between two weights;

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the FIG. 10 device; showing a torsion spring;

FIG. 3 is an end view taken on lines 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of a clam-shell type holder connectable to an arm between two weights;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the holder of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section view of the holder of FIGS. 4 & 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the holder of FIG. 4 with the handle rotated;

FIG. 8 is a section view of the holder of FIGS. 4 and 5 with the clamp arm released;

FIG. 9 is a transparent view of the holder of FIGS. 4 and 5; and

FIG. 10 is the same view as FIG. 9 but also showing the dumbbell in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The contents of application Ser. No. 12/455,158 are incorporated by reference herein. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a design for a dumbbell that will function both as a standard dumbbell, and also as what is commonly referred to as a Kettlebell. In FIGS. 1-3, a dumbbell is shown at 100, with weights 101 and 102 at opposite ends of connection rod 103. The support structure 104 includes a transversely elongated handle bar 105 supporting means 106 associated with the connection or connections 103 that provides releasable connection to the weights. The cross sectional shape of the upper handle 105 may be straight, curved, square, rectangular, triangular or of other shape. The width of the handle between divergent arms 109, 110 may be sized to accommodate a variety of hand sizes and user applications. The width may be wide enough to accommodate two hands side by side holding the handle simultaneously. The diameter of the handle may be sized to accommodate a variety of manual grip sizes. The height of the handle away from the dumbbell axis may be of height, and substantial, so as to accommodate different uses or applications, as for example hand gripping of either arm 109, 110. Handle and arm corners may then be fileted. The handle attachment may be made of metal, plastic, leather, synthetic material or some other strong, lightweight material. The shape of the handle attachment may be straight, curved, square, rectangular, triangular or of some other shape to best match or accommodate to the shape and weight position of the dumbbell being attached to.

As shown, such means 106 comprises two clam-shell members 107 and 108 operatively pivotably connected, as at 107a and 108a to the bar 105, as via angled arms 109 and 110. The lower ends of those arms are pivotally connected to spaced apart lugs 107b and 108b projecting upwardly from the members 107 and 108.

The members 107 and 108 have two holders 107c and 108c that embrace and grasp the connection rod 103 in response to relative pivoting of one or both of the members, as about transverse pivot axis 130. When the members pivot away from the rod 103, the rod and the weights are released.

There are angled cam surfaces 107d and 108d on the two members, to engage rod 103 and effect the described relative pivoting i.e. spreading of the clam-shell members, (see arrows 112) in response to downward displacement of the members toward the rod 103, as in its broken line position 103d in FIG. 12. After the rod enters the zone 114 between the members, the latter pivot back toward one another, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, to grasp and hold the rod 103, for dumbbell use.

These views demonstrate how the handle may easily attach to an existing dumbbell, as by a hinge with a locking/tightening system that wraps around and locks the existing dumbbell handle inside of clasps. A torsion spring 115 is provided and located to yieldably urge the members toward their positions as seen in FIGS. 10 and 12. That spring is shown as having ends 115a and 115b attached to the lugs, to resist lug pivoting with the members. The spring locks the members in rod grasping position, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. A positive safety lock may be provided, as shown at 120 in FIG. 12, in the form of a link 123 pivoted to member 107, and having a turned end 123a that fits down over a pin 124 on member 108.

