U-SHAPED DUMBBELL AND ERGONOMIC KETTLEBELL

Abstract

A dumbbell has a left weight, a right weight, and an arched handle connected to the tops of the weights. In preferred embodiments, the bottoms of the weights are flat, the weights are at least as wide as they are tall, and the weights are parallel to each other. This configuration combines the advantages of a dumbbell and a kettlebell. The arched handle enables kettlebell-like arm raises, while the dumbbell configuration keeps the weights from pressing into the wrist. The arched handle also enables stable placement of the dumbbell over legs, knees, elbows, and ankles.

Claims

1. A dumbbell comprising: a left weight with a top, a bottom, a front, and a back; a right weight with a top, a bottom, a front, and a back; and an arched handle with a left end attached to the top of the left weight and a right end attached to the top of the right weight.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the left weight and the bottom of the right weight are flat.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the left weight has a left weight width defined as the distance from the back of the left weight to the front of the left weight; the left weight has a left weight height defined as the distance from the bottom of the left weight to the top of the left weight; the left weight width is at least as great as the left weight height; the right weight has a right weight width defined as the distance from the back of the right weight to the front of the right weight; the right weight has a right weight height defined as the distance from the bottom of the right weight to the top of the right weight; and the right weight width is at least as great as the right weight height.

4. The invention of claim 1, in which the left weight is parallel to the right weight.

5. The invention of claim 2, wherein the left weight has a left weight width defined as the distance from the back of the left weight to the front of the left weight; the left weight has a left weight height defined as the distance from the bottom of the left weight to the top of the left weight; the left weight width is at least as great as the left weight height; the right weight has a right weight width defined as the distance from the back of the right weight to the front of the right weight; the right weight has a right weight height defined as the distance from the bottom of the right weight to the top of the right weight; and the right weight width is at least as great as the right weight height.

6. The invention of claim 2, in which the left weight is parallel to the right weight.

7. The invention of claim 3, in which the left weight is parallel to the right weight.

8. The invention of claim 5, in which the left weight is parallel to the right weight.

9. The invention of claim 1, further comprising female screw threads at the left end and the right end of the handle; male screw threads at the top of the left weight and the top of the right weight, to fit into the female screw threads in the handle; female screw threads in the bottom of the left weight; a supplementary left weight with a top and a bottom, comprising male screw threads in the top that fit into the female screw threads of the left weight; female screw threads in the bottom of the right weight; and a supplementary right weight with a top and a bottom, comprising male screw threads on the top that fit into the female screw threads of the right weight.

10. The invention of claim 9, wherein the bottom of the supplementary left weight and the bottom of the supplementary right weight are flat; and the left weight is parallel to the right weight.

11. The invention of claim 1, wherein the left weight is hollow; the left weight has a sealable opening at the top for the insertion and removal of heavy material; the right weight is hollow; the right weight has a sealable opening at the top for the insertion and removal of heavy material; the handle is hollow; and the handle has a sealable opening for the insertion and removal of heavy material.

12. The invention of claim 11, wherein the bottom of the left weight and the bottom of the right weight are flat; the left weight is parallel to the right weight; the left weight has a left weight width defined as the distance from the back of the left weight to the front of the left weight; the left weight has a left weight height defined as the distance from the bottom of the left weight to the top of the left weight; the left weight width is at least as great as the left weight height; the right weight has a right weight width defined as the distance from the back of the right weight to the front of the right weight; the right weight has a right weight height defined as the distance from the bottom of the right weight to the top of the right weight; and the right weight width is at least as great as the right weight height.

Description

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0085] Section (1) handle is indicated by the letter C and Part 1 (see FIG. 1). The handle is ideally arched, as seen best in FIGS. 1-7. This handle is not restricted to being uniform in its thickness. In other words, the handle can be thinner in some areas and thicker in others as illustrated in FIG. 32 and FIG. 34. For the sake of the user's comfort, while gripping the handle, the handle is smooth around the exterior handle Part C.

[0086] Section (2) the left weight is indicated by the letter A in all figs drawings and Section (3) the right weight is indicated by the letter B in all figs drawings. These parts are not limited to a particular shape, size, dimensions, circumference, or thickness. In other words parts, A and B can be in a variety of shapes and sizes such as the shape of a triangle as indicated in FIG. 5 or a heart version as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 32 shows the parts with various thicknesses, while FIG. 35 shows uniform thickness. FIG. 36 (Cylinder uniform arched handle version), FIG. 42 (Oval version with a rounded and flat base), and FIG. 46 (Rectangle version) are some visual examples of various versions of the invention.

