GB2479417A

GB2479417A - A spherical dumbbell with a handle disposed with the body

Info

Publication number: GB2479417A
Application number: GB1007498A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edmund Swain
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-07
Filing date: 2010-05-05
Publication date: 2011-10-12
Also published as: GB201007498D0; GB201005728D0

Abstract

A dumbbell with a body 11 and a handle 14 disposed within the body 11 wherein a passage 13 is provided in the body 11 to allow the handle 14 to be gripped by a user. The body 11 may have a substantially spherical shape with a smooth outer surface and be made of an impact absorbing material such as rubber or plastic. The handle 14 may extend through a centre of mass of the device and have contours for gripping. The passage 13 may extend in a directional perpendicular to that of the handle 14. The passage 14 may also have rounded edges 13c at its entrance. Also disclosed is a barbell with detachable weights and handles. The detachable weights may be configured as per the dumbbells detailed above.

Description

Dumbbell and Barbell The present invention relates to a dumbbell and a barbell.

Dumbbells traditionally comprise an elongate handle which is arranged to receive weighted discs at each end thereof. The dumbbell is gripped by a user at the handle disposed between the discs and is repeatedly lifted and lowered in performing various weight training exercises, such as a dumbbell curl and shoulder press.

During a dumbbell curl, in which a user bends their arm at the elbow while keeping the elbow stationary, the stress created upon the wrist increases as the users forearm becomes substantially horizontal, due to the distribution of weight either side of the users hand. As a result it is found that a user can develop a strain injury over a period of time.

During a shoulder press exercise, a user typically takes up a recumbent seated position and repeatedly presses the dumbbell overhead. At the end of an exercise or to achieve a partial rest, it is common for a user to rest the dumbbell upon their chest or legs.

However, due to the angular shape of traditional dumbbells, it is found that the dumbbell can bruise the users' chest and/or legs. Moreover, the angular shape of traditional dumbbells often causes the dumbbell to snag or catch upon a users clothing thereby impeding the exercise manoeuvre.

When training it is also useful to use a barbell, which typically comprises an elongate handle with weighted discs at each end thereof. The elongate nature of the handle often detracts from the use of a barbell however, since considerable space is required to lift and lower the barbell, and for storage.

I have now devised an improved dumbbell and barbell which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a dumbbell, the dumbbell comprising a body portion and a handle portion disposed substantially within the body portion, the body portion comprising a weight associated therewith which is distributed around the body portion and around the handle portion, the body portion further comprising a passage disposed therein, wherein the handle portion is disposed within the passage, such that a user must place their hand within the passage to grip the handle.

The distribution of weight around the handle portion serves to relieve stress at the wrist of a user as compared with a traditional dumbbell. The distribution of weight further acts to balance the dumbbell as the user turns their wrist during an exercise manoeuvre.

The body portion preferably comprises a substantially smooth outer surface and is preferably comprises a substantially spherical shape. The smooth outer surface prevents the dumbbell from snagging on clothing for example, during use and enables a user to comfortably rest the dumbbell upon their chest during a shoulder press exercise, for

example.

The weight associated with the body portion is preferably substantially uniformly distributed around the handle portion. Preferably, the body portion comprises an impact absorption material, such as a rubber or plastic material.

Preferably, the handle portion extends through a centre of mass of the dumbbell.

The handle portion preferably extends substantially along a diameter of the body portion, and preferably comprises a region of reduced width either side of a central portion, to provide for an ergonomic grip.

The passage preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the handle portion and preferably substantially along a rotational axis of the dumbbell.

Preferably, the passage extends into the body portion from an opening disposed upon the body portion, and preferably enlarges toward the handle portion to accommodate a users hand when gripped around the handle portion.

The body portion preferably comprises a rounded edge at the opening to the passage to minimise any snagging of the opening to the passage with a users clothing, for example and to minimise any injury as a user places their hand within the body portion.

In an alternative embodiment, the passage preferably extends through the body portion and terminates at the surface of the body portion. The passage is preferably closable at one end thereof by a closure, which comprises an outer surface which substantially conforms to the localised contour of the body portion.

In accordance with the present invention as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a barbell, the barbell comprising a handle and a weighted body detachably coupled at a first and second end of the handle, the handle comprising a plurality of detachably coupled handle portions.

At least two of the handle portions comprise a reduced width either side of a central portion of the respective handle portion, to provide for an ergonomic grip for the user.

The handle preferably comprises a plurality of spacer portions. The spacer portions preferably comprise an internal threaded region at each end thereof. The handle portions preferably comprise an external threaded region at each end thereof. The handle portions are preferably arranged to detachably couple with the spacer portions via the threaded regions.

