US20100184570A1 - Dumbbell assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A dumbbell assembly includes a dumbbell unit having a handgrip portion, and a support base for seating the dumbbell unit thereon. The dumbbell unit has a handgrip portion and a carrying structure disposed movably above the support base. A user can raise the carrying structure to attach the handgrip portion and hold the handgrip portion and the carrying structure for carrying the whole dumbbell assembly by one hand.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a dumbbell assembly, and in particular to a dumbbell assembly having a carrying structure for carrying the dumbbell and dumbbell base simultaneously.
• 2. Description of Related Art
• Nowadays, people usually have to work hard so that they have no time to go outdoor, a fitness center or a gym to do physical exercise. Therefore, people usually rely on fitness equipment, such as dumbbell, for doing physical exercise at home or in office. A traditional dumbbell is integrally constructed by lead or other metal. However the weight of the dumbbell is fixed, the dumbbell can not suit for different healthy conditions. Therefore, People need to buy different types of dumbbells having different weight, thereby occupying a relatively large living space in the house.
• For improving the traditional dumbbell, an adjustable dumbbell assembly has been proposed in the prior art. The dumbbell assembly includes a handle rod and a plurality of identical weights assembled selectively on two distal ends of the handle rod. Therefore, a user can choose how many pieces of weights are to be assembled to the handle rod according to the user's requirement.
• Generally speaking, the dumbbell assembly y is disposed on t on a support base when not in use. When a user picks up the dumbbell assembly, those pieces of weights not assembled on the handle rod will be left on the support base so as to prevent the weights scattering over the ground. Besides, a user usually uses the dumbbell assembly where he likes, such as in bedroom or living room. When the user shifts the dumbbell assembly, he needs to carry the dumbbell assembly in one hand and the support base in the other hand. That is inconvenient to the user.
• More important, in case of carrying the dumbbell assembly and the support base in both hands, those pieces of weights left over and not fastened to the support base will slip off the support base and may cause injury on the user's foot accidentally.
• Moreover, because each piece of the weights is identical to one another, adjustment to the weight rang is limited. The user needs to buy a heavier dumbbell assembly when the strength of the user gets stronger.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is an object of the present invention to provides a dumbbell assembly to overcome the disadvantages encountered during use of the prior art dumbbell assembly. When a user moves the dumbbell assembly, the dumbbell unit and the support base can be combined via a carrying structure so as to prevent the weights from slipping off the support base and thus avoid falling down on the ground. Moreover, different types of weights can be assembled in the present invention for providing different adjustments to the weight.
• To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a dumbbell assembly. The dumbbell assembly includes a dumbbell unit, a support base and a carrying structure.
• The dumbbell unit includes a connecting rod, a weight choosing structure, and a plurality of weight discs. The connecting rod includes a handgrip portion and two mounting portions at both ends of the handgrip portion. The weight choosing structure is assembled to the mounting portion. The weight discs of different weights are selectively assembled to the weight choosing structure.
• The support base has a loading side to permit seating of the weight discs thereon. The carrying structure includes retaining element, a carrying element, and a connecting element. The retaining element is used for preventing the carrying structure detaching from the base. The carrying element is movable with respect to the support base and is located above the loading side. The connecting element interconnects the retaining element and the carrying element. The carrying element can be raised to fasten the handgrip portion of the connecting rod.
• Therefore, when a user wants to move the dumbbell assembly, he can raise the carrying element away from the support base, and then holds the carrying element and the handgrip portion by one hand to carry the dumbbell unit as well as the support base simultaneously. The weight discs are fixed on the base and will not fall down on the ground. Additionally, the weight choosing structure can choose a heavy weight disc for increasing the weight rang.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present invention can be fully understood from the following detailed description and preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dumbbell assembly according to the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a partly exploded view of the dumbbell assembly of the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a support base and a carrying structure of the dumbbell assembly of the present invention;
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the support base and the carrying structure of the dumbbell assembly of the present invention;
• FIG. 5 andFIG. 6 are explanatory diagrams of the dumbbell assembly; and
• FIG. 7 andFIG. 8 are cross-sectional views of the dumbbell assembly of the present invention shown inFIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
• Please refer toFIG. 1, which illustrates a perspective view of a dumbbell assembly according to the present invention. Thedumbbell assembly1000 includes adumbbell unit2000, and a dumbbell base. The dumbbell base includes asupport base500, and acarrying structure600. Thedumbbell unit2000 is positioned on thesupport base500. Thecarrying structure600 is located above thesupport base500 and is movable relative thereto.
