EXERCISE WEIGHT APPARATUS

Abstract

The present invention is an exercise apparatus which has a designated weight, in terms of pounds and/or kilograms. It includes a lower weight element attached to an upper handle, similar to a Kettle Bell. Unlike a Kettle Bell, however, its interior core comprises a concrete material, through which passes a cylindrically tubular transverse channel. The transverse channel is adapted to accommodate the cylindrical plate bar of a barbell and/or a dumbbell. Preferably, the transverse channel has a PVC lining, in the form of a congruous PVC pipe, which is operative to facilitate sliding of the plate bar through the transverse channel. The PVC-lined transverse channel allows the present invention to be used like a conventional weight plate, as well as like a Kettle Bell.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general field of exercise equipment, and more particularly to weights used for exercise purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kettle Bells are a popular type of exercise weight with an upwardly extending arcuate handle. They are available in a variety of weights and are better adapted to certain types of exercise movements than are conventional dumbbells. Kettle Bells are particularly well suited to exercise movements involving swinging the weight overhead or between the legs. But certain other exercise movements are performed more effectively using dumbbells or barbells. Also, conventional Kettle Bells are metallic, which adds to their cost. The present invention is intended to provide a more versatile and less expensive alternative to conventional Kettle Bells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an exercise apparatus which has a designated weight, in terms of pounds and/or kilograms. It comprises a lower weight element attached to an upper handle, similar to a Kettle Bell. Unlike a Kettle Bell, however, its interior core comprises a concrete material, through which passes a cylindrically tubular transverse channel. The transverse channel is adapted to accommodate the cylindrical plate bar of a barbell and/or a dumbbell. Preferably, the transverse channel has a PVC lining, in the form of a congruous PVC pipe, which is operative to facilitate sliding of the plate bar through the transverse channel. The PVC-lined transverse channel allows the present invention to be used like a conventional weight plate, as well as like a Kettle Bell.

The handle is attached to, or integral with, the weight element, and can be made of the same concrete material or a difference material, such as metal or plastic, which is rigid and durable. While the handle can have a generally triangular, rectilinear or arcuate shape, the triangular and rectilinear configurations are preferred, because they enable a “hammer grip,” in which the palms of the hands are perpendicular to the floor.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the exterior surfaces of the weight element and the handle are coated with a rubberized sealant, in order to protect the interior concrete material from fractures and chipping. Also preferred is reinforcement of the concrete material with steel bars, steel wire and/or fiberglass mesh, in order to increase its strength and resistance to fractures and chipping.

Optionally, the designated weight of the apparatus can be adjusted by incorporating metal pieces, such as steel balls or cubes, within the concrete material. Such metal pieces also serve the secondary purpose of strengthening the concrete material.

The foregoing summarizes the general design features of the present invention. In the following sections, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in some detail. These specific embodiments are intended to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing the present invention in accordance with the general design features discussed above. Therefore, the detailed descriptions of these embodiments are offered for illustrative and exemplary purposes only, and they are not intended to limit the scope either of the foregoing summary description or of the claims which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted on the plate bar of a barbell; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the present invention 10 comprises a weight element 11, having a transverse channel 12 passing through it and emerging on either side in two channel apertures 13. While the weight element 11 in this illustrated exemplary embodiment 10 has a generally triangular configuration, it can have any shape that would allow it to stand upright with stability.

Attached to, or integral with the top side of the weight element 11 is a handle 14. While the handle 14 is illustrated with a generally rectilinear configuration, it can alternately have an arcuate or triangular form. This can be made of the same material as the weight element 11, or of another rigid, durable material, such as metal or plastic.

The transverse channel 12 is lined with a congruent PVC pipe 15, which enables the apparatus 10 to slide smoothly onto the plate bar 16 of a barbell, as best seen in FIG. 3.

The exterior of the weight element 11 is coated with a rubberized sealant 17, which protects the interior core comprising a concrete material 18, as shown in FIG. 2. The concrete material is reinforced with a steel or fiberglass mesh 19. Reinforcing of the concrete material 18 can also be done with steel bars or rods (not shown). The concrete material also contains multiple steel balls 20, which are used to adjust the weight of the weight element 11 and to further reinforce the concrete material 18. Steel bars and/or cubes can also be used instead of or along with the steel balls 20.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many additions, modifications and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, having a designated apparatus weight and comprising:

a weight element having a weight top and a weight base, wherein the weight element comprises an exterior surface, an interior core, and a transverse channel, and wherein the exterior surface has a generally triangular exterior shape, comprising a triangle base at the weight base and two triangle sides which meet at a triangle apex at the weight top, and wherein a length of the triangle base exceeds a length of either of the triangle sides, such that the generally triangular exterior shape is an isosceles triangle, and wherein the weight element has a uniform thickness, and wherein the exterior surface is coated with a rubberized sealant, and wherein the interior core comprises a concrete material, and wherein the transverse channel is cylindrically tubular and has a channel diameter, and passes through the interior core and terminates in two circular channel apertures at opposite sides of the exterior surface, and wherein the transverse channel is adapted to accommodate a cylindrical plate bar of a barbell or a dumbbell;

a handle which is attached to the weight top, wherein the handle extends between the two triangle sides of the exterior surface and over the triangle apex at the weight top, and wherein the handle has a generally triangular, rectilinear or arcuate shape.

2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cylindrically tubular PVC pipe having an exterior pipe diameter and an interior pipe diameter, wherein the exterior pipe diameter is equal to the channel diameter, and wherein the PVC pipe is within the transverse channel and co-terminus with the transverse channel, and wherein the PVC pipe is operative to facilitate sliding of the plate bar through the transverse channel.

3. (canceled)

4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the concrete material is reinforced with steel bars, steel wire and/or fiberglass mesh.

5. (canceled)

6. The exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the concrete material contains multiple steel balls, and wherein a number and sizes of the steel balls are determined by the designated apparatus weight.

7. (canceled)

8. The exercise apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the concrete material contains multiple steel balls, and wherein a number and sizes of the steel balls are determined by the designated apparatus weight.

9. (canceled)