This torsion spring system may also squeeze the dumbbell handle, forming a tight grip, or it may permit the dumbbell handle to rotate, depending on the application and size of the dumbbell handle. The transverse width of the hinge/locking system may be such as to accommodate to an existing dumbbell handle. It may incorporate a single hinge/lock or more than one hinge/lock. The safety locking system may be comprised of a clamp, screw, hook, clasp, push pin, Velcro, strap, buckle, or a combination thereof. The handle unit may be comprised of a single attachment located at the center of the dumbbell bar, or two separate attachments with hinges that attach to the dumbbell at each end of the dumbbell bar. Handle unit designs will typically have safety clasps or locking clamps that help secure the handle to the bar of the dumbbell. Such safety clasps or locking clamps may be made of a secure, high strength material (i.e. Nylon webbing, Velcro, plastic, or metal). The handle, if rotatable, rotates through a pre-established range of motion, for example allowing the handle to rotate 180 degrees, such rotation would be such as to provide either free rotational movement throughout the complete range of motion, or it would provide specific positions in which to lock the handle, such as 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees and 135 degrees. Handle rotation enables the user to perform a wider variety of exercises, with more applications, than either a stand alone dumbbell or kettlebell. FIG. 2 apparatus has a transverse connection or connections 103 between two weights; a transversely elongated handle or bar 105; and means providing releasable connection or connections to the weights, as via releasable clasp structure 107, 108.

A slot or handle 126 on member 108 permits easy manual pulling of member 108 away from member 107, disengaging the attachment of the clam-shell members to the dumbbell rod 103.

In the figures the same reference numbers will be used herein for the same or similar features with the understanding that the description above applies to this embodiment, as well as the embodiments described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-10 showing a form of the apparatus, a dumbbell is shown at 100, with weights 101 and 102 at opposite ends of connection rod 103. The support structure 104 includes a transversely elongated handle bar 105 supporting means 106 associated with the connection or connections 103 that provides releasable connection or connections to the weights, as via releasable clasp structure. As shown, such means 106 comprises a main housing 200 and two jaw members 107 and 108 which are connected to the main housing 200. In some embodiments, the adjustable jaw 107 can only translate in one direction (horizontal in FIG. 8). The adjustable jaw 107 can move in this direction to accommodate different connection rod 103 diameters. Adjustable jaw 107 may be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism 218 accessible from outside the main housing 200. Adjustment mechanism 218 may be any suitable mechanism which allows adjustable movement of adjustable jaw 107 to accommodate different connection rod 103 diameters. One such mechanism includes a screw. When such a screw is rotated the adjustable jaw 107 would also move.

The members 107 and 108 have two holders 107c and 108c that embrace and grasp the connection rod 103 in response to relative pivoting of one or both of the members, as about a transverse pivot axis, in this case pivot shaft 202. When the member or members pivot away from the rod 103, the rod and the weights are released. In some embodiments the sections of 107c and 108c below the rod 103 may overlap each other when the members 107, 108 are in the closed position. However, in other embodiments, the sections of 107c and 108c below the rod 103 may only close enough to leave a gap smaller than the diameter of rod 103 when the members 107, 108 are in the closed position.

There are angled cam surfaces 107d and 108d on the two members 107, 108 to facilitate placement of the rod 103 into rod shaft 220. To engage rod 103, rod 103 must be placed in the rod shaft 220. The pivoting jaw 108 of main housing 200 is operated by a clamp 206. When clamp 206 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 8, pivoting jaw 108 pivots away from adjustable jaw 107, which allows for the apparatus to be placed over rod 103 such that rod 103 is in rod shaft 220. When the clamp 206 is in the open position it may rest in this open position because the clamp mechanism works like an over the center clamp. In the embodiment shown, only the pivoting jaw 108 moves when the clamp is opened and closed. One example of how the clamp mechanism may work is like that of a Vice Grip tool (alternatively known as an over the center clamp). The clamp 206 has a clamp arm 208 which is connected to the main housing 200 and a clamp arm adjustment mechanism 210. The clamp arm 208 is approximately over the center of the rod shaft 220. When the clamp 206 is pushed into the closed position the clamp arm 208 pivots and pushes the pivoting jaw 108 causing it to also pivot into the closed position. The pivoting jaw 108 has a pivoting jaw return spring 204 which functions to push the pivoting jaw 108 into the open position when the clamp 206 is opened. The clamp arm adjustment mechanism 210 may be used to adjust the closed position of the clamp arm 208 and therefore the closed position of the pivoting jaw 108, in order to accommodate for different rod 103 diameters. By pushing the clamp 206, the clamp can be placed in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 10, locking the rod 103 and connected weights 101, 102, in place within the main housing 200. When the clamp is in the closed position, because of the over the center clamp mechanism, the main housing remains locked closed so that no amount of weight placed on the connection rod 103 can force the jaws 107, 108 into an open position, unlike mechanisms locked by torsion or tension springs which can be overcome at a particular weight.

