BALANCED DUMBBELL AND SET OF BALANCED DUMBBELLS

Abstract

A balanced dumbbell includes a first weight having a hollow cylindrical shape extending in a first axial direction and a second weight having a hollow cylindrical shape extending in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction. A wrist support is disposed within a cutout on an upper end of the first weight and the second weight and defines an opening of the balanced dumbbell. A handle extends between inner surfaces of the first weight and is configured to be accessed by a user through the opening.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/010,831 which was filed on Jun. 11, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosed embodiments relate to exercise equipment. More specifically, the disclosed embodiments relate to free weights including dumbbells.

2. Related Art

A handheld dumbbell type device of a fixed weight may be used for exercise, therapy, rehab, or any other activity requiring added resistance. Typical dumbbells are designed with weights positioned on opposite sides of a handle. Other types of weights, such as a kettle bell, have a weight positioned on one side of a handle. These designs of dumbbells may result in an imbalanced device which may become increasingly problematic as the weights become larger. Such dumbbells requires sufficient wrist strength in addition to the targeted muscle group being worked to balance the weight during the exercise or movement being performed.

Accordingly, such traditional dumbbells are cumbersome to use, especially with larger weights because of the resulting elongated shape and unequal weight distribution about the user's hands. These weights also present a risk to the user because of the wrist strength required without providing any wrist support during the exercise or movement being performed.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments have been developed in light of the above and aspects of the invention may include weights such as dumbbells having a balanced design. According to one embodiment, a balanced dumbbell may include a first weight having a hollow cylindrical shape extending in a first axial direction and a second weight having a hollow cylindrical shape extending in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction. A wrist support may be disposed within a cutout on an upper end of the first weight and the second weight and defines an opening of the balanced dumbbell. A handle may extend between inner surfaces of the first weight and is configured to be accessed by a user through the opening.

According to other embodiments, the wrist support may comprise a first and a second support disposed parallel to the handle. The handle may be disposed to extend in the second axial direction.

In further embodiments, the first and second weights may be joined at a bottom end of the first and second weights. In this embodiment, the bottom end formed by the first and second weights may be constructed to comprise a flat surface, allowing the dumbbell to securely rest on a surface without rolling. In some embodiments, the handle may be disposed centrally to a mass of the dumbbell.

In other embodiments, a balanced dumbbell may include a spherical weight body that has an opening disposed at a top portion thereof. The opening may extend at least partially through the weight body. A handle may be disposed within the opening and wrist supports may be disposed at an edge of the opening at the top portion.

In some embodiments, the opening may extend completely through the spherical weight body. Further, second wrist supports may be disposed at a second edge of the opening opposite the top portion. In other embodiments, the wrist supports and second wrist supports may be oriented to be parallel with the handle.

In some embodiments, the balanced dumbbell may be constructed such that the spherical weight body is constructed from a spherical wall. In some instances, the spherical weight body may comprise a hollow portion.

In still further embodiments, there may be a set of balanced dumbbells that include groups of balanced dumbbells. Each group may have at least one balanced dumbbell, and each group may have dumbbells with a weight that is different than other groups. Each dumbbell may include a first weight having a hollow cylindrical shape extending in a first axial direction and a second weight having a hollow cylindrical shape extending in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction. A wrist support may be disposed within a cutout on an upper end of the first weight and the second weight and defines an opening of the balanced dumbbell. A handle may extend between inner surfaces of the first weight and is configured to be accessed by a user through the opening

A first group of balanced dumbbells may have a weight that is greater than dumbbells in a second group of balanced dumbbells. In some embodiments, this may be due to a thickness of the hollow cylindrical shape of the first and second weights along the first and second axial directions being greater in the first group than a thickness of the hollow cylindrical shape of the first and second weights along the first and second axial directions of the second group.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a balanced dumbbell according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a balanced dumbbell having a different weight according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view of a set of balanced dumbbells according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view of a spherically shaped balanced dumbbell according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a balanced dumbbell having three semi-circular weights according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a balanced dumbbell with two semi-circular weights according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration for changing the weight of a balanced dumbbell according to an exemplary embodiment.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a balanced dumbbell according to one exemplary embodiment. A balanced dumbbell 1 includes a first weight 10, a second weight 20, a wrist support 30 and a handle 40. The weights 10, 20 may be formed of a solid mass or a skeletal mass to achieve the desired weight and appearance for the dumbbell 1. Unlike the traditional dumbbells, the handle 40 is configured to be affixed inside the device. That is, the weights 10, 20 surround the handle 40.