• Please refer toFIG. 2, which illustrates an exploded view of thedumbbell unit2000 according to the present invention. Thedumbbell unit2000 includes a connectingrod100, two weight choosing structures200 (only one is exploded inFIG. 2), a plurality oflight weight discs300 and at least oneheavy weight disc400.
• The connectingrod100 extends along an extension direction D1. The connectingrod100 includes ahandgrip portion110 and twomounting portions120 at two both ends of thehandgrip portion110. Thehandgrip portion110 is to be held by user. Theweight choosing structure200 is assembled to each of themounting portions120. Thelight weight discs300 can be selectively assembled with theweight choosing structure200. The mountingportion120 is a polygon in cross-section, and penetrates through theweight choosing structure200.
• Eachweight choosing structure200 includes a plurality of fixingelements210, two latchingelements220, a choosingbase230, and a choosingelement240.
• The fixingelements210 extend parallel to one another along the direction perpendicular the extension direction D1. The mountingportion120 of the connectingrod100 penetrates through the fixingelements210. The fixingelements210 have a plurality of guidingholes211 along the extension direction D1.
• Each latchingelement220 is slidable through the guidingholes211 along the extension direction D1. Each latchingelement220 has a constrainingportion221 and alatching connecting element222. The constrainingportion221 extends perpendicularly from thelatching connecting element222. Thelatching connecting element222 is extendable along an assembly direction D2.
• The choosingbase230 is assembled to the fixingelements210 and used for engaging the fixingelements210. The choosingbase230 has two choosingholes231 which extend along the extension direction D1. The choosinghole231 penetrates through the choosingbase230 along assembly direction D2.
• The choosingelement240 is located above the choosingbase230 and the latchingelement220 extends through the choosinghole231 to engage with the choosingelement240 such that the choosingelement240 and the latchingelement220 are slidable simultaneously along the extension direction D1.
• Thelight weight disc300 is made from iron, lead, or other metals. Thelight weight discs300 are parallel to one another along the direction perpendicular to the extension direction D1. Each of thelight weight discs300 is formed with a plugginggroove310 long a splitting direction D3. The splitting direction D3 extends in a direction opposite to the assembly direction D2.
• The plugginggroove310 has afirst side311 and asecond side312 extending along the assembly direction D2. Thefirst side311 is formed with blockinggroove320 while thesecond side312 is formed with anopening groove330. When thelight weight disc300 is assembled to the fixingelement210 along the assembly direction D2, the fixingelement210 is plug into the plugginggroove310 in thelight weight disc300, where the constrainingportions221 are received in the blockinggroove320 and theopening groove330 in thelight weight disc300.
• When the constrainingportion221 is received in the blockinggroove320, thelight weight disc300 is fixed on theweight choosing structure200. In case the constrainingportion221 is received in theopening groove330 and disengaging from the blockinggroove320, thelight weight disc300 can be assembled to theweight choosing structure200 along the assembly direction D2 or detached from theweight choosing structure200 along the splitting direction D3.
• The design of theheavy weight disc400 can be the same as thelight weight disc300. The only difference resides in that thesecond blocking groove420 is located on thesecond side412 of the plugginggroove410 while thesecond opening groove430 is located on thefirst side411 of the plugginggroove410. The thickness of theheavy weight disc400 along extension direction D1 and is greater than that of thelight weight disc300. The space between adjacent two thelight weight discs300 is intended to receive additional weight disc. Therefore, theheavy weight disc400 is heavier than each of thelight weight discs300.
• FIGS. 3 and 4 are exploded views of the support base and the carrying structure according to the present invention.FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the support base and the carrying structure according to the present invention. Thesupport base500 has aloading side510 and abottom surface520. Theloading side510 has two throughholes511, and a plurality of receivinggrooves530 outboard to the respective throughhole511. The receivinggrooves530 are used to receive thelight weight discs300 and theheavy weight disc400. Thebottom surface520 of thesupport base500 is formed with acavity521 having aninnermost wall5211. Thecavity521 and the throughholes511 are in spatial communication with each other.
• The carryingstructure600 includes two connectingelements610, two retainingelements620, and a carryingelement630. Each connectingelement610 is connected to the retainingelement620 and the carryingelement630. The connectingelements610 are movable slidably in the throughhole511 along the assembly direction D2.
• The retainingelement620 extends from two oppose sides of the connectingelement610 and are received in thecavity521. When the carryingelement630 is raised relative to the support base, the retainingelements620 abut against theinnermost wall5211 of thecavity521, thereby preventing disengagement of the carryingstructure600 from thesupport base500.
• The carryingelement630 has two ends connected respectively to the connectingelements610. Thus, the carryingelement630 is disposed movably above theloading side510. The carryingelement630 is lifted from thesupport base500 so as to be coupled with thehandgrip portion110. The carryingelement630 has an attachment surface complementing with the shape of thehandgrip portion110. In this embodiment, theattachment surface631 is concaved to conform to a lower side of thehandgrip portion110.