[0087] FIGS. 6 and 7 juxtapose two alternatives in which the weights may be tapered (FIG. 6) or parallel (FIG. 7). FIG. 5 presents an important embodiment in which the bottoms of the weights are flat. The flat configuration prevents the barbell from rolling when it is placed on the floor, which is especially useful during exercises like supported pushups (FIG. 26). The weights may assume any aspect ratio. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, they may be at least as wide (from front to back) as they are tall (from top to bottom).

[0088] Parts C the handle and parts A left weight and B right weight can be one solid unit or separated as illustrated in FIGS. 39, 41, 43, and 45.

[0089] The solid one-piece version of the invention can be made using one mold, with any hard material such as steel or cast iron. It can be left in its raw form, painted or coated in rubber.

[0090] In the version where all parts can come apart as illustrated in FIG. 39, the Part C handle part of the invention can have a cushioned sleeve that goes over it to give the user a softer and more comfortable grip.

[0091] The parts A left weight and B right weight can be attached and detached to and from the handle in multiple ways, one way is with Part 18 Male Threads and Part 19 Female Threads opening for male threads, where the female threads are screwed into the male threads securing the weight in place. See FIG. 39.

[0092] The A left weight and B right weight can be in any shape and length and can also be configurable and interchangeable. For example in FIG. 39. Parts A and B can be broken up into smaller parts where the user has the option of adding more weights by screwing more weights into each other. These interchangeable Parts A and B can be in any shape, length, width, weight, and size.

[0093] Parts C the handle and parts A left weight and B right weight are not restricted to being solid on the inside. In other words, all of the parts of the invention can be hollow and filled with heavy material such as water or sand, illustrated in FIGS. 57 and 58.

[0094] The triangle version is especially user-friendly when getting filled up with heavy material because it ensures that there are no air holes, thus preventing any sloshing if filled with water. The hollow version is especially useful when traveling, allowing the weight to stay light for easy travel. Then when the user is ready to workout on the beach for example they can easily fill up the weight with sand or ocean water, for example, to allow the weight to become heavier with the contents. Then when the user is done with their workout they can easily empty Part 22 (Heavy material such as water or sand) out of the weights, as in FIG. 57.

[0095] Part C Handle part of the invention can be straight or arched. The arched version is more user-friendly because it allows the user to place the invention behind the back of their leg allowing the invention to contour to the user's body more effectively, illustrated in FIGS. 55 and 56.

[0096] In addition, the arched handle version of the invention allows the user to comfortably grip the handle with both hands (either one or both) much like a traditional kettlebell to perform a wide variety of workouts. See FIGS. 21 and 43. But unlike traditional kettlebells that have a closed-shaped design as indicated in FIG. 10, which puts uncomfortable pressure on the wrists (see FIG. 11), the invention has an open space between part A the left and right side of part B of the invention that creates an opening between them for the user's wrist to clear while lifting see FIG. 13.

[0097] To increase in weight the invention's side weights parts, A and B can be increased in thickness, width, height, or circumference in various ways, as illustrated by the broken dashed line Part 6, Increased thickness of the invention, in FIGS. 33 and 34.

[0098] The two side weights indicated by Parts A and B of the invention vary in size and thickness depending on the amount of weight the invention needs to weigh. There is no specific weight or dimension that the invention is limited to, it can weigh as little as half a pound and as much as one hundred pounds or more. In FIGS. 6 and 7, you can see the broken line that indicates the increased thickness of each plate, indicated by Part 6, Increased Rim thickness part of the flat shape of the invention. This line is an example of how the weight would be distributed as it increases in weight while maintaining the same design and functionality proportions of the invention. The weight could also be distributed into the handle, but not past the thickness of what would be comfortable to grip for the user, to allow a comfortable grip by the hands as well.

[0099] The reason for the indented base version of the invention is for the two side plates to wrap around the body more snugly. See FIG. 6. This is more user-friendly when performing the donkey kick and fire-hydrant workouts see FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. This slight indentation allows the plates of the invention to fit more snugly around the back of the user's leg. It is also important to note there is no limitation on the space between parts A and B weights, there can be a more narrow version for people with slimmer legs and a more wide version for users with thicker legs. The important part is that the handle between the two plates remains arched to comfortably contour to the user's body and stay more securely in place while performing the workouts. Although a straight handle version is also optional, the arched U shape would be more comfortable for the user because it contours to the body's natural curvature shape.

[0100] Another version of the invention that offers great support while performing the elevated push-up workout see FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 is the triangle version of the plates, see FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, because the triangle shape has a flat wide base that will not roll off the ground, making it safer than traditional kettlebells that have a round base that can roll off and cause the user potential injuries.

[0101] The handle (marked with the letter C) is connected to the side weights indicated by the letters A and B, these side weights grip and contour to the user's various body parts while performing a wide variety of workouts to offer the user weighted resistance to strengthen specific muscle regions. All three parts A, B, and C make one whole invention that consists of an open area between parts A and B, this open area allows for the user to use the invention in a variety of ways that are indicated in FIG. 13 through FIG. 29 and FIG. 47 through FIG. 55.