In this embodiment, the first weight 10 is formed generally in the shape of a hollow cylinder having an outer side 12 and an inner side 14. Similarly, the second weight 20 is also formed generally in the shape of a hollow cylinder having an outer side 22 and an inner side 24. The first weight 10 is oriented such that an axial direction of the cylindrical shape of the first weight 10 is perpendicular to an axial direction of the cylindrical shape of the second weight 20. That is, the first weight 10 and the second weight 20 are disposed perpendicular to each other.

An upper end 42 of the dumbbell 1 is defined by an opening 34 in the wrist support 30, described in more detail below. A lower end 45 of the dumbbell 1 is disposed opposite the upper end 43 as shown in FIG. 1. The upper end 42 and the lower end 45 of the dumbbell are both disposed along an outer circumference of the weights 10, 20.

An upper end 15, 25 of the first and second weights 10, 20 defines a cutout in which the wrist support 30, thereby holding the wrist support 30 in place. That is, the generally cylindrical shape of the first and second weights 10, 20 is terminated at the upper ends 15, 25. The lower ends 16, 26, of the first and second weights 10, 20 may be formed integrally to form a flat surface on the bottom end 45 of the dumbbell 1. The flat bottom end 45 of the dumbbell 1 allows the dumbbell 1 to rest on a flat surface without rolling. This enables a user to quickly retrieve the dumbbell 1 from the surface.

The wrist support 30 may include two supports 32 that define an opening 34 between the supports 32. The supports 32 may be formed of any suitable material providing a desired resilience to support a user's wrists during use of the dumbbell 1. Such materials may include, but are not limited to, natural or synthetic rubbers, composite materials, plastics, polyurethane foam, and the like. The supports 32 may also include a cover to enhance the appearance and durability of the supports 32. The cover could be formed from a cloth, leather, synthetic leather, plastic, or other similar material. The supports 32 may be configured to be adjustable, or may be set in a fixed position.

The wrist support 30 may be constructed integrally with the weights 10, 20, or may be formed separately. In one embodiment, the wrist support 30 may include flanges (not shown) that are inserted into slots within the weights 10, 20. The flanges may be secured within the weights 10, 20 by way of fasteners 16, 26, such as bolts. Other connections between the support 30 and the weights 10, 20 may be utilized such as welding, soldering, adhesives, force fits, and the like. Thus, in some embodiments, the fasteners 16, 26 shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted.

As stated above, the handle 40 is disposed inside the dumbbell 1. In this embodiment, the handle 40 is a cylindrical body that is affixed to the inner surface 14 of the weight 10. The handle 40 can be formed integrally with the weight 10, or may be affixed thereto via welding, soldering, adhesives, or any other suitable known joining method. Of course, the handle 40 may alternatively be affixed to the inner surface 24 of the weight 20.

The handle 40 is located within the dumbbell 1 to be central to the mass of the dumbbell 1. Thus, the exact location may vary depending upon the weight of the dumbbell 1, the materials used for the weights 10, 20 and supports 32, and the like. The handle 40 is disposed to extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the weight 20. That is, the handle 40 extends parallel to the axial direction of the weight to which it is not affixed. In contrast, because the handle 40 is affixed to the inner surfaces 14 of the first weight 10, the handle 40 extends perpendicular to the axial direction of the first weight 10.

The handle 40 is accessed by a user via the opening 34. The opening 34 formed by the supports 32 may be configured to align with the handle 40. That is, the opening 34 may be longitudinally oriented in the same direction as the handle 40. In this manner, the wrist supports 32 will provide support to the front and back of a user's wrist during use of the dumbbell 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a balanced dumbbell having a different weight according to one exemplary embodiment. The dumbbell 1 may be constructed to weigh any predetermined amount. In this embodiment, the weights 10, 20 are formed such that the hollow cylindrical shape of the weights 10, 20 has a thickness 18, 28 that is greater than that shown in FIG. 1. As a result, the dumbbell 1 shown in FIG. 2 can be formed to be heavier than the dumbbell 1 shown in FIG. 1. However, other methods for varying the weight of the dumbbell may be utilized such as by altering material, changing from a skeletal to a solid construction, increasing an outside diameter of the weights 10, 20, or the like.