• As to how to use thedumbbell assembly1000 of the present invention is described in detailed in the following paragraphs. Please refer toFIG. 5, the carryingstructure600 is disposed in a lower position M1, i.e. the carryingelement630 is not picked up by the exerciser. There is a first separation space S1 between thehandgrip portion110 and the carryingelement630. There is a second separation space S2 between theloading side510 of thesupport base500 and the carryingelement630. Therefore, the exerciser's hand can be inserted into the first separation space S1 to hold thehandgrip portion110 to pick up thedumbbell unit2000. Thelight weight disc300 or theheavy weight disc400 not assembled to theweight choosing structure200 will be left on thesupport base500.
• Please refer toFIG. 6, in case the exerciser wishes to pick up thewhole dumbbell assembly1000. The exerciser can insert his hand into the second separation space S2 and lift the carryingelement630 up, and then the carryingelement630 is located in a rise position M2 and is attached to thehandgrip portion110. Finally both of thedumbbell unit2000 and thesupport base500 can be picked up together. That is, the retainingelements620 abut against theinnermost wall5211 of the cavity521 (please refer toFIG. 4) due to upward lifting such that when thedumbbell unit2000 and thesupport base500 will be picked up together. In this case, the relation position among theweight choosing structure200, thelight weight discs300, theheavy weight disc400 and thesupport base500 is fixed. Therefore, no matter whether theweight disc300 orheavy weight disc400 are assembled or not, they can be fixed in receivinggrooves530 of thesupport base500 via tight clamping action between the connectingrod100 and thesupport base500, thereby permitting the exerciser to pick up thewhole dumbbell assembly1000.
• In conclusion, according to the present invention, thelight weight disc300 or theheavy weight disc400 will not fall down when an exerciser picks up thewhole dumbbell assembly1000. Furthermore, the exerciser can pick up thewhole dumbbell assembly1000 by one hand, thereby shifting thedumbbell assembly1000 in ease and conveniently.
• In the other embodiment, thedumbbell unit2000 of the present invention can be replaced by a conventional integrally formed dumbbell (not shown) for seating on thesupport base500, after which, the carryingstructure600 is raised to attach with the handgrip portion of the conventional integrally formed dumbbell, thereby permitting shifting from one place to the other.
• Please refer toFIG. 5, in case an exerciser wants to use thedumbbell unit2000 for fitness, he can adjust the choosingelement240 to set the weight of thedumbbell unit2000. In this embodiment, the choosingelement240ais located in a first position P1, the choosingelement240bis located in a second position P2, the choosingelement240cis located in a third position P3, and the choosingelement240dis located in a fourth position P4. Afterward, he can insert his hands into the first separation space S1 and grips thehandgrip portion110 and the carryingelement630 simultaneously to pick thedumbbell unit2000 up.
• In actual situation, the first position P1 shall be correspond to the fourth position P4, the second position P2 shall be correspond to the third position P3. Therefore, the weight at two ends of thedumbbell2000 will be balance. The positions of this embodiment are just for explaining the present invention.
• Please refer toFIGS. 7 and 8, and also toFIG. 2 as a reference.FIG. 7 andFIG. 8 are cross-sectional views illustrating how thedumbbell unit2000 is picked up by the exerciser. In theFIG. 7 andFIG. 8, thelight weight discs300a,300fand theheavy weight disc400aare not assembled to theweight choosing structure200 and are therefore left on theloading side510 of thesupport base500. The constrainingportion221ais within the blockinggroove320 of theweight discs300b,300c,so that theweight discs300b,300care fixed on theweight choosing structure200. The constrainingportion221bis within theopening groove330 of thelight weight discs300a,300b,300c,so that thelight weight disc300a,300b,300ccan not be fixed on theweight choosing structure200. Additionally, the constrainingportion221ais not received in the blockinggroove320 of thelight weight disc300aso that theweight disc300ais left on thesupport base500.
• Otherwise, theheavy weight disc400ais left on thesupport base500, because the constrainingportion221ais within thesecond opening groove330, but the constrainingportion221bis not within thesecond blocking groove320 of theheavy weight disc400a.
• The constrainingportion221dis within the blockinggroove320 of thelight weight discs300e,300d,and no matter whether the constrainingportion221cis within theopening groove330 of theweight discs300e,300dor not, thelight weight discs300e,300dare assembled to theweight choosing structure200.
• In the same way, in case the constrainingportion221dis not within the blockinggroove320 of thelight weight disc300fand no matter whether the constrainingportion221cis within theopening groove330 of theweight discs300for not, thelight weight disc300fis left on thesupport base500.
• Otherwise, the constrainingportion221dis within thesecond opening groove330 of theheavy weight disc400, and the constrainingportion221cis within thesecond blocking groove320 of theheavy weight disc400bso that theheavy weight disc400bis assembled to theweight choosing structure200.
• In conclusion, the numbers of theweight disc300 and theheavy weight disc400 assembled to theweight choosing structure200 can be optionally chosen by adjusting the choosingelement240 of the present invention.
• In addition, the thickness h1 of theheavy weight disc400 can be shorter than the total thickness h2 of the threelight weight discs300, but theheavy weight disc400 is heavier in weight than thelight weight discs300 combined together, since thelight weight discs300 in combination have recess space more than the disc400 (seeFIG. 8). Thereby, the weight rang of thedumbbell2000 is enlarger than one dumbbell assembled with all the light weight discs without the heavy weight disc.
• While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, the description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as may fall within the scope of the invention defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (14)

