Exercise apparatus

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus that is used for exercising, and more specifically, to an exercise apparatus for weight training having a barbell with dumbbells releasably connected to axial ends of the barbell.

[0003] A known exercise apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,496,243, 5,496,243 discloses an exercise apparatus having brackets attached to each end of a barbell for connecting dumbbells to the barbell. The dumbbells have handles between a pair of weighted ends. The handles of the dumbbells are sized to fit into the brackets and to be removably latched in the brackets. The longitudinal axes of the dumbbells extend transverse to the longitudinal axis of the barbell when the handles are latched to the brackets.

[0004] An apparatus that is used for exercising includes an elongated barbell having a longitudinal axis and first and second axial ends. First and second dumbbells having longitudinal axes are releasably connectable to the first and second axial ends of the barbell. Each of the first and second dumbbells has weighted opposite end portions and a handle extending between the weighted opposite end portions.

[0005] Locking members releasably connect the first and second dumbbells to the first and second axial ends of the barbell so that longitudinal axes of the first and second dumbbells are coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the barbell. Each of the locking members has a locking position in which the dumbbells are connected to the barbell. Accordingly, the dumbbells can be disconnected from the barbell for storage and handling of the apparatus.

[0006] The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic pictorial view of an exercise apparatus constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a dumbbell releasably connected to a barbell of the apparatus;

[0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of an exercise apparatus constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 5 showing a dumbbell releasably connected to a barbell of the apparatus.

[0012] An exercise apparatus 10 constructed according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The exercise apparatus 10 is used for weight training and includes an elongate barbell 12 having a longitudinal axis 14. The barbell 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) has first and second axial ends 16 and 18 releasably connected to each other. The axial end 16 (FIG. 2) of the barbell 12 has a threaded opening 22. A threaded portion 24 on the axial end 18 threadably engages the threaded opening 22. Accordingly, the axial ends 16 and 18 can be disconnected from each other for storage and handling.

[0013] Dumbbells 30 and 32 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are releasably connectable to the first and second axial ends 16 and 18 of the barbell 12. The dumbbells 30 and 32 are identical and, therefore, only dumbbell 30 will be described in detail. The dumbbell 30 has weighted opposite end portions 40 and 42 and a handle 44 extending between the weighted opposite end portions. The handle 44 can be grasped by a person for weight training when the dumbbell 30 is disconnected from the barbell 12.

[0014] The dumbbell 30 has connecting portions 48 (one of which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) extending axially from the weighted opposite end portions 40 and 42 and away from the handle 44. The connecting portions 48 are releasably connectable with the first and second axial ends 16 and 18 of the barbell 12. The connecting portions 48 are connectable with the barbell 12 so that longitudinal axes of the dumbbells are coaxial with the longitudinal axis 14 of the barbell.

[0015] The connecting portions 48 (FIG. 3) of the dumbbells 30 and 32 extend into axially extending openings 60 in the axial ends 16 and 18 of the barbell 12. Locking members or balls 62 (FIGS. 2 and 3) extend through radial openings 64 in the barbell 12 and into the openings 60. The locking members 62 engage annular grooves 66 on the connecting portions 48 of dumbbells 30 and 32. The locking members 62 have locking positions in which the locking members extend through the openings 64 and engage the grooves 66 to connect the dumbbells 30 and 32 to the barbell 12. The present invention shows three locking members 62 for connecting the dumbbell 30 to the axial end 16. It is contemplated that any number of locking members 62 could be used.

[0016] Collars 70 (FIGS. 1-3) retain the locking members 62 in the locked positions when the dumbbells 30 and 32 are connected to the barbell 12. The collars 70 (FIG. 3) have axially extending openings 72 which receive the axial ends 16 and 18 of the barbell 12. Axial end portions 74 of the collars 70 are swaged around radially extending flanges 76 on the axial ends 16 and 18. The radially extending flanges 76 retain the collars 70 on the barbell 12.

[0017] Each of the collars 70 (FIG. 3) includes a radially inner cylindrical surface 80 that engages the locking members 62 to retain the locking members in the locking positions. The collars 70 also include frustoconical surfaces 82 defining annular recesses 84 into which the locking members 62 move upon release of the dumbbells 30 and 32 from the barbell 12. A spring 90 extends between the radially extending flange 76 on the barbell 12 and a shoulder 86 in the collar 70. The spring 90 biases the collar 70 into a position in which the surface 80 engages the balls 62. Accordingly, the spring 90 biases the collars 70 into a position in which the collars retain the locking members 62 in the locking positions.

[0018] The collars 70 also include radially outer grooves 94 for manually gripping the collar 70 to move the collar axially relative to the barbell 12. The collars 70 also include radially outwardly extending flanges 96. The grooves 94 and flanges 96 are manually engaged to move the collar 70 axially relative to the barbell 12.

[0019] When the dumbbell 30 is to be connected to the axial end 16 of the barbell 12, the collar 70 is manually moved axially relative to the axial end 16 toward the threaded opening 22. One of the connecting portions 48 of the dumbbell 30 is inserted into the opening 60 in the axial end 16 so that the longitudinal axis of the dumbbell is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 14 of the barbell 12. The connecting portion 48 engages the locking members 62 to move the locking members radially outward into the recess 84. When the groove 66 is aligned with the locking members 62, the locking members extend through the openings 64 and engage the groove.