FIG. 3 is a view of a set of balanced dumbbells according to an exemplary embodiment. A set of balanced dumbbells 1 may be provided according to this embodiment. As described above, the dumbbell 1 may be constructed to a predetermined weight. That is, the shapes and sizes of the weights 10, 20 may vary, and the total weight of the device could range from, for example, 5 pounds to 200 pounds in increments of as small as 1 pound. Thus, a set of dumbbells 1 having different weights may be provided by constructing a plurality of dumbbells 1 with different weights. In FIG. 3, the set of balanced dumbbells 1 shown having weights of 40, 50, and 60 lbs. is merely exemplary.

FIG. 4 is a view of a spherically shaped balanced dumbbell according to an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, a spherically shaped dumbbell 5 includes a weight body 50, wrist supports 72, 74, 82, 84, and a handle 60. Here, the weight of the dumbbell is based on the weight body 50. The weight body 50 is formed to be in a generally spherical shape providing a balanced dumbbell 5 no matter at what orientation it is held by a user.

The dumbbell 5 includes an opening 70 that allows access to the handle 60. The handle 60 may be formed integrally with the weight body 50, or may be formed separately and be attached thereto. The handle 60 is disposed centrally to the mass of the weight body 50.

The opening 70 extends completely through the weight body 50 from a first side 52 to a second side 54 of the dumbbell 5. Wrist supports 72, 74 are disposed at the first side 52 of the opening 70 and are parallel to each other and to the handle 60. Similarly, wrist supports 82, 84 are disposed at the second side of the opening 70 and are parallel to each other to the handle 60. The wrist supports 72, 74, 82, 84 may be constructed similar to the wrist supports 32 discussed above.

In this embodiment, the user may access the handle 60 from either the first side 52 or the second side 54 of the dumbbell 5 via the opening 70. Further, the wrist supports 72, 74, 82, 84 may also serve to stabilize the dumbbell 5 when the dumbbell is placed on a flat surface. That is, when the dumbbell 5 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, the user may access the handle 60 through the opening 70 from the first side 52. When the user performs an exercise or other movement with the dumbbell 5, the wrist supports 72, 74 support the front and/or rear of the user's wrist. When the dumbbell 5 is on a surface, the wrist supports 82, 84 on the second side 54 contact the surface and prevent the spherical dumbbell 5 from rolling.

The weight of the spherical dumbbell 5 may be set in a number of manners. These may include allowing portions of the weight body 50 to remain hollow, to increase or decrease the size of the spherical weight body 50, or to change the material used in constructing the weight body 50. In one embodiment, the weight body 50 comprises of a spherical wall, and a thickness of the spherical wall is increased to increase the weight of the weight body 50.

It should be noted that the opening 70 extending through the weight body 50 is exemplary. The dumbbell 5 could instead have an opening 70 that extends partially through the weight body 50. In this instance, in place of supports 82, 84, the second side 54 may have a flat surface to prevent the dumbbell 5 from rolling.

The above embodiments of a balanced dumbbell provide a number of advantages. For example, with the perpendicular, circular weights 10, 20, or the spherical weight body 50, the weight distribution of the dumbbell 1, 5, is balanced and biomechanically superior to typical dumbbells. That is, at any point during a range of motion or during racking of the weights, the user will be able to more easily balance and control the dumbbells. Typical dumbbell designs are imbalanced at least in some orientations and at some point along a range of motion.

Further, with the handle disposed inside of the balanced dumbbell, injuries may be avoided during racking. A common injury to weightlifters using typical dumbbells is pinching fingers while re-racking dumbbells after use. With the balanced dumbbells in the above embodiments, this possible injury is eliminated because the handle is disposed within the weights.

According to the above embodiments, the wrist support serves to reduce strain on the forearm of a user during use of the dumbbell. This helps to minimize any potential wrist injury that may occur during use of the dumbbell. Further, the wrist supports help to keep the hand aligned with the forearm to maximize the benefit of the exercise being performed.

Other embodiments and modifications are also possible. For example, the weights may be formed in a number of different shapes including an asymmetrical sphere, a partial sphere, ellipsoid, cylinder, cube, or other multi-sided polyhedron. The weights could be formed from a number of combination of different shapes.