[0102] The two sides parts A and B are connected to the handle at the top, creating an upside-down U shape with a space in between them. This open space and the upside-down U shape naturally contours to the user's curved body parts and as a result allows the user to hook the weight onto various parts of their body such as the back or their leg while performing donkey kicks and extended leg raises see FIG. 55 and FIG. 56. The two side parts A and B grip the users legs and stay stabilized to securely, safely and comfortably stay in place during each workout. And as a result, making the new invention safer than traditional kettlebells and hand-held dumbbells while performing the donkey kicks and fire hydrants exercises, as well as FIG. 55. All while offering the additional versatility of performing many other workouts such as indicated in FIG. 13. through FIG. 29.

[0103] Here is a detailed breakdown explanation of why the invention is more safe, comfortable, and versatile for the user than all of the prior art kettlebells, dumbbells, and ankle weights combined based on the specific exercise performed:

[0104] (1) Donkey kicks and fire hydrants: The ergonomic shape of the invention see FIGS. 1, 33, and 36, for example, allows the user to safely and comfortably place the invention behind the back of their leg while performing the donkey kick and fire hydrant workouts see FIGS. 14, 15, and 37. The upside-down U-Shaped arched handle Part C of the invention and weighted sides indicated by parts A and B naturally contour to the leg's natural arched shape allowing the invention to comfortably stay in place while lifting the leg.

[0105] Traditionally the user would use handheld dumbbells that do not have an offset weighted handle, because of this hand-held dumbbells are hard to grip with the back of the leg. They are uncomfortable to use and frequently end up falling off the leg causing potential injuries to the user. Because hand-held dumbbells are hard to grip with the back of the leg, the user focuses on squeezing the hand-held dumbbell instead of squeezing their glute muscles, which is ideal for maximum results during the donkey kick and fire hydrant workouts. The new invention solves this problem by safely and comfortably staying in place, giving the user the ability to focus on squeezing their glute muscles at the top of every rep for maximum gain results per repetition.

[0106] There is no other free weight that has the ability to contour to the leg in this way to offer weighted resistance in the ideal place for the best optional results while allowing the user to quickly take it off and on themselves. As mentioned above hand-held dumbbells do not have the arched shape design to contour to the natural curvature of the back of the leg, and the side weights are not long enough to grip the leg securely. And as a result, hand-held dumbbells are hard to keep in place behind the back of the leg and can end up falling off the leg causing the user potential injuries. And unlike ankle weights that take extra time to take on and off, the invention is super fast and easy to take on and off during interval training, allowing the user to maintain momentum for the best optional results when switching workouts.

[0107] (2) Standing Leg Raises: The problem with using ankle weights is that they take extra time to take on and off during interval training and offer limitations in the amount of weight they can go up in because they have to be attached to the user's body, as well as limitations on not being able to perform other workouts such as the deadlifts FIG. 20., supported push ups FIG. 26, thruster FIG. 12, arm raises and many more that they new invention can.

[0108] The invention allows the user to easily hook it on top of their ankle in seconds, see FIG. 16. Starting (1) and ending (2) of Standing Leg Raises workout using the invention, FIG. 17. Close-up view of Standing Leg Raises workout using the invention and FIG. 48. Close-up view of Cylinder uniform thickness version—placed on top of user's ankle/foot while performing standing leg raises. The invention upside down U arched shape naturally contours to the top of the user's ankle while lifting their leg up, allowing the weight to stay in place while offering the needed resistance for targeting the front part of their thighs and core muscles, safely and effectively.

[0109] In addition, the new invention is easy to take on and off, making the transition from one workout to another super fast and effortless. This is especially important during high interval training where the user needs to quickly transition from one workout to the next without any rest. For example, the user would start in the standing position with the invention on the floor, then quickly and easily hook the invention to the top of their foot while performing the standing leg raises. When finished with their reps the user can easily transition into a single-leg deadlift see FIG. 28. Starting (1) and ending (2) of Single Leg Deadlifts workout using the invention. FIG. 27. Close-up view of Supported Push-Up workout using the invention. This fast and effortless transition is especially beneficial for HIIT (high interval training workouts), where the user needs to keep their heart rate up to gain the maximum benefits in the shortest amount of time. And the invention is the only one that allows the user to perform these exercises without having to take extra time to switch equipment, saving them time to maintain momentum for the best optional results.

