Kettlebell-type device

Abstract

Disclosed is a kettlebell type apparatus for gymnastics including: a substantially spherical shaped body formed by a single flexible layer made of polymer material which defines an inner cavity: and a rigid handle fixed to the upper part of the body. The cavity is filled with a filling material that includes at least one liquid, where the filling material occupies from 10% to 80% of the volume of the cavity, and in which the body includes at least one sealable mouth for introducing the filling material into the cavity.

Claims

1. A kettlebell apparatus for gymnastics, the kettlebell apparatus comprising: a substantially spherical-shaped body defining an inner cavity that is filled with a filling material that comprises at least one liquid, the body comprising at least one sealable mouth configured to introduce said filling material into said cavity, the body being formed by a single flexible layer made of polymer material configured to maintain a substantially spherical shape of the body with or without the filling material in the cavity, during use, so that the body is configured to sustain elastic deformations when subject to impact, compression, or stress on an outer surface thereof, during use; and a rigid handle fixed to an upper part of the body.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body is made of a synthetic rubber.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the layer of the body is between 3 mm and 7 mm.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the handle is made of a material chosen from one of a metal, a thermoplastic polymer, and a thermosetting polymer.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the layer of the body is comprised between 3 mm and 7 mm.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the handle is made of a material chosen from one of a metal, a thermoplastic polymer, and a thermosetting polymer.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle is made of a material chosen from one of a metal, a thermoplastic polymer, and a thermosetting polymer.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a gripping portion and at least a coupling portion that extends from the gripping portion, the body comprising a seat configured to receive said coupling portion.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said seat comprises a tubular element, which extends from the upper part of the body, configured to receive at least a length of the coupling portion.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said tubular element is in fluid communication with the cavity and acts as the sealable mouth to introduce the filling material into the cavity, said sealable mouth being sealed after filling of the cavity.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the handle is substantially U-shaped, and wherein the gripping portion comprises a substantially rectilinear bar extending transversely from the ends of which are two coupling portions housed in respective seats in the body.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the coupling portion comprises a pin inserted into the tubular element, said pin being delimited by an abutment edge.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filling material comprises solid particles dispersed in the liquid.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the material of the body is at least partially transparent, and wherein the liquid of the filling material is colored or opaque.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body is configured to be provided with a valve for introduction or removal of air into and from the cavity.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said filling material occupies from 10% to 80% of the volume of the cavity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and details of the invention will be better understood from the description below, provided by way of non-limiting example, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of the kettlebell type apparatus for gymnastics according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus with the body and the handle separated;

(5) FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) With reference to the accompanying figures, the numeral 1 indicates as a whole the kettlebell type apparatus for gymnastics. The apparatus comprises a body 10 and a handle 20 fixed to said body in the upper part. The body 10 is preferably spherical or substantially spherical. In the example of the figures the body 10, in the upper part, has a flattened area 11 to leave more space for the movement of the hand, or hands, when the apparatus is rotated or swung during the performance of an exercise.

(7) Optionally, the lower part of the body 10 can also be flattened so as to define a stable base.

(8) The body 10 comprises a hollow casing 12 that defines an inner cavity 13. Said cavity 13 is partially filled with a liquid L and optionally with solid particles such as sand or metal particles. Alternatively, the cavity 13 can be filled only with a solid filling material in granular or powder form, such as one of those mentioned above.

(9) The cavity is occupied by the filling material, for a percentage of its volume preferably comprised between 30% and 80% and more preferably between 40% and 60%.

(10) According to the invention, the cavity 13 is filled with a predefined amount of liquid L, and optionally with solid particles, and is sealed so that the weight of the apparatus is specific and stable.

(11) The body 10 is preferably made of synthetic rubber, and is produced by means of moulding or equivalent technologies. The thickness of the casing 12 of the body 10 is comprised between 3 mm and 6 mm and, preferably, is of around 5 mm. The body thus produced is slightly flexible or yielding, so as to absorb any impacts with people or objects, during its use, but at the same time capable of substantially maintaining its shape, i.e. of not collapsing or becoming excessively deformed during use.

(12) Two seats 14 for fixing the handle 20 are produced in the flattened area 1 of the upper part of the body 10. Said seats 14 comprise respective tubular elements 15 which extend upwards along respective directions substantially parallel or slightly divergent or convergent. Said tubular elements 15 are preferably joined with the casing of the body 10 and are produced in one part therewith.

(13) Preferably, at least one or both said tubular elements 15 are in connection with the cavity 13 and can be used as a mouth for introducing the filling material into the cavity 13.

(14) The handle 20 comprises a gripping portion 21, which can be grasped with one or with both hands, and two coupling portions 22 that extend transversely from the ends of the gripping portion 21. In the example in the figure, said coupling portions are slightly divergent but, at the same time, could be parallel or convergent.

(15) As can be seen in FIG. 3, the handle therefore has a substantially upside down U-shape in which the coupling portions 22 are joined to the gripping portion 21.

(16) Each coupling portion 22 comprises a pin 22a delimited by an abutment edge 23. This pin 22a is the part of the coupling portion that is inserted completely into the tubular element 15. In this way, the abutment edge 23 is resting against the upper edge 15a of the tubular element 15.

(17) At least an inner length of the tubular element 15 and the pin 22a of the coupling portion 22, are preferably substantially cylindrical in shape. The inner diameter of the tubular element 15 in that section is slightly smaller than the diameter of the section 22a so that said elements are coupled with a certain interference that guarantees both stable fixing and a certain hydraulic tightness.

(18) Preferably, especially if there is a liquid inside the cavity, this fixing is aided by sealants, such as silicone or the like, to guarantee the water-tightness of the cavity 13.

(19) The handle is sized so as not to bend during use of the apparatus so as to guarantee a high level of sensitivity and precision of movement.

(20) According to a preferred variant, the handle is made of a plastic material, for example a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene.

(21) The length of the pins 22a of the coupling portions 22 is preferably greater with respect to the length of the tubular elements 15. Said pins 22a therefore extend inside the cavity and remain, for at least a section, against the inner wall of the casing 12 increasing the rigidity of the connection between body 10 and the handle 20.

(22) According to a possible variant, the body 10 can be provided with a valve 16 for introducing or removing air into or from the cavity 13. The valve 16 can be positioned in the upper part of the body, for example in the flattened part 11, or in any other point of the casing 12. The introduction or removal of air through the valve allows the inner pressure to be varied and therefore make the casing 12 more or less taut and, therefore, more or less rigid.