Hand-held weights with optional deterrent devices

Abstract

A hand-held exercise weight system has integral self protective features within each weight system. Each weight system has an activation button located near the user's thumb. One (1) weight system is equipped with a loud audible alarm to signal for help in times of duress. The other weight system is equipped with an ultrasonic dog repellent system, which deters any possible attacking canines. Each weight system is provided with a user replaceable battery, and is self-contained and waterproof. Each weight system has a weighted body that is detachable from the system.

Claims

1. A hand-held exercise system, comprising: at least one hand-held weight body, comprising: an elongated shaft, having a top end and a bottom end; a plurality of protrusions disposed about a surface of said top end; a modified member disposed at said bottom end; wherein said elongated shaft is metal having a cylindrical shape; and wherein said modified member is an annulus; at least one sound emitter device, comprising: a casing having a hollow construction; a compartment formed within said casing and configured to receive and retain at least one battery; a removable cap configured to cover and protect said compartment; at least one speaker located within said casing; electrical circuitry within said casing and configured to transmit electrical power from at least one battery placed within said compartment to said at least one speaker; a control switch disposed on a side surface of said casing and placed into electrical communication with said electrical circuitry to enable selective connectivity or interruption of said transfer of electrical power from said at least one battery to said at least one speaker; a socket assembly, comprising; a saddle protruding from a side surface of said casing; a receiving coupling formed into said saddle; and a plurality of slots formed into said coupling; a first fastening means to removably secure said cap to said casing; a secondary cap to cover a side of said casing opposing a side where said compartment is located; a second fastening means to removably secure said secondary cap to said casing; wherein said sound emitting device receives said hand-held weight by each protrusion inserting into each slot; wherein said sound emitting device is removably coupled to said hand-held weight body by rotating said hand-held weight body after being received by said sound emitter device so that each protrusion traverses an individual slot of the plurality of slots and forms an interference fit thereto; wherein said casing is configured to prevent water infiltration into an interior of said casing; wherein said casing is plastic and has a cylindrical shape; wherein each slot of said socket assembly is configured as a ramp and slide arrangement; an amplifier placed in electrical communication with said at least one speaker; and wherein each speaker is configured to emit sound within an ultrasound frequency range heard by a canine through a plurality of sound channels.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a deterrent system 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the deterrent system 10 depicted with the handle assemblies 60 detached from the alarm head assembly 20 and from the ultrasonic head assembly 40 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a section view of the alarm weight 12 along a line A-A as shown on FIG. 2 of the deterrent system 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,

(5) FIG. 4 is a section view of the ultrasonic weight 14 along a line B-B as shown on FIG. 2 of the deterrent system 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

(6) 10 system 12 alarm weight 14 ultrasonic weight 20 alarm head assembly 21 head 22 cavity 23 internal thread 24 end cap 25 external thread 26 saddle 27 socket 28 socket slot 31 battery 32 battery holder 33 alarm circuit 34 speaker 35 sound channel 36 activation button 40 ultrasonic head assembly 42 ultrasonic wave generator 44 amplifier 46 ultrasonic speaker 60 handle assembly 62 body A 64 body B 66 shaft reduction 68 end 72 insert 76 indicia

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(7) In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 through 4. However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

(8) The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

(9) The present invention describes a hand-held exercise weight and deterrent system (herein referred to as the “system”) 10, which provides a means to increase the benefits of a physical exercise regimen conducted with the use of additional resistance devices while having a system available to thwart an attack from a human or an animal assailant.

(10) Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, plan and isometric views, respectively, of the system 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system 10 is comprised of a pair of hand-held weight bodies 62, 64, supplied in two (2) optional mass configurations, attached to sound producing modules which, because of the difference in the frequency of sound produced by each, can be referred to as an alarm weight 12 and an ultrasonic weight 14. The weight bodies 62, 64 are configured in the handle assembly 60 generally as metal cylinders of different diameters having a modified spherical end 68 to improve the grip of the handle assembly 60. The handle assembly 60 is retained in the socket 27 of each of the alarm head assembly 20 and the ultrasonic head assembly 40 by means of a plurality of raised, rectangular inserts 72 formed with the handle assembly 60 fitted into a corresponding number of socket slots 28 and rotated such that the inserts 72 travel along a ramp feature of the socket slots 28 and result in an interference fit between the end of the handle assembly 60 and the closed end of the socket 27. The weight body A 62 is the lesser of the two (2) optional masses and is formed with a uniform diameter along the length of the shaft and is preferably a weight of approximately one pound (1 lb.). The weight body B 64 has a larger mass by virtue of being formed with a larger diameter from the end 68 to the shaft reduction 66 whereupon the diameter is reduced to be accommodated in the socket 27 of the alarm head assembly 20 or the ultrasonic head assembly 40. The preferred size of weight body B 64 is approximately two pounds (2 lbs.).