[0110] (3) Side Leg Raise workout: Using ankle weights or resistance bands, as mentioned above ankle weights and resistance bands take extra time to take on and off which are not ideal during high interval training and ankle weights can be limited in weight because of being attached to the body. In addition resistance bands do not offer the full range of motion needed to isolate and target key muscles, so they are not as effective. The invention solves this problem because it can easily be placed on the side of the leg while performing the side leg raises, see FIG. 22. Starting (1) and ending (2) of Side Leg Raise workout using the invention and FIG. 23. Close-up view of Side Leg Raise workout using the invention. Because the side of the leg is naturally curved it allows the invention to safely and comfortably stay in place while lifting the leg up, allowing a full range of motion for the maximum benefits.

[0111] (4) Knee Tucks: the upside-down arched U-arched shape of the invention allows the user to easily place the weight on top of their ankles while performing the knee tucks workout, see FIG. 24. Starting (1) and ending (2) of Knee Tucks workout using the invention, FIG. 25. Close-up view of Knee Tucks workout using the invention and FIG. 50. Close-up view of Cylinder uniform thickness version—hooked on top of both ankles of the user while performing knee tucks. This allows the user to achieve resistance to target and tone their lower abdominal muscles, quickly and easily and with a full range of motion.

[0112] (5) Supported Push-ups: As mentioned above the triangle-wide base version of the invention see FIG. 3. Triangle Version—top perspective view, offers a sturdy base while performing the supported pushups workout, see FIG. 26. Starting (1) and ending (2) of Supported Push-Up workout using the invention and FIG. 27. Close-up view of Supported Push-Up workout using the invention. This sturdy base prevents the weight from rolling over, solving the problem of the round-based kettlebell of the prior art.

[0113] (6) Arm Raises: the new invention has an open space that clears the area for the weight not to be in the way of the wrist see FIG. 13. Close-up view of the hand gripping the invention at the end of the Thruster workout, thus making the workout much more comfortable and safer for the user compared to a traditional kettlebell weight that would put pressure on the user's wrists, see FIG. 11. Prior Art—Traditional Kettlebell—side view gripped with one hand gripping.

[0114] The invention allows the user to perform all of the workouts that a traditional kettlebell does like the kettlebell swings and the deadlifts see FIG. 20. Starting (1) and ending of the (2) Deadlift workout using the invention. But because of the invention's ergonomic open upside down U-shaped design which creates space for the user's wrist and arm see FIG. 19. Close-up view of Turkish Get-Up workout using the invention while performing workouts such as the Turkish Get-Up see FIG. 18. Starting (1) and ending (2) of Turkish Get-Up workout the invention, and the Thruster workout see FIG. 12. Starting (1) and ending (2) of Thruster workout using the invention. In FIG. 13. Close-up view of the hand gripping the invention at the end of the Thruster workout you can clearly see how the open U-shaped design of the invention creates space for the user's wrist and arm, and as a result makes performing these workouts more comfortable for the user while decreasing potential injuries to the wrist when lifting the weight, especially in the cases where the weight amount is increased.

[0115] Overall the new invention is like a kettlebell, hand dumbbell, and ankle weights in one product, with the additional versatility of allowing the user to hook the weight safely and comfortably onto various body parts for extra resistance. This makes the new invention the most versatile free weight.

[0116] The preferred names for the parts of the invention and its environment are summarized below.

[0117] Part A Left side weight part of the invention

[0118] Part B Right side weight part of the invention

[0119] Part C Handle weight part of the invention

[0120] Part 1 Handle part of the Invention (also indicated by letter C)

[0121] Part 2 Exterior part of the invention (also indicated by letters A and B)

[0122] Part 3 Interior part of the invention (also indicated by letters A and B)

[0123] Part 4 Rim thickness part of the invention

[0124] Part 5 Base part of the invention

[0125] Part 6 Increased thickness of the invention

[0126] Part 7 Handle part of the Prior Art—Traditional Kettlebell

[0127] Part 8 Solid Weighed Part of Handle part of the Prior Art—Traditional Kettlebell

[0128] Part 9 Base part of the Prior Art—Traditional Kettlebell

[0129] Part 10 Hand and arm of a human user

[0130] Part 11 Lower leg part a human user (ankle and foot area)

[0131] Part 12 Leg part a human user

[0132] Part 13 Handle Part of Prior Art—Hand-Held Dumbbell

[0133] Part 14 Side Weight Plates (can be detached and attached) of Prior Art—Hand-Held Dumbbell

[0134] Part 15 Side Weights of Prior Art—Hand-Held Dumbbell

[0135] Part 16 Flat surface area such as the floor

[0136] Part 17 Area where part C the Handle can separate from parts A and B

[0137] Part 18 Male Threads

[0138] Part 19 Female Threads hole opening for male threads

[0139] Part 20 Hole opening for hollow version of parts A and B

[0140] Part 21 Funnel

[0141] Part 22 Heavy material such as water or sand