[0020] The collar 70 is released and the spring 90 moves the collar axially away from the threaded opening 22 and toward the dumbbell 30. When the collar 70 moves axially away from the threaded opening 22, the frustoconical surface 82 of the collar engages the balls 62 to press the balls into the groove 66 on the dumbbell 30 and the surface 80 of the collar 70 moves into engagement with the locking members. Accordingly, the collar 70 holds the locking members 62 in the groove 66 to connect the dumbbell 30 to the barbell 12. The dumbbell 32 is connected to the axial end 18 of the barbell 12 in a similar manner.

[0021] When the dumbbell 30 is to be disconnected from the axial end 16, the collar 70 is manually moved axially away from the dumbbell. Upon movement of the collar 70 away from the dumbbell 30, the recess 84 aligns with the locking members 62. The dumbbell 30 is then moved axially away from the axial end 16. The locking members 62 move radially outward toward the recess 84 to permit removal of the dumbbell 30 from the axial end 16. The collar 70 is released and the spring 90 moves the collar into a position in which the surface 80 engages the locking members 62 to retain the locking members in the openings 64. The dumbbell 32 is disconnected from the axial end 18 in a similar manner. Accordingly, the dumbbells 30 and 32 can be disconnected from the barbell 12 and the axial ends 16 and 18 of the barbell can be disconnected from each other for storage and handling of the apparatus 10.

[0022] An exercise apparatus 110 constructed according to a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The exercise apparatus 110 is substantially similar to the exercise apparatus 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. A barbell 112 (FIG. 4) of the exercise apparatus 110 has a longitudinal axis 114 and axial ends 116 and 118 releasably connected to each other. The axial end 116 has a threaded opening 122. A threaded portion 124 on the axial end 118 threadably engages the threaded opening 122.

[0023] Dumbbells 130, one of which is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, are releasably connectable to the axial ends 116 and 118 of the barbell 112. The dumbbell 130 (FIG. 4) has weighted opposite end portions 140 and 142 and a handle 144 extending between the opposite end portions. The dumbbell 130 has connecting portions 148, one of which is shown in FIG. 5, extending axially from the opposite end portions 140 and 142 and away from the handle 144. The connecting portions 148 are releasably connectable with the axial ends 116 and 118 of the barbell 112 so that the longitudinal axes of the dumbbells 130 are coaxial with the longitudinal axis 114 of the barbell 112.

[0024] The axial end 116 of the barbell 112 extends into an axially extending opening 160 in the connecting portion 148. Locking members or balls 162 extend through radial openings 164 in the connecting portion 148 and into the opening 160. The locking members 162 engage an annular groove 166 on the axial end 116. The locking members 162 have locking positions in which the locking members extend through the openings 164 and engage the groove 166 to connect the dumbbell 130 to the barbell 112.

[0025] A collar 170 retains the locking members 162 in the groove 166 on the barbell 112 when the dumbbell 130 is connected with the barbell. The collar 170 has an axially extending opening 172 which receives the connecting portion 148. Axial end portion 174 of the collar 170 is swaged around radially extending flange 176 on the connecting portion 148. The radially extending flange 176 retains the collar 170 on the dumbbell 130.

[0026] The collar 170 includes a radially inner cylindrical surface 180 that engages the locking members 162 to retain the locking members in the locking positions. The collar 170 also includes a frustoconical surface 182 defining a recess 184 into which the locking members 162 move upon release of the dumbbell 130 from the barbell 112. A spring 190 extends between the radially extending flange 176 on the dumbbell 130 and a shoulder 186 in the collar 170. The spring 190 biases the collar 170 into a position in which the surface 180 engages the balls 162. Accordingly, the spring 190 biases the collar 170 into a position in which the collar retains the locking members 162 in the locking positions.

[0027] The collar 170 also includes radially outer grooves 194 for manually gripping the collar 170 to move the collar axially relative to the dumbbell 130. The collar 170 also includes a radially outwardly extending flange 196. The grooves 194 and flange 196 are manually engaged to move the collar 170 axially relative to the dumbbell 130.

[0028] When the dumbbell 130 is to be connected to the axial end 116 of the barbell 112, the collar 170 is manually moved axially relative to connecting portion 148 toward the handle 144. The axial end 116 of the barbell 112 is inserted into the opening 160 in connecting portion 148. The axial end 116 engages the locking members 162 to move the locking members radially outward into the recess 184. When the groove 166 is aligned with the locking members 162, the locking members engage the groove. The collar 170 is released and the spring 190 moves the collar axially away from the handle 144. When the collar 170 moves axially away from the handle 144, the frustoconical surface 182 of the collar engages the balls 162 to press the balls into the groove 166 on barbell 112 and the surface 180 of the collar 170 moves into engagement with the locking members. Accordingly, the collar 170 holds the locking members 162 in the groove 166 to connect the dumbbell 130 to the barbell 112. The other dumbbell is connected to the axial end 118 of the barbell 112 in a similar manner.

[0029] When the dumbbell 130 is to be disconnected from the axial end 116, the collar 170 is manually moved axially toward the handle 144. Upon movement of the collar 170 toward the handle 144, the recess 184 aligns with the locking members 162. The dumbbell 130 is then moved axially away from the axial end 116. The locking members 162 move radially outward toward the recess 184 to permit the dumbbell 130 to be removed from the axial end 116. The other dumbbell 130 is disconnected from the axial end 118 in a similar manner. Accordingly, the dumbbells 130 can be disconnected from the barbell 112 and the axial ends 116 and 118 of the barbell can be disconnected from each other for easy storage and handling.

[0030] From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.