(11) The alarm head assembly 20 is comprised preferably of a thermoplastic material and constructed from a plurality of injection molded parts to form a cylindrical head 21, closed at one (1) end, to form a hollow cavity 22 for the disposition of those electrical and electronic parts which make up the alarm circuitry. The other end of the head 21 is further processed to incorporate internal threads 23, or other such grooves formed with a ramp feature, to accommodate the external threads 25, or other such projection features, of an end cap 24 which can be mated together and secured to the head 21 with a rotational motion. Disposed on the exterior of the head 21 and positioned at a mid-point along the length of the head 21 is the socket 27, formed to receive the handle assembly 60, and provided with a saddle 26 feature to accommodate the curvature of the head 21 to facilitate the permanent fastening thereto with an adhesive or other bonding material. The configuration of the alarm head assembly 20 is such as to maintain a waterproof structure, and prevents infiltration of water from an exterior of the system 10.

(12) The preferred method of use of the system 10 maintains that the alarm weight 12 be grasped in the left hand of the user. Disposed at a mid-point along length of the head 21 of the alarm head assembly 20 in proximity of the thumb of the user's left hand is an activation button 36 which when depressed will complete the electrical circuitry within the alarm head assembly 20 and cause a loud audible sound to be emitted from at least one (1) speaker 34. This sound will attract the attention of other people in the vicinity of the user and discourage an assault by a human attacker. The activation button 36 may be depressed by the user's thumb or a part of the other weight.

(13) The ultrasonic head assembly 40 is similar in appearance and construction to the alarm head assembly 20 with many of the same features such as end cap 24, socket 27, and activation button 36. The difference between the head assemblies 20, 40 is that the ultrasonic head assembly 40 contains the circuitry to emit a high frequency signal, in the range of twenty kilohertz (20 kHz) to twenty five kilohertz (25 kHz), when the activation button 36 is depressed in order to fend off a canine attack. The ultrasonic weight 14 would be grasped in a user's right hand. The configuration of the ultrasonic head assembly 40 is such as to maintain a waterproof structure, and prevents infiltration of water from an exterior of the system 10.

(14) Either or both of the alarm head assembly 20 and the ultrasonic head assembly 40 may include indicia 76 which may provide script or logos based upon a user's preference and may include images such as, but not limited to, sports names/logos, personal names, symbols, pictures, directions for use, and the like to further customize and personalize the system further comprising a variety of colors and patterns.

(15) Referring now to FIG. 3, a section view of the alarm weight 12 along line A-A as seen in FIG. 2 of the system 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The alarm head assembly 20 contains at least one (1) removable battery 31 contained in a battery holder 32. Each battery 31 is connected through the activation button 36 to the alarm circuit 33 which will transmit an electrical signal to a speaker 34 when activated. A plurality of sound channels 35 is disposed in the otherwise closed end of the head 21 through which the sound will travel. The closed end of the head 21 could alternately be provided with an end cap 24 with similar closing features as the other end without limiting the scope of the system 10. However, since the closed end of the head 21 contains no serviceable items, such as the battery 31, it would not be particularly beneficial.

(16) Referring now to FIG. 4, a section view of the ultrasonic weight 14 along line B-B as seen in FIG. 2 of the system 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The ultrasonic head assembly 40 also contains a removable battery 31 contained in a battery holder 32. A battery 31 is connected through the activation button 36 to the ultrasonic wave generator 42 which will transmit an electrical signal to at least one (1) ultrasonic speaker 46 through at least one (1) amplifier 44 when activated. A plurality of sound channels 35 is disposed in the otherwise closed end of the head 21 through which the sound will travel.

(17) It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

(18) The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the enabled user in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system 10, it would be configured as indicated in FIG. 1.

(19) The method of utilizing the system 10 may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the system 10 having a desired style to suit a user's taste; installing a battery 31 of the proper size and voltage into the battery holder 32 of each of the alarm head assembly 20 and the ultrasonic head assembly 40; installing the handle assemblies 60 having the selected optional weight (weight body A 62, or weight body B 64); grasping the alarm weight 12 in the left hand with the activation button 36 oriented toward the left thumb; grasping the ultrasonic weight 14 in the right hand with the activation button 36 oriented toward the right thumb; running or jogging along a preselected course; depressing the activation button 36 on the alarm weight 12 in the left hand if a human assailant is encountered; depressing the activation button 36 on the ultrasonic weight 14 in the right hand if a canine assailant is encountered; and returning to safety.

(20) In the event that an assailant of any type is encountered it may be difficult to remember which activation button 36 will emit the desired sound. This situation can be quickly and safely address by depressing both activation buttons 36. The system 10 can also be operated similarly with either body 62, 64 in either right or left hand of a user.

(21) The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.