For example, in FIG. 5, a balanced dumbbell having three semi-circular weights is shown. The balanced dumbbell 100 has two semi-circular weights 110 that surround the handle similar to the dumbbell 1 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The dumbbell 100 has a single semi-circular weight 120 on one side of the dumbbell 100. In this manner, the weight of the dumbbell 100 may be controlled by the number and location of weights 110 and 120.

FIG. 6 shows a balanced dumbbell with two semi-circular weights. The balanced dumbbell 200 is similar to the dumbbell 1 shown in FIGS. 1-3, but omits two of the semi-circular weights. The dumbbell 200 has weights 210 that surround the handle. This may allow the weight to be lighter as compared to the dumbbell with four weights 10, 20.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative configuration for changing the weight of a balanced dumbbell. In FIG. 7, the top and bottom of weights 310 and 320 are cut off so that there is a more planar surface on the top and the bottom of the dumbbell 300. The wrist support 330 is configured so as to be co-planar with the top of the dumbbell 300. Thus, the weight of the balanced dumbbell 300 may be configured by varying the height of the semi-circular weights 310, 320.

Similar modifications could also be made on the spherical dumbbell 5 shown in FIG. 4. For example, various portions of the spherical dumbbell body 50 may be cutout to adjust the weight of the dumbbell 5.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.

Claims

1. A balanced dumbbell comprising:

a first weight having a hollow cylindrical shape extending in a first axial direction;

a second weight having a hollow cylindrical shape extending in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction;

a wrist support disposed within a cutout on an upper end of the first weight and the second weight, the wrist support defining an opening; and

a handle extending between inner surfaces of the first weight, the handle being configured to be accessed by a user through the opening.

2. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 1, wherein the wrist support comprises a first and a second support disposed parallel to the handle.

3. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 1, wherein the handle is disposed to extend in the second axial direction.

4. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 1, wherein the first and second weights are joined at a bottom end of the first and second weights.

5. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 4, wherein the bottom end is formed to comprise a flat surface.

6. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 1, wherein the handle is disposed centrally to a mass of the dumbbell.

7. A balanced dumbbell comprising:

a spherical weight body;

an opening disposed in the spherical weight body on a first side thereof and extending at least partially through the weight body; and

a handle disposed within the opening, the handle being accessible through the opening and being disposed at substantially the center of the spherical weight body,

the handle and the spherical weight body being formed of a unitary construction.

8. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 7, wherein the opening extends completely through the weight body to an opposite side thereof.

9. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 8, wherein first wrist supports are disposed at a first edge of the opening at the first side and second wrist supports are disposed at a second edge of the opening at the opposite side.

10. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 9, wherein the first wrist supports and the second wrist supports are oriented to be parallel with the handle.

11. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 7, wherein the spherical weight body is constructed from a spherical wall.

12. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 7, wherein the spherical weight body comprises a hollow portion.

13. The balanced dumbbell according to claim 7, further comprising wrist supports wherein the wrist supports are oriented to be parallel with the handle.

14. A set of balanced dumbbells comprising:

groups of balanced dumbbells, each group having at least one balanced dumbbell, and each group having dumbbells with a weight that is different than other groups; each dumbbell comprising: a first weight having a hollow cylindrical shape extending in a first axial direction; a second weight having a hollow cylindrical shape extending in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; a wrist support disposed within a cutout on an upper end of the first weight and the second weight, the wrist support defining an opening; and a handle extending between inner surfaces of the first weight, the handle being configured to be accessed by a user through the opening;

a first group of balanced dumbbells having a weight that is greater than dumbbells in a second group of balanced dumbbells wherein a thickness of the hollow cylindrical shape of the first and second weights along the first and second axial directions is greater in the first group than a thickness of the hollow cylindrical shape of the first and second weights along the first and second axial directions of the second group.

15. The set of balanced dumbbells according to claim 14, wherein the wrist support comprises a first and a second support disposed parallel to the handle.

16. The set of balanced dumbbells according to claim 14, wherein the handle is disposed to extend in the second axial direction.

17. The set of balanced dumbbells according to claim 14, wherein the first and second weights are joined at a bottom end of the first and second weights.

18. The set of balanced dumbbells according to claim 17, wherein the bottom end is formed to comprise a flat surface.

19. The set of balanced dumbbells according to claim 14, wherein the handle is disposed centrally to a mass of the dumbbell.