The weighted bodies may comprise a dumbbell of the first aspect. In this case, the dumbbell may comprise means enabling a handle portion to detachable secure to the dumbbell. The means preferably comprises an internal threaded region disposed within an exterior of the body portion. The internal threaded region disposed within an exterior of the body portion is preferably arranged to couple with an external threaded region of a handle portion.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a weight lifting system, the system comprising a dumbbell of the first aspect and a barbell of the second aspect.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dumbbell according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is plan view of the dumbbell illustrated in figure 1; Figure 3a is a sectional view along line A-A of figure 1, with the closure removed; Figure 3b is a magnified view of the opening to the passage illustrated in figure 3a; Figure 4a is a side view of a barbell according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4b is a magnified view of a handle portion illustrated in figure 4a; and, Figure 4c is a magnified view of a spacer portion illustrated in figure 4a.

Referring to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a dumbbell 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dumbbell 10 comprises a substantially spherical body 11 having smooth outer surface 12 and a passage 13 which extends into the body portion from an opening 13a disposed at the surface thereof, to a distal end 13b thereof. The passage 13 extends substantially along a diameter of the body 11, along a rotational axis of the dumbbell 10, such that weight associated with the dumbbell is substantially uniformly distributed around the passage 13.

The dumbbell 10 further comprises a handle 14 which extends across the passage 13 substantially perpendicular to passage 13. The handle 14 extends through a centre of mass of the dumbbell 10, such that upon gripping and lifting the dumbbell 10 using the handle 14, the weight of the dumbbell 10 acts upon the users hand (not shown) to prevent any torsional stresses developing at the wrist of the user (not shown). Moreover, since the handle 14 is disposed within the body 11, then weight of the dumbbell 10 as experienced by the user (not shown), becomes shifted along users forearm (not shown) and thus reduces the stress at the users wrist (not shown) as compared with traditional dumbbells.

The body portion 11 comprises an impact absorption material, such as a rubber or plastic, such that in the event the user drops the dumbbell 10, the body portion 11 will act to absorb the impact, thereby minimising any damage to the floor (not shown), for example. The impact absorption material further enables a user to grip the dumbbell at the handle and to punch the dumbbell upon a wall for example, in performing a boxing exercise, instead of using a punch bag or similar which requires considerably space. The body portion 11 may further comprise a plurality of depressions (not shown) disposed thereon, at positions corresponding substantially to a splayed arrangement of the users fingers (not shown). The depressions (not shown) are arranged to receive the finger tips (not shown) of the user and enable a user to grip the dumbbell 10 at the surface of the body portion 11 to enable the user to train the muscles of their forearm, for example. It is envisaged that the depressions (not shown) may be arranged in groups, with the depressions of each group being arranged at different separations to accommodate different hand sizes.

Referring to figure 3 of the drawings, the width of the passage 13 increases toward the centre thereof, namely proximate to the handle 14, to accommodate a users hand (not shown) as the user grips the handle 14. In the embodiment illustrated, the width of the passage 13 increases in a gradual manner along the length of the passage 13, from the opening 13a thereof to the centre of the passage 13, and then decreases along the length of the passage 13 from the centre of the passage 13 to the distal end 13b thereof.

It is to be appreciated however, that the width of the passage 13 may alternatively or additionally vary in a discontinuous manner, along the length thereof. The opening 13a to the passage 13 comprises a rounded edge 13c at the surface of the body portion 11 to prevent the edge snagging on a users clothing (not shown), for example and to minimise any injury as a user places their hand into the passage 13. The rounded edge 13c to the opening 13a further enables the dumbbell to comfortably rest upon a users forearm (not shown) during an exercise, to further relieve the stress at the users' wrist.

The distal end 13b of the passage 13 may be disposed within the body portion 11 such that the passage 13 is permanently closed at the distal end 13b. However, in the embodiment illustrated, the distal end 13b of the passage 13 is disposed at the surface of the body portion 11, such that the passage 13 extends through the body portion 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the dumbbell 10 further comprises a closure 15, which is detachably coupled at the distal end of the passage 13 to selectively close the passage 13 at the distal end thereof. The closure 15 comprises an external threaded portion 16 which enables the closure 15 to be screwed and unscrewed into and out from an internal threaded portion of the passage 13, and a cap 17 which comprises a smooth outer surface 18 having a contour which substantially conforms with the contour of the body 11 at the position where it couples with the body 11. It is to be appreciated however, that the closure 15 may couple with the body 11 of the dumbbell 10 using alternative means, such as a friction fit, for example.

In use, a user (not shown) inserts their hand (not shown) into the passage 13, grips the handle 14 and performs the required dumbbell exercise. The smooth outer contour 12 of the body 11 prevents any snagging of the dumbbell 10 on the users clothing (not shown) and enables a user (not shown) to comfortably rest the dumbbell 10 upon their legs or chest (not shown), if required, during the exercise.

