Easy to assemble/disassemble adjustable monetary coin-weighted dumbbell

Abstract

This invention is an easily assembled and disassembled exercise dumbbell that derives the majority of its adjustable weight from the addition of monetary coins. The number of coins used determines the weight of the dumbbell, thereby making possible very small incremental increases in the dumbbell's effective total weight. The weight of the dumbbell's handle assembly can be multiplied up to nine times in its heaviest dumbbell configuration. Additional weight may be achieved with the use of small metal slugs. Due to the use of a specialized screw head, the dumbbell can be assembled and disassembled with only the use of a coin (no standard screwdriver is necessary). With all coins removed, this dumbbell makes an excellent lightweight travelling companion.

Claims

1. An easily assembled and disassembled exercise dumbbell that derives the majority of its adjustable weight from the addition of monetary coins, the number of coins used determining the weight of the dumbbell.

2. According to claim 1, a dumbbell handle consisting of a column of monetary coins stabilized by longitudinal tie rods, tie rod nuts, and end flanges.

3. According to claim 1, a coin holder(s) that contains a number of pockets in which monetary coins are placed to provide weight for the dumbbell end or “bell,” and that is attached securely to the handle flange by appropriate screws.

4. According to claim 1, a coin holder in which, in addition to the coins, removable metal slugs can be inserted into smaller pockets to provide additional weight.

5. According to claim 1, an inner cover that attaches to the inner side of the coin holder to retain, as needed, the coins and slugs in the coin holder.

6. According to claim 1, an outer cover (to retain, as needed, the coins and slugs in the coin holder) that is clamped against the outer side of the coin holder by appropriate screws which pass through both the outer cover and the coin holder to fasten securely in the handle flange.

7. According to claim 1, a medallion/coin (to retain, as needed, the coins in the coin holder) held in place in the outer cover by the head of appropriate screws which pass through both the outer cover and the coin holder to fasten securely in the handle flange.

8. According to claim 1, a screw with a head slotted to accommodate the use of a coin to satisfactorily drive the screws; the slot being of appropriate width and lower surface configuration so as to conform to the thickness and circumferential curve of the selected coin.

9. According to claim 1, any variation of design that still maintains the integrity of this invention.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the assembled dumbbell frame with two outer coin pockets filled.

[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the dumbbell handle.

[0008] FIG. 3 is an end view of the assembled dumbbell handle.

[0009] FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the attachment of the handle flange to the inner cover and coin holder.

[0010] FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the attachment of the medallion/coin and outer cover to the coin holder.

[0011] FIG. 6 is top plan view of an assembled dumbbell.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a cross section view of FIG. 6.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a top view of the coin-operated screw.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a cross section view of FIG. 8.

[0015] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the dumbbell with a second coin holder at each end.

[0016] FIG. 11 is an end view of the coin holder identifying coin pockets and metal slug pockets.

[0017] FIG. 12 is an end view of the coin holder showing an example of symmetrically balanced filled coin pockets.

[0018] FIG. 13 is an end view of the coin holder showing a second example of symmetrically balanced filled coin pockets.

[0019] FIG. 14 is an end view of the coin holder showing a third example of symmetrically balanced filled coin pockets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The bar or handle of this dumbbell is constructed of a column of monetary coins (in this example, United States), all of the same denomination (11A), placed in between two handle flanges (3), one at each end. A series of tie rods (1) secured in the end flanges (3) by tie rod nuts (2) run the length of the coins and hold the coins in place (FIG. 2). As the tie rod nuts (2) are tightened, the flanges (3) are compressed against the coins (11A); the tie rods (1) are placed in tension and the coins (11A) are placed in compression, both forces working together to form the rigidity and strength of the dumbbell handle. The tie rods (1) also form ridges on the hand grip surface that prevent the dumbbell from rotating in the user's hand. This handle assembly (FIGS. 2, 3) is the lightest form in which the dumbbell may be used.

[0021] The “bell” of the dumbbell is formed by adding the coin holder (5) and inner and outer covers (4, 6) to each end of the handle. The inner cover (4) is attached to the coin holder (5) with a series of ordinary screws (10) (FIG. 4). The inner cover (4) and the coin holder (5) do not need to be disassembled for travel or storage. The coin holder (5) to which the inner cover (4) is already joined is attached to the handle flange (3) by screws (9). In FIG. 5 the medallion/coin (7) is clamped under the head of the screws (8) against the outer cover (6) which is clamped against the outer side of the coin holder (5) as the screws (8) pass adjacent to the medallion/coin (7), through the outer cover (6) and coin holder (5) to thread securely into the handle flange (3). This double attachment (screws 8 and 9) of the bell to the handle provides the strength needed to support the weight of the bell as coins are added. The inner and outer covers (4, 6) serve to keep the coins contained in the coin holder (5). In this example, the utilization of attachment screws (8, 9) which have a special screw head (FIGS. 8, 9) with a curved slot (9A) designed to match one of the coins removes any need for a screw driver to assemble/disassemble the dumbbell as the recommended coin works very well. The medallion/coin (7) is so named because it can be either a coin or a logo customized medallion. This completes the framework of the dumbbell. With no coins inserted in the coin holder, this configuration is the next lightest form of dumbbell use.

[0022] To add weight to the dumbbell framework, remove the outer cover (6), fill the coin pockets of choice (5A, 5B) with coins and replace the outer cover and medallion/coin (6, 7). FIGS. 1, 6, 7 show an assembled dumbbell with some of the coin holder pockets filled. The coin holder (5) has additional slug pockets (5C), located in spaces too small for coins, into which removable solid metal cylindrical slugs (11C) may be inserted to increase the weight of the dumbbell (FIG. 11); however, if the purpose is to have the lightest possible form of the dumbbell for travelling or relocating, then the slugs should be omitted as they would need to accompany the dumbbell thereby increasing the travel weight. The coin and slug pockets (5A, 5B, 5C) are arranged in circular patterns around the center of the coin holder (5) so that, when filling the pockets, a balanced pattern of weight and ease of use can be maintained. With all pockets filled, the weight of the dumbbell is five times greater than the handle assembly alone (FIG. 2).

[0023] However, to further increase the weight of the dumbbell, a second coin holder (5) may be added (with longer screws) to each end making a total of two coin holders per end (FIG. 10). When all coin and slug pockets in this configuration are filled, the dumbbell weighs more than nine times the weight of the handle assembly (FIG. 2).

[0024] A wide variety of dumbbell weight increments is achieved by simply varying which pockets are filled. This particular version uses two sizes (denominations) of coins and one slug size; however, a number of variations of size and arrangement of coins is possible without affecting the integrity of the design. The effective polygonal shape of the coin holder, with either empty or filled coin pockets, makes the dumbbell less likely to roll when set down on a surface.