1. A dumbbell assembly comprising:

a dumbbell unit including

a connecting rod having a handgrip portion and two mounting portions at both ends of the handgrip portion,

a weight choosing structure assembled to each of the mounting portions, and

a plurality of weight discs selectively assembled with the weight choosing structure;

a support base having a loading side to permit seating of the weight discs thereon; and

a carrying structure including

a retaining element abutting against the support base to prevent disengagement of the carrying structure from the support base,

a carrying element located above the loading side of the support base and movable relative thereto, and

a connecting element connected to the retaining element and the carrying element;

wherein, the carrying element is raised relative to the support base to fasten the handgrip portion.

2. The dumbbell assembly as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the cross-sectional surface of the mounting portion is a polygon in shape, the mounting portion penetrating through the weight choosing structure.

3. The dumbbell assembly as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the weight choosing structure includes a plurality of fixing elements parallel to one another, the mounting portion penetrating through the fixing elements respectively along the extension direction.

4. The dumbbell assembly as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the weight choosing structure includes a plurality of latching elements disposed in the fixing elements respectively.

5. The dumbbell assembly as claimed inclaim 4, wherein each of the latching elements includes a latching connecting element extending along an assembly direction and a constraining portion extending perpendicularly from the latching connecting element.

6. The dumbbell assembly as claimed inclaim 5, wherein each of the weight discs has a plugging groove to permit plug in of a respective one of the fixing elements therein.

7. The dumbbell assembly as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the plugging groove in each of the weight discs has a first side extending along the assembly direction and formed with a blocking groove for receiving the constraining portion when the weight disc is fixed to the weight choosing structure.

8. The dumbbell assembly as claimed inclaim 7, further comprising a heavy weight disc corresponding to the second side having a second blocking groove.

9. The dumbbell assembly as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a heavy weight disc having a thickness greater than that of the light weight disc.

10. A dumbbell base for positioning a dumbbell having a handgrip portion and a plurality of weight disc, the dumbbell base comprising:

a support base having a loading side to permit seating of for the weight disc positioning thereon; and

a carrying structure including

a retaining element for preventing disengagement of the carrying structure from the support base,

a carrying element movable with respect to the support base and located above the loading side of the support base, and

a connecting element connected to the retaining element and the carrying element;

wherein the carrying element is raised to fasten with the handgrip portion.

11. The dumbbell base as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the retaining element extends from the connecting element.

12. The dumbbell base as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the carrying element has an attachment surface complementing with the handgrip portion.

13. The dumbbell base as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the support base has a bottom surface formed with a cavity, the retaining element being received in the cavity.

14. The dumbbell base as claimed inclaim 13, wherein the loading side of the support base has a through hole communicating with the cavity, the connecting element being moveably disposed in the through hole.

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