The provision of the closure 15 further enables a user to substantially close one end of the passage 13, such that a user (not shown) can further use the dumbbell 10 to perform a press-up manoeuvre. During this exercise, a user (not shown) places two dumbbells upon the floor with the closure 15 of each dumbbell 10 suitably coupled to the respective dumbbell 10 and arranged in contact with the floor. The user (not shown) then separately places each hand within a respective passage 13 to grip the corresponding handle 14. As the user (not shown) performs the normal press-up manoeuvre, the spherical contour at the base of each dumbbell 10 enables each dumbbell 10 to rotate about an axis comprising the respective passage 13, as the user rotates their forearm (not shown) during the exercise. This rotation reduces the stress and pressure upon the users wrist as compared with a user (not shown) placing their hands (not shown) directly upon the floor, and thus further helps to minimise any injury during the exercise.

Referring to figure 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a barbell 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The barbell 20 comprises a first and second weighted body 21, 22 disposed at either side of an elongate handle 23. The handle 23 comprises a plurality of handle portions 24 and a plurality of spacer portions 25, disposed between the handle portions 24.

The handle portions 24 comprise a substantially cylindrical shape and comprise a reduced width either side of a central region 24a thereof, to provide for an ergonomic, comfortable grip for the user. Opposite ends of each handle portion 24 comprise an external threaded region 26 which is arranged to couple with an internal threaded region 27 disposed at each end of the spacer portions 25. The spacer portions 25 comprise a cylindrical shape and a similar diameter as the handle portions 24, such that when the handle portions 24 and spacer portions 25 are coupled together the resulting handle 23 comprises an elongate linear arrangement.

In the embodiment illustrated, the handle 23 comprises a handle portion 24 at each end thereof. The external threaded portion 26 disposed at each distal end of the handle 23 is arranged to couple with a weighted body 21, 22, which may comprise a dumbbell 10 as described above. In this case, it is envisaged that the dumbbells 10 may comprise an internal threaded region (not shown) disposed within the body portion 11 thereof for receiving the external threaded region 26 of the handle portions 24.

The barbell 20 thus enables a user to create a handle 23 of any required length by incorporating or removing handle and spacer portions 24, 25, while further enabling a user to disassemble the barbell 20 for storage.

Claims

Claims 1. A dumbbell, the dumbbell comprising a body portion and a handle portion, disposed substantially within the body portion, the body portion comprising a weight associated therewith which is distributed around the body portion and around the handle portion, the body portion further comprising a passage disposed therein, wherein the handle portion is disposed within the passage, such that a user must place their hand within the passage to grip the handle.
2. A dumbbell according to claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises a substantially smooth outer surface.
3. A dumbbell according to claim I or 2, wherein the body is substantially spherical is shape.
4. A dumbbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight associated with the body portion is substantially uniformly distributed around the handle portion.
5. A dumbbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the body portion comprises an impact absorption material, such as a rubber or plastic material.
6. A dumbbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle portion extends through a centre of mass of the dumbbell.
7. A dumbbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle portion extends substantially along a diameter of the body portion.
8. A dumbbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle portion comprises a region of reduced width either side of a central portion thereof.
9. A dumbbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the passage extends substantially perpendicular to the handle portion.
10. A dumbbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the passage extends substantially along a rotational axis of the dumbbell.
11. A dumbbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the passage extends into the body portion from an opening disposed upon the body portion.
12. A dumbbell according to claim 11, wherein the body portion comprises a rounded edge at the opening to the passage
13. A dumbbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the passage enlarges toward the handle portion, to accommodate a users hand when gripped around the handle portion.
14. A dumbbell according to any preceding claim, wherein the passage extends through the body portion and terminates at the surface of the body portion.
15. A dumbbell according to 14 claim, wherein the passage is closable at one end thereof by a closure, which comprises an outer surface which substantially conforms to the localised contour of the body portion.
16. A barbell, the barbell comprising a handle and a weighted body detachably coupled at a first and second end of the handle, the handle comprising a plurality of detachably coupled handle portions.
17. A barbell according to claim 16, wherein the handle portions comprise a reduced width either side of a central portion of the respective handle portion
18. A barbell according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the handle further comprises a plurality of spacer portions.
19. A barbell according to claim 18, wherein the spacer portions comprise an internal threaded region at each end thereof.
20. A barbell according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the handle portions comprise an external threaded region at each end thereof.
21. A barbell according to claims 19 and 20, wherein the handle portions are arranged to detachably couple with the spacer portions via the threaded regions.
22. A barbell according to any of claims 16 to 21, wherein the weighted bodies comprise a dumbbell of any of claims Ito 15.
23. A barbell according to claim 22, wherein the dumbbell further comprises means enabling a handle portion of the barbell to detachable secure to the dumbbell.
24. A barbell according to claim 23, wherein the means comprises an internal threaded region disposed within an exterior of the body portion.
25. A barbell according to claim 24, wherein the internal threaded region disposed within an exterior of the body portion is arranged to couple with an external threaded region of a handle portion.