The transverse width of the handle 105 is such as to accommodate a variety of hand sizes and user applications. Such width accommodates two hands holding the handle simultaneously. The shape of the handle attachment may be straight, curved, square, rectangular, triangular or of some other shape, to best match the shape of the dumbbell being attached to. The width of the handle itself may be such as to accommodate a variety of hand sizes and user applications, for example to accommodate two hands holding the handle simultaneously. The diameter of the handle may be small, medium, large or extra large to accommodate a variety of grip sizes. The height of the handle may be of different heights so as to accommodate different applications. The handle may also incorporate a rotating configuration allowing the handle to rotate through a pre-established range of motion, such as 180 degrees, and the rotation provides either free rotational movement throughout the complete range of motion, or rotate to specific positions, to lock the handle, such as 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees and 135 degrees. The rotating handle enables the user to perform a wider variety of exercises with more applications than either a stand alone dumbbell or kettlebell. The rotating configuration may include a rotation plate 216 (or turret) between said handle and said main housing 200. The rotation plate may have a number of slots, indents, tabs, protrusions, or other features that could interact with a pin or button to engage and disengage the rotation mechanism. In one embodiment the rotation plate has indents. A handle rotation locking pin 222 is pushed into these indents by a locking pin return spring 224, holding the handle in the current rotation position. A handle rotation release button 226 is connected to the handle rotation locking pin 222. Pushing the handle rotations release button 226 moves the handle rotation locking pin 222 allowing the handle to rotate until another indent is reached. The handle rotation plate may have any number of indents placed. For example the handle rotation plate may have one indent placed to lock the handle at 90 degrees and leave the rest of the plate and 270 degrees of motion without indents. This allows for the user to lock in two positions and also allows the user to have the kettlebell have a free range of rotation motion for other exercises.

Main housing 200 is connected to handle 105 by handle bolt 212 and handle lock nut 214. The main housing 200 and handle 105 may also be integral. The main housing 200 and handle 105 may also be attached using screws. Further, the handle 105 may be attached by any other fastening method. Handle 105 may be made of many suitable materials such as metal, plastic, rubber, or any combination thereof. Handle 105 can include a core or center strip 230 made of a material better suited to support the weight associates with weights 101, 102. Such materials can include metal such as aluminum.

Claims

1. A handle for holding weight comprising;

an elongated handle bar;

at least two jaw members capable of providing releasable connection to a weight, when said weight is present, said weight comprising a transverse connection or connections between two weights; and

said at least two jaw members capable of being locked, by a clamp mechanism, in a closed position while releasably connected to said transverse connection or connections.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said bar has manually graspable length exceeding 6 inches.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said jaw members include pivotable joints.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said at least two jaw members having two holders that embrace and grasp said connection or connections in response to relative pivoting of one or both of said jaw members.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said clamp mechanism comprises a clamp arm and a clamp lever wherein said clamp lever is used to operate the clamp such that when said clamp lever is placed in the closed position it moves the clamp arm such that it pivots at least one of said jaw members to embrace and grasp said connection or connections.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein said at least one of said jaw members pivoted by said clamp mechanism further comprises a spring which operates to return said jaw to an open position when said clamp mechanism is in an open position.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein said clamp mechanism prevents said jaw members from separating or releasing said releasable connection to said weight when in said closed position.

8. The structure of claim 1 wherein said handle is capable of being rotated.

9. The structure of claim 1 wherein said closed position of said jaw members can be adjusted.